Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 233

Chapter 233: 233-I Guess My Stepbrother Is My Therapist Now

Helanie:

My mother didn’t even raise her head. But her clenched fists and folded arms over the table were evidence that she didn’t want me here.

The brothers were silent for a while, but then I heard them laugh among themselves, especially Kaye and Maximus.

“Dad, tell her please,” Kaye insisted, making Charlotte even more excited. Poor Lord McQuoid had no clue what was going on.

“No, dear Charlotte. Helanie has been doing so well in the academy that the council has been asking about her results and progress nonstop. It’s like if she keeps going like this, she will become the star student of our academy very soon,” Lord McQuoid smiled when mentioning my achievements. I didn’t really get what I did so well.

Apart from the fact that I was passing all the tests with no wolf.

I guess that is what made me stand out?

“Oh!” Charlotte’s smile went away pretty quickly. She lowered her head and added, “But that’s because the strength classes haven’t started yet, right? Once she gets into those classes, I’m worried she will disappoint everyone.” She had such fake concern in her voice. She didn’t want Lord McQuoid to know what an evil individual she was for wishing my downfall.

However, I had to stand up for myself now. “Those are called combat classes, not strength classes,”

I said in the most sassy and belittling way, “And fear not, cousin sister, I will try my hardest to get better at combat so that you don’t have to hear bad news about me. I want you to keep smiling and not worry so much.” I mocked her, but of course, I used a tone that would fool Lord McQuoid.

But I’m certain the brothers understood because they were constantly making eye contact and laughing silently. Apart from Norman, who sat seriously in his seat, his head tilted and his eyes in space.

“Let’s cheer to Helanie,” Maximus raised his glass, and I picked up my orange juice. My mother didn’t even bother and started eating. Emma and Charlotte looked forced, but they did pick up their glasses along with everyone else.

Norman only fixed his posture and took a sip from his drink. But then his eyes suddenly moved up, and I felt like he caught me staring at him too hard. I felt so awkward when I stole my eyes from him.

We finished the lunch in silence. Throughout the time, I kept stealing glances at my mother, and she never once lifted her head to look at me.

It pained me, even when I told her that she meant nothing to me.

I just needed answers for her behavior. She definitely cannot be upset with a six-year-old for choosing to go with her dad. She didn’t even ask me once why.

Couldn’t she understand that something must have happened that made her daughter go back to her father that she initially didn’t want to go with?

“Helanie!” As I was about to get up after everyone else left except for my mother and Norman, Lord McQuoid called my name.

I sat down again to answer him with my full attention.

“I heard about the incident at the hostel. It must have been hard for you to witness your friend like that. I also heard about the bullying and your state,” he gulped, almost like this part was a bit hard for him to talk about.

My mother, who was previously all set to leave, instantly sat down again when her chosen mate called for me.

She finally raised her head and frowned at me.

“My state?” I asked Lord McQuoid in bewilderment.

“You are pretty expressive about your emotions. Emmet told me about it. And he also mentioned how everyone is concerned that you were not able to portray your emotions correctly this time until you felt like you could cry behind the guise of getting bullied. I understand you wanted a reason to let that frustration out, and that bullying gave you the chance to do so. But that is not a healthy way. You should be able to express your sadness and grief. Don’t let it all bottle up,” as he talked so politely, like a loving father would, I steadily moved my eyes to the side to watch Norman stare at his image in the glass and run his hand through his hair.

He wasn’t paying full attention, almost like he was getting ready for a nap or something. He was unbuttoning his sleeves, taking off his watch when what his father said next stole both our attention.

“That’s why I think, while you are staying here, my son Norman will help you with therapy,” as he finished, Norman’s hand stopped in his hair, and his eyes shot up.

“Huh?” he voiced.

Even I didn’t like the idea.

“Umm, him?” my frown and the little wrinkle of my nose turned Norman’s face straight to me.

“What do you mean by him?” The man, who looked disgusted himself when his father mentioned him helping me with therapy, suddenly questioned why I was so skeptical about him.

“Because—you are impatient and you don’t really—” I took a pause when I saw him narrow his eyes at me as if to issue a warning, “and you are also very aggressive. It’s not like you will listen to me and understand. You will make it more like a lecture, where you talk and I listen.” I have grown this spine and courage after the miscarriage.

I keep my behavior journal recorded in my mind at all times.

He looked like I had shot him.

“Oh wow, you are really different from when you first showed up at our mansion,” Lord McQuoid commented, which made Norman look at his father with a smirk.

“Now you see, she is rude.”

Lord McQuoid, however, shook his head to dismiss his son’s claim. “She now knows how to stand up for herself. And she is very right, you should not be showing her eyes or threatening her with your scary big presence.”

It was like Lord McQuoid siding with me immobilized Norman for a moment. He didn’t even move a muscle. His eyes were narrowed at his father, his mouth agape, and his fists clenched.

“Now, you are giving her therapy. Prove to her that you can be very patient,” Lord McQuoid declared, as he wasn’t ready for any further argument.