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..

tried to breathe slowly, doing my best to keep the new

think that's a good idea, baby." I tried to smile,

heart suddenly began to race. I'd be a fool to

down, I knew what this was. This was a door opening just wide enough for someone to reach in and pull her away from

finally softening, understanding

I couldn't lose that.

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Chapter 322

to control her. No. This wasn't like

me protecting

worried. I haven't been able reach her

About that... I couldn't bring myself to tell her I was the reason she hadn't heard from anyone. I had made sure no one would be able to reach

and used every trick I knew to keep

social media accounts? They were also logged in,

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

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

fine, baby. If something was wrong,

you promised to stop controlling and restricting me... You said all that two nights ago, remember?" She sounded upset, and I

my jaw, trying to

I was fisting the bed sheet

digging into my palm.

She stepped closer.

gently, "Look at

kept my eyes

felt the shift in the bed as she knelt in front

pulled my eyes

hear me? I'm not going anywhere promised I'd stay with you through

e.'m not

not giving up on

throat tightened, my breath catching like a hitch

in and

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

cupped her cheek, pressing my

I lied hoping she'd

have a thing

brushed my jaw gently. "Kester... no," she said softly. "You