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010

Author: HisTreasure
last update Petsa ng paglalathala: 2026-05-07 03:47:33

ISABELLE

I woke up before my alarm went off.

The problem was that Lucas Graham was asleep right beside me, his arm still loose around my waist, his breathing slow and even, his face looked almost gentle. He never looked like this when he was awake.

I stayed completely still for a moment, to confirm I wasn't dreaming and that this was in fact my ceiling and my bed and the unmistakable sadness of last night still sitting in my chest.

Then I carefully lifted his arm, set it down behind me, and s
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  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    081

    Isabelle “Yes, Lucas, Yes!” I screamed and jumped on him.The next few days we searched for a place.“Lucas, look at this listing,” I said, scrolling on my laptop as we sat together on the couch. “Two bedrooms, a small balcony overlooking the park, and it’s walking distance to both campus and the training fields. What do you think? Could this be our place?”Lucas leaned in close, his arm around my shoulders. “It looks promising, Isabelle. The kitchen has that island you wanted for your writing sessions. Let’s call the agent right now. No more back and forth between apartments.”I dialed the number quickly. “Hi, this is Isabelle Barrett. We saw your listing for the park-view unit. Are there any open showings this afternoon? Yes, both of us.”The agent replied enthusiastically and said he could meet us in an hour. “Great, we’ll see you soon,” I said, hanging up. “She sounds positive. Lucas, imagine waking up there together every morning. No more rushed goodbyes before your practices.”

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    080

    Isabelle “If this is how you want it, then fine!” I screamed, breaking their contact. Lucas chased after me, pulling me by my arm.“Lucas, why does it feel like Bailey is always in the middle of everything lately?” I asked, my voice rising slightly as we stood near the school parking lot. “I saw you two talking closely again.”Lucas ran a hand through his hair. “Isabelle, you know it’s professional. Bailey’s dealing with a lot on her end too. Can we grab dinner tonight and actually talk instead of this back and forth?”“I wish we could,” I replied. “But I have that editing deadline, you have practice, it’s the same story. I believe you, but the time apart makes my old doubts scream louder.”He pulled me close for a moment. “I hate how this season is testing us. Bailey’s been a solid friend to the team, that’s all. Trust me, please, I love you, Isabelle Barrett, only you.”“I’m trying,” I whispered before watching him head to the field house. At the apartment, I threw clothes into a

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    079

    Isabelle The rest of the afternoon dragged on. In the library during study hall, I met up with my friend Mia from the advocacy group.“Isabelle, you look like you’re a million miles away,” Mia said, sliding into the chair across from me. “Everything good with Lucas? I saw him crushing it at practice earlier.”“Yeah, he’s great,” I replied, tapping my pen against my notebook. “But with football and everything, it’s like he’s always running somewhere. Today he mentioned Bailey again, she seems nice, really involved with the team.”Mia raised an eyebrow. “The trainer? I’ve seen her around, she is super dedicated and stuff. Are you worried about something?”“Not really worried,” I said quickly. “Just… after everything that happened in the last few months with rumors and Sienna, I guess I’m extra sensitive. Seeing him laugh with her earlier made me pause. He says it’s nothing, just work.”Mia leaned in. “Trust your gut, but also trust Lucas. He’s been solid through all your tough times.”

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    078

    Isabelle “Lucas, wait up!” I called across the crowded hallway after last period, dodging a group of freshmen. My backpack felt heavier than usual today, packed with notes for my latest article on campus support groups.He turned, that easy grin lighting up his face as he adjusted his duffel bag slung over one shoulder. “Isabelle! There’s my favorite person. Practice ran late again, but I’m all yours now.”“Hey, you coming to the fundraiser tonight? The team’s raising money for new equipment, and I told the guys you’d be there. Bailey’s helping organize the whole thing, she’s got these killer ideas for the silent auction.”“Bailey?” I asked, keeping my tone light even as a small knot twisted in my stomach. “She is the new trainer, right? The one who’s been working with the team on recovery stuff?”“That’s her,” Lucas said enthusiastically. “She’s sharp, Isabelle. She knows exactly how to tape an ankle so it doesn’t buckle during games. She caught a couple issues with my form last we

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    077

    Isabelle“It's nothing,” I responded with a smile and dropped my phone in my pocket. I had passed that point of reacting to Seinna's childish antics.Later that night as I studied in my room with Lucas sitting on my bed viewing his training sections. Textbooks sprawled across my bed, fairy lights casting a warm glow. I set my highlighter down and looked at him. "I don't want to hide us anymore, we shouldn't hide from campus, or from my family. It's exhausting pretending we're just friends or cool with each other.”Lucas closed his laptop, his eyes searching mine. "You sure? With Lily and my Dad still adjusting and everything else...""I'm sure." My voice didn't waver. "Transparency feels right, we've built something real, I want to live it openly."He grinned, pulling me into his lap. "Then let's do it, no more stolen glances across the quad, I am proudly yours, Isabelle."The next morning, we walked to class hand in hand. Whispers followed us, curious stares from classmates who'd se

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    076

    IsabelleThe rumor rippled through the hallways before the first period even started. By lunch, it had solidified into confirmed fact that Sienna had been officially expelled. She had transferred to a private school hundreds of miles away, her parents pulling every string imaginable to erase her from our campus entirely.I overheard the news in the cafeteria line, whispered between two juniors who didn’t realize I was standing right behind them. “Did you hear? Sienna’s gone for good. Expelled and shipped off like yesterday’s trash,” one said, her voice laced with a mix of shock and glee. “Her dad must’ve paid a fortune, I guess board connections couldn’t save her this time.”The tray in my hands felt heavier, my knuckles whitening around the edges. Then something inside me loosened—a knot I hadn’t fully acknowledged until it began to unravel. Relief flooded in first, warm and dizzying, but it was chased by a sharp pang of grief. Not for Sienna, but for the version of myself that had

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    004

    ISABELLEI rolled over my bed, trying to stretch my body but my hand instantly hit something. No, a creature. Or?I jumped out of the bed, fear clouding my face as I tried to know what was beside me.A creature?That was definitely Lucas Graham’s hair. His back, revealing a build up of fresh abs.

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    003

    Isabelle “Bully?” My father’s words replayed in my head, over and over. *You just don't want me to be happy. You don't want your father to be happy.* He had barked, shocking me to the core.I had never seen my father like that. He was always trying to hear me out, but three days ago at the surpris

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    002

    IsabelleI stood in front of the mirror and all I could do was smile. This was new. My father instructing me to get dressed, with even a new dress he had bought?“If you don't like it,” I heard his loud voice from my room. “You don't have to wear it, okay.”I beamed, tugging nervously at the hem

  • CRAVING MY BULLY STEPBROTHER    001

    Isabelle “I’m not a child, mom!” I snapped, my voice higher than intended. “Your overprotectiveness is suffocating me. For crying out loud I’m 18 already, I’ll be starting college next year. Can’t you trust me for once?”She turned to me, her eyes blazing with anger. “Trust you? After what happe

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