All Chapters of In His Stepbrother's Bed: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

If I was wrong about Helton James Blake’s intentions, the worst that could happen was I’d embarrass myself. That was nothing compared to what was at stake.But if I didn’t try—and my mother’s condition worsened, or worse… I’d regret it for the rest of my life. I exhaled sharply, forcing my shaky legs to push me upright.That’s it. I’d made my choice.Pulling out my phone, I searched for the address of Blake Enterprises. I’d been there once or twice before, back when Dexter would take me out for lunch at the high-end restaurants near his brother’s office. I didn’t remember the exact address. At least I knew Helton James wasn’t out of the country.I glanced down at my outfit: a simple black dress, the same one I’d worn earlier at my father’s funeral. My hair was still tied in a low bun, strands falling loose from hours of exhaustion.I looked like a grieving woman, which I was. I was mourning my father, the life I thought I would have, the man I thought loved me, and the security I beli

As expected, Helton James Blake went rigid. His sharp, composed expression didn’t falter, but something in his posture shifted. His dark eyes locked onto mine, piercing and calculating.Then, slowly, he stood.“You really are something, you know that?” His voice was smooth, almost amused, but there was an underlying challenge.“Fine, then.” He leaned against his desk, arms crossed. “But tell me, Zenith—what else are you willing to give? Making Dexter a laughingstock? That’s easy. I could do that without marrying you.”He was right. He didn’t need me for that. But I needed him.My wedding with Dexter is set for three months from now. If I didn’t get married, I’d be the one people laughed at—my friends, classmates, the ones who’d seen me flaunt the relationship online for years.The image of Dexter’s betrayal burned in my mind. His excuses. His lies. My stomach twisted. I wanted him to suffer.This wasn’t just about saving my mother. If it were, I could borrow money from the loan sharks

Helton James' POVThe first time I laid eyes on her, she was covered in mud.It had been a rainy afternoon, the kind that turns sidewalks into slick death traps and makes the city smell like wet asphalt and headaches. I was leaving my favorite coffee shop, the one with floor-to-ceiling windows and the best caramel Frappuccino in the entire city. Extra sugar, extra syrup, extra everything. I needed it that day. My father was in town, and anytime that man got within ten miles of me, my blood pressure doubled.I stepped out, half-lost in thought, my drink in hand, when she collided into me.No warning.Just a flash of flailing arms, flying hair, and a breathless, “Oh crap!”The frappuccino exploded across my chest like a sugar bomb, soaking into my tailored coat. I froze, sticky and seething, as she looked up at me from the wet pavement.“Oh my god! What the hell, dude?” she barked, shielding a canvas bag like it contained the holy grail.I blinked, trying to process her audacity. “Excus

Helton James’s POVDamn it.Heat shot down my spine the moment her eyes found mine. Zenith’s expression was calm but curious, her posture confident as she walked down the hospital stairs toward me.The wind caught strands of her hair, making them flutter like dark silk ribbons. A slow, unfamiliar ache started building in my chest.Her hair. Was she some modern-day Rapunzel? Why did she keep it so long? It fell past her waist, thick and gently curled. Impractical, maybe even annoying, but to her, it looked… perfect.She didn’t resemble her mother in the slightest. Clearly adopted, her features carried a mix of Arabic and Indian heritage. Olive-toned skin glowing in the last blush of sunset. Moss-green eyes that seemed to see straight through me.Velhaven was a city full of colors and cultures, every street a melting pot, but even here, Zenith stood out. Not because she was flashy or sexy. She didn’t try to fit in. She just existed in a way that made people notice.She wasn’t petite or

Helton James’ POVOkay, maybe I’d said more than I should have.Truth? I wasn’t used to cleaning. I’d probably suck at it. Never scrubbed a floor, never done laundry. But cooking, that was different. That I actually enjoyed. Not that I’d ever admit it out loud.Still, it was the way she looked at me. Like I was some pampered rich boy who couldn’t take care of himself. And I wasn’t. I’d fought my way here. Dragged the Blake name out of scandal and made it worth something again.So why the hell was I trying so hard to prove myself to someone who was only going to be my wife for a year?God. Something was wrong with me. I needed to shut this down. Focus. This was a contract. A transaction. Nothing more.She nodded, eyes back on the papers. “Okay… cohabitating at my place until Mom’s better. Then we can shift as needed.”Shit. No turning back now. I’d given my word. And Helton James Blake never went back on his word.“Alright,” I said.She kept reading, then let out a soft laugh. “I don’t