Semua Bab He’s My Stepbrother. And My Secret Lover: Bab 1 - Bab 10

I didn’t reply to Rowan’s messages all afternoon, but he didn’t give up like I’d hoped.My screen lit up again and again. His messages were relentless.“Talk to me, Carrie. Don’t pretend you’re not there.”“How about we meet tonight? I’ll pick you up.”“Or I have a business trip overseas next month. Want to come with me?”Then, two photos of impeccably decorated apartments appeared on my screen.One was a high-rise flat overlooking the city lights, all minimalist black, white, and gray.The other was a penthouse duplex with a sunroom, cozy and private.“Which one do you like?” his next message read. “Pick one. I’ll have someone help you move. Don’t bring much; I’ll buy you whatever you need.”I stared at the screen and sighed.There it was again.He was always so damn bossy, arranging my life for me without even asking.I had to admit, I’d grown to rely on his presence over the past two years. The way he singled me out made my heart flutter.But he was acting more and more like a patri

After that day, I didn’t dare to ghost Rowan again.I used the excuse that I was busy looking for a job to slow down my replies.His compromise in the email had softened me, but I was still terrified of his suffocating need for control.Before I knew it, it was time for the Sterling family’s annual gala.The estate was lit up, filled with glamorous people in their finest.As the family’s sole heir, Louis was naturally the center of attention.He sat at the main table in a perfectly tailored black suit and a crisp white shirt, looking as arrogant and cold as ever.I sat in a corner, bored, cutting into the steak on my plate.Suddenly, a small commotion broke out at the main table.A nervous waiter had tripped, spilling a glass of red wine all over Louis.The dark red liquid instantly soaked through his white shirt.The waiter, trembling, dropped to his knees, apologizing over and over.Louis didn’t explode. He just scowled, his eyes cold enough to freeze water.He took off his soiled su

That night, after a full day of silence, Rowan finally sent me a message.In all the time we’d known each other, we’d never gone a day without talking.He had certainly never given me the cold shoulder.After our fight yesterday, I was scared I’d really pissed him off.I’d been on edge all day, terrified he’d actually use his resources to find me in person.He had the power to do it.So when I saw his message, I actually felt a small wave of relief.The screen lit up.I’m sorry.And then, I didn’t mean to steamroll you. I just… I want you so badly it makes me act like this.His tone had softened, so I didn’t push back.I replied with sincerity: My mom is really strict. She even dictates what I wear every day. She’s like this mountain I can’t move, weighing me down.When I first found you, I was just looking for an escape.I typed: I don’t want you to become another cage.I laid it all out, clear as day. The reason I’d sought him out, the way I was using him.He should have been angry.

That night at eight o’clock, I finished a high-intensity sonata in the practice room, my fingers aching.I turned around and saw Louis, dressed in a suit, leaning against the doorframe in the shadows.His gaze was quiet. I had no idea how long he’d been watching me.I clutched my sheet music, my fingers tightening instinctively.Then I walked across the room towards him.“…Louis.”I was always so careful when I said his name.This was a relationship my mother and I had forced on him. He probably didn’t even see me as his stepsister. I likely had no right to call him that and should have been respectfully calling him Mr. Sterling.But in the quiet of the hallway, when I said his name, I clearly heard him give a low, affirmative “Mm” in response.He suddenly reached out, his hand closing around my trembling wrist. His thumb brushed gently over my knuckles.The sudden intimacy startled me, and I took an involuntary step back.This was the closest we had ever been.If we were real siblings

Louis’s brow furrowed.He took my arm. “Where does it hurt?”He said, “I’ll take you to the hospital.”I finally snapped out of it and gently tried to pull my arm away.But Louis didn’t let go.I had no choice but to let him hold me. “I’m fine. I was just… a little tired.”Louis’s frown didn’t ease.He stared at me for a long moment.The hand on my arm slid down to my wrist, and he started to lead me away.“Let’s go. Home first.”I didn’t argue. I didn’t even dare to act strangely in front of him.He had asked me what I thought of him, my “brother.”I had been too blunt back then.So now, I had no idea how to face him.I stayed calm all that evening.Calmly went home with Louis, calmly went to my room to pack.I even had the presence of mind to send a message to Rowan: I’m moving to start my new job. I might not be able to reply much for a while.I sent it and didn’t look at his reply.I waited until my mother got home to tell her I wanted to change my flight.The original plan was for