Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 69

Chapter 69

Camila POV

I inhaled sharply, keeping my expression neutral. “Is Ethan around?”

Her reaction was almost too subtle to catch. A slight stiffening of her shoulders, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. Then she forced a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh. Yeah,” she said, her voice a little too light. “He’s in his room.

With a nod, I turned on my heel. “Well. Thanks.”

I started toward Ethan’s room, but before I got far, my mother called out, “Camila…”

I stopped, turning slightly to face her.

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She looked like she wanted to say something. Like there was something heavy on the tip of her tongue. But after a brief pause, she shook her head. “Never mind.”

I frowned but resumed walking.

The hallway leading to Ethan’s room felt longer than usual, like some haunted corridor in a horror movie. Maybe it was just my nerves. Maybe it was the fact that I knew I was walking straight into something I wasn’t ready for.

I reached his door and raised my fist to knock-

But before I could, the door cracked open.

I took an instinctive step back, startled.

Ethan stood in the doorway, his frame blocking most of the light behind him. Up close, I was reminded of just how much taller he was. I had to tilt my head back just to meet his gaze.

And God, I almost wished I hadn’t.

I was used to Ethan looking either bored, nonchalant or mildly amused. But right now?

He looked furious.

Not just irritated. Not just annoyed. But seething.

My heart pounded as my instincts screamed at me to run.

But then, his lips parted.

“Camila.”

My name rolled off his tongue in the softest, sweetest way, completely at odds with the storm brewing in his eyes.

I swallowed hard, shifting my weight. “Uh… hey?”

He didn’t respond right away. Just stood there, staring at me.

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Chapter 69

I cleared my throat. “Can I-?”

“Yes, get in,” he interrupted, his voice quiet but firm.

I hesitated, glancing over my shoulder. But the hallway was empty. I turned back to Ethan. His expression hadn’t changed. His jaw was still tight, his eyes still dark with something hard to read.

Heaving out a sigh, I stepped inside and the door shut behind me with a soft click, sealing us in together.

His room was dim, the curtains half–drawn, casting long shadows along the walls. It smelled like him–something fresh and sharp, like pine and smoke.

I turned to face him, folding my arms. “Okay. So. Are you gonna tell me why you look like you’re about to commit murder, or…?”

Ethan exhaled sharply, running a hand through his already–messy hair. “Why are you here, Camila.”

I frowned. “Excuse me?”

His jaw clenched. “Why are you here?”

I scoffed. “I live here.”

He took a step closer. I took a step back.

He noticed.

His lips curled into frown. “You’re afraid of me.”

I bristled. “I’m not afraid of you.”

He stared at me for a long moment before finally stepping back, exhaling through his nose.

I wasn’t sure if that was a good sign or not.

Then, finally, he muttered, “Are you here because of that guy. The one from last night.”

My stomach dropped.

“Which Guy?” I asked carefully.

Ethan didn’t answer right away. Instead, he walked over to the window, resting his hands on the sill as he stared outside. The muscles in his arms flexed slightly under the soft light, tension radiating from his body.

When he spoke again, his voice was/quieter. “He touched you.”

I blinked. “What?”

Ethan turned his head slightly, his gaze sharp. “He touched you.”

I narrowed my eyes at him. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

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Chapter 69

He didn’t respond.

Instead, he turned back to the window, flexing his fingers slightly like he was trying to work something out of them.

My stomach flipped.

“Oh my god,” I whispered. “It was really you.”

Ethan didn’t move.

I took a step closer, my heart hammering. “You’re the one who put him in the hospital, aren’t you?”

Silence.

My pulse roared in my ears. “Ethan.”

Still nothing.

I sucked in a shaky breath. “What did you do?”

He finally turned to face me. “I protected you,” he said simply.

“You shouldn’t have fucking done that!” My voice came out sharp, heated, my frustration bubbling over before I could even think to contain it.

He leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, a slow smirk tugging at his lips. “You’re mad at me?”

I took a step forward, stabbing a finger into his chest. “Oh, don’t do that. Don’t act like you don’t know exactly what I’m mad about.”

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