Lahat ng Kabanata ng Ruin Me, Brother: Kabanata 21 - Kabanata 30

JaceI tried to focus on work, but my mind kept wandering. By late evening, I grabbed my jacket and bag, ready to head home.During the drive, a troubling thought kept bothering me. Why couldn’t I perform normally at home? It seemed I could only function properly when I was away from her.This question stayed with me until the driver announced we had arrived.“You’re back,” Aria said as soon as I got out of the car.“Have you been waiting for me?” I asked, reaching out to hug her. Instead of returning the embrace, she pushed me away.“What’s wrong, Aria? Why are you acting like this?”“Why?” she cried, and this time her tears were real. “Why did you tell that bitch your father doesn’t like me? You told her you wouldn’t marry me!”“What? Is this why you won’t let me near you? Who told you this?”“Your bitchy sister!” Aria screamed, loud enough for the maids to hear.“Shhh. Please calm down and tell me what happened.”I did my best to soothe her while she explained everything Celeste ha

AriaMy mind kept going back to Jace and his annoying stepsister, Celeste. I really didn’t want to leave the house. I didn’t want to leave the two of them alone together. I knew what was happening, even though I pretended not to notice.No matter how hard Jace tried to hide it from me, I could tell he was attracted to his new stepsister.My phone rang again, interrupting my thoughts. I looked at the caller ID on the screen.“What do you want?” I snapped, feeling frustrated. If it weren’t for this phone call, I wouldn’t have had to leave Jace alone with her. “I’m driving right now. I’ll be there soon.”I could hear Damon laughing on the other end. “Stop being dramatic, Aria,” he said. “Where are you exactly?”“I’m serious. I’m on my way,” I responded, softening my tone. Damon was the real reason I had left Jace’s house. I had lied about my mother being in a terrible car accident just so I could go see Damon.The truth was, Damon was the only man I truly loved. He was the only one who h

Aria“You taste fucking sweet, Aria,” Damon growled as he stepped out of the bathroom, droplets of water still clinging to his skin.My gaze dragged over him, tracing every hard line of his body, sliding down his chest until it caught on the towel slung dangerously low around his waist.Heat burned through me, and I couldn’t stop the flush rising to my cheeks. “Thank you.”Damon walked over and sat down beside me on the bed.“Baby, I need you to call Jace,” he said, picking up my phone and handing it to me.“Why?” I asked, taking the phone from him. “Why should I call him when I’m here with you?”“I need money,” he replied with that charming smile that always made my heart race.“Okay, I’ll do it,” I said without hesitation.“You didn’t even ask what I need the money for,” he murmured, seeming amused.“Do I need to ask?” I responded. “If you didn’t need it, you wouldn’t ask me to call him.”I unlocked my phone and dialed Jace’s number. He answered immediately.“Hello, sweetheart,” he

CelesteThe next day.I woke up to the sound of people moving around next door. I got out of bed to see what was happening. Was Aria back? Had she decided to move into the room next to mine?How would I cope with hearing those two every night? Wouldn’t I go crazy? All these worried thoughts filled my mind as I opened my door.“Good morning, brother,” I said when I saw Jace directing some of the male staff. “What are you doing?”“What does it look like?” he replied. “Put that over there,” he told one of the workers.“What are you moving?” I asked.“My things,” Jace answered. “Starting today, I’ll be living in this room.”Living here? Right next to me?“Are you kidding?”“Do I look like I’m joking?” he said with a cold smile. “I’m being generous by not making you move out. That bed you sleep in every night actually belongs to me anyway.”“You can move wherever you want,” I snapped back. “Just don’t disturb my peace.”“Your peace?” he repeated, pretending not to know what I meant.“Yes,”

Celeste“I should wait for them before I can dress how I want?” I repeated, staring at Jace in disbelief.He ignored me, focusing on his driving. The silence stretched between us until we reached home. The moment he parked, I bolted from the car.“Celeste,” his voice followed me as I rushed toward the stairs.I could hear his footsteps behind me as he called my name again, but I didn’t stop.“Are you deaf?” he snapped.I quickly slipped into my room and shut the door behind me, my back pressed against it as my heart raced. Jace pounded on the door, demanding I open it, but I stayed silent. I stripped off my dress and took a long shower, washing away the tension of the night.When I finally crept out to get something to eat, the hallway was empty. I tiptoed downstairs, not wanting to wake the devil himself.Relief flooded through me when I reached the kitchen safely. I made myself a simple meal and ate quickly before retreating back to my room.I picked up my phone and texted Elewon: I