Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 113

Chapter 113: 113-Too Expensive

Helanie:

“Diamond?” I lowered my head to stare at the beautiful bracelet. But now, it felt so heavy on my wrist.

“Don’t act like you didn’t know,” Norman scoffed, making me lift my head and look at him in disbelief.

“What? You think I don’t know what you like?” The mockery in his tone, paired with the raised eyebrow, made me clench my jaw.

“Please, do tell me what I want,” I said in a gentle tone, though I gritted my teeth to show him I wasn’t pleased with his taunts.

“Like mother, like daughter. Your mother loves diamonds too. She would do anything—and I mean anything—to get her hands on something with diamonds in it. And look at you! With your sad face and always being weak and meek, you somehow managed to get one for yourself.” He shrugged like he knew me inside out.

“Wow!” I said, forcing a smile and nodding my head. “I didn’t know you were paying so much attention to me. I’m flattered, sir. Thank you for keeping me in your thoughts at all times.” My mocking tone wiped the smirk off his face.

He glanced around, probably checking if anyone was watching him lose his composure, and then hissed, “Don’t you dare disrespect me, Helanie. My brothers won’t always be around to protect you from my punishments. In this academy, you are under me. I can punish you any way I want,” he snapped, pointing his finger at me as his massive figure loomed over me.

“Okay. Anything else?” I asked politely, though I took a step back. His intimidating size was overwhelming and triggering.

“Huh! I should be the one asking you that. Is there anything else you plan to ask from my brother? Maybe a mansion? A car?” he sneered, clearly trying to get under my skin, before turning to walk away.

I watched him leave, rooted to the spot. Despite my show of confidence in front of him, I felt utterly disrespected.

“Oh, and—” he called over his shoulder, “I hope you’ll work really hard to stay in this academy. Fail even one exam, and you’re out.”

After throwing that parting shot, Norman walked past me to torment his next victim, while I stayed behind, staring at the bracelet on my wrist.

“Are these real diamonds?” I felt so bad and guilty for accepting this gift. I wish Emmet had told me these were diamonds. But then again, why would he flex about what he was gifting me.

In that moment, I made up my mind to return the gift. Emmet had done a lot for me; he didn’t need to do anything extra. Besides, I did not want his toxic brother’s eyes on me. I marched straight to his office, which was on the second floor, and knocked on the door.

“Come in,” a voice called from inside. It was his husky voice. I opened the door and found him sitting at his desk with his glasses on and some files in front of him. I could tell he looked a little tired, as he had planned to leave after our hike when he got into the academy. However, he wasn’t alone. His brother sat with his back to me, but I didn’t need to see his face to recognize him. It was Kaye. And I swear, he knew I was there because he tilted his head and then leaned back in his chair, moving it sideways.

“Is everything okay? Why aren’t you at the hostel for lunch?” Emmet took off his glasses while speaking in a gentle, steady tone, even though he seemed a little bothered before my arrival.

“I wanted to have a word with you,” I murmured, slowly walking to the side to stand next to Kaye.

He hadn’t looked my way directly, but from his body language, I could tell he wanted me to know he had acknowledged my arrival.

“Sure, Kaye—” Emmet gestured at his brother to leave us alone, but Kaye shook his head.

“I’m not going anywhere. She can talk in front of me; I’m pretty sure she won’t have trouble,” he said, turning his head toward me, his voice suggesting he wouldn’t like it if I asked him to leave.

However, I didn’t want to complain to Emmet in front of Kaye.

“What is it about?” Emmet asked, probably thinking it was related to school.

“About this,” I sneaked a glance at my hand and then touched the bracelet with my other hand’s finger.

“Oh, what about it?” Emmet asked. Since he hadn’t asked his brother to leave after I mentioned the bracelet, I decided to go ahead with the conversation.

“I can’t take this,” I said, taking it off and placing it on the table. Kaye’s head moved toward the bracelet, and I watched him stare at it before raising his head, looking at me from the side.

“Why not?” Emmet placed his hands on the files, his head tilted as he waited for me to answer his question.

“Why didn’t you tell me these were real diamonds? I can’t accept something so expensive.” My voice carried a hint of discomfort. And I was uncomfortable.

Material goods meant nothing to me. In fact, I still carried the burden of Emmet paying for my fees and other things. I couldn’t let him spoil me.

“Helanie, this is your stepfather’s money. You deserve it as much as the rest of us. Now please, don’t insult me by returning it.” Emmet’s voice had turned a little harsh, leaning more toward sadness, and it really made me feel bad. He had been nothing but helpful to me, and I insulted him?

“No! I didn’t mean to insult you. I would never! I’m so sorry—” I had no clue what got over me, but I began to repeatedly rub my hands together and apologize.

Tears suddenly filled my eyes. I had never been so weak. Why the heck was I so messed up these days?

And then it struck me.

My hormones.

I was pregnant, with so much stress and so many changes happening to my body now.

“Helanie—” Emmet looked shocked, his voice taking me aback. I quickly stopped pleading and looked down in confusion. Even Kaye seemed to have stopped rolling in his chair.