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S I X T Y - T H R E E
Last Updated:
2023-07-23 19:58:19
MercyCrownAnother super long chapter! Thank you for waiting and reading, my loves. So I have to fix some things here and it’ll get me busy till Wednesday but I don’t want to cease updating till then. The time might be unstable though. If you don’t see an update at our usual time, don’t worry, I’ll still update for the day; just might be a bit late. Once I’ve gotten this done, we’ll be back to our usual time. Thank you for your understanding and the support you continue to give this book– they’re truly all that keeps me going so do keep them coming. Also, the next few chapters might be a bit heart wrenching but keep strong while holding your breath😆 So whose team are you on? Elizabeth? James? Or… Jared?👀
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My Stepbrother S I X T Y - F O U R
JAMES. I sit still on the bed with my bottom lip pulled between my teeth to hold back the strangled sounds that threaten to fall as I keep my eyes fixated on the floor. I lift my head when I hear the sound of a door closing and Elizabeth is walking out of the bathroom. She doesn’t look my way as she strides to the small sofa right by the door to grab her bag. I watch her throw it over her head and cross it over her chest and my lips parts, hundreds of words wanting to leave my mouth. I have so much to tell her. So much to convince her of. I have so much to show her and let her know, but I can’t say the words. She’s made up her mind and I don’t think there’s changing it this time. She doesn’t want to be with me in any way anymore. Not as the one who has romantic feelings for me, nor as one who cares about me as a friend. She wants out of my life completely and the pain I feel from realizing that, from listening to her say those words—hurts more than anything I’ve ever known. "I… um.
Last Updated : 2023-07-24My Stepbrother S I X T Y - F I V E
JAMES. "James…" I take a step forward as I remove my hand from the switch. "Mom. What are you doing?" She holds a hand over her chest as if she’s trying to calm her heart as she turns her flash from my face. She turns it off and tucks the phone into the pocket of her Jean before she looks back at me. "Hey. I didn’t know you were around. Thought you went out." She smiles as she rolls the sleeves of her sweater and paces forward. I avert my gaze from her to the space behind, wondering what she could have been doing with the lights off. There’s nothing in this room. "Why are you in here? Were you searching for something?" "Yes. I mean no. What could I possibly be searching for?" Her laugh is awkward when it echoes around us and when I lift my brow in silent questioning, she continues, the words jumbled together and not sounding sure of them herself. "I was… um, I was making sure." She closes her eyes and sighs. One hand holds her hip as she rubs the other across her forehead. When sh
Last Updated : 2023-07-25My Stepbrother S I X T Y - S I X
JAMES. My blood is boiling and my breathing is harsh as I wait for Janet to speak while she keeps hitting the hand I have wrapped around her throat, struggling to loosen my grip. "James… wait… please." She coughs and when I see her eyes redder than before, and lashes almost fluttering against her cheeks; I let go. I remove my hand and take several steps away from her, my chest rising and falling rapidly as I watch her fight to catch her breath. Her head hangs in the air with her hands on her opened thighs as she coughs violently while I keep my distance. After long torturous minutes of waiting, she raises her head with one hand crossed over her chest and I can see the fear in her eyes when they meet mine. I can feel it in her stance and she stares at me like she doesn’t recognize the boy who stands before her—Good. I don’t recognize myself these days anymore either. "What’s wrong with you?" Her voice is small, edged with gentleness rolled in reluctance, and when she blinks once more
Last Updated : 2023-07-28My Stepbrother S I X T Y - S E V E N
