Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 38

Claimed By My Stepbrother

Chapter 38

say.

Camila POV

“Complicated? Jake repeated, his voice rising slightly. “What the hell does that even mean?

My law tightened as I tried to think of a way to deflect without outright lying. In truth, I didn’t even know what to

Why did I let myself get dragged into this?

Why couldn’t Tess have just let things go?

In my head, I was going off on a mental tirade: This is your fault, Camila. You let her walk off after Vanessa and now look where you are- stuck in the middle of a sibling drama with bruises and secrets you can’t even talk about.

But then a quieter, guiltier voice chimed in. And Tess- why couldn’t she just leave it alone? Why did she have to chase after trouble like it was some kind of adrenaline rush?

Jake exhaled heavily, breaking me out of my thoughts. “Camila,” he said again, his voice softer this time but no less firm. “If you care about Tess, you’ll tell me what’s going on.”

Tess scoffed.

“I can’t,” I replied, shaking my head. “I can’t explain it. Just… it’s complicated, okay?”

Jake stared at me for a long moment, but lucky enough, he didn’t push. Instead, he sighed deeply, running a hand down his face.

“Fine,” he said at last.

I exhaled deeply.

“Camila, come on! Let us head inside?” Tess blurted out, already limping towards the door.

“No,” I said quickly, taking a step back. “I should really head home.”

“Please, Camila?” she said, her tone sweet and pleading. She even tilted her head slightly, giving me those stupid puppy–dog eyes. “Just for a little while?”

I sighed, already regretting my inevitable answer. “Fine,” I muttered. “But just for a little while.”

Tess beamed, grabbing my hand and practically dragging me inside. Jake followed behind us, his lips pressed into a thin line, but he didn’t say anything.

The “little while” I had agreed to quickly turned into hours.

The night had settled into its usual hum of distant traffic and the occasional barking dog as I made my way back home. The air was cooler now, sharp against my skin, and I couldn’t help but pull my jacket tighter around me. Home- a loose term considering I was about to return to a place I shared with a Russian–speaking lunatic.

“God, what am I even doing with my life?” I muttered under my breath, shaking my head as I trudge

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1/3

Chapter 38

Davement.

The walk to the bus station wasn’t long, but every step felt like it stretched on forever. My lear wate Heater weighed down by everything that had happened today. Tess, her bruises, her ridiculous brother, and now title fit. in my chest that I couldn’t shake. I wasn’t even sure what I was feeling quilt? Anger? Maybe just exhaustion.

When I finally reached the bus stop, I was relieved to see a bus rumbling down the road, its headlights cutting through the darkness. Thank you, public transportation gods. I stepped onto the platform, swiping my card and scanning the mostly empty seats.

The bus driver gave me a curt nod, barely looking up from his phone, and I made my way to the back. A few people were scattered here and there- a man in a hoodle slumped against the window, a woman clutching her grocery bags like they held the crown jewels, and a couple of teenagers whispering loudly about something on their phones.

I slid into a seat by the window, leaning my head against the cool glass as the bus jolted to life. The rhythmis hum of the engine was oddly soothing, and for a moment, I let myself relax. The city blurred outside, neon signs and streetlights blending into a kaleidoscope of color.

The ride was surprisingly smooth, the usual chaos of a packed bus replaced by a strange stillness. I wasn’t going to question it, though. I needed this moment of peace, however fleeting it might be.

When we finally reached my stop, I grabbed my bag and stepped off the bus, the quiet of the street enveloping me. The familiar path to the mansion stretched ahead, lit by a handful of streetlights that flickered like they were on their last

legs.

As I walked, a strange feeling started to creep over me. It wasn’t immediate- just a faint prickling at the back of my neck, like someone was watching me. I shook it off, chalking it up to paranoia.

But the feeling didn’t go away.

I quickened my pace, my boots clicking against the pavement as I cast a glance over my shoulder. The street was empty, as far as I could see. You’re being ridiculous, Camila. Stop watching so many crime documentaries.

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