All Chapters of MY STEPBROTHER'S RETURN: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

The Montana bungalow is no longer the warm, lively home it used to be. A heavy cloud of despair hangs over the sprawling estate, suffocating everyone who steps inside. The once vibrant Katherine Montana, known for her grace and cheerful demeanor, is now a shell of her former self. Her silence is haunting, her stillness unbearable. She hasn’t spoken a single word since the news of her children’s supposed deaths.Her days are spent sitting in the sunroom, staring out at the garden she once tended with care. The flowers have withered, much like her spirit. She doesn’t eat unless coaxed, doesn’t respond to the doctors or nurses Mr. Montana has brought in to help her. She is present in body but absent in every other sense, her grief consuming her entirely.Mr. Montana stands in the doorway of the sunroom, watching his wife with a deep ache in his chest. His usually strong shoulders are slumped, his face lined with exhaustion and sorrow. He’s a man who has always prided himself on being in

I am trembling mess, the fear crawling up my spine like ice. I can feel Joe’s arms around me, his warmth grounding me, but it doesn’t stop the storm inside. His hands press gently against my back, his touch soft, trying to soothe me, but I can’t shake the overwhelming panic that’s tearing through me.Mr. Jonathan is standing beside us, his face lined with concern, his voice low and calm. “Bella, take a deep breath. You have to calm down, okay? We need you strong right now.”I try, I really do. But it’s impossible. My chest feels tight, my breaths shallow. My heart is beating too fast. I can hear the faint sounds of Jayden outside, making another call, his voice muffled, but it does nothing to settle my nerves. I need him to come back and tell us everything will be okay, that we’ll be fine, that our families will be fine. But deep down, I know it’s not that simple.I pull away from Joe, my hands pressing against my temples as my mind races. “I need to go home,” I whisper, my voice crac

THIRD PERSON’S POVLeon and Rina sat in the lavish living room, glasses of champagne in hand, their laughter echoing off the walls of the grand house. The celebration felt as if it could go on forever, as though every single obstacle they had faced had been swept away by their latest move. The feeling of victory was intoxicating. It tasted sweeter than any drink could, especially now that the battle was over and they were standing at the top, looking down on everything they had fought for."You know," Leon said, a smug grin spreading across his face, "I think I’ve finally won, Rina. This is it. I’ve got everything I need now."He took a sip from his glass, eyes gleaming with satisfaction. There was a confidence in his posture, a weightlessness to his movements. He had pulled it off, and there was no turning back now.Rina smiled, but the expression on her face was more complex. She leaned back into the couch, eyes drifting over the sleek, stylish room. It was all hers now—the house, t

Leon remained standing in the center of the room, his fists still clenched. The silence that followed Janie’s abrupt departure felt heavy, as if the air had thickened with the weight of the words they had exchanged. Rina’s anxious gaze flickered between Leon and the door, waiting for him to say something, anything. But he remained still, his mind racing."Leon…" Rina’s voice was soft, tentative. "Do you really think she will honor this deal? What if she tries something else?"Leon finally broke his silence, though his voice was low, a mix of irritation and contemplation. "I don’t trust her. I never have. But she’s got leverage now, and if I don’t play along, I risk losing everything." His eyes narrowed as he stared at the door, as if he could will Janie’s presence out of his mind. "I’ll give her what she wants for now, but she’s playing a dangerous game. She’s going to regret it."Rina’s lips pressed into a tight line. She had never liked Janie, and hearing her demand a share of Leon’

JOE’S POVI am alone in the cave, the fire crackling nearby as the meat roasts over it. The smell is comforting, filling the space with a warm, rich aroma that makes my stomach growl. But even that can’t calm the knot of anxiety that twists in my chest. I’m restless, not able to focus on anything other than the chaos swirling inside me. I can feel Bella’s absence like a weight, like I’m incomplete without her near me.I’m lost in thoughts of her when I hear footsteps approaching, light but steady. I look up to see Jayden stepping into the cave. He’s holding something in his hands—some tools, probably to help with the fire. I don’t respond to him, just turn back to the meat, poking at it with a stick. There’s something about him that I can’t shake, a sense of quiet tension that’s been there ever since we met.Jayden stands there for a moment, and then, without waiting for permission, he moves closer to the fire. He sets his things down and begins adjusting the meat on the spit. His voi