ELIZABETH.—SEVEN MONTHS LATER.It’s been nine months since I left San Francisco and exactly seven months since James was here.I thought that day was the last time I’d hear from him, but he had other plans. Since he left, he texted me every single day. He keeps me in a loop with everything that happens in his life; how his every day goes, what new things happen, and all other unnecessary stuff I never asked to know about. It’s like I’m his diary and he doesn’t care I don’t reply to his messages, he keeps sending those texts anyway, and at first, I found myself annoyed by them—I was once close to actually blocking him—but there was a small part of me that enjoyed that. There’s a part of me that loves knowing everything that goes on with James, even when I don’t want him close. That part of me looks forward to those texts of his, to what he’d say and what he’d complain about. I’ve tried to not let myself feel that way, but there was no stopping me. I’ve grown too used to them that I fi
Last Updated : 2023-07-29My Stepbrother S I X T Y - E I G H T
JAMES. I’m here. In Los Angeles. The University of California. I got in. When I told my parents about what I wanted to do, my mother, of course, had lots to say about it, but I wasn’t ready to listen. I didn’t listen and when she realized there was nothing she could do to stop me; she let me go. I got here two days ago. After settling in, I began my search for Elizabeth. I didn’t want to text her to let her know about it. I wanted to surprise her, plus the ninety percent chance that she wouldn’t reply to my text, so I just roamed around the entire campus looking for her. It’s bigger than it looks, so it took quite a time, but I finally found her. Yesterday, I saw her entering the dorms. Then I lost her so I went room by room asking. Thankfully, I didn’t have to ask much before I got hers. Out of all the ways I thought I’d finally meet Elizabeth and see her again, this definitely didn’t come as a possibility. I didn’t think—not even for a second—that she’d be standing before me n
Last Updated : 2023-07-29My Stepbrother S I X T Y - N I N E
ELIZABETH. "Girl. Are you okay?" Miley asks as she walks to her side of the room and I turn on my bed to her. "Yeah, I’m good. Why are you asking?" "I don’t know." She chuckles as she drops the towel in her hair on her bed. "You’ve just been a bit weird since I came back. Just making sure everything is good?" "Everything is fine," I assure her as I watch her rip her pants down her legs, leaving only her thong. Miley doesn’t mind showing skin, but I still turn away every time and give her the privacy she doesn’t really ask for. "I’m just thinking about stuff." "Does it have to do with that hot guy you were speaking to yesterday?" More like the pretty one that was in here today. "Stop asking about Jared, Mile," I respond with a groan and I hear her laugh. There’s the sound of ruffling of clothes and her voice sounds like she’s struggling when she speaks. "I’m just… making sure." The room is left in silence as Miley continues with her stuff while I curl up on my bed, James easily in
Last Updated : 2023-07-30My Stepbrother S E V E N T Y
JAMES. Elizabeth’s eyes are wide as she stares at me but I can tell I’m not hurting her because she makes no move to remove my hand from her chin and my patience starts to wear thin as she just gapes at me, so close but refuses to give me what I want. My other hand moves to her waist and a groan leaves her lips when I force my hips against hers. Something dark flashes in those pretty hazel eyes, but it’s gone before I can tell what and my mouth is opening again. "Tell me, Elizabeth." My voice isn’t harsh like the first few times. It’s now small and soft, even pathetic to my ears. I should be ashamed about how often I’m pathetic before her, but I’m long past that level with Elizabeth. She’s broken me. Completely. And we’re both just here, staring at my pieces, and there’s nothing else to hide from her. She sees everything. She knows everything. "James." She doesn’t call my name like she wants to drive a knife through my chest like the last time she did. And her eyes aren’t so angry.
