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CHAPTER 73: THE WHITE HOUSE

作者: D.Twister
last update 最終更新日: 2026-01-23 16:35:08

The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony was surreal.

Marcus and I stood in the East Room of the White House, surrounded by other recipients—scientists, artists, activists, people who'd dedicated their lives to making the world better.

"I don't belong here," I whispered to Marcus.

"We absolutely belong here."

"These people cured diseases, created art, changed history."

"So did we. Different method, same impact."

Anna and Eleanor sat in the front row with Mom and Tom. Both girls wore formal dresses, looking older than their ages. Anna was filming everything on her phone (authorized media, very official). Eleanor was live-tweeting with approved hashtags.

"Your daughters are going to document our entire lives online," I muttered.

"It's their generation. Just be glad they're proud of us."

The President arrived, delivering remarks about each recipient. When he got to us, I felt Marcus's hand tighten around mine.

"Marcus Steele and Aria Bennett-Steele co-founded the Anna Steele Foundation
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  • Forbidden Step Brother    CHAPTER 73: THE WHITE HOUSE

    The Presidential Medal of Freedom ceremony was surreal.Marcus and I stood in the East Room of the White House, surrounded by other recipients—scientists, artists, activists, people who'd dedicated their lives to making the world better."I don't belong here," I whispered to Marcus."We absolutely belong here.""These people cured diseases, created art, changed history.""So did we. Different method, same impact."Anna and Eleanor sat in the front row with Mom and Tom. Both girls wore formal dresses, looking older than their ages. Anna was filming everything on her phone (authorized media, very official). Eleanor was live-tweeting with approved hashtags."Your daughters are going to document our entire lives online," I muttered."It's their generation. Just be glad they're proud of us."The President arrived, delivering remarks about each recipient. When he got to us, I felt Marcus's hand tighten around mine."Marcus Steele and Aria Bennett-Steele co-founded the Anna Steele Foundation

  • Forbidden Step Brother    CHAPTER 72: FULL CIRCLE

    Ten years after we met at that disastrous wedding, Marcus and I stood at Lake Chelan again."Remember this spot?" Marcus asked, pointing to the boulder where we'd found his mother's key."Hard to forget. Life-changing day.""Most of our days have been life-changing.""True. We don't do boring well."But we'd achieved boring. Wonderfully, beautifully boring. Anna was thirteen, Eleanor ten. Both thriving, both occasionally driving us insane. Lily visited regularly, a college freshman now, babysitting her sisters and rolling her eyes at their drama.The foundation had expanded to twenty countries, helped rescue thousands of trafficking victims, become internationally recognized for anti-trafficking work.Steele Industries was stable, profitable, ethical. Marcus had transformed it from his father's legacy to something his mother would be proud of.Richard had passed away two years ago—peacefully, in his sleep, surrounded by family. We'd mourned, celebrated his life, carried on his values.

  • Forbidden Step Brother    CHAPTER 71: THE LAST THREAT

    Two years of peace. Two beautiful, boring, wonderfully uneventful years.Anna turned three. Lily turned five and started kindergarten. I got pregnant again—an easy pregnancy this time, no complications. Marcus balanced work and family seamlessly. We were happy.Then Morrison called."I know I'm retired," he started. "But I need to tell you something. In person."We met at a coffee shop, Morrison looking older, grayer, but still sharp."What's wrong?" Marcus asked immediately."Maybe nothing. Probably nothing. But there's been chatter—dark web forums, encrypted channels. Someone's asking about you two.""Asking what?""Where you live, your routines, vulnerable points. It might be nothing. Conspiracy theorists, true crime enthusiasts. But it felt wrong enough that I wanted to warn you.""Is this about the trafficking network?""I don't know. Everyone connected is dead or imprisoned. But there might be someone we missed. Someone with a grudge.""What do we do?""Be cautious. Vary your ro

  • Forbidden Step Brother    Chapter 70-ANNA'S ARRIVAL

    Labor started three weeks early, in the middle of a foundation board meeting."I think my water just broke," I said calmly.Everyone stared."WHAT?" Marcus jumped up, panicking. "Now? Here?""Babies come when they want. Help me to the car."The drive to the hospital was chaos—Marcus speeding, calling everyone, forgetting to breathe. I was oddly calm, contractions manageable, focused on breathing exercises."We're almost there," Marcus kept saying. "Just hold on.""I'm not going to give birth in the car. Calm down.""I'm calm!""You're driving seventy in a thirty-five zone.""Because we're having a baby!""The baby will wait for a hospital."At the hospital, they confirmed I was in active labor—four centimeters dilated, contractions intensifying. Marcus immediately started timing everything, taking notes, generally being too involved."You're not the one giving birth," I reminded him during a particularly painful contraction."I know. I just want to help.""Then hold my hand and stop n

  • Forbidden Step Brother    Chapter 69- New beginning

    Marcus's "idea" was buying a house."A house?" I repeated, staring at the listing he'd pulled up. "Like, a whole house?""The apartment is great, but we need more space. Especially if we're thinking about kids eventually.""We haven't really decided on kids.""I know. But IF we decide, we'll need space. Plus, Lily's getting older. She needs a yard, room to play when she visits."The house was perfect—four bedrooms, big backyard, in a quiet neighborhood between the city and the suburbs. Close enough to work but far enough from the chaos."It's a lot of money," I said, looking at the price."We can afford it. The foundation pays well, and I have inheritance from my mother. Plus Steele Industries profits.""This feels very adult.""We ARE adults. Married adults. Who survived multiple assassination attempts and exposed international crime networks. We can handle a mortgage.""Fair point."We bought the house in August, moving in over a weekend with help from friends and family. Jules comp

  • Forbidden Step Brother    Chapter 68- The threat returns

    Our honeymoon in Bali was paradise—two weeks of beaches, spa treatments, and absolutely no mentions of trafficking, corruption, or anything heavier than which restaurant to try."I could live here," I said, lounging on our villa's deck."Tempting. But the foundation needs us.""They can survive two weeks.""Can they though? Jules sent seven 'urgent' emails.""Jules thinks everything is urgent.""Fair point."We returned to Seattle refreshed and ready to resume normal life. I moved into Marcus's apartment officially—our apartment now. It felt significant, combining our things, creating shared space."Where did you get so many shoes?" Marcus asked, staring at my collection."I'm a woman. This is average.""This is a shoe store.""Exaggeration.""Barely."Work at the foundation was busier than ever. The publicity from exposing the trafficking network had brought attention and donations. We were expanding programs, hiring staff, making real impact."We're opening a second office," Marcus

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