Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 330

The door creaked open. Soft footsteps padded in, and before I could urn, I felt that subtle, familiar heat against my back. That stupid, stubborn warmth that always tried to bloom in my chest whenever she was around began to take root.

She was standing there in her tiny socks and oversized unicorn sweater, blinking up at me with wide,

worried eyes.

"Kester! What happened to you?" she asked, her voice already laced with panic.

I didn't respond right away. I just turned my back to her, my fingers ranking impatiently at the buttons of my bloodied school shirt.

"It's nothing. Leave," I muttered, trying to sound as cold as I could. Bat my knuckles trembled a little as I peeled the shirt off and tossed it into the laundry basket.

I got into a fight again.

After the day I beat the hell out, of Troy at school, things had shifted People looked at me differently, with fear, respect, and caution. No one messed with me anymore. At least, no one from my school.

But the Shadow Valley kids were another story. They were doing a good job at pissing me off. Especially Nagel.

That idiot had been testing my patience for weeks, mouthing off like he had nothing to lose. So, today, I made sure he understood exactly who he was dealing with.

I was sure he lost a tooth or two.

But he still had the nerve to promise revenge.

Good. I'd be waiting. Because I would be glad to beat him again.

"Mum and Dad aren't home," Kasmine said softly. "I can call one of the maids to check your injury..."

"Don't," I cut in quickly, "I can take care of myself."

She paused, watching me. Her eyes flicked to the blood staining my shoulder, then to the bruising starting to swell on my knuckles.

"Should I... get you some ice?" she asked. "Does it hurt?"

Her voice was so gentle. So sincere.

It crawled under my skin, and I hated that it made something ache deep in my chest.

So, I snapped.

"Leave me alone, Kasmine!"

She flinched, taking a step backward like she didn't know whether to run or apologize or just disappear into the floor.

"I... I'm sorry," she whispered. Her voice cracked around the words. And when I turned to look at her, I saw those big green eyes were filled with tears. Her bottom lip trembled as she held back a sob.

'And it somehow got to me.

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Chapter 330

door open with her tiny fingers, and ran

mean... I asked her several times

why I'd been restless since she ran out

came to

nightlamp painted the walls in pastel hues. She was curled up on her bed, her arms wrapped tightly around

saw me, het sad eyes lit up, and she sat up

as if unsure if I was there-to-yell at

soft power in her gaze, like a candle refusing to go out in the

always did that to me... stirred something

to be protected by someone bigger and stronger than her. She had to be protected from the

my feet a little, then sat down on the edge.

the back of my neck, eyes fixed on the toy-strewn carpet.

whole face brightened like forgiveness had already

You were upset," she said gently. "I forgive

almost laughed. Forgive me? Just

I was about to stand and make

feel calm and peaceful, even though

always so sad?" she asked, tilting her head, those innocent eyes scanning my face

I looked away.

a friend.

if that somehow

me to be your sister. We could play together. Or watch a movie. I don't like it when you're sad all the time. Or

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Chapter 330

the door open with her

she kept insisting, and I didn't like

came to talk

bedroom door was ajar, and the soft light from her princess-themed nightlamp painted the walls in pastel hues. She was curled up on her bed, her arms wrapped tightly

sad eyes lit

was there to yell at her again or to

so breakale. And yet, there was this strange, soft power in her gaze, like

to me... stirred something

by someone bigger and stronger than her. She had to be protected from the world. She

dragging my feet a little, then sat down on the edge.

neck, eyes fixed on the toy-strewn carpet. "I'm

like forgiveness had already been waiting on the tip of her

were upset," she said gently. "I forgive

me? Just like that? It was that

I muttered, managing a small chuckle I didn't quite feel. I was about to stand and make my

my wrist.

always made me

she touched me.

asked, tilting her head, those

"Don't you have

1

I looked away.

friend. Norlan.

as if that somehow made