Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Camila POV

The bus lurched to a halt with a screech, throwing me slightly off balance as I grabbed onto the nearest pole to steady myself. The doors hissed open, and a rush of cool evening air spilled in.

1. me.

I stepped off the bus, the air sharp and tinged with the unmistakable tang of gasoline and something faintly metallic.

“Hey! Watch it!” A voice barked out, and I jolted, barely sidestepping in time as a kid on a battered BMX bike sped past

“Sorry!” he called over his shoulder, his laughter echoing behind him as his friend zipped by close enough to brush my jacket.

I clutched tightly to my bag and continued my walk to the mansion. The sidewalk was busy with people- some rushing home, others strolling leisurely as if they had nowhere in particular to be.

I kept my eyes down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. The day’s events replayed in my mind on an endless loop, like a haunting melody I couldn’t silence, no matter how desperately I tried. Each memory clawed at me, but I forced it all down, burying the weight of it beneath the steady rhythm of my steps and the distant hum of a car engine.

The walk home had always felt longer than it’s supposed to be, and today was no exception. My legs ached, my mind felt heavy, and every noise around me seemed sharper, more grating.

By the time the mansion came into view, my feet were already dragging. The towering structure loomed in the distance, its pristine white walls glowing faintly under the dim light of the setting sun. It should’ve felt like home, but instead, it felt like a stranger- a place that didn’t quite belong to me.

As I got closer, I spotted them.

My mother and Greg stood near the driveway, deep in conversation. A delivery truck was parked nearby, the back open as two workers unloaded a large crate. My mother’s laughter rang out, clear and bright, and she playfully pushed Greg on the arm.

I froze, my feet rooted to the ground.

There was something so casual about the way they interacted, so… happy. My mom’s face was lit up in a way I hadn’t seen in years, her body language relaxed and easy. Greg leaned closer, saying something I couldn’t hear, and she laughed again, the sound carrying on the wind like it was mocking me.

It was strange, watching them like this. Like they had built a new world- one that didn’t include me.

One where I didn’t exist.

I stood there, gripping my bag so tightly my knuckles turned white, a lump forming in my throat. The sting of it was sharp, cutting into me like tiny needles.

She had moved on. My mom had moved on.

I should have been happy for her- proud, even. Right?

1/3

Chapter 21

But what I felt was an overwhelming sense of loneliness.

My tears threatening to spill over, but I swallowed hard, forcing them back. No way was I crying now. Not here, not where anyone could see.

A soft meowing sound broke through my thoughts, and I looked down to see a small black–and–white cat sitting beside me. Its green eyes blinked up at me, tail swishing lazily against the ground.

“Hey, little guy,” I said, crouching down. My voice was a little shaky, but the cat didn’t seem to mind.

I reached out to pet him, and he leaned into my touch, purring loudly. “Where’s your owner, huh?” I asked, scratching behind his ears.

There was a collar around his neck, a tiny silver tag glinting in the light. I flipped it over, squinting to read the words engraved on it. The front just had his name- Milo- but the back made me laugh out loud: HE HAS BEEN FED. DON’T BE DECEIVED.

I laughed harder than I’d expected, the sound surprising me. “You little con artist,” I said, shaking my head as I scratched under his chin. “Thanks for cheering me up, Milo.”

The cat meowed again, louder this time, as if in response.

“Camila!”

My mother’s voice cut through the moment, and I looked up sharply. She was standing by the driveway, her hand

raised in a wave. Greg was beside her, looking at me with an unreadable expression.

For a split second, I considered pretending I hadn’t heard her. Just turning and walking away, maybe hiding behind the hedge until she went inside. But I knew that wouldn’t work. She’d just keep calling until I gave in.

I stood up, brushing off my jeans and giving Milo one last pat on the head. “Guess I better go,” I said softly. The cat

blinked at me, then sauntered off.

Taking a deep breath, I forced a neutral expression onto my face and started toward the driveway. Each step felt heavier than the last, like the weight of the day was pressing down on me all at once.

“Hey, sweetheart,” my mom said when I got close enough, her tone bright and cheerful. “How was school?”

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