All Chapters of My Swimmer Stepbrother's Forbidden Claim: Chapter 111 - Chapter 120

Samuel won bronze in his third event, the four hundred meter freestyle.Riley watched him stand on the podium with two gold medals and one bronze around his neck by the end of the Olympics, and thought about how far they'd both come.He'd competed in three Olympic games. Won six medals total. Two silvers, three bronze, and now finally, the gold he'd been chasing his entire career."I'm done," he said on their last night in Oslo. The kids were asleep in the next room, and they were sitting on the hotel balcony despite the freezing temperature. "After this, I'm retiring.""You're sure?""I'm twenty-six years old. I've accomplished everything I set out to do. I have a family I love and who actually needs me present." Samuel looked at her. "It's time."Riley nodded. She'd known this was coming, but hearing him say it out loud made it real."What will you do? After swimming?""I've had some offers. Coaching positions. Commentary work. One company wants me to be their spokesperson." Samuel

# Chapter 108Tiara's funeral was held on a gray Saturday in late November.Riley and Samuel attended together, along with Max and Nora. They sat near the back of the small chapel, not wanting to intrude on the grief of Tiara's sister and the few friends who'd stayed in touch over the years.The service was simple and beautiful. Layla, Tiara's younger sister, spoke about the vibrant woman Tiara had been before the accident. About her dreams of becoming a veterinarian, her love of old movies, her terrible singing voice that she used anyway."My sister lost seven years of her life," Layla said, her voice breaking. "But in the time she had after waking up, she lived fully. She moved to Oregon, went back to school, made new friends. She didn't let what happened to her define her final chapter."Riley found herself crying. For Tiara, for the life cut short, for all the what-ifs and might-have-beens.Samuel held her hand through the entire service.Afterward, Layla approached them as they w

August brought Samuel's twenty-seventh birthday.Riley had been planning something special for weeks. Not a big party, Samuel hated those. But something meaningful that acknowledged how far he'd come.She'd reached out to his former coaches, teammates from over the years, even a few competitors he'd become friends with. Asked each of them to record a short video message.The videos arrived throughout July. Coach Grant from Vineyard Pack talking about Samuel's dedication. Marcus Chen, the actor who'd played Samuel in the TV show, sending congratulations. Former Olympic teammates sharing memories.Riley compiled them all into one video, added photos from throughout Samuel's career, set it to music he loved.She showed it to him on the morning of his birthday, just the two of them in their bedroom before the kids woke up.Samuel cried through the entire thing."This is too much," he said, wiping his eyes."It's exactly enough. These people love you, Sam. They wanted you to know.""I don'

# Chapter 112The documentary's success brought unexpected consequences.Riley's inbox exploded with interview requests, speaking engagement offers, women reaching out to share their own stories. Pack Truth's readership doubled within a month. Her novels, which had been selling steadily, suddenly hit bestseller lists again."I can't keep up," Riley told Samuel one evening, staring at her overflowing email."Then don't. Hire more help.""I already have help.""Hire more help. Riley, you've built something that's outgrown one person managing it."He was right. Pack Truth needed a managing editor, someone to handle day-to-day operations so Riley could focus on writing and strategic direction.She posted the job in October. Got two hundred applications within a week."This is insane," she told her assistant Marcus as they reviewed resumes."You're a big deal now. People want to work with you.""I'm not a big deal. I'm just a person who wrote some books.""You're being modest. You're a bes

Sarah went into labor on a Tuesday afternoon in late May.Riley was at home with Isaac when Sarah called, her voice tight with pain."It's happening. Lysander's getting Emma to your mom's house. Can you meet us at the hospital?""I'm on my way."Riley called Samuel, arranged for Carolina to come get Isaac early, and drove to Springfield General. By the time she arrived, Sarah was already in a delivery room, Lysander looking pale and terrified beside her."How are you doing?" Riley asked."I forgot how much this hurts," Sarah gasped between contractions. "Why didn't you remind me?""Would it have changed anything?""No, but still."The labor was faster than Emma's had been. Three hours after Riley arrived, Sarah and Lysander welcomed a son. Seven pounds, six ounces, with a full head of dark hair and lungs that worked perfectly based on his immediate, furious crying."He's perfect," Sarah said, tears streaming down her face."He really is," Lysander agreed, looking at his son with pure