Last Updated : 2023-07-31My Stepbrother S E V E N T Y - O N E
ELIZABETH. I try to hurry to my feet as James drags up his pants, but I’m not quick enough and the door opens. Miley walks in with a groan as she shuts the door behind her and I just freeze, my lips parted. "Elizabeth?" she calls again, her eyes landing on me before they shift to James. She just stands there, staring between the two of us, and I scurry off the floor, aimlessly pulling at the end of my shirt. "Hey. You’re back." I chuckle nervously with heated cheeks as I try not to look at the boy next to me. Miley gasps, her eyes on James. "It was you!" She accuses as she starts to move closer. "You were the one… I saw you. That day, you were here asking of her." She glances at me and back at him. "You were…" She suddenly stops and pushes her head back as she looks between us. "Wait, were you two…?" I clear my throat and look away, but I hear James laugh. "Jesus! You mean I walked in on you two?" "James was just leaving!" I interrupt her, saving us from the embarrassment James ap
Last Updated : 2023-08-01
Latest chapter
My Stepbrother Bonus Chapter - James + Elizabeth 02
ELIZABETH.—TWO MONTHS LATER.Miley is saying something about organizing a party for my birthday, but I’m not paying attention as my gaze runs along the words on my screen, my left palm pressed to my cheek. As if she’s right here with me and knows I’m not listening, her voice booms through the speaker, "Elizabeth? You’re not listening to me, are you?"I gaze at the phone on the desk, and the screen reads for fifteen minutes. I think I stopped paying attention around five minutes, but I still lie and say, "Of course I am.""What were my last words?""You were saying…" I trail off and there’s silence on her side. "… something about Darcy and a party.""Elizabeth!" I can imagine the frown on her face as she calls my name and I chuckle, finally grabbing the phone as I lean back in my chair. "Sorry, I’m just busy with work. I really don’t want a party, Mile.""Are you leaving for James?"I purse my lips, a small wave of sadness hitting me and my voice is small when I answer, "No. He’s busy,
My Stepbrother Bonus Chapter - James + Elizabeth
ELIZABETH.—FOUR YEARS LATER.I’m nervous.My harsh breathing fills the tiny space of the car and I rub my palms together before I look out the window with my heart racing in my chest.Everything goes past me in a blur. Houses, shops and restaurants. And the closer the car gets me to him, the faster my heart pounds; so loud that I can no longer hear the words the driver is uttering to me.I don’t know why I’m this nervous.Actually, I do. I haven’t seen him in almost a year. It shouldn’t be any big deal since we speak occasionally over the phone; video calls, voice calls, texts. We tried to remain close in every way possible and although I had tried hard to convince myself those were more than enough; I knew they couldn’t compare to seeing him with my naked eyes. Like I’m about to do very soon.I’ve been counting down the days until I’ll stand before James and now that it’s come, I can’t help the nervousness that spikes through me. Along with a tiny fear. I don’t want it to be there, b
My Stepbrother NOTE!
Hello loves,First, I’d love to thank you all for being so patient with me on this book. Despite the long gap between the updates and my disappearance, you still waited patiently for James and Elizabeth’s story and no words can describe how thankful I am to have you all. I won’t lie; I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to find the excitement I felt when I first started this book again because I was away from the characters for so long. But I did. I found the spark I had from the beginning and I enjoyed the time I spent writing this book. Thank you all so much for pushing me and forcing me out—though some comments were harsh, I still appreciate them all haha.Now to my updating schedule.It’s been a mess, hasn’t it? I know there’s been too much gap between my updates and you might not believe me when I say this, but I hate missing frequent/daily updates just as much as y’all do. It makes me less disciplined and incompetent when I don’t write as much as I plan to and I especially hate disappoin
My Stepbrother O N E H U N D R E D & E I G H T
ELIZABETH.~A MONTH LATER.We stayed in San Francisco for a week and only left after Lily’s discharge. When we got back to Los Angeles, I could still tell everything that happened back there took a toll on James. Although he tried to hide it, tried to smile more; it was evident everything he learned from his parents had taken something from him and I was scared for a long time he’d never get that back.But he did… or at least he’s trying.His eyes are no longer as dull as they seemed when we first arrived, and I can see the spark in them. Each of the smiles he throws at me now is genuine and he spends less time trying to hide the pain he feels. He’s being himself again—he’s being my James, and he’s back to me.I haven’t felt as at ease as I did six nights ago when he woke me up in the middle of the night and just laid his head on my chest as he cried in my arms. He poured out his pain to me one last time and since then, he can speak about his mom without looking like it’s the last thin
