Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 4

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The next morning, I was already bracing myself for the whole “living with Ethan” nightmare as I got ready for school. I mean, yesterday had been a lot, and my brain had gone around in circles all night, trying to process the mess I was in. But I kept telling myself that maybe—just maybe—school would go back to normal. Maybe no one had to know. I could just keep my head down, survive the day, and try to stay invisible.

Yeah, good luck with that, Camila.

I stepped out of my room, backpack slung over one shoulder, and wandered down to the kitchen where the smell of breakfast was wafting through the air. Normally, that would have made me feel all warm and cozy, but today? Nope. Today, I just felt like everything was off.

And then I saw why.

Mom was in the kitchen, dishing out breakfast, looking as cheerful as I had ever seen her. And there was Greg, all smiles and laughter, like he had just won the lottery by scoring a second family. For some reason, the sight of them together—laughing, bonding, being this happy little unit—itched at me. I didn’t even know why it bothered me so much, but it did. Like, I should’ve been happy for her, right? But in that moment, I felt like I was watching a stranger’s life.

I muttered a “good morning,” though I don’t think anyone even noticed, and headed over to join them, trying to blend into the background. And then I saw him—Ethan—sitting on the far end of the table. His face was completely buried in his phone, scrolling like it was the most important thing in the world. If he noticed me, he didn’t let on.

It was like we were all pretending everything was just fine, like we had all been family forever. And, to be fair, it looked fine. It looked normal. But it didn’t feel normal to me.

Mom glanced up with a warm smile. “Good morning, honey. Come sit. I made scrambled eggs and toast.”

I mumbled a quick “thanks” and slid into the chair next to her. My gaze kept darting over to Ethan, but he stayed locked on his phone, barely touching his breakfast. Typical, I guess. That’s the kind of guy he was at school, too—aloof, always in his own world, like he was above everyone else.

“So,” Greg began, looking up as if he had just had the best idea. “Ethan, why don’t you drop Camila off at school today?”

I could feel my face go hot immediately. My heart skipped a beat as the words registered. No way. There was no way I was about to be chauffeured to school by Ethan of all people. I didn’t even care if he ignored me the whole time; just being in the same car would make me feel like I was on display, like the whole world was watching.

“Uh, no thanks,” I blurted out, a little too fast. I could see Mom raising her eyebrows, giving me this look, but I didn’t care. I was not doing this.

“Oh, come on,” Greg chimed in, all smiles and obliviousness. “It’s on his way anyway, right, Ethan?”

Ethan just shrugged, barely looking up from his phone. “Yeah, whatever. It’s fine.”

Mom, who had probably already coordinated this plan behind my back, nodded along enthusiastically. “See? It’s no problem at all.”

I glared at her, but she just shot me that “mom look” that said “Don’t make a scene.” But seriously? She knew how I felt about this whole thing. She knew this was already so uncomfortable for me, and now she was practically pushing me into the lion’s den. I could barely contain my frustration.

“I’ll pass,” I said, trying to keep my voice steady. “Really. I’m fine.”

Mom let out a little sigh, but she didn’t push it. Ethan shrugged again, looking like he couldn’t care less either way, and after a few awkward seconds, he grabbed his keys and headed out. I watched as he strolled out the door, not even glancing back, and a part of me felt relieved. But another part of me felt...I don’t know...left out?

I tried to shake off that weird feeling as Mom finally picked up her own keys and waved me over. “Come on, honey. I’ll take you.”