Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 79

Anya turned

to me, raising an eyebrow. “Good afternoon to you too, sunshine.”

I ignored her, my eyes fixed on Ethan.

He leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms as he spoke. “I’m only spending the night. I’ll be gone by

tomorrow.”

I rolled my eyes so hard they almost fell out of my skull.

Anya, oblivious to my growing annoyance, took another sip of her coffee. “Oh, come on, Camila. He’s been great company. You could learn a thing or two from him about morning manners.”

I nearly choked. Morning manners?

This man terrorized my emotions last night, and now he was sipping coffee and charming my aunt like he was some kind of polite guest?

Unbelievable.

I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose. “Anya, don’t you have, like…work to do?”

She waved a dismissive hand. “Nah. Sunday. Day off.”

Of course.

I exhaled slowly, forcing down my irritation as I made my way toward the fridge. Ethan’s eyes followed me, and I hated the way it made my skin tingle.

I grabbed the milk carton, then paused, noticing something was off.

I turned to Anya. “Didn’t we have leftover pasta?”

She blinked. “Oh! Yeah, we did. I gave it to Ethan.”

I froze.

Slowly, I turned toward him, my eye twitching.

“You. Ate. My. Pasta?”

“I didn’t know it was yours.”

“Oh, of course you didn’t, slurred, voice dripping with sarcasm.

He flashed a bright, toothy smile.

Chapter 79

1 gripped the milk carton tighter, resisting the urge to throw it at his head.

This man was infuriating.

Anya, clearly enjoying this, chuckled. “You two bicker like an old married couple.”

1 gagged.

Ethan, however, seemed way too pleased by that comment. “You think so?” he mused, his smile widening.

1 shot him a death glare. “Finish that sentence and I’m pouring this milk on your head.”

A wide, cheeky grin spread across his face.

God, why was he so insufferable?

I huffed, setting the milk down and grabbing a banana instead. I wasn’t in the mood to deal with him or my

ruined lunch.

Ethan leaned against the counter, still watching me.

I tried to ignore it.

Tried to focus on literally anything else.

But then Anya stood up, stretching. “Well, I should go get ready. I have to drop by the hospital later.”

I nearly choked on my banana. “What?”

Anya rolled her eyes. Try to be nice.” Then she patted Ethan’s shoulder, shooting him a teasing smile. “Don’t let her bully you too much.”

I clenched my jaw.

Bully him?!

yjaw.

Anya disappeared down the hall, leaving me alone with him.

The second she was gone, 1 rounded on him. “Why the hell are you still here?”

Ethan leaned against the counter, crossing his arms. I like it here.”

I scoffed. “Just leave already.”

He stood up, stretching lazily before reaching for his jacket draped over the couch. With a smooth motion, he slid his arms into the sleeves, adjusting it over his broad shoulders.

I narrowed my eyes.

Finally.

Chapter 79

The relief should have been instant. Should have been.

Instead, there was this weird, annoying little twinge of something in my chest–something that suspiciously

felt like…

Something almost–God forbid–disappointment.

1 mentally slapped myself.

e you

Camila, are you insane?!

Instead, I crossed my arms and blurted out, “Are you finally leaving?”

Ethan paused, his fingers still adjusting his collar. Then, ever so slightly, he smirked.

“I’m just going out for groceries,” he said, ripping up his jacket. “Anya asked me to pick some things up whenever I get the chance.”

I narrowed my eyes. “So you two are on a first name basis already?”

His grin widened. “Jealous?”

My scowl was answer enough.

it more than that, I couldn’t shake the unease curling in my stomach.

Hut

Why was he so happy?

Since I’d woken up, hed been all smiles

What the hell was that about?

Before I could think too hard on it, he took a step forward.

Then another.

Closing the distance between us.

My stomach tightened but I refused to step back.

But when he finally stopped, right in front of me, I had to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. And God help me–that look in his eyes?

It did something to me.

Something I won’t dare to name.

“If you don’t want me to call her that,” he murmured, voice smooth as sin, “you can tell me.“

My breath hitched.

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