All Chapters of Claimed by His Stepbrother : Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

Chapter 31-EvelynI’d never been this confused in my life.Everything around me felt like a maze with no exits — every path led me to the same two names.Paul. Adrian.Brothers, enemies, both tangled in my life like thorns under skin.And I was bleeding in between them.The phone trembled in my hand. The voice I’d just heard still echoed in my ears.‘Mi amor… come home. Please don’t trust Adrian. He’s not worth it. I’ll tell you everything when you come home.’That was Paul’s voice — his real one. I’d know it anywhere.But how?“He’s alive,” I breathed, more to myself than to Adrian. “He—he asked if I was okay.”Adrian’s jaw tightened. “Of course he did.”“What’s that supposed to mean?”He didn’t answer right away. His eyes were on me. “You shouldn’t have answered that call.”“I didn’t know it was him!” My voice cracked. “Adrian, he’s alive! Don’t you understand what that means?”“Oh, I understand perfectly,” he said, folding his arms—his veiny hands crossed against his chest like eve

Chapter 33-EvelynI didn’t know if it was what he said about Paul that scared me the most or the way I was asked to go lie down on the bed.It wasn’t only the command. It was the look in his eyes, and the way his grip on my neck made my insides churn.The room seemed smaller than before. The walls looked closer. The air felt too thick to breathe. I didn’t look away from him—not when his eyes were pinned on me like he was waiting, measuring my next move more than he ever had.I was confused, terrified, and a total mess. I really needed to get away from him before things went south.I freed myself from his hold and moved away. I wasn't going to just dance to his tune—not when he’d been speaking in parables.“No, I won't,” I countered. “Not until you tell me what you meant by saying I was used by Paul.”At least… I needed to know what it meant. What all this meant before I went crazy.He took a slow step closer.“You see, baby… the more you keep defying me, the more your punishment keeps

Chapter 35-AdrianI barely slept.A few hours before sunrise, I was still on the couch with my eyes open, staring into the dark like it had answers I kept missing. Every time I shut my eyes, the image of that necklace around her throat replayed itself. The tension between us had almost swallowed us both whole. The way it broke off too quickly. Too suddenly. Too stupidly. And yeah, it was my fault.Argggggh. I hated that I remembered every second. I hated even more that I wanted to, but it wasn’t my fault she was being difficult. Little brat. My little brat.She had gone quiet after I told her to get some sleep. Wrapped herself under the covers without a word. I waited for her to whisper something—an objection, a question—anything to prove she wasn’t shutting me out completely, even though I was the one who shut down first. But nothing came. Just her silence and the sound of the crickets chirping outside.That silence made the night hellish.Not the couch. Not the stiffness in my back.

Chapter 37-EvelynI was still waiting for one of them to speak, but all I got were exchange of glares. I knew I was about to scream if I still did not get any responses.I stood there, my fingers curled tightly into my palms, staring between the two men like I was watching a scene unfold that I hadn’t auditioned for. My heart was racing, but my mind felt strangely clear.“Explain,” I said. “Now.”Paul looked at me like I was something fragile he was afraid to touch. “Mi Amor—”“No,” I cut in. “I want you to go straight to the point.”I knew what was coming next was probably something to sugar-coat me to forget whatever this was.Adrian didn’t move. He stayed by the doorway, arms crossed, his presence heavy but restrained, like he was holding himself back on purpose.“Whatever you think this is,” Paul continued, “it’s not—”“Then say it,” I interrupted. “Say what it is.”Paul hesitated.Adrian’s voice cut in again, calm and low. “You should tell her.”Paul shot him a glare. “This has n

Chapter 39-EvelynI woke up before the light fully crept in. My body had sunk into the mattress and decided it didn't want to come back up.For a moment, I stayed still, unsure of where I was or why my body felt so heavy. Then I felt warmth behind me. A steady rise and fall against my back. An arm around my waist, firm but careful, like it was afraid of holding me too tightly. Adrian.My throat tightened.I turned my head slightly, careful not to wake him, and studied his face. He looked different when he slept. Softer. Younger, even. His brows weren’t furrowed like they usually were, his jaw unclenched, lashes resting against his cheeks.Peaceful.That word felt wrong on him, but it was the first thing that came to mind.I hated that I noticed it. Hated even more that my body felt safe there, curled against his chest like it belonged. Like it had chosen him without asking me first.What was I even doing? I quickly took my gaze to the ceiling. I didn't know if I wanted to wake him up