My Stepbrother O N E H U N D R E D & S E V E N
ELIZABETH.James' brows crease at Gabriel’s words, and I squeeze my hand in his as my heart pounds in my chest."What? What are you talking about?" James asks and Gabriel shakes his head, a sad look in his eyes. "I’m sorry, son. She left.""What do you mean, she left?" James' voice raises higher and Gabriel swallows, "I was just—she was here when I arrived. She was asleep, and I just went to the reception to settle the bills and make some inquiries, but when I got back; she was gone. And your sister was crying. She said Zara left and said to not look for her."I feel my heart breaks in my chest for both of them and James' grip on my hand gets increasingly tighter till it starts to hurt but I don’t pull away. He remains silent and just stares at the man before us—who looks just as shaken by the revelation."I’m so sorry, I didn’t—""No." James voices out now and his tight grip starts to loosen. I hear him exhale before he says, "It’s good she left, and like you said; she doesn’t want t
My Stepbrother O N E H U N D R E D & S I X
JAMES."I thought you left," Elizabeth sighs in my arms, her grip around me growing tighter and I smile as I finally drop a hand on her back, pressing her closer to me. "And where would I go, love?"She pulls back by a bit so she can look into my eyes and her lips push out as she speaks. "I don’t know. I just thought—""Thought I’d run from you?" I finish for her and when she doesn’t respond, I lean down to take her lips. It’s meant to be just a soft reassuring peck, but Elizabeth moves her hands to my neck, deepening the kiss as her fingers play with the hair at the back of my head and I move a hand to her cheek, tilting her head back so I can plunge my tongue inside her mouth.She cups my neck with a palm, her fingers digging into the skin as she moans into the kiss and I move my free hand to the small of her back; I rest it on her ass as my tongue clashes against hers, heat spreading across my skin at the taste and feel of her.When I feel my pants tightening at the front, I start t
My Stepbrother O N E H U N D R E D & F I V E
ELIZABETH.He doesn’t stop sobbing as he clings onto me as though he’s afraid he’d drift away if he doesn’t and with each loud cry that leaves his mouth, a piece of my heart breaks for him.I can feel the anguishing pain with each sound that leaves him, and his body shakes in my embrace. I let out a soft exhale as tears roll down my cheeks while I continue to slide a hand down his back, whispering soft promises I’ll do anything to keep. "You’ll be fine, baby. You’re alright. I’m here. I’m here with you."We stay in the position for what feels like long and after a while, his sobs quiet down, but he doesn’t move away from me, his breath hot on my neck and I swallow through the tightness of my throat. "I’m always here with you."The sound of our breathing echoes through the corners of the room and James starts to pull back. He removes his arms from around me but I keep the one hand on the back of his neck as I lift my gaze to stare at him. His eyes are red as he holds my gaze, and I giv
My Stepbrother O N E H U N D R E D & F O U R
ELIZABETH.I run after him with my heart breaking for him, but he’s just too fast. He dashes through corners quickly before I can even catch up to him, but I don’t stop chasing after him, either.I know this must be too much for him, but I just want to be there for him. I want him to know someone hurts for him. But he doesn’t wait for me to do either of those things.When I rush out the entrance door and stop only a few steps away with my heart pounding in my chest and my eyes scanning the corners, I don’t see him.I don’t see James.The car is here, but he isn’t. He left. He ran without me.I push a hand through my hair before taking out my phone from the back pocket of the pants I have on—his pants. My pulse is racing as I press the phone to my ear after dialing his number, and it rings. It rings and my purse vibrates, reminding me that he left his phone with me on our way here.God, James. Please. Please, just be alright. Don’t do anything stupid and be fucking alright.Please.Drea
My Stepbrother O N E H U N D R E D & T H R E E
JAMES.Everything else shatters around me as I stare at her with disbelief coursing through my veins, wanting more than anything for her to take back those words—to tell me this is some kind of sick joke.She doesn’t.Instead, her tears fall even more as she proceeds to say, "I’m so sorry, Gabriel. I didn’t mean to—" a sob breaks out, and she shuts her eyes tightly. When she opens them again, they’re so red that it’s hard to act like she doesn’t know what she’s speaking about. She does. Oh God, she does."What are you saying, Zara?" Dad’s quiet voice comes, no doubt he’s as frightened as I am. "James is my son. He’s always been. He’s been from his birth, so why are you—""He isn’t." She insists, and I gulp down the bitterness that’s quickly rising in my throat. My hand shakes in hers and I quickly let go, fisting my hands in the fabric of my pants to try to stop the trembling. "I cheated. Years back. I was married to you, but I was in love with someone else.""Zara…""I’m sorry. I kno
