Chapter 20: Cracks under the surface

Bronte’s POV

The next morning felt different.

Mom was already in the kitchen when I came downstairs, standing by the window with her coffee.

She didn’t turn around right away when I walked in.

That small silence made my stomach tighten.

“Morning,” I said to her.

She finally looked at me, her smile was soft, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.

“Morning, honey. Did you sleep okay?”

“Yeah.”

Rufus walked in a moment later, already dressed for work. He kissed Mom’s cheek, then ruffled my hair like a normal stepfather would. The casual affection made my skin prickle.

After he left for the office, Mom stayed quiet for a while. I was about to leave the kitchen when she spoke.

“Bronte… can we talk for a second?”

I froze and said

“Of course.”

She set her mug down and turned fully toward me.

“I’ve been noticing things, little things. You’ve been distant, quiet and Jake has been calling me.”

My heart dropped.

“He called you?”

Mom nodded. “He’s worried. He said he thinks something is going on between you and Rufus. I told him that was ridiculous, but I can’t stop thinking about how quiet you’ve been.”

I forced myself to meet her eyes. “Mom, nothing is going on. Jake’s just upset that I moved on. He’s been dramatic since the wedding.”

She studied my face for a long moment. I held my breath, terrified she would see the truth written all over me.

Finally, she sighed. “Okay. I believe you. Just if something ever feels wrong, you can tell me. No matter what it is.”

I nodded, my throat tight.

The rest of the day felt like walking through fog. At school, I couldn’t focus. Chloe texted me twice asking if I was okay. I sent short replies.

Jake sent another message with more documents attached. I didn’t open them.

When I got home that evening, Rufus was already there. Mom was still at work. The moment I walked through the door, he pulled me into him and kissed me hard, like he’d been waiting all day.

“You’re tense,” he murmured against my lips.

“Mom asked me about us,” I said quietly. “Jake called her.”

Rufus’s expression didn’t change, but his hands tightened on my waist.

“She’s getting closer,” he said not angry, just thoughtful.

“We’ll need to be more careful.”

He led me upstairs without another word. In his room, he undressed me slowly, almost carefully, and laid me on the bed.

This time there was no roughness. Just long, deep strokes and quiet praise whispered against my skin.

Afterward, as I lay against his chest, he spoke into the dark.

“I won’t let anyone take you from me,” he said softly. “Not Jake, not your mother, not even your own guilt.”

I closed my eyes and pressed my face into his neck.

Part of me felt protected by those words.

The bigger part of me felt trapped, I wasn’t sure which feeling was stronger anymore.