Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

Chapter 212 Chapter 212 KASMINE.

I have been feeling a bit too weak lately. It had been four days since we returned from the Maldives, yet my body still felt sluggish and drained.

At first, I thought it was the stress from the entire trip, but now I was beginning to think otherwise.

Could it be that I caught the flu during our stay there? I couldn't afford that right now. My birthday was in eleven days, and the last thing I wanted was to look pale and exhausted on a day that was meant to be... perfect.

The reality hitmildly.

Eleven days.

And I hadn't even begun preparations yet. Mum was probably already deep into planning, shaping everything into her own version of perfect. But I also had sthings I'd like to add to her 'perfect' list.

Scrap that.

This year's birthday is meant to be very significant. I needed to be in full control, not just a passive guest at my own event.

She would have to work with me. Not the other way around.

I pulled open the drawer beside my bed, my fingers finding the small bottle tucked inside as I took a tablet of my birth control pills.

I was left with just a few. I hope we'll return to Kester's house in tbefore I exhaust them. I'd have to restock soon, but not from here-not anywhere near the house. If Mum ever found them, I wasn't sure how she'd react, and I wasn't about to find out.

It feels weird.

Sthings were better left undiscovered.

1/5 Chapter 212 Dropping the bottle in the drawer, which I always lock because I wouldn't want Kester to find out that I'm on the pills, my fingers brushed the jewelry box Jake had given me, and smile spread across my face.

I borrowed Mum's phone last night and called Jake. We spoke at length, and I couldn't help the velvety tips of butterfly wings that brushed against my heart at all the sweet things he said to me.

"This is love.' I kept repeating the mantra each tI thought about Jake. Not that I was trying convince myself, but... I mean... I was already convinced what I felt for Jake was love. I didn't need anyone to explain that to me.

What I felt for Kester was nothing more than... I could call it a thrill... I didn't feel anything other than that for him.

Even though he made my heart flutter in ways that felt... dangerous.

Even though his presence unsettled something deep inside me, something I refused to name.

Even though a single glance from him sent fire licking up my spine, spreading low in between my thighs and deep inside my core until I could barely breathe.

Even though my body, my mind, my very soul bent to his will, answering him before he even spoke.

Even though two days without seeing him leftrestless, unraveling, and on the verge of losing my mind.

Even though he wielded my senses like a master puppeteer, bending them to his will with a mere flick of his gaze.

None of that meant I loved him.

Right? The beeping on my phone joltedout of my spiraling thoughts and the stupid comparison I was making in my head.

Chapter 212 I reached out and picked it up from the bed stand. It was a text from Claire.

She had been ghostingfor days, and now, out of nowhere, she was ready to talk?? Perfect.

I clicked on the message, expecting shalf-hearted apology or an excuse.

Instead, I saw a link.

And a message that sent a strange ripple of unease through me.

Claire: Girl!! You never shared this sad news with me! I'm heartbroken! Sad news? My pulse stuttered.

What the hell was she talking about? A strange tightness gripped my chest as I tapped the link. It tookstraight to Instagram, the screen loading in a tauntingly slow crawl.

Then- My heunt screeched to a stop.

WWbratt-?? My legs carriedfaster than my mind could process, my pulse pounding in my ears as bunt through Kester's door.

"What the hell, Kester! You never toldyou had picked a date ffor..." The words died in my throat.

I stopped abruptly when my vision adjusted. The dim light bled into my vision, and suddenly, I wished I hadn't stormed in so recklessly because what I saw sucked out all tl air from my lungs, but it was too late to take it back.

What the hell? Chapter 212 What did I just say about a thrill being what I felt for Kester? Because how else do I explain the sharp, hot twist in my stomach right now? The reason my heart

stopped beating for a second and the heat leaking into my bloodstream at e the sight before me? I could barely breathe as the scene unfolded like a sickening dream.

Kester and June.

Why was she straddling his thighs in that manner?

Why were her arms slung around his neck, fingers trailing over his skin like atoyer reacquainting herself with something she had every right to claim? Why was her face so close to his that it was almost painful to look at? And why the hell was he letting her touch him like that?

That twisting, suffocating heat coiled tighter in my chest, filling me, but i couldn't couldn't-look away. Then, the absurdity hit me.

What the hell was I feeling? Was this jealousy? Did I even have the right to feel this way? I didn't want him.

Hell, I didn't even like him like that.

Right? At least, not in that manner.

"I'm sorry. Didn't mean to interrupt," I managed to say.

But I did.

I wanted to interrupt. I wanted to shatter whatever stupid moment they were caught in and tear the scene apart.

But instead, I turned on my heel and marched out, slamming the door shut behindwith all the strength I had left.