ACHING FOR MY STEPBROTHER

RACHEL

I slammed my door the second I got into my room and collapsed face-first onto the bed, swallowing back every stupid tear threatening to slip out.

She always made decisions without thinking of me first. But this? This one crossed the line, and I wasn't letting her win.

A soft knock came seconds later. I ignored it, but she still let herself in. I felt the bed dip as she sat beside me.

"Rachel," she whispered.

I didn't respond. I just wanted her to leave without pestering but that's a no with her.

"I know this is my fault. I thought it would be too hard for you to take. You can't blame me completely, sweetheart..."

I tore myself from the sheets and glared at her. "Yes, I can. You don't get to make decisions for me. I'm not ten anymore, I'll be eighteen next year, mum. Start treating me like an actual adult. When you left Dad, neither of you told me anything, and I still let it go. Didn't I?"

She dropped her head, tears already falling.

"I'm sorry. I should have included you. This affects you too. I just... did everything for us. I tried."

"You can't keep guilt-tripping me," I snapped. "I'm allowed to be mad. Stop acting like what you did makes sense."

Before she could speak, her phone pinged. She checked it, then looked at me again.

"Simon already sent his chauffeur to pick us up." She exhaled shakily. "Can we at least talk more on the way?"

It took every bit of self-control not to scream again. But arguing would do nothing. She always won... until I finished senior year.

Then I'd get my freedom. I hated to admit defeat but...

I didn't answer. I just climbed out of bed and walked to the door.

"Didn't you say the driver's here?"

She blinked, then lit up like she'd been waiting for that moment all day. She hugged me tight.

"Can you not be dramatic?" I muttered, peeling her off.

She only laughed and pulled me downstairs where a man in a suit was already waiting. He collected our luggage, opened the door, and drove off.

I stared out the window the whole ride, reminding myself this was temporary. I just had to survive senior year. Then I was done.

Minutes later, the car rolled to a stop in front of a house big enough to hold half the city.

Was this Simon guy that rich?

Mum held my hand gently, almost like she was scared I'd break.

"Are you sure about this, sweetheart?" she asked softly.

I rolled my eyes. "Would you change your mind if I said no?"

She dropped her gaze to her lap, guilt written all over her face again. "Thank you, Racheal," she murmured eventually.

I didn't answer. I just opened the car door and stepped out.

A man stood at the entrance of the massive house, smiling too wide, like a kid promised a box of candy.

Mum rushed toward him first. The way she hugged him... and the kiss they shared... told me they'd known each other much longer than she claimed.

Only after their little reunion did he turn to me.

"You're just as beautiful as Sarah said. Glowing, even," he teased lightly, like we weren't complete strangers.

"I'm Simon. It's nice meeting you, Racheal."

I looked from Mum to him, unimpressed.

"Sorry, Simon, but I can't say the same. I hope that doesn't bother you."

I didn't wait for his reaction. I just walked past them and headed straight up the stairs.

I felt Mum's eyes burning into my back as the chauffeur held the door open for us.

Inside was... insane. Massive, polished, expensive. Every painting on the wall screamed rich man with ridiculous taste.

"Home sweet home," Simon announced, stretching his arms like he owned the entire planet. "Make yourself comfortable. My son should be here any minute."

Mum whispered something to him before tugging me up the stairs.

She stopped at a room painted in my favorite color, beautiful, soft, almost unreal.

"Do you like it?" she asked.

"It's beautiful," I forced out.

"I told the designer to match it to your taste," she added, proud of herself.

"That's... thoughtful," I said, even though she clearly wanted more.

She finally left, and I let out a deep breath before stripping out of my clothes and heading straight for the bathroom.

The place looked like something out of a princess movie, pink scents, gold fixtures, everything too perfect.

What was I now, thirteen again?

I promised myself five minutes in the bathroom. But, I ended up soaking way longer.

When I finally climbed out, I wrapped a towel around my chest and opened the door.... and my brain blanked.

He was there. Sitting on the edge of the bed. Calm. Arms folded. Watching me like he'd been waiting.

That same face. That same guy.

What the hell was he doing here?

He smirked. "Hello, sis."

I rolled my eyes so hard it hurt, heat rushing up my face.

"What the hell are you doing here?" I snapped.

He didn't answer immediately. He just stood slowly, and walked toward me.

I stepped back. He stepped forward. I kept moving until my back hit the wall, his shadow swallowing the space between us.

"Are you stalking me now? How did you even get in?" I hissed.

He smirked, low and amused. "You're the one standing in my house. Shouldn't that question go the other way around?"

My stomach dropped straight to the floor.

Then a soft knock sounded on the door.

The door opened before I could even breathe.

Mum's head popped inside, her eyes brightening the second they landed on him.

"Oh Thane! I didn't know you were back."

Then she turned to me, smiling like this was some sweet family reunion. "I see you've already met your brother."

Brother. Wait... Brother?

My whole body froze.

He wasn't just the guy I kissed. Or the guy who wrecked me all night.

He was my new fucking stepbrother.