Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates - Chapter 83

Chapter 83: 83-Roommate With A Monster

Helanie:

As soon as I lifted my head, I watched the elevator door shut. The lights were on and I was still standing beside the bag like before. I quickly checked time and it seems like barely any seconds had passed.

Did I hallucinate or what?

“Of course I zoned out,” I slapped my forehead. It has been a difficult time for me. I wasn’t able to hold food down either. After that night, I would get such weird hallucinations and nightmares. I stared at the 10th floor button and then fixed my posture.

The elevator was unlike anything I had ever seen. It felt as though I had stepped into a world of fantasy. The subtle blue and gray tones, combined with the intricate carvings on the walls and the ornate frames of the mirror inside, were breathtaking.

Every passing moment in this place reminded me that everything I had endured to be a part of this academy was worth it. Every minute of torment and sacrifice had finally paid off.

As the elevator ascended, I felt the weight of the bag Emmet had given me. It was heavier than I expected, and I couldn’t help but wonder what he had packed inside. I was excited, to be honest. No one had ever given me a gift before, and knowing Emmet, I was sure it would be something thoughtful—something I would use every day.

The elevator doors opened, and I stepped into a hallway that left me awestruck. The layout was simple but stunning. Rooms were positioned opposite each other in pairs, followed by an open stretch of hallway with tall windows on either side. This pattern repeated until the very end of the corridor, where a single room stood alone, its door framed by elegance.

The hallway itself was a masterpiece. The arched windows were almost ceiling-high. Each window was set between delicate columns that supported the arches above, casting soft reflections on the smooth marble floor in muted shades of gray and lavender. Warm light from chandeliers and wall sconces complemented the daylight, giving the hall a serene and welcoming glow.

Under one of the windows, a wooden bench with a teal cushion sat, with a small plant on the side. At the far end of the hallway, double doors of a single and last too caught my eye. My heart skipped a beat as I realized that the room at the end of the hall—Room R-56—is the room I will be sharing with two strangers.

The door was flanked by two lamps that matched the ambiance of the hostel perfectly. Yet, as I climbed higher through the building, I noticed it growing colder. The open windows likely allowed the wind to sweep through, carrying a crisp chill from floor to floor.

“Room number R-56,” I read aloud, staring at the plate on the side of the door. Taking a deep breath, I inserted the key, ready to unlock my new space. However, to my surprise, the door was already ajar. My roommate was clearly inside.

Bracing myself, I pushed the door open, a small pang of dread creeping in. I hoped I wouldn’t find myself paired with someone difficult or unpleasant.

The moment my eyes landed on her, though, all my fears vanished. It was none other than Lucy.

Oh my fate had blessed me with her sight on the first day here.

A bright smile spread across my face as recognition hit me. She turned from her bed, her expression lighting up when she saw me. Without hesitation, she rushed toward me, wrapping me in a tight hug.

“Lucy!” I exclaimed, my voice filled with joy as she lifted me off the floor and spun me around.

“I can’t believe it’s you!” she squealed, setting me down only to pull me into another hug. We both laughed, our excitement bubbling over as we hugged again and again, cheering like maniacs.

I felt so incredibly blessed in that moment.

“I was so scared. I thought I’d end up with the two sisters,” Lucy said, rolling her eyes as she held my hand. I glanced around the room, a wave of relief washing over me.

She was not wrong. I was frightened of being with a stranger or a bully myself.

We both had the same fear. I had dreaded the possibility of opening the door to find Salem and Sydney as my roommates. If that had happened, I might have walked right out. Ever since my win, I’d had a gut feeling they would do everything in their power to make my life here difficult.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” Lucy continued, her smile widening, “but—you lost the last test, didn’t you? So…” Her hand moved to scratch her scalp awkwardly, and I realized she didn’t know what had happened after that.

“Umm, yeah. I got a card and then had to take one final test,” I explained vaguely, avoiding details. I knew she would bring it up again eventually, but for now, I wanted to steer the conversation elsewhere.

“The room is beautiful,” I said quickly, changing the subject. Thankfully, she didn’t seem to notice the hesitation in my voice. She was so happy that she overlooked it completely.

The room truly was stunning—a perfect blend of gothic and neoclassical design. The walls featured subtle paneling and delicate carved moldings that gave the space an air of understated luxury.

“It really is. Take a good look around,” Lucy said in a dreamy tone, her voice barely above a whisper. She was just as captivated as I was.

The tall, arched windows were a masterpiece, their intricate frames giving the room a fairytale-like charm. The space was designed with thoughtful symmetry: two of the beds were positioned parallel to each other with an equal gap between them, while the third bed was placed to the side, directly facing the room door. Each bed faced one of the grand windows, which framed the breathtaking view of the sky and the swaying branches of tall trees outside.

Small nightstands with table lamps stood between the beds, providing just enough separation to balance practicality with the room’s cohesive, elegant atmosphere. The beds themselves were luxurious, with soft mattresses and thick, cozy comforters that spoke of wealth and comfort.

I have never stayed in a place like that. I mean, I had stayed in a hotel suite but that wouldn’t be called home.

Now this is what I can call my home. The home I’ve worked so hard for and nearly died too. But it was all just so worth it. I was so happy and proud of myself for not giving up in that moment.

“This place is amazing,” I murmured, running my fingers over the smooth surface of one of the nightstands.

“It really is. You can pick whichever bed you want, but I think the two that are parallel to each other would be perfect for us,” Lucy said, gesturing to the beds positioned near the bathroom door. “I’m not sure who our third roommate is, though.”

She walked over to the bed directly facing the door and pointed to it. “I’m taking this one,” she said decisively.

“I’ll take this one,” I said, choosing the bed next to hers. It was perfectly positioned by the windows, offering a fairytale-worthy view of the trees and sky outside.

Even the faraway mountains could be a perfect view but then the deep hill down would be scarier at night.

I walked over, lightly touching the cool, intricately carved frame of the window. It felt surreal to be here, sharing this beautiful space with Lucy. I smiled to myself, feeling the weight of all my fears and doubts begin to lift.

“It doesn’t matter who is the third person sharing a room with us. As long as we are together–,” I took a deep breath and then exhaled, explaining how comfortable I felt here.

“We will be fine,” she finished for me with a bright smile covering my lips from her response.

“We even have our very own balcony! But it’s so cold right now that I don’t want to check it out,” Lucy said, hugging herself and pouting slightly. “Oh, and we have a walk-in closet with three walls full of shelves—one for each of us!”

She explained how we could divide the space to avoid arguments and misunderstandings. It was thoughtful, and I appreciated how she was already trying to make things comfortable for all of us.

That’s when the door opened, signaling the arrival of our third roommate. we both turned to face the door, hoping to welcome a pleasant person.

It felt as though someone had shown us a perfect haven, only to throw in a monster to ruin it.

A tall guy stepped inside, a bag slung over his shoulder. He looked just as shocked as we were when he realized he’d be sharing the room with us.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” he hissed, tossing his bag onto the solitary bed and shaking his head in disbelief.

It was Lamar.

Lamar Freaking Baker.