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The Investigation
Tanggal publikasi:
2026-09-20 23:16:20
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A Bully For A StepBrother. The Investigation
(KAIRA'S POV)I didn't sleep that night.I lay in the hotel bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind racing with everything Victor Reyes had told us. Richard Whitmore. The name echoed in my head like a drumbeat, relentless and unforgiving.I remembered him now—or at least, I remembered pieces. He'd been at my father's funeral, standing in the back, wearing a dark suit and a solemn expression. I'd thought nothing of it at the time. He was just another face in the crowd of mourners.But he wasn't mourning. He was celebrating.I felt the anger rise in my chest, hot and suffocating. I wanted to scream. I wanted to break something. I wanted to find Richard Whitmore and make him feel even a fraction of the pain he'd caused.But I couldn't. Not yet. Not until we had a plan.Slade stirred beside me, his arm tightening around my waist. "You're thinking too loud," he murmured, his voice rough with sleep.I turned to look at him, his face soft in the dim light. "I can't help it."He opened his eyes,
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Truth.
(KAIRA'S POV)The flight to Chicago was three hours.I spent most of it staring out the window, watching the clouds drift past, my mind churning with everything Detective Webb had told us. My father had been murdered. Someone had paid Victor Reyes to kill him. And whoever had done it was still out there, living their life while my father was dead.I felt Slade's hand close over mine."Whatever happens," he said quietly, "I'm with you."I turned to look at him, my heart swelling despite the anxiety knotting my stomach. "I know."We landed in Chicago just after noon. The city sprawled beneath us as the plane descended—a grid of steel and glass, of neighborhoods and secrets. Somewhere down there, Victor Reyes was waiting.And somewhere down there, the truth about my father's death was buried.---Detective Webb met us at the airport.He drove us through the city, past familiar landmarks and unfamiliar streets. I hadn't been back to Chicago since I was eighteen—the memories too painful, t
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Call
(KAIRA'S POV)Slade's expression shifted instantly—from confusion to concern to something harder, sharper. He pulled up a chair and sat down across from me, his hands resting on his knees."Tell me," he said, his voice steady.I took a shaky breath, trying to organize my thoughts. The words felt stuck in my throat, tangled with years of grief and unanswered questions."A detective called me," I said finally. "From Chicago. He wants to meet with me about my father's case."Slade's brow furrowed. "Your father's case? I thought it was a car accident.""So did I." I swallowed hard. "But he said there's new evidence. Discrepancies in the original investigation."Slade was quiet for a moment, processing. Then he reached out and took my hand."Okay," he said. "What do you want to do?""I told him I'd meet him tomorrow. At a café on Elm Street.""Then I'm coming with you.""Slade—""I'm not letting you walk into this alone." His voice was firm, brooking no argument. "Whatever this is, whatev
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Honeymoon Phase.
Chapter One: The Honeymoon PhaseSix Months Later---KAIRA'S POV---The thing nobody tells you about marriage is that it's not actually that different from dating—except now you have a piece of paper that says you're stuck together forever, and your mother-in-law suddenly feels entitled to comment on your interior design choices."Kaira, darling, don't you think the living room would look better with more... warmth? Maybe some floral prints?"I bit back a sigh, clutching my phone tighter. "Hi, Margaret. How are you?""I'm wonderful, dear. But we really should talk about the curtains. Those dark colors are so... depressing."Slade walked past me, coffee in hand, and mouthed put it on speaker.I shook my head frantically.He grinned, reached over, and pressed the button anyway."—and really, I just think for the holidays, you'd want something more festive. What about a nice burgundy? Or perhaps a gold—""Mom," Slade interrupted, his voice flat. "We're not redecorating for Christmas. I
A Bully For A StepBrother. Her childhood Bedroom.
KAIRA'S POV)The morning of the wedding dawned bright and clear.I woke up in my childhood bedroom—the one Mum had kept for me even after I'd moved out—and stared at the ceiling, my heart pounding with a mixture of excitement and nerves.Today was the day.Today, I was marrying Slade Horton.I rolled over and grabbed my phone, finding a text from him already waiting.Slade: You awake?Me: Yes. Can't sleep.Slade: Me neither. I've been up since 4.Me: Nervous?Slade: Terrified. But in a good way.I smiled, hugging my phone to my chest.Me: I love you.Slade: I love you too. See you at the altar.---The next few hours passed in a blur of activity.Cameron and Jackie arrived at dawn, armed with makeup bags and curling irons. They'd been planning this day for months—ever since Slade had proposed on the dock at the lake house, with the sunset painting the sky in shades of gold."I can't believe it's finally here," Jackie said, her voice thick with emotion as she worked on my hair. "You're
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Peace.
(SLADE'S POV)The sun continued to rise over PineCrest, painting the sky in shades of gold and pink.I stood on the front steps of the mansion, Kaira's hand in mine, watching the world wake up around us. For the first time in weeks, I felt like I could breathe. The weight that had been pressing down on my chest—the fear, the anger, the desperation—had finally lifted.It was over.The Wainwrights had been exposed. Their lies, their schemes, their attempts to destroy us—all of it had been laid bare for the world to see. And now, they were paying the price."What are you thinking about?" Kaira asked softly, leaning her head against my shoulder."Everything," I admitted. "Nothing. I don't know."She laughed, the sound light and free. "That's very specific."I smiled, turning to look at her. She was beautiful in the morning light, her hair catching the sun, her blue eyes soft and warm. She looked happy. Truly happy."I'm thinking about you," I said. "About us. About everything we've been t
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Mistake.
(KAIRA'S POV)Slade put me down immediately and draped his jacket over my shoulder. I stood like a doll, unmoving, waiting as the footsteps presented their owners."Oh my goodness, what happened, baby?" Mum cried as she ran towards me. "We were just on our way to get you both and then we heard you
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Lake House.
(KAIRA'S POV)Slade was torturing me with silence. Simply leading the way.I followed him closely like a pupil behind a headmaster, past the house doors, to the hedged pathways, to the garden gates, past chrysanthemums, a variety of roses, orchids, daisies… and then carefully past the stepping ston
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Beautiful Nightmare.
(KAIRA'S POV) The large iron gates opened, and I felt the familiar weight of panic settle behind my ribs. I pressed my sweaty palms against the expensive leather while my body stiffened in the backseat. I wanted to close my eyes but somehow I couldn't. I sat, like a programmed robot, and watched
A Bully For A StepBrother. The Boy Who Hates Me.
(KAIRA'S POV) "Mr. Horton, your project partner is… Miss Jin." Our English teacher, Mrs. Reed, announced. My stomach sank, and a heavy weight transferred to my chest. Of all the people in PineCrest High, it had to be Slade Horton. Football captain. Sole hair of Horton Empire. Most popular an
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