All Chapters of On Thin Ice: A Forbidden Step Siblings Affair: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Raelynn.“You listening to me?” I hear Jace’s voice echo and I nod absentmindedly as he walks me back to my hotel room. I nod but that’s a lie, I see his mouth moving, there’s a smile on my lips but just like the whole day, I can't hear a word he’s saying.We stop at the door and say our goodbyes, I wait until he leaves before going somewhere else anywhere else. I find myself in the garden.In just today I’ve felt sad, heartbroken, anger, longing, fear and guilt. Every moment replays in my head and all I see is him. Grayson. It felt like I was drowning all day, the debate…I felt so suffocated and helpless, everything flashed through my eyes, the sting on my scalp from my hair being pulled back so tight, his cruel words, the sound of the door my father slamed in my face while his best friend chased me underneath the rain.I close my eyes wrapping my arms around myself. My hand feels sticky and I’m scared to look knowing what I’ll find on it. blood, there’s blood everywhere.My eyes sna

Grayson.The ceiling of my hotel room has exactly forty-three water stains. I know this because I've been counting them for the past two hours, trying to drown out Jace's voice as he drones on about whatever the hell he thinks is important enough to keep talking about."So why did you choose criminology anyway? Aren't you like a business major?"His voice sounds breathless from talking too much, and I want to smother him with a pillow.I close my eyes, trying to block him out. All I can think about is her. The way Rae looked at me in the garden earlier, the way she pulled her hand away like my touch burned her, the way she said she needed time. The way I fucked everything up so completely that—"Hello? Earth to Grayson?" Jace's voice cuts through my spiraling thoughts.I exhale sharply. "None of your business."But Jace doesn't take the hint. He repeats the question three more times like a manthra until I want to throw something at his head."Will you shut the fuck up?" I snap.Instea

Raelynn."Why are you both staring at me like that—" Isaac starts, but Gray cuts him off, his frown deepening into something dangerous."Wrong question. Why are you in here? Shouldn't you be in the hall or just coming back?"Isaac lets out a frustrated sound—more scoff than sigh—and drops his hands that were raised in surrender. "I already said I can explain.""Then go ahead," Gray demands, suspicion dripping from every word. "Explain.""Wait." My voice comes out breathless, causing them both to freeze. I step out from behind Gray's protective stance and move closer to Isaac, my heart hammering against my ribs with each step.Those eyes.Before I can stop myself, my hand flies up, snatching his glasses off his face. The frames scrape against his nose, leaving a red mark, but he doesn't even wince. He just watches me with those piercing green eyes.The room feels smaller, like it's closing on me but i force myself to calm down and try to remember.That night. The image crashes into me

Raelynn."I should have been scared," I whisper, my voice barely threading through the quiet room. The words feel foreign on my tongue, like a confession I've never allowed myself to speak. "That was probably my first mistake, but all I felt in that moment was relief... and joy."I bite down on my bottom lip until I taste blood, waiting for the inevitable judgment. For Gray to recoil, to call me sick, twisted, broken. But when I steal a glance at him, those patient blue eyes just hold mine—no horror, no disgust. Just him, waiting.The knot in my chest loosens just enough for me to continue.....Three Years Ago. August Third.Jeremy lies crumpled in the rain, his blood mixing with the storm water in rivers of red that has now soaked my shorts. His eyes are still open, but there's nothing behind them anymore. Nothing that can hurt me.My shoulders sag with a relief so profound it makes my knees buckle. For one perfect, terrible moment—despite the rain beating down like fists, despite m

Chapter-Seventy-SevenGrayson."About what?" I ask, trying to keep my voice steady even though unease is crawling up my spine. Both Isaac and Jace are staring at me like they're waiting for something, but I keep my expression unreadable.I take a seat on the bed beside Isaac, but leave enough distance between us.Isaac glances pointedly at Jace. "Can we have some privacy?"Jace raises an eyebrow. "It's five in the morning. Where exactly do you want me to go?""I don't care. Take a walk. Go bother someone else." Isaac's tone is sharp, impatient.Jace looks between us, something unreadable flickering in his eyes. For a moment, I think he might refuse. Then he shrugs and stands."Fine. But if I get written up for wandering the halls, I'm throwing both of you under the bus." He heads for the door, pausing just before he leaves. "Play nice, boys."The door clicks shut behind him, and suddenly the room feels suffocating.Isaac turns to face me fully, and there's something in his expression