All Chapters of CLAIM ME, STEP-BROTHER. : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Zara’s POVI woke up with my head feeling like it had been split clean down the middle.The pain came first, dull, heavy, pressing behind my eyes like a weight I couldn’t lift. I groaned softly and shifted, only to realize I wasn’t wearing the clothes I’d gone out in last night.A blanket was tucked carefully around me, the fabric warm against my skin. That alone made my stomach tighten.I opened my eyes slowly and realized where I was. My bedroom.Sunlight filtered through the curtains, almost too bright. I squeezed my eyes shut again, waiting for the nausea to settle.My mouth felt dry, and my tongue heavy. Every sound felt amplified, the faint hum of the house, distant footsteps, the tick of time dragging forward without my permission.I pushed myself up carefully, sitting on the edge of the bed and the room spun briefly before steadying. I looked down at myself.Seeing that I had changed clothes on. A loose shirt. Comfortable pants that wasn't even mine. My heart thudded painfully

Zara’s POVReturning to school felt like walking back into a place that had already decided what it thought of me.I kept my head down as the car rolled to a stop outside the university gates: same iron arch, same wide courtyard. Same students streaming in clusters, laughing, chatting, living normal lives that suddenly felt far removed from mine.I tugged at the sleeves of my sweater, an oversized grey thing I’d worn too many times to count with a pair of jeans. My usual flat shoes. Hair pulled into a low ponytail, no effort, no statement. I just wanted to blend in.The door shut behind me, and the sound echoed louder than it should have.“Zara!”I barely had time to look up before Sofia barreled into me, arms wrapping tight around my shoulders.“Finally,” she breathed dramatically. “I thought you’d vanished into thin air.”I stiffened for half a second, then relaxed into her embrace. “I was sick.”“For days?” She pulled back, squinting at me. “You look like hell.”“Thanks,” I muttere

Matteo’s POVThe Angelos firm occupied an entire floor of glass and skyscrapers, the kind of place designed to intimidate before a word was even spoken.Everything about it screamed control and power, and the whole place was flooded with men dressed in black.I hated it already.The boardroom doors slid open smoothly when I walked into the hallway, revealing a long polished table, black leather chairs, and a wall of windows overlooking Milan’s financial district as usual.My men followed me in. Luca to my right, Enzo behind him, and Marco lingering closer to the door. Angelo Moretti the man of the hour was already seated at the head of the table.He rose when he saw me, smile obviously forced, as his eyes remained on me. “Matteo.”“Angelo.” I didn’t offer my hand immediately. I mean, power wasn’t something you gave freely; something important I learned from my father, Theo Ferraro.A couple of minutes later, we sat. Folders were slid across the table. Coffee was poured but left untouc

Zara’s POVTHE NEXT MORNINGWaking up with the ghost of his mouth still on mine was the first thing that hit me, before the light filtering through the curtains, before the dull ache behind my eyes.Matteo’s kiss lingered like a bruise I couldn’t see but felt it everywhere. His breath, the warmth of his hands on my waist last night/ The way his mouth had moved like it already knew mine made it even worse to handle in my head.I groaned softly and rolled onto my side, dragging the pillow over my head.‘Idiot,’ I thought bitterly.‘You absolute idiot.’I stared at the wall for a long time, replaying the moment where I should’ve pulled away. Where I should’ve slapped him instead of melting at the taste of his lips. Where I should’ve remembered every reason I was angry at him.Instead, I’d let him kiss me. And worse, I’d kissed him back.I shoved the covers off and sat up, running a hand through my hair roughly. My heart felt too loud in my chest, my thoughts tangled just like my hair loo

Zara’s POVI didn’t expect the house to feel this quiet. And when I say I mean the sort that made your shoulders tense before your brain could explain why.My heels clicked softly against the marble floor as I stepped inside, closing the door behind me with more care than necessary.I dropped my bag by the console table and exhaled, rubbing my temples from the stress I had for the day. That even my head still throbbed faintly, the residue of a long, emotionally draining day clinging to me like smoke. All I wanted was my room: a nice shower and the usual silence.I had barely taken two steps toward the stairs when I heard it. A sound, faint, but closeby. Glassware clinking from the kitchen.And I froze.My breath caught halfway in as my gaze snapped toward the kitchen area. The lights were on, had they been on when I walked in? I couldn’t even remember. My heart in my chest began to pound, each beat loud in my ears as I slowly turned my body in that direction.“Who’s there?” I called,