All Chapters of The Stepbrother I Crave : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

The world outside this room was waiting for them, with all its rules and consequences. And no matter how much they tried to ignore it, sooner or later, they would have to face the reality of what they'd done.For now, though, Sophia allowed herself to forget, if only for a little while longer. She closed her eyes, resting her head against Julian’s chest, listening to the steady beat of his heart as sleep finally began to claim her. Tomorrow would bring its own challenges, its own dangers. But tonight, in the quiet of the night, she allowed herself to pretend that everything would be okay.The first rays of dawn crept through the window, casting a pale light across the room. Sophia stirred, the remnants of last night's passion still tingling on her skin, but now, as reality began to seep in, so did a deep sense of dread.The room, once a sanctuary, felt different now. Heavier, as if the weight of last night's secrets had seeped into the walls. She blinked her eyes open, her mind racin

They arrived at the café and settled at an outdoor table, sunlight pouring over them.The waitress approached with a bright smile, placing menus in their hands. Sophia idly turned the pages of hers, her thoughts wandering once more.“You know, I’ve been thinking,” Richard Cole said, peering at Sophia over the edge of his menu.“Maybe Julian and I could assist you with returning into the dormitory when the moment arrives. It would feel like a proper family occasion.”Sophia’s heart lurched at the sound of Julian’s name. Family. How could she possibly view them that way when everything was quietly disintegrating beneath the surface?“That sounds wonderful,” Sophia answered, her throat constricting.Richard Cole’s face lit up. “I’m genuinely pleased Julian has treated you well. I realize it was a significant shift when I permitted him to stay here for a time, but he truly cares for you.”Sophia gave a small nod, biting the inside of her cheek to suppress any visible reaction. If only yo

Sophia nodded once more, thoughts churning wildly. Trust him? Was that even possible anymore? Did she have any real alternative? Before she could find words, the sound of footsteps descending the staircase sent her pulse spiking. Richard Cole reappeared in the kitchen doorway, brow creased in mild confusion.“I forgot my phone,” he said with an easy chuckle, apparently unaware of the electric charge still crackling between them as he retrieved the device from the counter.Sophia managed a tight smile, though a heavy disquiet lodged itself firmly in her chest.Julian rose smoothly, offering Richard Cole a quick, casual handshake as though the room held no secrets. But as he turned to exit, his gaze lingered on Sophia a heartbeat longer than necessary—a wordless vow suspended in the narrow space between them.When the door clicked shut behind him, Sophia released a slow, shaky breath, heart still hammering. She had no clue what Julian’s scheme entailed, but one truth stood out sharp

He extended the folded sheet toward her, his gaze challenging her to accept it. Sophia hesitated, every instinct screaming at her to refuse, yet raw curiosity overpowered her. She snatched the paper from his grip, her hands quivering as she unfolded it.Her eyes flew across the hastily scrawled lines, her stomach twisting tighter with every sentence. It was a note—specifically one addressed to someone called ‘LT’. It spoke of buried truths, cash flows, and shady agreements struck behind locked doors. Then, at the very bottom, her blood turned to ice when she read the name ‘Sophia’.She jerked her head up, throat constricting. “What the hell is this? Who wrote this?”The stranger’s face darkened, his voice dropping to a venomous whisper. “A warning, Sophia. Julian’s been hiding things from you. You’re tangled in something far worse than you realize.”Before she could fire back, he spun on his heel and melted into the shadows, leaving her standing frozen, the crumpled note clenched

By the time they finished shopping, their arms were heavy with bags and both Sophia, Maya and her father were riding a wave of pure joy.As they drove home, the late-afternoon sun poured a rich golden light over the rolling hills. Sophia felt lighter than she had in days. The tight knot of tension that had lived in her chest for weeks finally began to unravel, and for the first time in ages she allowed herself to hope that maybe,just maybe,everything would be okay.When they reached the estate, Richard Cole carried the first armload of bags inside while Sophia lingered beside the car. She stared out across the vast grounds,the perfectly trimmed gardens, the ancient oaks, the long gravel driveway vanishing into the trees. This place had always been home, yet tonight it felt oddly distant, like an elegant prison whose bars she was only beginning to see. She shook the thought off, grabbed the remaining bags, and followed her father inside.Richard Cole and Maya had already vanished ups