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..

to breathe slowly, doing my best to keep the

I called softly, "I don't think that's a good idea, baby." I

heart suddenly began to race. I'd be a fool to let her leave. At least not to

This was a door opening just wide enough for someone to reach in

softening, understanding me, and loving me

I couldn't lose that.

1/3

Chapter 322

me trying to control her. No. This wasn't like before. Th was

was worthy of. This was me protecting myself

have to see Mum. She must be worried. I haven't been able reach her since the last time we spoke, three days ago," she sighed, folding

her I was the reason she hadn't heard from anyone. I had made sure no one would be

certain contacts, and used

media accounts? They were also logged in,

made sure to delete some chats and messages that I felt might disrupt our peace and quiet, even before she

go nuts if she ever found out. So,

mum is fine, baby. If something was

all that two nights ago, remember?" She sounded upset, and I hated

trying to stay calm and keep

realize I was fisting the bed sheet

digging into my palm.

She stepped closer.

called gently,

kept my eyes locked on the

the shift in the bed as she knelt

pulled my

I'm not going anywhere promised I'd stay

e.'m not

giving up on

catching

in and kissed

against my

reached up slowly and cupped her cheek,

the pack." I lied

you, then. I also have a thing or two

fingers brushed my jaw gently. "Kester... no," she said