Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

KASMINE.

I hurried to the front door to get it.

Finally, one normal person who isn't part of the whole drama in my life decided to pay me a visit.

Claire.

14

It was a Friday morning, and instead of dragging ourselves to school like every other week, Claire and I had made other plans. Shopping. We were hunting for my birthday dress and maybe-if we had time-a dress for the engagement party tomorrow.

Anything to take my mind off things. Especially after watching the news clip I found on Instagram over and over again where June spoke about Kester and their love story. Repeating, again and again, that the deal her father made with him had nothing to do with their engagement. That Kester earned it.

I could hear his voice behind every line.

He had made her say those things. And desperate, infatuated June would gladly walk barefoot across thorns if it meant pleasing

him.

"Let me grab my phone-uhm, just sit. I'll be right back," I told Claire after a quick hug. Her smile was soft and tired, but it was the first sign of peace I'd seen all week.

I moved fast. I didn't want to bump into Kester. I didn't want to see him. I hadn't seen him since the night we fucked and let out steam, but I didn't need anyone to tell me that we were only able to let out half the steam. There was still a lot of friction between

1. us.

"Okay, Claire, I'm ready-" I called out, hurrying down the stairs with my eyes glued to my phone.

But when I looked up, I stopped cold.

Claire and Kester were standing inches apart in the living room, staring at each other like they were locked in some silent, electric

war.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, and Kester replied even before Claire had the chance to do so.

"Yes, Mine. Everything is fine." His voice was calm. His eyes were unreadable. And then-just like that-he turned and disappeared up the stairs without another word.noveldrama

But Claire didn't move,

She stood there like someone had just cracked something inside her

Whatever little conversation they had must have gotten to her a lot because I could see the effort she was putting into hiding the. tears forming in her eyes.

I had enough shit of my own to carry, and if Claire was bleeding inside, she'd have to stitch it up herself-for now.

We stepped into the huge shopping mall, and our moods lightened instantly. Shopping was kinda a thing to me. I loved it.

My eyes scanned the entire place, wondering where we should go first. Then, a dress just a little bit ahead of us stole my breath.

Sleek. Elegant. Birthday perfection

"Claire, over there," I pointed excitedly, and we both giggled and approached the store.

The said store had everything I needed. It was as if the racks had been curated for me. I didn't even feel the urge to check elsewhere -unless I just wanted to spoil myself with options.

It took more than an hour to try out different dresses for the engagement party. But I found the one. A perfect fit.

I added jewelry to match, couldn't resist a few extra pieces, and picked out a stunning dress for Claire, too, as an appreciation and a way to pull her out of whatever heavy cloud was following her around.

"Come on. What is wrong with you? Can you just cheer up for a second?" I said to her, trying out the pair of shoes I'd like to get.

Claire let out a sigh that came from somewhere deep. Her shoulders sagged. "It's

not that easy, Kasmine. Especially knowing he's getting engaged to someone else tomorrow."

She looked away, "I actually thought I had a chance."

I blinked. For a second, I almost laughed. "You thought you had a chance?" I let

out a soft, disbelieving chuckle. I mean... no offense, Claire, but my brother never gave you his attention. Not even once."