Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 356

Chapter 356: 356-I Tell His Brother
Helanie:

“Good morning,” I heard my mother greet Lord McQuoid. I was asked to join breakfast so we could sit and eat before I headed off to the academy again.

It was Norman and Emmet, Emma and my mother with Lord McQuoid. I hadn’t seen Charlotte the whole of yesterday, and now she was missing breakfast too.

Of course, she was.

She wouldn’t want to sit and celebrate me. Or anything related to me.

“Helanie! Honestly, it was so nice to have you here with us. We felt like a family. Even when there weren’t many moments for us to celebrate as a family, you being around felt so good,” Lord McQuoid gave me a warm smile, my mother uncomfortably shifting in her seat and then looking up just to check others’ reactions.

I did the same before responding to Lord McQuoid, “I am so glad that I got to know you. You are a wonderful man, someone my mother truly deserves. You have given her the happiness that she never got in her past. I think that says a lot about your kindness and how much you appreciate her,” I watched his smile grow with pride upon hearing my compliments.

Emma rolled her eyes, silently mimicking me while making faces.

I noticed Norman shaking his leg and staring at me from under his eyebrows. Emmet seemed just like every other day.

He was always this way—unpredictable. I couldn’t really guess what was going through his head all this time.

“By the way, I have prepared a celebratory lunch today,” Emma quickly jumped in to have a say and get attention for herself.

The way everyone turned to her made me believe even they didn’t know what she was talking about. It was obviously not for me. So what celebration was she speaking of?

“What is the occasion?” Lord McQuoid asked, proving that even he knew better than to assume it would be for me.

“You’ll see. It’s actually good news,” Emma danced with her shoulders, looking so cringy.

“How is Kaye? And where was he last night?” Lord McQuoid now turned to his sons but asked Norman instead because, of course, Emmet wouldn’t be interested in any conversation since he had already started eating his cereal.

“He spent the night at Kesha’s place,” Norman said, his eyes darting to me immediately. I held my breath in.

I was the one who chose my career over him, and even if I hadn’t, I wouldn’t be able to accept him until I had taken my revenge. But that didn’t mean it didn’t hurt. It hurt that he couldn’t wait for me. He could have just stayed with me and made me believe I could rely on him. But that only happens in stories—when your mate holds your hand and stands beside you while you take revenge on those who hurt you.

“Oh! I’m glad that boy is coming around. He is finally making all the right decisions. I heard Maximus stayed with his mother last night.” I was able to get the information from their father. It did hurt me that they were suffering so much because of me.

“He wanted to be away for a while. Nothing against anyone here, he just said he misses Mom.” It felt like Norman was speaking directly to me or about me.

His father nodded, and the rest of breakfast went by in silence. After everyone was done, they all began to leave. It was only Norman and me left when I finally said, “I didn’t mean to hurt them.”

Even when Emmet had asked me to leave them alone for a while, I couldn’t. I was responsible for their distress in a way that I couldn’t explain my side to make them understand why I did what I did.

Norman sighed, filling his cheeks with air and letting it out before responding, “But you did. Kaye doesn’t even want to see his brother’s face.”

I rushed to stand in front of him. “But Maximus was at no fault. He didn’t even know about us.” I hated that the brothers were fighting because of me.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s about a mate bond! Kaye is your mate, and mates are possessive, especially when he is powerful. He feels threatened.” Norman looked so upset with me that his eyes held a darkness to them.

The playful banter we used to have seemed nothing like whatever this was.

“I heard Maximus talking with his mother about using me to ruin the engagement ceremony.” I watched Norman’s face twist in shock. He closed his eyes and shook his head, as if trying to confirm that he was hearing me right.

“I’m not some crazy person who would betray the people who took care of me. Do you think I don’t realize how much your brothers have done for me? But to play me—Norman—I’m a fucking person with feelings and emotions too! First, Kaye gave me a choice—he put Kesha in front of me and asked if I was going to accept him or not. And if I didn’t, he would go ahead and accept Kesha. And even if I asked for time, he would be with Kesha until then. And then Maximus—he—” I shut up when my voice started to break.

“Why didn’t you tell me that before?” He slammed his hand on the table, leaning down to my level.

“How could I? None of you let me speak. And Maximus would never admit to it. But I swear, I heard them talk. They were making fun of how stupid I am and how they would throw me out of their lives after doing the same to my mother,” I hissed, finally letting it all out.

It felt amazing to say everything that had been in my heart. To finally be listened to.

“I am going to—” Norman clicked his tongue, but I interrupted him.

“You are going to make my life miserable, I know. You’re going to side with your brothers and see no wrong in their actions. I get it—you’d rather have me as a toy for your brothers because only they matter—” I shut up when he grabbed the glass from the side and spilled its contents on my face in one swift move.