All Chapters of ACHING MY STEP BROTHER : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

47 Chapters

WENT BLANK

RACHEL“I’ll explain later. Just get on the bike,” Noah said, already climbing on.I hesitated for a second… then sighed and did it anyway.“Just know I’m killing you if you don’t tell me later.”He didn’t answer. And that scared me a little.Noah is usually all jokes and noise. He's absolutely terrible at keeping things like secrets. But right now?He wasn't smiling or giving any of those wild sarcasm. Just that hard, straight face that said don’t push me.By the time I got on the bike and buckled my helmet, he took off down the road.We didn’t even get far before a car swerved in front of us and blocked the road.Noah slammed the brakes. The bike screeched to a stop and I crashed forward, my head hitting his back.“Aw!”“You okay, Rachel?” he asked quickly.“I… I don’t know.” I mumbled, pulling off my helmet and touching the side of my head that stung.Then the car door flew open. And surprisingly, Tiara stepped out.She stormed toward us like she was ready to fight the whole street

MEDDLING

RACHELMy head throbbed as I tried to open my eyes. Not just the pain, but the weight I felt. Like something heavy was pressing down on my skull, my brain, my head in whole.I groaned and squeezed my eyes shut again, biting back a groan when my fingers brushed the sore side of my head.“Honey… are you okay?”The voice landed beside me.My eyes flew open instantly.And then I saw him. He was already walking toward me.“Dad?”The word came out before I could stop it. I didn’t know if I was shocked, angry, or both, I just knew I hadn’t planned on seeing him again. Not exactly like this.“Hey,” he said softly. “You okay?”“Why are you here?” I asked, not sure if that even sounded right for someone I've not seen over a year. He avoided my eyes for half a second, then smiled. “You don’t look happy to see me, honey.”I exhaled through my nose. “You really expect me to answer that?”He nodded slowly, like he already knew he’d failed.“You had an accident, Rachel. You listed only two emergenc

EPISODES

RACHELIf I’m being honest with myself, I’d admit the source of all the messed-up emotions I’m feeling right now has everything to do with my dad popping out of nowhere after disappearing for two whole years.Two years without even a shadow of him.I was mad. No. Furious sounds more accurate.And then Mum somehow managed to remind me just how thin the rope I’ve been holding onto really is.Unfortunately… I eventually snapped.And now? Now I’m mad at her. At Dad. At Thane. At practically everyone.My brain kept screaming that I shouldn’t have walked out on her, but… I stopped in my tracks when I reached Simon’s study.Was that Thane’s voice?It was sharp and I could instantly sense something was brewing behind that door. I felt it.I shouldn’t bother and it wasn’t my business. But my feet didn’t move. Instead, I leaned closer.That’s when I heard it — his tone rising, bitter, like he was forcing the words past a storm of emotions in his chest.“I don’t care what you compare me to, Pops

POUNDING LOUDLY

RACHELShe sighed dramatically. “Rachel.” Her folded arms dropped to her side and then she rested them lightly on my shoulders. “I know you have tons of questions you want to ask me, but…”She exhaled again, and I wondered why she was getting so worked up.“Honestly, I wish I could answer them all, but can you just let it rest? I know you got that inquisitive gene from me…”I didn’t even realize when I snickered.“What?” She laughed a little.“You know you’re wrong there, Mum.”Yeah. I got it from Dad. Mom is more of a deep thinker.She tried not to laugh, but she already was. “No, I’m not.” She shook her head. “Alright, maybe you got a little from your dad, but you can’t just scratch me out completely.”I held my stomach, trying to stop another laugh. But her laugh was so tempting, it became so hard to stop myself. For a minute I forgot we were arguing on something. I still wanted answers, but this… whatever was flipping inside me… it felt like it shouldn’t end.After the laughter fa

FROZE

RACHELTiara’s place has always been the perfect hiding spot for me… sometimes when things weren’t so good with mum, I always found my way here. For someone who basically lives in an empire—with a garage big enough to build an apartment—that was Tiara’s life.Her parents are rarely home. Either her dad’s on a business trip, or her mum is off doing… who knows what. Probably partying somewhere with half-naked men.The second I drove into her compound, I felt my body eased a little. Though my chest was still racing like crazy. Probably because I didn’t drop below 160 the entire drive.My hands were still gripping the wheel when I turned to Thane.“I…” I exhaled deeply and tried one more time. “I really don’t get what just happened back there.” I shook my head. “I need you to explain it to me because no matter how much I try to make sense of it—”I didn't get to finish. He unbuckled his seatbelt and stepped out of the car.Seriously? Wow. He didn't just ignore me?I yanked my seatbelt off

