Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 426

Chapter 426: 426-Shattered And Left With No One
Helanie:

“Ah! Helanie,” Romeo smirked, his eyes widening as he stepped in front of his father. “It is so nice to meet you. But it seems like you have competition. You know, I am their favorite.” He pointed at my stepbrothers and then at his chest.

It was so hard for me to keep smiling and act like nothing was wrong, but I was failing to do so.

This demon was their cousin?

“But—they are rogues,” I barely spoke, making everyone go silent and focus on what I was saying.

“Yeah, we weren’t before. So when we left, our families stayed in packs,” Emmet said, reaching over to Romeo and ruffling his hair. Emmet was taller and much broader than him.

And Romeo acted like a puppy in front of him.

Norman was busy on his phone while Kaye sat on the couch, his eyes narrowed at me as if he would eat me alive. Maximus was leaning back against the wall with Charlotte clinging to him.

I was focusing on everyone else so that I could feel better.

“But she would win,” Demi said, making heads turn to her. “She is much cuter than you.”

“Really? Well then, in that case, I might have to beat her—” My body shuddered, and Romeo noticed. He quickly added, “Beat her in this competition so that I win.”

Everyone laughed as they didn’t know the meaning behind his double-meaning talk.

“Let’s get to the dining room. The dinner is being served,” my mother said, looking very uncomfortable with the presence of the unwanted people around her, including me and Lady Darcy.

“If it is okay, may I leave?” However, it wasn’t possible for me to stay here now. It was like these devils had their vines everywhere.

How would I get to Romeo when he had such powerful people behind him?

“But you came here for dinner,” Lord McQuoid asked, the others looking confused too.

“I think she didn’t like having another favorite,” Romeo continued to pout and make jokes.

“That is rubbish. You are blood,” Darcy commented with a scoff, and it was in that moment I realized he was their first cousin.

Both Darcy and McQuoid doted on him.

“Umm, I only came to kind of mark my presence, but I was having a stomach ache, so I don’t think I can stay and eat,” I excused, hoping Lord McQuoid would just let me go. And I guess he noticed how seriously sick I looked.

“It is alright, I will drop her home,” Emmet offered, but his mother quickly grabbed his hand.

“It is a family dinner. Why would you skip it? She can go with the driver or call whoever she came here with,” she hissed, not even hiding the disdain in her voice.

“I mean, it will be saddening that Emmet will lose the chance to be with the family. She came here to mark her presence, not to cause my son to lose a chance to be with his family, right, Helanie?” Darcy changed her tone, sounding much sweeter—a fake sweetness meant to manipulate me.

“Yeah, she is right. I don’t want to be a bother.” I quickly agreed with her. I just wanted to get out of here.

However, Emmet gently held his mother’s wrist, making her unwrap her fingers from his arm, and said, “I can come back for dessert. I will not let Helanie go out with the guards.”

I noticed Romeo’s smile fading, and he had to step forward to put his thoughts to the test. “Maybe her friends can come? I really wanted to have dinner with you, big brother.” He pouted, using his sweet body language to get Emmet to choose him.

“We will catch up later,” but Emmet was firm. He disagreed with Romeo’s suggestion and turned to gently tap my elbow. “Let’s go.”

I didn’t argue and followed him outside.

“Ahh!” The minute I was in the open air, I started breathing heavily. I had been holding my breath for the last few minutes.

“Now tell me what’s up. You were in a good mood until you were in the living room. Tell me what happened?” he insisted while we walked over to his car.

I sat down and put on my seatbelt without saying anything.

He slid inside and turned to me. “Tell me.”

“How much do you care for Romeo?” I asked and noticed him frowning.

“That’s it? You took that idiot’s words seriously? You think you won’t be my favorite anymore?” He smiled like it wasn’t a big deal, but when I didn’t smile back, he answered. “More than my life. I can kill for him, Helanie.”

That broke me deep inside. I sighed and leaned back in the seat, staring outside. He had started the car by now, and my silence caught his attention.

“But that doesn’t mean I care any less about you,” he muttered.

“Can you please stop the car?” I requested, catching him off guard.

“Huh? Here, next to the woods?” he asked in confusion.

“The hostel is not so far away. I will walk,” I said, tapping my hands on the window to make him agree.

“I don’t get it. Did I say something wrong?” He did stop the car but didn’t let me out. The minute I took off my seatbelt to leave, he held my arm and stopped me.

“Helanie, what mistake did I make?” He kept leaning forward, trying to make me look at him.

“Sadly, we have to go our separate ways now.” As soon as I said that, I felt his grip tighten over my arm as if he wouldn’t let go.

“No!” he said sternly.

“It’s true.” I finally gave up and turned to him, freeing my hand with a much more aggressive attempt.

I could tell he was shocked to see me hiss at him. “Because while you can die for him, I can kill him.”

The look on his face told me he had just received the biggest shock of his life.

“I hate that man, and I’m telling you right now, I will kill him in the worst way possible,” I hissed, noticing his veins pop.

“And if you want to be his shield—then let’s do it.” I closed my eyes because saying that took every ounce of strength I had.