Semua Bab Claimed By My Stepbrother: Bab 11 - Bab 20

Jenna~The place, like Noah said, is nothing fancy. Just a squat box of a building with peeling turquoise paint, a buzzing neon sign that reads Daisy’s Diner, and a handful of cars scattered across the parking lot. It doesn’t look like much, but as soon as we step inside, warmth and the smell of coffee hit me like a blanket.The booths are red vinyl, the tables are scratched Formica, and the jukebox in the corner hums faintly as if it’s on its last leg. The waitress behind the counter lifts a tired but kind smile as soon as she sees us.Noah gestures toward a booth tucked away in the corner. “Best seat in the house. You can see everyone coming and going.”That sounds like something a paranoid ex-cop would say, but the way he slides into the seat opposite me in a relaxed manner, leaning back with one arm stretched across the top of the booth, makes it feel more like he’s letting me in on a secret.I sit down, wanting to hold something that isn't my fist or my beautiful-dress-turn-wrink

Jenna~That's it. Mathew roars and swings his hand, his chained fist colliding with Noah’s lip. The crack echoes through the diner. Blood splatters, red against Noah’s pale skin.“Mathew! What are you doing?!” I panic, covering my mouth, eyes wide. Noah staggers, grabbing the edge of the table to steady himself.Before I can rush to him, Mathew yanks me to his side like I am nothing more than a coat he’s decided to claim. His grip bruises my arm as he barks, “Outside. Now. Franco’s waiting. He’ll take you home.”Franco. My stomach twists at the name. One of Jace’s oldest boys, colder than all of them put together.“No! Stop it!” I cry, torn between guilt and fear. Noah is bleeding because of me, and Mathew doesn't even care.But Mathew is already shrugging out of his brown jacket, tossing it aside as he cracks his knuckles. The diner erupts into chaos. Some people bolt for the door, knocking over chairs in their rush. Others stay rooted to their seats, grinning like this is prime-tim

~~Jenna~~My mother doesn’t know what she’s done. Handing me to Jace on a platter of gold when I’m trying to stay away from him?I feel my head aching. I should have said something, but how could I when he was tormenting me? When he was on the verge of telling my mother the truth about us?On the one hand, I’m glad to return to school, be away from my mom and her husband, whom I’ve come to hate after knowing he’s Jace’s father –I hated him long before I met him, because of what he’d put Jace through.The plane attendant’s voice sounds sweetly over the intercom, but I'm not paying attention. We’re on a two-hour flight back to Brandor City, heading to Kingsband University, and Jace is sitting right next to me, sprawled like he owns the whole row. He’s all smiles; white teeth, lazy dimples, that boyish grin that only hides the predator underneath.I, on the other hand, am a mess. My arms crossed, my forehead leaning against the window, staring at clouds I’m not even seeing.Going back t

~~Jenna~~Just when I think Nathan will turn the car towards the school, he speeds past the gate, heading in the direction of the residential area for people like them who prefer to live outside the campus.I live in the hostel, inside the campus. I don’t want him taking me to Jace’s place, so I speak up. “Nathan, I’m supposed to stop at the hostel. You just passed the gate.”Nathan glances at me through the rearview mirror. “I told you, you both need to clear your heads. Your hostel isn’t a convenient place for that, so, I’m taking you to my place.”“No, Nat—”“Thanks, man,” Jace says smoothly, cutting me off before I can object. He gives me a single look, and my protest dies in my throat. I sink back into the seat, lips pressed together.The silence stretches, heavy and suffocating. My mind wanders off, thinking ahead of what Jace might do to me under the same roof, or what I might do to him. God, I can't do this anymore. I just want to return to how we used to be. Nathan’s eyes

Jenna~My hands shake as they hover over the hem of my blouse, trembling like they’re holding a live wire.“Jace…” My voice is a whisper, paper‑thin. “Please—”He tilts his head, studying me like a predator. The sound of the riding crop tapping against his palm jolts me every time I hear the maddening. Smack. Smack. Smack.“You told yourself it was just a goodbye sex, didn't you? Were you planning on transferring schools, going back to Riviera, finding a new boyfriend…like…Noah?” He leans forward, eyes burning into me. “What were you planning on doing that would keep me away from you, J?”“N–no, that's not–”“What is, J?” He raises his brow. “Take those off.” My stomach knots, heat, and dread spiraling together. Slowly, I pulled the blouse over my head, letting it drop to the floor. The cold air slaps my skin, sending chills down my spine. “Eyes on me,” he says.I lift my gaze, though it feels like lifting a mountain. His stare pins me where I stand.His eyes trail down from my face