THROBBED

RACHELI’ve always been good at hiding my emotions. But when my parents separated, a lot changed for me. Buttling everything inside slowly became harder. So damn harder.Just like now.I couldn’t hide how dumbfounded I was by what Thane just said.Sure. Thane is reckless… but he wouldn’t actually kiss me. Right?“I treated your hand. I didn’t think your brain would be affected.”I glared at him.Does he need reminding that I’m supposed to be his stepsister? I'm clearly off the rack.A smirk played on his lips like he was daring me to challenge him. Yeah. I know I’ve fantasized about those lips before. Anyone would fantasise about kissing a lip like Thane’s. But the thought of it actually happening now made my stomach churn.Or what do you call this feeling? The one where I’m angry at myself for staring… yet I can’t even stop?I stood up quickly, making sure there was enough space between us.“I don’t know if this is you being daring,” he said calmly, “or you actually want me to kiss

STRANGELY SAFE

THANEI tried her line again but got cut off by Nina’s incoming call. I sighed and picked it up almost immediately.“Not now, Nina,” I said before she could speak.“Wow. Dude, you don’t even know why I’m calling.”I forced myself to calm down. “Then start talking. I really don’t have time.”My eyes were still scanning everywhere.“Your mum’s here again… to see you. Luckily your dad isn’t around.”“You know what to do.”She exhaled. “I think it’s different this time…”“Is she bribing you too now? Because last time I checked, you were never the type to meddle in someone else’s mess. So what’s this?”“That’s harsh, Thane.” She paused. “And—”“I’m sorry, Nina, but I need to go. This is really bad timing. Just tell her to stop coming to look for me. That’s it.”I hung up and headed straight toward the ladies’ restroom. Just before I reached it, Rachel appeared out of nowhere.Relief first washed over me and then annoyance spiked àinstantly. I didn’t waste a second. I stormed toward her.“H

UNSETTLING GRIN

RACHELI swallowed the lump in my throat. “Uh…”“There.” He cut in. “You’re set.”I forced a stiff smile and turned toward him. “Thank you,” I said quietly.He led the way out. Marie clasped her hands together the moment I stepped out, her eyes litting up like she had just seen something rare and beautiful.“Cette robe est faite pour vous,” she said with a broad smile.“What?” I responded, confused.“This dress was made for you. It’s so perfect,” she translated, smiling even wider.I hadn’t even properly looked at myself because of— God. I shouldn’t think about what happened in the dressing room.She gestured to one of the staff, who wheeled over a full-length mirror. I stared at my reflection, surprised by how beautiful I looked.Just a simple, white, knee-length flare dress. Harmless. And elegant.“Just a final touch.” Marie stepped behind me and pulled down my ponytail, letting my hair fall over my shoulders.“Now that’s a ten.”I smiled. “Thank you.”She nodded, then winked at Tha

DROP IT

RACHEL“Uhm… sorry.” The strange guy spoke quickly. “I’m sorry.”I didn’t say anything. I just forced a polite smile and nodded before trying to walk away.“You’re Rachel, right?”That stopped me in my tracks. I turned back slowly. He looked Asian. Or maybe mixed. I didn’t want to assume. But if a stranger knows my name, I should probably care.“Do I—”“Mayor Han's son,” he cut in quickly. “You still don’t remember?”Simon introduced me to too many people tonight. There’s no way I could remember all their faces. I squinted slightly, pretending something was clicking in my head.But… Nothing.“I’m sorry. I don’t,” I said with a soft smile. “But I hope you’re enjoying the party… sir?”“God…” He snorted. “Did you just call me sir?”He laughed, placing his wine glass on a nearby table.“If that ‘sir’ is a filler. I guess Jae Hyun is better.” He stretched out his hand. “Han Jae Hyun.” I eyed it suspiciously. “Jae Hyun? Like… Korean?”He smiled. “Got it.” He snapped his fingers. “Half Kore

OVERTHINKING THINGS

RACHELAfter a minute, I pulled out my phone and called Thane for the third time. He still didn’t pick up.“Fuck,” I muttered under my breath as I headed back downstairs.I was making my way toward the exit when Jae stepped in front of me.“Hey.”I paused, biting my lip. “Hey,” I replied quietly.He frowned. “What’s wrong?”I forced a smile. “Nothing. I’m fine. Can you… excuse me?”His expression tightened slightly. “I don’t want to assume you’re avoiding me. Did I do something? If I did, just tell me.”Should I ask him? Is it wrong to? I hesitated, biting my lower lip again.“Go ahead, Rachel,” he said softly. “You kind of look cute when you do that.”I blinked and straightened immediately. “Uhm… Jae.” I exhaled. “Do you mind telling me about—”“Thane?” he cut in before I finished.I nodded. “Yeah.”He smiled faintly, glancing down for a moment before meeting my eyes again.“What do you want to know? I’ll tell you whatever I can.”I licked my lips nervously. “I heard he hates you. I

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