Semua Bab The Stepbrother I Crave : Bab 51 - Bab 60

The music swirled around them in a chaotic blend of rhythms while guests moved energetically across the floor, dancing and enjoying their evening drinks. Sophia had to admit that her father possessed a remarkable group of friends, even if some of them bordered on complete eccentrics. The wedding guest list continued to swell daily, thanks in part to contributions from Maya and herself.Yet her main worry at the moment had nothing to do with the expanding crowd. Instead, it centered on her father, who looked as though he was sinking beneath a wave of anxiety.A damsel in distress—what was the male equivalent of that term? She wasn’t entirely sure, but she could search it up later.“I can’t believe you’re anxious,” Sophia remarked, feigning disappointment. “This isn’t your first time walking down the aisle.”“Hey, just because I’ve been married once before doesn’t mean I’ve lost the right to feel nervous now. Stop looking at me like that!” He tossed back another shot of tequila. “I m

Sophia could hardly believe it. Both Olivia and Julian had vanished from sight.She was already panicking. It wasn’t that she didn’t trust Julian, but the truth was she had zero faith in Olivia. She fully believed in the other woman’s talent for manipulation. Even her face screamed that she was a twisted, scheming, vile, and deeply disturbed person.What if Olivia managed to drive a wedge between her and Julian? She was more than capable of it. After all, she and Julian had shared a long relationship. It was understandable that Julian might still harbor some lingering feelings for her. Sophia wouldn’t blame him for that, but… she didn’t want to lose him. That was the only reason she was losing her composure.The worst scenario she could imagine was discovering Julian and Olivia locked away together in some private room. Yes, she feared it deeply, no matter how much she trusted Julian. But he wouldn’t betray her, would he?God, this was pushing her to the brink of madness.Disappoint

“He said he still loves Olivia…” Sophia sobbed, unable to stop the fresh wave of tears that had been pouring out of her since the confrontation with Julian. Her eyes and nose were red and swollen, clear signs of the deep heartbreak she was suffering. “It hurts. It hurts so much. I love him…” She buried her face on the bed, trying unsuccessfully to muffle her sobs, but they kept escaping.All she could think about were the moments she and Julian had shared. His smile, the way he held her tightly, and the way he whispered her name. If it had all been a lie, then why had it felt so painfully real when he told her he loved her? That night in the ocean, surrounded by gentle waves, with their bodies intertwined and their hearts beating as one, when he had said he loved her, it had felt as genuine as her own soul.Those beautiful memories, now etched permanently in her mind, how could they all be fake? Were they merely cruel tricks her heart had played on her, making her believe they were

The morning sun’s harsh rays streamed across Sophia’s face, rudely pulling her from the only moment of rest she had managed after last night’s painful ordeal. With a heavy groan, she forced herself to sit up, though she had no desire to leave her room. Even now, the evidence of her suffering was clear—red, swollen eyes and a blotchy complexion from hours of crying and emotional exhaustion.Men were truly cruel, especially those who made falling in love with them feel effortless.Yet Julian hadn’t seemed cruel at first…“Stop obsessing over the man who dumped you, Sophia,” she muttered to herself, struggling to hold onto what little composure she had left. It was still early morning, and she couldn’t afford to fall apart so soon.Still, keeping her emotions in check was proving incredibly difficult. Inside, she was a chaotic storm of pain and confusion. “You’ve been dumped. Face it,” she told herself firmly. She took a deep breath and ran her fingers through her messy hair.For a brie

Sophia glared at Olivia with pure fury. “Don’t even think about raising your hand at me, Olivia,” she warned through clenched teeth, her eyes fixed on the other woman’s trembling fingers as they inched toward her reddened cheek. Olivia still seemed unable to process the slap she had just received. She had better accept it, because Sophia had no hesitation about delivering another if Olivia didn’t watch her words. “I’ve dealt with enough bullies in my life to know how to handle a worthless, cheap woman like you. And believe me, if you cross that line again, I’ll rip that hand right off your body.”“What… what did you just say?” Olivia’s jaw tightened, rage burning brightly in her eyes.“Are you deaf or just incredibly stupid?” Sophia snapped back. “You can’t hear me? Fine, let me make you deaf today if that’s what you want. It’ll be my pleasure, I promise.”Before Sophia could take another step toward her, a strong hand shot out and gripped her wrist. It was a touch she knew too wel