บททั้งหมดของ MY STEPBROTHER'S RETURN: บทที่ 31 - บทที่ 40

Tension thickens in the air. Joe only stares at me as if I don’t deserve to ask a thing about that freaking deal with Janie. And I, standing my ground, don’t give a damn about what he thinks. I have all the rights to know. After everything that has happened, I am not backing down.“Are you playing deaf on me, or what?” I push forward, my voice sharper than intended. “I thought I asked a question. But in case I wasn’t clear enough, I will repeat just one more time.” I inch closer, invading his space, so close there is no way he can pretend to miss it again. “What are you keeping from me, Joe?”His silence cuts through the room like an icy blast of wind, making my skin crawl. Is he deliberately trying to ignite the fire in me? Does he think that avoiding the question will somehow make it disappear?Finally, he shifts, the first movement in what feels like forever. “It is nothing,” he mutters, barely looking at me.If only I was not soaked in impatience and anger, I would have smirked at

The kiss that had lasted for minutes was slow, deep and the sweetest kiss I have ever tasted. But, Joe broke it, leaving my body screaming with a heavy tinge of let down, even though the hiatus was needed before we could die for lack of breath. We keep our eyes locked as we stabilize our breathing, admiring each other and appreciating the beauty we failed to see in each other for years. Although, it would be fair to say that it was me who failed to notice this beauty god all the years through. The hatred I had developed for him clouded my judgement, but now that all that has melted, I curse myself for being a bitch to such a beauty.The air between us thickens, heavy with anticipation, as if the world has shrunk down to just this moment, just the two of us. My heart is racing fast and so loud, and I can feel Joe’s breathing quicken too, his chest rising and falling rapidly. His eyes are locked on mine, and for the first time, there is no more hesitation, no more holding back. No more

I hand my payment to the Uber driver and ask him to wait for me. He agrees without hesitation since we had made an arrangement before I left home. For safety reasons, I had to use Uber, and it really sucks having to spend money on such services when I have several cars parked back at home. Cars that I can’t even drive right now. Honestly, I hate this.I start walking inside the beautiful resort, the silence hitting me with a wave of confusion. The guests are scarce, and the place feels almost empty. This has never happened before. The resort has always been buzzing with life and activity, full of laughter and chatter. Why now can I count the number of guests without even needing a list? It is so strange.As I walk around, inspecting the place and trying to feel the familiar connection which seems a far off cry, I sense that something is off. I can’t help but notice the hostile glares of the people walking around, even from the workers. Some of them are murmuring things to themselves.

“Then I am glad all is well and that you are enjoying your stay here. Now if you excuse u, I need to speak to my father about something important, in private.” I respond after watching this whore tremble with some kind of fear. She must be sensing that I am here to cause trouble for her. And had better brace herself well.She scratches her neck, her reactions hesitant, like she is torn between leaving and saying something else. Something that leaves my father and Joe’s mother in doubt.“Are you feeling okay, Rina? You were fine a while ago, but now you seem bothered. Are you sure everything is okay?” Katherine, Joe’s mother, asks in utter concern.If only they knew what was eating this black witch... If only they had a slight idea of what kind of shameless snake she is... They just would not care about her sudden uneasiness, but they would drag her ass out of this office this minute. But I will let her enjoy this moment. I will let her swim in suspicion and anxiety.“Yes, I... am fine

“I know that you picked him from the streets and that you gave him everything. Even the guts that he has right now to ruin you!”Shit!He knows. And I should not have underestimated him. He is Mr. Montana! Everything that money can buy, he can have it all in a snap. That includes digging up any shit about anything or anybody. And here I was, thinking that my sescre was safe. Love indeed had turned me stupid and blind.“I am sorry, Father. I failed you, and I failed myself. This is all my fault for loving wrong,” I apologize, sincerely.He reaches for my hand across the table, squezzing it. A gesture that I appreciate so much. Because I missed this closeness. I don’t know how I have survived all these five days without it, but I can tell now that I was dying inside. I hug his hand back.“You were in love, my child. I just wish that you trusted your father from day one. We probably would not be here. But what is done is done now. We need to pick up the broken pieces and move on. As for