Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 148

Chapter 148: 148-The Angry And Unpredictable Stepbrothers

Helanie:

“Fine.” He was so quick to give up tonight, confirming my suspicions. He really wanted me to be the reason he stopped pursuing me.

“I think by the time we wait, we’ll be free. Then, once you’ve figured out whatever you want from your life, I’ll ask you that question again. Until then, we’re both free.”

I frowned at his choice of words.

What was he even trying to say?

“Huh?” I raised my head, watching him closely, waiting for him to explain himself.

“You don’t even want to say that you’ll accept me in the future. And what future? When? I know nothing. So by the time you’re ready to accept me, I’ll wait, but I won’t—” He abruptly stopped, gulping hard.

So I helped him finish his sentence. “You won’t stay single?” I let out a laugh and shook my head at myself.

I mean, he wasn’t wrong.

He had every right to date whoever he wanted. It’s not like I’d ever told him I liked him or that I would accept him.

If anything, I’d promised the Moon Goddess that I would never accept what she chose for me.

“You’re taking it the wrong way. I’m very conflicted. I’m stuck between two paths, Helanie. One is where I want to be, but I don’t even know if that path will ever open for me. And then there’s the path I’ve always wanted to take. That path is open now and inviting me,” he murmured under his breath, gulping frequently—either to moisten his throat or to hide the guilt he felt for leading me on.

I didn’t even know if he was in the wrong or if I was.

But we were both hurting.

“You should pick that path, Kaye. You’re right, I don’t even know if I’m ever going to accept you.” I kept my tone honest, my posture straight, and my eyes focused on his face.

I did it so it would be easier for him to make a decision. He wasn’t at fault for thinking about himself. And even though it would hurt, I was ready to face the truth. I couldn’t drag him along.

But I thanked myself for keeping my secret.

What if I had told him everything?

“You were never going to accept me?” he asked again, and I shrugged.

“I don’t know, Kaye. I’ve always told you that I don’t know when I’ll be ready.” I was being honest, but looking into his eyes was so difficult.

“You should go accept the deal,” I said softly, turning around to leave. My steps were slow, but my intention was clear—I aimed to leave. Yet, somewhere deep down, I had a feeling he would step forward and hold my hand to stop me from walking away.

But he didn’t.

He stayed out as if he really wasn’t sure whether he wanted me to stay. So, with that, I walked back to the guesthouse. But instead of going inside, I lingered around and wandered into the front yard, hugging myself as I took slow, steady steps into the garden.

“What’s going on between you and him?” someone called out behind me. I instantly turned to see Maximus approaching.

It was shocking—and a little frightening—the way he came toward me.

“Hey!” I yelled, thrusting my hand out to press against his chest, keeping a safe distance between us.

“I just saw you coming out from the backyard, and my brother was walking out from the same path. You two were together? Why?” he demanded, his breaths huffing out of his nostrils like a bull ready to charge.

“Go ask him,” I muttered, unwilling to take his accusations. He couldn’t just appear and interrogate me. Why should I have to answer him?

“Did you hurt him? Did you say something mean to him? Or maybe try to cause a rift between him and our mother?” His voice grew louder, his words right in my face, forcing me to lean back to put more space between us.

“Maximus!” another voice cut through, sharp and authoritative. Norman appeared, taking long strides toward us. He was dressed in just a white T-shirt and black shorts, his cheeks and lips flushed red from the cold.

“Back off,” Norman hissed, shoving Maximus away from me.

“They were together—I saw her and Kaye coming out from behind the same tree!” Maximus yelled, pointing accusingly.

Norman clenched his jaw, raising a finger to his lips to silence him.

“Kaye must have asked her to talk about—” Norman closed his eyes, clearly improvising a response. “—about our mother. She disrespected him the other night, and Helanie took a stand for him.”

He ended up using the truth, but I couldn’t understand why he didn’t let his brother corner me or threaten me. Norman wasn’t usually the type to defend me.

“That’s not what Mom told me,” Maximus protested. “She said Helanie was making fun of Kaye—when—” His voice trailed off as his own words seemed to catch up to him.

The look on Norman’s face must have made it clear to him that their mother had lied.

“It was the other way around,” Norman said firmly, his hands on his hips. “Now, go back inside.” Then, turning to me, he pointed toward the guesthouse.

I glanced at their faces before I started to walk away. Maximus looked utterly stunned, realization dawning on him as Norman revealed their mother’s deception.

That moment gave me a clear picture of how wicked their mother truly was. Not to mention, I had completely forgotten about focusing on the deal Kaye was talking about.

Or maybe he wasn’t ready to discuss it in detail, which was why he dodged the question.

I returned to my bed and slid under the blanket. But it no longer provided the comfort it once did. I didn’t even know what the point was in keeping his blanket with me anymore.

But the blanket wasn’t the only thing troubling me. He had actually accepted me.

What were we going to do about that?