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..

breathe slowly, doing my best to keep the new leaf

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

race. I'd be a fool to let her leave. At least not to the

knew what this was. This was a door opening just wide

understanding

I couldn't lose that.

1/3

Chapter 322

to control her. No. This wasn't like before.

to believe I was worthy of. This was me protecting myself and my family. I won't let anyone

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

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

rerouted calls, blocked certain contacts, and used every trick I knew to keep her

media accounts? They were also logged in, on my own

that I felt might disrupt our peace and

go nuts if she ever found out. So, I'd

is fine, baby. If something

all

to stay calm and keep

was fisting the bed

digging into my palm.

She stepped closer.

she called gently, "Look at

kept my eyes locked on the

moment later, I felt the shift in the bed as she knelt

my eyes

you," she said. "You hear me? I'm not going anywhere promised I'd

e.'m not

giving up on

catching like a

in and

back," she whispered against my lips.

up slowly and cupped her cheek, pressing my forehead to hers.

I lied hoping she'd

take you, then. I also have a

brushed my jaw gently. "Kester...