Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 57

Chapter 57

Camila POV

I shook my head slightly, forcing a weak smile. “It’s not a big deal. I just wanted to let you know I’m staying with my aunt for a while.” I lied.

Her expression shifted to surprise, her brows raising. “What? Why? I thought you were staying with your stepfamily now.”

I shrugged, keeping my tone casual. “Yeah, well… still getting used to the whole ‘new family‘ thing. Figured some space might help, you know?”

Tessa studied me for a moment, her eyes narrowing like she didn’t quite believe me. But instead of pressing, she leaned back and crossed her legs, her lips curving into a teasing smirk.

“Anya’s place, huh? Bet that’s a trip,” she remarked, tossing a piece of popcorn into her mouth.

I snorted, unable to help myself. “You have no idea. It’s basically a revolving door of weirdos.

She grinned. “Sounds like there’s a story there. Don’t hold out on me!”

I hesitated, debating how much to tell her. “Let’s just say my aunt has a lot of friends. And they all seem to think her house is a free hotel.”

Tessa burst out laughing.

I rolled my eyes, but her laughter was contagious, and I couldn’t help but chuckle along with her. For a moment, the heaviness in my chest eased, and it felt like things were normal again.

But the feeling didn’t last.

“Anyway,” I said, standing up and grabbing my bag, “I should probably get going. Don’t want to overstay my welcome.”

Tessa pouted, crossing her arms. “You’re seriously leaving already? Lame.”

“I’ll come by again soon, I promise,” I said, smiling.

“You’d better,” she demand, pointing at me like a scolding teacher. “And next time, you’re staying for dinner.”

“Right,” I breathed out, laughing as I headed for the door.

The sidewalk was cracked and uneven beneath my sneakers, each step landing with a dull thud as I headed toward the bus stop. My thoughts, like usual, were all over the place, spiraling faster than I could keep up. The sun was sinking lower, painting everything in this hazy orange glow, but it felt off, like the universe was trying too hard to look pretty while my life was falling apart.

I couldn’t stop thinking about how much of a disaster everything had become. It was like one of those cheesy daytime dramas where everything that could go wrong does. The kind where you roll your eyes and think, Wow, at le** my life’s not that bad. Except now, I was the one living it.

I kicked a plastic bottle lying in my path, watching it skitter across the sidewalk before it hit the curb and stopped.

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Chapter 57

“What the hell is even happening to me?” I muttered to no one, the words sounding as empty as I telt.

If someone had told me a few weeks ago that my stepbrother would turn out to be my… mate- ugh, that word–1 would’ve laughed so hard I’d probably choke. What kind of lunatic crap even is that? But here I was, not laughing, because apparently, my life decided to become a full–blown supernatural soap opera.

And the weirdest part?

I wasn’t even freaking out like a normal person would. When it finally clicked the way Ethan was always lurking around, the way his eyes followed me like I was the only person in the room- it didn’t scare me. It made sense. Like, oh, that’s why I’ve felt like I’m losing my mind.

It explained so much. The constant feeling of being watched. The way his presence was always there, even when I didn’t want it to be. I mean, yeah, it used to freak me out. I used to get chills just knowing he was in the same house, let alone when he would pop up out of nowhere like some kind of shadow I couldn’t shake.

But now?

Now it all clicked.

And honestly? That was almost worse.

I kicked the bottle again, harder this time, and it bounced off a lamppost. A small, bitter laugh escaped me before I could stop it. “Damn. My life is so messed up.”

The bus stop was just ahead, the bench looking as crappy as ever- rusted metal legs, chipped paint, and a big, questionable stain in the middle that no one ever sat on. A guy in a hoodie was parked at the far end, his head buried in his phone, earbuds in.

Good.

I wasn’t in the mood to talk to anyone.

I dropped onto the opposite side of the bench, my bag sliding down my shoulder to rest at my feet. The silence stretched, thick and heavy, and my thoughts filled the space like they always did. Ethan was front and center, of course, his face practically burned into my brain. His stupid intense eyes, the way his jaw would tighten whenever I tried to talk

back to him.

And then there was that fight. The one with those masked creeps who tried to grab me. I shivered just thinking about it. If it hadn’t been for Ethan, God knows what would’ve happened. He was brutal, tearing into them like some wild animal. And yeah, maybe that’s exactly what he was, but still. It was terrifying. And kind of… impressive? Ugh. No: I wasn’t going

there.

I sighed, leaning back against the bench and staring up at the sky. Clouds were rolling in, thick and heavy, promising

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