บททั้งหมดของ STEP CLOSER, MY STEP BROTHER : บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Ariana’s POV"Rie," he said again, like that name still meant something.Like he had the right to say it.I yanked the blanket off my head, heart pounding.No. I wasn’t going to cry under the covers like some shattered little girl. I wasn’t going to let him knock and whisper and pretend last night didn’t fucking happen.I shoved the blanket aside, got up, and stormed to the door.His knuckles were still raised when I opened it.Roman froze.We just stood there, inches apart, the silence thick and ugly between us. His hoodie hung loose on his frame, hair messy, eyes bloodshot like he hadn’t slept either.Good.I wanted him to suffer too."What do you want?" I asked, voice sharp, tight, fighting the tremble trying to break through.He stared at me like I was a ghost."I just..." he dragged a hand through his hair, jaw flexing. "I didn’t want you to find out like that."I laughed.Cold. Bitter."Like what, Roman? Catching you with your tongue down her throat? Or was it the part where she

Roman's POVShe was still asleep.Her skin was warm against mine, her breathing slow and steady, her face relaxed in a way I hadn’t seen in weeks. The morning light slipped in through the curtains and painted her in gold.I watched her for a long time.I wasn’t supposed to stay. I had told myself I’d leave after the shower, that I’d keep some distance, give her space. But the moment I picked her up and laid her on the bed, something inside me shattered.I couldn’t walk away from her again.Not after last night.Not after hearing her say stay.I didn’t deserve her. Not after the things I’d done. Not after the lies I’d let pile between us. But still, when she looked at me like that—like I was the only thing keeping her world from falling apart—I stayed.And now I was here. Staring at her. Wanting to touch her again. Wanting to give her everything I swore I never would.I reached out and brushed a strand of hair from her cheek.She stirred.Her eyes blinked open slowly, confused at first

Roman’s POVShe Makes Me Lose ControlShe doesn’t get it.She doesn’t understand what she does to me. What I’ve turned into because of her.And maybe that’s good because if Ariana ever saw the full version of me, the unfiltered, obsessive, jealous, barely-in-control version… she’d run.Or maybe not.Maybe that’s why I’m scared.Because part of me thinks she’d stay.I saw her laughing today.Not with me.With some guy Levi, or Liam, or whatever the hell his name was.He sat too close.Smiled too easily.And she she fucking giggled.My jaw locked so tight I thought I heard my teeth grind. I couldn’t hear what he said, but it didn’t matter. She touched her hair. She tilted her head. Her lips parted with that soft pink smile she never gives anyone but me.I should’ve walked away.Should’ve let her have her moment. Pretended like I didn’t care.But I do.I always do.So I waited outside. Leaned against the brick, arms folded, watching her step out like nothing had happened like she hadn’t

Ariana's POV The name wouldn't leave my head.Clara.It repeated itself like a cruel echo, following me from Roman’s room back to mine, into my bed, under my skin. I didn’t sleep much. Just lay there, replaying every touch, every kiss, every whispered word Roman had ever said to me… wondering if they had been hers first.Was she the reason for the shadows in his eyes?Was I just a replacement?By morning, the air between us felt… different.He didn’t say anything as we passed each other in the hall. Just that slow, measured stare he always gave me. It used to make me melt. Now, it made my stomach twist.I knew I was being quiet. Cold, even. But I didn’t know how to fake it. Not with him. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to.Roman walked into the kitchen shirtless, his gray sweats hanging low on his hips, and paused when he saw me at the counter, clutching a mug I hadn’t touched.“You good?” he asked, tone careful.I nodded too quickly. “Fine.”He narrowed his eyes. “You’ve been quiet.”

Ariana's POV.“Are you sure we should be doing this?” I asked as Lana’s car rumbled down the street, her hand casually hanging out the window like she owned the world.She glanced at me, a smirk playing on her lips. “It’s not a crime to look hot, Ari. Especially not on a Friday night when half the campus is going to be at that party.”I stayed quiet, twisting my fingers in my lap. The warm afternoon sun streamed through the windshield, casting golden light across the dashboard. We’d just finished our last class of the week, and instead of heading home, Lana had talked me into this shopping for something to wear tonight.Something that didn’t scream "sweet step-sister Roman probably keeps locked in his shadow."Something that screamed... me.Or maybe the girl I wanted to be.She pulled into a parking spot in front of a small boutique downtown. It wasn’t flashy, but the mannequins in the window were dressed in body-hugging dresses, lace, velvet, slits and silk. Dresses that said, I kno