All Chapters of Ravaged By My Cold-Hearted Stepbrothers : Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

JacksonThe Harrisons arrived first, their Mercedes pulling smoothly into the circular driveway. I watched from the living room window as Thomas Harrison stepped out, already wearing his hunting vest even though we wouldn’t head into the woods for hours. His wife, Linda, followed, a homemade pie balanced in her hands.“Showtime,” Brandon murmured beside me.Dad was already at the door, his practiced smile firmly in place—the one that fooled everyone who didn't know him well enough to see the calculation behind it.I turned from the window and found Rhea immediately. She stood near the fireplace with her mother, arranging flowers in a crystal vase. Margaret was talking animatedly, her hands moving as she spoke. Rhea nodded along, but I could see the tension in her shoulders and the tightness around her mouth.She was barely holding it together.More cars arrived in quick succession: the Vanderbilts, the Morgans, the Ashfords. One after another, families who had been part of our social

RheaBrandon dove into the water before I could finish. He surfaced a moment later, water streaming down his face and shoulders. His wet hair was slicked back, emphasizing the sharp line of his jaw, the intensity of his eyes. Droplets clung to his skin, catching the light.He looked wild. Primal. Dangerously beautiful.“It is perfect,” he called out. “Come on, Rhea.”Jackson dove in next, surfacing beside his brother. The water made his skin glisten. Made every muscle stand out in sharp relief.They both looked at me expectantly. Waiting.Two perfect male bodies. Two sets of dark eyes were watching me with undisguised hunger.And I was supposed to resist this?“I am not getting in that water,” I said, but even I could hear how weak the protest sounded.“Yes, you are,” Brandon said. It was not a question.“You are wound so tight you are about to snap,” Jackson added. His voice was softer but no less commanding. “When was the last time you did something just because you wanted to? Not b

Rhea“Over here!” The voice was closer now. Maybe thirty yards away. “The blood trail leads this way!”Brandon’s hand found mine, steady and calm. “Follow our lead.”We stepped out from behind the rock formation just as Greg emerged through the trees with Thomas Harrison and two other men I did not recognize. They all had rifles slung over their shoulders, their faces flushed with excitement.Greg’s expression shifted to surprise when he saw us. “There you three are. We heard voices and thought maybe you had caught something.”“No luck on our end,” Jackson said easily. “We brought Rhea to see the waterfall. Figured since this is her first hunt, she should see the best parts of the property.”“The waterfall?” Greg’s face brightened. “Oh, that is perfect. Your mother and I had our first real conversation there, actually. Back when I was trying to convince her to give me a chance.”The information caught me off guard. I had not known that.“It really is beautiful,” I managed. “I can see

RheaMrs. Patterson’s voice droned on about symbolism in The Great Gatsby, but I could not focus on a single word she was saying. The green light. Daisy’s dock. The American Dream. None of it penetrated the fog in my mind.I kept replaying Elowen’s words from last night.‘They have girlfriends. Gorgeous ones.’I had not confronted Brandon and Jackson about it. Had barely spoken to them at all this morning beyond basic pleasantries at breakfast. Part of me wanted to dismiss it completely. Elowen hated me. She had made that abundantly clear. Of course she would say anything to drive a wedge between us.But the other part of me, the part that kept me awake most of the night, wondered if there was truth in her accusation.Because why would two men who looked like Greek gods, who came from money and power and had the world at their fingertips, actually want their stepsister? It did not make sense. Not when they could have anyone.Maybe I really was just convenient. Just something new to pla

RheaThe cafeteria was loud. Too loud. Voices bounced off the walls, punctuated by laughter and the clatter of trays. I stood in line with my food, watching the chaos of students sorting themselves into their designated social hierarchies.I scanned the room for a familiar face. For someone who would not look at me like I was a scandal waiting to explode.Then I saw Nick and Elora sitting at our usual table near the windows. Relief flooded through me. Maybe Elora had cooled down. Maybe Nick had decided to give me a chance to explain things to him. Maybe I could salvage at least one part of my life that had not gone completely to hell.I walked toward them, my grip tight on my tray. My heart was hammering but I forced a smile.“Hi guys,” I said when I reached the table.They both looked up at me. For a second, no one moved. No one spoke.Then Nick stood up. Grabbed his tray. Looked me directly in the eyes and walked away.Elora followed without a word. Did not even glance back.They le