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My Stepbrother, My Ruin 151
The dining table was too small for everyone, so we'd pushed it against the wall and set up a buffet-style dinner instead. Bodies filled every corner of our living room—Mom and Alexander on the couch, Nate arguing with Maya about basketball in the corner, Riley perched on the arm of a chair looking almost comfortable."This chicken is actually edible," Maya announced, brandishing her fork. "Evie, did you make this?""Ryder made it. I supervised from a safe distance.""Smart woman."Riley laughed, and the sound was still strange enough to make everyone pause. Three years of therapy and nonprofit work had softened her edges, made her almost approachable. She still had her moments of sharp observation and cutting wit, but now they felt more like defense mechanisms than actual cruelty."How's the trafficking nonprofit?" I asked her."Exhausting but also rewarding. And…good..yeah mixed feelings." She took a sip of wine. "We helped twelve women escape exploitation last month. Got them into
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Evie's POVThree years had passed since we left Ravencrest.I stood outside the new apartment complex that had been built where our old one used to be, Mom beside me clutching her purse like a lifeline. The building was modern, sleek, nothing like the run-down place where I'd spent my childhood."Hard to believe this is the same spot," Mom said quietly. "Remember that tiny kitchen where I told you I was marrying Alexander?""I remember thinking you'd lost your mind.""I had. A little bit." She smiled, but it was sad around the edges. "Feels like a lifetime ago.""It was a lifetime ago. We're different people now."The lobby had marble floors and a doorman. Our old building had cracked linoleum and a broken elevator. Progress, I supposed, even if it erased the history of everyone who'd lived there before."Do you ever regret it?" I asked as we walked back to the car. "Everything that happened because of that marriage?"Mom was quiet for a long moment. "I regret the pain it caused you.
My Stepbrother, My Ruin 149
A month later. The Oregon house was smaller than the penthouse, cozier, with creaky floorboards and windows that let in too much morning light. I loved it.I was unpacking the last box from my old apartment when I found it—a spiral notebook with a faded purple cover, edges worn from being shoved in and out of backpacks throughout high school."What's that?" Ryder asked, looking up from where he was assembling our new bookshelf."My old dream journal. From sophomore year, I think." I flipped it open, smiling at my younger self's handwriting. "Oh God, listen to this: 'Today I want to be a marine biologist. Tomorrow maybe an astronaut. Next week, who knows?'""Ambitious.""Confused is more like it." I turned more pages, seeing sketches of molecules mixed with terrible poetry and half-finished short stories. "I forgot how much I used to write.""You wrote?""All the time. Stories, articles, opinion pieces about random science topics. I had this whole blog in high school about making scie
My Stepbrother, My Ruin 148
Evie's POVIt's surprising how fast I was at decoding something that would probably take police officers weeks to finish up.Maybe I really am in the wrong career.The thought made me laugh, though it came out more like a cough. I was sitting in Alexander's office, watching the news coverage of Victor's arrest on three different screens."Federal agents, working in coordination with Cayman Island authorities, have successfully apprehended billionaire Victor Langston at his private estate in Grand Cayman," the reporter announced. "Langston is facing multiple charges including kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and racketeering."On another screen, footage showed Victor being led away in handcuffs, his face twisted with rage. He'd fought the arrest, apparently. Took six agents to subdue him.Good."In related news, Sienna Monroe has been convicted on charges of first-degree murder in the death of Elara Dovan, as well as conspiracy and assault charges related to the kidnapping of E
My Stepbrother, My Ruin 147
Ryder's POVI stood outside Serena's apartment for a full ten minutes before I could make myself knock.My mother and I hadn't spoken since before the warehouse raid. She'd been cooperating with federal investigators, living under house arrest in this modest two-bedroom that was a far cry from the mansion she'd once called home. Part of me wanted to turn around and leave, find another way to get the information we needed.But Evie had decoded those files, and every lead pointed back to Victor having some connection to my mother beyond their brief alliance. If anyone knew his patterns, his hiding spots, his contingency plans, it would be her.I knocked."Coming," her voice called from inside, muffled through the door.When she opened it, I barely recognized her. Gone were the designer clothes and perfect makeup. She wore jeans and a simple sweater, her hair pulled back in a ponytail, her face free of cosmetics. She looked younger somehow, or maybe just more real."Ryder." Her eyes wide
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The press conference was a circus.Camera flashes exploded like fireworks as Alexander stepped up to the podium, Mom and Ryder flanking him on either side. I stood slightly behind them, my hands clasped to keep them from shaking."Thank you all for coming," Alexander began, his voice steady despite the chaos. "I've called this conference to address the recent media coverage regarding my family, and to set the record straight on several matters."A reporter shouted a question, but Alexander raised his hand."I'll take questions after my statement. First, I want to speak about my son Ryder and my stepdaughter Evie. The media has portrayed their relationship as scandalous, inappropriate, even immoral. I'm here to tell you that narrative is false."More camera flashes. I could see reporters leaning forward, hungry for details."Ryder and Evie met as adults. They developed feelings for each other before my marriage to Lorelei Hayes was finalized. They share no blood relation, no legal sibl
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