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!

the plastic digging into my fingers before

gong stiff, with my head turning slowly

dead in the

was daring me to speak, his jaw twitching like it always

1/3

Chapter 329

in a low

I didn't blink.

New mother?

swap my real

turned my head to the woman

Jorja.

I was some kid who could be won over

said, all warm and

something in me

her. I just stared at her like she was a cardboard cutout. Maybe she was. Because I only

as a

speak... Someone I

voice was soft, clear, sweet, and a

snapped sideways,

voice sparked something in

blinked when my

The girl who had saved my life

like I'd swallowed

my heart, the one I thought was all scabbed over and cold,

It ached.

all my defiance... Everything just came

walked past my "little 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 she was

hope was never

so hard to get close to me these past four months. ever since

Always smiling, alwamet

damn gummy bears and weird-shaped cookies like that was enough to make me smile.

with her tiny arms

like she could offer

of warmth I needed.