Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 322

KESTER.

I felt alive. After having that moment of vulnerability with Kasmine yesterday, a new kind of hope sprang to life in me.

I felt like something inside me had cracked open, and light was finally starting to pour in.

I knew there was garbage in me... years of it, stacked like rotting furniture in a haunted house. But admitting it was never a thing. I never admitted any of it to anyone, not even to the so-called doctors at rehab or my therapist. But it only took Kasmine a second to get it all out of me.

As long as Kasmine stayed beside me, I'd do whatever it took. Therapy. Self- work. The whole fucking climb uphill.

I'd stop hurting people if that's what it took to see her smile again.

I'd chain my anger, muzzle it, watch every single word I said, just to make sure I don't get her worried.

Hell, a slit my own wrists and bleed out into a canvas if she ever said she loved red and wanted to see a shade no one had ever

seen before.

That's how far I'd go. That's how much she'd already changed me.

I was already going through a long list of the best trauma therapists in the country.

I was eager to start. If I do my best, I should be

ready to have a proper family with her - a wedding, a new home, welcoming our baby, and a lot of other things.

"Kester?" Her sweet, sugary voice called out softly, fresh from the bathroom, still damp with steam and the scent of lavender. She stood there with a towel wrapped around her like some sacred vision her hair dripping down her shoulders.

I looked up instantly, giving her my full attention.

"Yes, baby."

She hesitated for half a second. But it was enough to set my nerves on edge.

"I'm going to see Mum today," she said. “She asked for me the other day, but... you didn't let me leave."

Something inside me clenched.

Not again..

slowly, doing my best to keep the new

a good idea, baby." I tried

be a fool to let her leave.

knew what this was. This was a door opening just wide enough for someone to reach in and

understanding me,

I couldn't lose that.

1/3

Chapter 322

control her. No. This wasn't like

This was me protecting myself

She must be worried. I haven't been able reach her since the last

heard from anyone. I had

rerouted calls, blocked certain contacts, and used every trick I

They were also

might disrupt

a new leaf. But she'd go nuts if she ever found out. So, I'd keep it at that

sighed, working a small smile onto my lips. "Your mum is fine, baby. If something was wrong, we would've heard from the pack already. Don't

You said all

clenched my jaw, trying to stay calm

bed sheet beside

digging into my palm.

She stepped closer.

gently,

my eyes locked

the shift in the bed as

pulled my eyes

"You hear me? I'm not going anywhere promised I'd

e.'m not

not giving

breath catching like a hitch in

leaned in and kissed

she whispered against my lips. "I always come back to

cupped her cheek, pressing my forehead to hers.

at the pack." I lied hoping

also have

jaw gently. "Kester... no," she