All Chapters of Claimed by my Biker Stepbrother: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Pearl Sleep had turned into something cruel. It came in thin, fractured pieces, but never deep enough to rest in, never light enough to escape from. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw hospital lights, and I heard the doctor’s voice repeating words I didn't want to hear,, over and over again. Deteriorating. Urgent. Deposit.They echoed over and over again, threatening to drive me crazy, but somewhere in the blur of it all, I vaguely remembered Zander carrying me back to bed after I’d cried myself empty in his arms. His hand had moved slowly through my hair, his voice had been low, steady as he muttered sweet nothings into my ear. I hadn’t caught the words, just the promise in them and for a little while, that seemed to work a bit. When I finally dragged myself out of bed the next morning, if it was still morning, my body felt like it weighed twice as much. My head throbbed, my eyes burned and I'd never felt like the world was on my shoulders like I did right now. The space beside

Pearl After three hours of scrolling, clicking, retyping, and staring blankly at listings I was either overqualified for or wildly unqualified for, I closed the laptop.The screen went dark, and so did my confidence. I’d applied to exactly two jobs. One remote assistant position that required ten years of experience I didn’t have, and one boutique that wanted weekend availability and “high energy.”High energy.I almost laughed.My grandmother needed twenty million dollars’ worth of surgery, my accounts were frozen, and the man I loved was out making dangerous promises in my name.High energy wasn’t exactly flowing through me. Could you blame me though? The silence in the house had shifted from oppressive to hollow by the time the front door finally unlocked.My head snapped up just to see Zander stepoiny inside, and for the first time since I’d known him, he didn’t look like himself.Not physically though. On the outside, he was still composed, still controlled, but something beh

Pearl It was busier than usual tonight, and for some strange reason, I didn't know how I felt about that. On the one hand, more people meant more sakes and more tips, but on the other hand, it literally meant I could meet different species of human beings, and from the little I'd heard about club life, men and alcohol weren't exactly a good mix.The music was louder, the bass heavier, as it vibrated through the floor and into my bones. The lights strobed in soft pulses of gold and violet, sweeping across faces that blurred together after a while.I moved on autopilot with my routine for the night. I took ice, poured it into the alcohol, garnished and then slid it across the counter.Witt each drink I served, I made sure to smile, even though in anxiety twirling in my lower belly was worsening by the minute. “You’re killing it tonight,” one of the waitresses shouted over the music as she rushed past me with a tray of drinks. “Thanks.” I gave her a quick grin. “Rent doesn’t pay its

Zander I wasn’t supposed to be home that early. That was the plan. Stay out late, handle what needed handling, give her space,, and give myself space. But something felt off all night. A low, persistent irritation under my skin I couldn’t shake, so I cut the meeting short and drove back. The house was quiet when I walked in. Too quiet and I hated how that was more than enough to set off the warning alarms in my head. Without thinking too much about it, I checked the clock. It was past midnight. She should’ve been asleep. I dropped my keys on the table, listening. There was no movement, no soft footsteps, and no light under her door. Pearl always slept with s light night on if she was alone. I walked down the hallway slowly and pushed her door open. Empty. The bed was untouched, and cold,like whoever was in here last was in a hurry to leave. My jaw tightened as realization dawned on me. Pearl has snuck out to God knows where. The mere thought lit up something inside

Pearl I didn’t quit. That was the first thing I decided after the humiliation wore off.I didn’t storm out, I didn’t cry in the bathroom, I didn’t even beg for my old position back.Instead, I doubled down. If they wanted to demote me, fine. I would be the best damn floor server they’d ever had.The pep talk in my head made my reality less daunting, but by the time I'd started, I liked to think it was slightly different from what I'd envisioned. I carried heavier trays, I moved faster. I even smiled wider as I swallowed every ounce of pride that tried to rise in my throat.Every tip went straight into the envelope. Every dollar was proof,proof that I could endure. Proof that I didn’t need saving. Proof that I could stand on my own two feet, even if the floor beneath me was trying to crack.But endurance had a cost, and tonight, I felt it.The club buzzed louder than usual. I weaved between tables, balancing a tray of drinks with practiced steadiness. My arms ached, but I didn’t s