All Chapters of My Stepbrother's Secret Obsession : Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

The house was too quiet, even for a house of this size. Maria stood at the grand entrance, her hand trembling as she pushed the massive oak door. It gave way without a sound."Carlos?" she called out. Her voice echoed off the marble walls, hollow and unanswered.She shouldn't have been there. Carlos had been clear about not wanting visitors while he dealt with the crisis, but the news of Carmen’s arrest had sent shockwaves through their circle. Maria needed to know what was happening, because it was never included in their plans.""Carlos! It’s Maria!"She walked further into the house. The open doors bothered her. Carlos was an organised man, he didn't leave doors ajar. She moved toward the staircase, her heels clicking sharply against the floor.Then, she heard it.Thud. Thud.It was faint, coming from somewhere high above. It didn't sound like a house settling. Maria stopped, her hand gripping the banister."Is someone there?"No answer. Just the silence of the luxury house, follow

The screen of Maria’s phone felt hot against Inés’s ear. The call connected. "Maria? I told you not to call me unless it was an absolute emergency. I’m tied up at the station with the lawyers," Miguel’s voice was weary, sharp with the exhaustion of a man who had lost everything."Miguel," Inés whispered, her voice cracking. "It’s me."There was a deafening silence on the other end. Inés could almost hear Miguel’s heart stop."Inés? Is this... is this some kind of sick joke? Carlos said you were in Switzerland. Who is this?""It’s not a joke, Miguel. I’m at the house. I’m in Spain. I can’t explain everything on a voice call... you wouldn't believe me if I told you." She quickly swiped the screen, switching to a video call.When the image flickered to life, Miguel’s face appeared. He looked haggard, his eyes bloodshot, but the moment he saw her—pale, bruised, and standing in the dim light of the hallway, his expression shattered."My God, Inés," he breathed, his voice trembling. "What

Carlos stood by that window, peeking through a crack in the plastic blinds. His hand was steady, but his eyes were darting, scanning every car that slowed down, every shadow that moved across the alleyway below.He was now a fugitive, a ghost haunting the edges of a city that was currently screaming his name on every news channel.Suddenly, the heavy thud of a deadbolt sliding back echoed through the cramped room.Carlos spun around, his hand instinctively flying to the small of his back where the cold steel of his pistol rested. The door creaked open, throwing a sliver of light from the hallway into the darkened apartment."Whoa, whoa! Take it easy, man! It’s just me!"A man stepped inside, balancing two greasy paper bags and a six-pack of cheap beer. It was Mike, an old college acquaintance Carlos had kept contact with over the years.Mike kicked the door shut with his heel and laughed, though the sound was a bit nervous. "Chill out, Carlos. I’m not the SWAT team. You’re jumpy as a

The Alvarez mansion was quiet, but it was a different kind of quiet than the house. She had moved back into her family home because she couldn't spend another second in Carlos’s house. Every corner of that place reminded her of the attic, the locks, and the cold way he looked at her.Miguel was there with her. He refused to stay in the hospital, even though the doctors wanted him to rest for another two days. He had signed himself out, his arm in a sling and his shoulder bandaged tight. He said he wouldn't let her stay in the mansion alone while Carlos was still on the run.Outside, the house was surrounded by police. Inés could see the blue and red lights reflecting off the gate from the bedroom window. It was supposed to make her feel safe, but it also felt like she was living in a fishbowl."They're not going to let him get close, Inés," Miguel said, stepping up behind her. He placed his good hand on her waist, pulling her back against his chest.Inés leaned her head back against hi

Everywhere Inés looked, she saw security guards, blinking camera lights, and the worried expression on Miguel’s face. She needed to breathe. She needed to feel like a normal person who could do a normal thing like buying a carton of milk without a five-man tactical team by her sides."I’m just going to the store at the corner," Inés told the guard at the front gate."Ma'am, Mr. Miguel said you aren't to leave without the SUV," the guard replied, his hand resting on his radio."Mr. Miguel isn't my warden," Inés snapped, her voice sharper than she intended. "It’s two blocks away, It’s broad daylight. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes."Before he could argue, she pushed through the small pedestrian gate and stepped onto the sidewalk. The fresh air hit her face, and for a second, it felt amazing.The grocery store was busy. It was filled with mothers pushing strollers, students looking for snacks, and elderly couples arguing over which bread to buy. Inés grabbed a red plastic basket and hea