All Chapters of MY STEPBROTHER'S RETURN: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

I stroll into Katherine’s room, the weight of the situation feeling like a beardown on me. My legs are just shuffling, without enough strength. My heart is heavy, with the aftermath of my actions. If that cursed relationship between me and Joe did not exist, if I never met that son of a bitch, all this chaos would never have happened. That accident would never have happened. We would not have resulted to go into hiding and make everyone believe that we were dead for three good weeks. And my father and Katherine would not have been hurt and tormented like this.I sit beside her, her state still the same, still, with her eyes shut. Looking at her, I blame myself for this. It is not only Joe that I dragged into my web of problems, but his mother as well. I am ruining their lives; the lives of everyone that means so dear to me hang in the balance of jeopardy because of me. I can’t even tell how this will end. I can’t tell who is next to be dragged into this. I already have Mr. Jonathan an

The night sky is clear, the moon glowing bright and casting a silvery light over everything around us. The stars are scattered like tiny diamonds on a black canvas, and the quiet hum of crickets fills the air. Jayden and I sit outside the mansion on an old wooden bench, the chilly breeze brushing against my skin, sending shivers down my spine. It is peaceful; actually, this was my mother’s favorite spot. I remember all the stories we shared, all the memories that are still treasured deep in my heart. Memories, really never die. It has been years, yet it feels like it was just yesterday that we sat here, talking, laughing, and making memories.I glance at Jayden from the corner of my eye. He is sitting beside me, his hands resting on his knees, his posture rigid. He looks like he is lost in thought, his gaze fixed somewhere far beyond the darkness.I would have loved to be with Joe right now. My Joe. My sweet Joe. A slight smile sweeps across my lips at the thought of him, but it fades

I hear his footsteps before I see him, the sound slow but deliberate, each step carrying the weight of emotions I am not ready to face. When I glance up, our gazes lock. He is standing a few feet away, his silhouette framed by the soft glow of the porch light, but his cool does not stop me from springing to face, shaking.“Dad? How…how long have you been there?” I ask, and I think the best question would have how much he has heard.He walks closer, standing a step in front of me. His expression not changing. “Not much, but I am curious about the little that I heard.”That made me to breath out the air I did not know I was holding, releaf washing over me. Thank goodness that was all that he heard. He can never know about me and Joe. I hope he never does because he will not only be disaapointed at us, but that will kill him too. Then again, for how long will we manage to keep this a secret now that we are all under the same roof?“Bella,” my father speaks, his voice steady yet tinged wi

The soft glow of moonlight spills through my bedroom window, casting long shadows across the room. My heart hammers in my chest as I zip my bag, the last one to precise, trying to keep my hands steady. Every sound—the rustle of fabric, the faint creak of the floorboards beneath my feet—feels deafening.If anyone hears me, this is over before it even begins. If my father knows that I am already packing, he will pull all strings to drag the entire police force here to stop me. But before that happens, I have to escape. I know it also sounds impossible given the tight security we have here, but I must make it out of here tonight.Jayden’s plan is simple on paper, but executing it feels like threading a needle in the dark. The security here has been so tight from the start, patrolling every corner of the estate like hawks. They don’t just guard the house; they cage it. I hate it, always did. Never have I ever tried escaping, but today I am daring to, and I can’t say that I am not scared.

The silence stretches to eternity, cutting through the space between us. Jayden looks lost, as if his mind has been triggered. He looks like there is a very painful episode playing in his mind, causing me to walk closer.“Jayden?” I call, but instead of looking at me, he shuts his eyes, pain evident. But pain over what? I just asked a question about this seemingly new character of interest in this story.Why is he triggered like this?“Talk to me, Jayden, please. Who is Desmond Erasto, and what do I have to do with him?” I ask, still sinking into confusion.I lift my head, my heart already pounding. The recent situations have taught me to brace myself for the worst lately, but nothing could prepare me for what he says next.“Desmond Erasto... he is my brother. My long-lost wicked brother!”I blink at him, the words not making sense. Actually, I am drawn into more confusion here. He has a brother? “Your brother?”Jayden nods slowly, his eyes clouded with memories. He pulls up two chair