Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 50

Chapter 50

Without looking back, I pushed the door open but before I could get two steps out the front door, I heard my mom calling after me.

“Camila, wait!”

I stopped, sighing heavily.

I turned around slowly, bracing myself for whatever half–apology she was about to offer. Sure enough, there she was, standing in the doorway, looking way too emotional for my liking.

“I… I didn’t mean to snap at you last night,” she stated, wringing her hands nervously. “I was just worried, and everything got a little… out of hand.”

A little out of hand?

fight.

That’s one way to describe accusing your daughter of losing her mind. But okay. I didn’t have the energy for another

“It’s fine, Mom,” I said flatly, adjusting the strap of my backpack on my shoulder. “I just need some space.”

Her eyes flicked to the suitcase by my side, and her expression crumpled a little. “Do you really have to go? You know I don’t like it when you stay at Anya’s.”

Yeah, no kidding.

Aunt Anya wasn’t exactly the poster child for traditional family values. My mom didn’t approve of her lifestyle- too

independent, too wild, too free. Basically, everything my mom wasn’t.

“I’ll be fine,” I assured, keeping my tone as neutral as possible. “Her place is also closer to my school.”

She hesitated, biting her lip like she wanted to say more but didn’t know how. “Look, I know things have been… weird lately. With Greg, and Ethan, and… everything. But I just want you to know that I’m here if you want to talk. About

anything.”

I almost laughed at that.

She was here- except when she wasn’t. Like last night, when I needed her to believe me. But then again, I didn’t have the energy to argue so it was best to just brush it off.

“Thanks, Mom,” I muttered, more out of obligation than sincerity. “I’ll call when I get there.”

Before she could say anything else, I turned and started walking. The crunch of gravel under my sneakers was the only sound I focused on, drowning out whatever else she might’ve said.

The journey to Aunt Anya’s place wasn’t long, but it felt like forever. Maybe it was the weight of everything that had happened. Or maybe it was just the gnawing anxiety in my chest that made every step feel heavier than the last.

The streets were oddly quiet for this time of morning. A stray cat darted across the road a few feet ahead, its tail flicking nervously as it disappeared into an alley. Somewhere in the distance, I could hear the faint hun affic- a reminder that life was still moying on, even if mine felt like it had hit a brick wall.

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Chapter 50

I kept my eyes on the ground, watching my feet move one step at a time. Left, right, left, right. Anything to keep my mind from spiraling back to Ethan, and the weirdness of last night, and the fact that my mom thought I needed therapy.

By the time I reached the bus stop, my nerves had settled at least a little, I plopped down on the bench, pulling out my phone to check the time.

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