iet'

s voice boomed th

on my stepbrother. His presence wa

ward, lingering on the box th

rkness lurking beneath his facade. And right now, in fro

" Lucas greeted w

red, his voice dri

fell into an eerie silence, the tension thick in the air. It felt li

ll, I can't exactly say that my m

I simply asked Harriet

dly direct your inquiries towards them rather than bothering Har

han to address me as his 'sister.' H

did so because

. "Come with me. Right now." His anger was evident. I knew I ha

an instant, Ethan's grip on my wrist tigh

I managed to steal a qu

mething flashed

e him. His gray eyes glowed with intense displeasure as

elp?" Lucas silen

nstead, I looked away and allowed myse

arned for Lucas's help. I yearned for someone to save me from this ni

t to the secluded part of t

wall with force. Then, Ethan pulled my hair, making

ng, being with that s

e go first and..

ere you doing with that jerk?" His intense blue eyes flickered with madness. "Were yo

gs. Disgust surged through me, prompting me to swiftly raise m

e pulled me closer, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "If you don't w

htened my posture and fixed my tousled hair. I s

, I will. I am an engaged

, I will. I am an engaged

contorted into a scowl, his hold on me becoming firmer. I s

iercing stare. "If that jerk ever dares to speak words of love or desire to you, always remember where you

I stared back a

ey were inseparable,

d a multitude of talents that surpassed his own. Slowly b

else to say," I muttered qu

shed past him, determined to c

steps brisk and pu

rri

weetly and innocently as if the chaotic events that had just unfolded were nothin

e. All I wanted was to break free from his oppressive hold,

only way

e

just

lan, I made my wa

aunted me. The way he mouthed me, asking

ll die anyway," I said,

nymore, I closed my ey

tap, t

ythmic sounds broke the si

as that

ttention towar

oom as I got out of bed, having skipped my meal, an

latch, and with a gentle push, the windowpane swu

xclaimed, hastily

nimble fingers effortlessly juggled little pebbles, mos

imb up that t

branch?" I bombarded him with questions. "Are you out of y

cerns. With a nonchalant smile, he responded, "I am

m through the window. It seemed as though he had executed this act countless times

ng in disbelief as I witnessed him audaciousl

ermission to enter

perch myself on the branch outside, and formally request your

immediate, "That

ing to amuse you, fo

een my teeth as I observed him

t's so spacious and clean." After our impromptu tour, he turned t

I suddenly becam

omfort, but the downside was that it was quite see-through

imed, quickly using my ar

bother hiding that? I've alr

e and demanded, "WHAT BUSINE

your crazy stepbrother treated you so bad

*

as'

mate's wrist, I was on the verge of

ect. So, if ever she just asks for my help, I will hesitate to do so. But

ocked on h

and what I witnessed nex

it took everything in me not to poun

mily's house, so I ha

HERE? ANSWER ME," My cute ma

art with the first damn thing that kept on b

ted you so badly earlier, why did

hile her quivering li

aze and tightly c

son, I persisted, "Do you really hate

e replied, still avoiding ey

. "For me, it's simple. If you hate it,

about what was happening in her mind. However, her

and commanded, "Jus

ntend it to be that way. She told everyone to leave her alone, yet she appeare

ate to become like

y, finally meeting my gaze.

responded, "Your wish

ief, probably believing i

" She yelled in panic as I effortlessly lifted her on

eave. So, I will take what I need and then le

pe my grasp. Without hesitation, we took a leap off

..

oo

ce en

ear that she was amazed by our daring jump from the second floor,

n tight and stay quiet. Tonight, we'