Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 329

KESTER.

I sat in the living room, hunched over the controller, with my eyes glued to the TV screen as the video game blared through the speakers when I heard Dad's car in the parking lot.

They were here.

I had already rehearsed this moment over and over in my head like a scene from a movie, and I was certain I'd do even better than how I had it planned out in my head.

Ignore them. Don't speak. Don't look. Just keep your eyes on the TV nd pretend they don't exist.

Simple.

I turned the volume up a notch.

I heard giggles.

They were already a happy family without me. But it wasn't new to me. Whoever the little girl who'd now become his new daughter was should be happy she met the monster when he was in his pretentious era. She probably thought she'd just won the jackpot. Got herself a daddy

I couldn't wait for her to learn how wrong she was.

The front door creaked open.

I didn't even turn to look.

The maids followed behind, dragging in glossy suitcases and fancy bags with golden zippers. The heavy luggage was carried upstairs.

I could feel them stop behind me but I kept my gaze focused on the game, pretending I didn't hear the tiny exhale Dad always made when he was trying not to lose his temper.

"Kester," he called, clearing his throat.

But I didn't move.

"Kester," he tried again in a firmer tone.

I still said nothing. He didn't deserve a reaction.

There was silence... And then, snap!

from my hands, the plastic digging into my fingers

body gong stiff, with my head turning slowly like a machine until my eyes

looked him dead

to speak, his jaw twitching

1/3

Chapter 329

in a low ang light

I didn't blink.

New mother?

like I could just swap my real Mum out

slowly turned my head to the

Jorja.

she thought I was some kid who could be won over

she said, all warm

something in me

she was a cardboard cutout. Maybe she was. Because I

as a

heard someone else speak... Someone I hadn't

voice was soft, clear, sweet, and a

gaze immediately snapped sideways,

voice sparked something in

blinked when my eyes

who had saved my life by wishing me a happy birthday

burned like I'd swallowed something

again, and my heart, the one I thought was all scabbed

It ached.

had practiced, all my

sister" as she sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes glued to one of those bright, squeaky cartoons kids her age. seemed to love. I just hoped

hope

these past four months. ever since she and

Always smiling, alwamet

bears and weird-shaped cookies like that

her

could

of warmth I needed.