บททั้งหมดของ Craving My Stepdaddy: บทที่ 11 - บทที่ 20

Bronte’s POV The necklace felt like a chain around my throat. I wore it under my shirt all day, constantly aware of its presence. Every time I touched it, I heard Rufus’s voice in my head: “Every time you touch it, you’ll remember who owns you.” Mom returned from her short retreat that evening, exhausted but in a good mood. She made her famous lasagna and talked about work the whole dinner. I smiled and nodded, but my mind was elsewhere. Rufus sat across from me, calm and charming as always. But under the table, his foot kept brushing against mine like a silent reminder. Later that night, after Mom went to bed, I got a string of messages from Chloe Jake won’t let this go. He’s really worried. He said he’s thinking about talking to your mom, please be careful. I’m scared for you. I was typing a reply when Rufus walked into my room without knocking. He saw me on my phone “Who is it?” he asked “Chloe,” I said quickly. He took the phone from my hand, read the messa

Bronte’s POVThe days got blurry after that.Mom left for her conference on Friday morning, hugging me tight at the door and telling me to behave. If only she knew, Rufus stood beside me, the perfect husband, waving her off with a warm smile. The second her car disappeared down the street, the mask he put on dropped.He turned to me slowly, his eyes were dark with hunger.“Text Chloe,” he said. “Tell her tonight.”My fingers were shaking as I typed the message because i had no idea about what was going to happen. Chloe replied immediately, excited about our girls night. By evening, the house felt and looked different.Chloe arrived around seven, carrying a bag full of snacks, face masks, and two bottles of cheap wine. She hugged me hard at the door.“I’m so glad we’re doing this,” she said, pulling back to look at me. “You look like you need it.”I forced a smile. “Yeah… I really do.”Rufus was in the kitchen when we walked in, he greeted Chloe politely, and even charmingly, he

Bronte’s POVThe question was left in the air like a smoke.How long have you been fucking your stepdad?I sat there frozen on the couch like a chicken, surrounded by three men I barely knew, my face burning with shame. The tattooed one, I think his name was Marcus I really have to stop calling him "the tattooed one" he watched me with an amused eyes. The one with green eyes Damien, leaned back with a smile swirling his drink. The third, the quieter one named Victor, just observed me like I was something rare and fragile.“I.. it’s complicated,” I finally managed, my voice barely above a whisper.“It always is with Rufus.”Marcus chuckled softlyBefore I could say anything else, the door opened and Rufus stepped back in. His eyes immediately found mine, checking on me. He must have seen the panic on my face because he crossed the room and sat beside me again, pulling me close against his side.“Everything okay upstairs?” I whispered.“Chloe’s asleep,” he murmured, brushing my hair

Bronte’s POVThe days after that night felt strange.Mom came back from her conference on Monday evening, full of stories about boring meetings and bad hotel coffee. She hugged me tightly at the door, and for a second I almost broke down and told her everything. The words sat on my tongue like poison. Instead, I hugged her back and forced a smile.“Missed you, Mom.”“I missed you too, baby.” She pulled away and looked at me carefully. “You look tired. Everything okay while I was gone?”“Yeah. Just stayed in. Chloe came over for a night.”Rufus appeared behind her then, kissing her cheek like the perfect husband. His eyes met mine over her shoulder looking calm, knowing and possessive. That night, after Mom went to bed, Rufus came to my room. He didn’t say anything at first, he just sat on the edge of my bed and pulled me into his lap, holding me against his chest.“You’re quiet,” he murmured into my hair.“I keep thinking about her,” I admitted. “Chloe. What if she finds out? What

Bronte’s POVThe next morning felt different.Mom was already in the kitchen when I came downstairs, standing by the window with her coffee. She didn’t turn around right away when I walked in. That small silence made my stomach tighten.“Morning,” I said to her.She finally looked at me, her smile was soft, but it didn’t quite reach her eyes.“Morning, honey. Did you sleep okay?”“Yeah.”Rufus walked in a moment later, already dressed for work. He kissed Mom’s cheek, then ruffled my hair like a normal stepfather would. The casual affection made my skin prickle.After he left for the office, Mom stayed quiet for a while. I was about to leave the kitchen when she spoke.“Bronte… can we talk for a second?”I froze and said“Of course.”She set her mug down and turned fully toward me. “I’ve been noticing things, little things. You’ve been distant, quiet and Jake has been calling me.”My heart dropped.“He called you?”Mom nodded. “He’s worried. He said he thinks something is going on b