Sinful Affairs With My Stepbrother 3

Sinful Affairs With My Stepbrother 3

The Family Dinner

Diana’s POV

The Steels’ dining room was too bright. The glass table was polished so much I could see my own tired face in it. My mom and Mark were talking about a new business deal. They looked like the perfect couple.

Across from me sat Elijah.

He was wearing a clean grey sweater. He looked like the perfect son again. He was eating his salad and nodding when his father spoke. He didn't look at me once. It was like the mean things he said at school today never happened.

"So, Diana," Mark said, smiling at me. "How was your first day of classes? Did Elijah show you around?"

I felt my throat tighten. I looked at Elijah. He was calmly chewing, his face like a mask. He wasn’t showing any emotions at all .

"It was fine," I lied. "I found my way."

"Elijah?" Mark turned to his son. "I hope you’re being a good host at school. Reputation is everything, you know. I don't want people thinking a Steels doesn't take care of his family."

Elijah finally looked up. His blue eyes hit mine, and for a second, I felt a spark of heat.

"Of course, Dad," Elijah said. His voice was smooth and fake. "I made sure everyone knows exactly who Diana is. I’m keeping a very close eye on her."

My mom smiled like  a child who was given her favourite candy . "That's so sweet, Elijah."

Sweet? I wanted to scream. He had called me a charity project in front of the whole school. He was using his reputation as a good son to lie to our parents.

The rest of dinner was a struggle. Every time I reached for my water glass, I felt Elijah watching my hands. Every time I moved my leg, I was afraid I would touch him under the table. The air felt heavy, like a storm was coming.

After dinner, my mom and Mark went to the office to work. I started clearing the plates, wanting to get away as fast as possible.

I was heading to the kitchen when a hand gripped my arm. It was strong and hot.

Elijah pulled me into the shadows of the pantry. He pushed the door shut with his foot. The perfect  was gone. The real  Elijah was back.

"Get off me," I hissed, trying to pull away. "Go back to your friends. Go back to being the King of Campus."

"You looked angry today," he whispered. He didn't let go. He stepped closer, pinning me against the shelves. I could smell his soap and that dark scent again.

"You called me a charity project!" I snapped. "You treated me like trash!"

"I had to," he growled. He leaned down, his face inches from mine. His eyes were dark and hungry. "If they think I care about you, they start asking questions. My father starts asking questions. I can't have you ruining my life, Diana."

"Then let me go," I breathed. My heart was racing.

"I can't do that either," he said. He reached out and tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. His touch felt like fire. "Because all I thought about in that meeting today was the way you looked at me on the stairs. I'm obsessed with my reputation, but I'm more obsessed with you."

He leaned in, his breath warm on my skin. "Stay in your lane at school. Be the ghost. But in this house... you're mine."

He let go of my arm and walked out of the pantry before I could say a word. I stood there in the dark, my breath coming in short gasps.

He was a monster. He was two different people. And the worst part? I was starting to wait for the moments when the percent son mask slipped away.