Claimed By My Stepbrother novel Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Camila POV

If stares could kill, I’d be a pile of ashes before my foot even touched the first step into school.

It was suffocating how eyes just latched onto you when you weren’t actively trying to be seen. I could feel them crawling up my back, sliding across my skin, all that silent judgment smearing over me like wet paint that wouldn’t dry. I didn’t look up. I didn’t have to. I could already hear the whispers behind the fake coughs and the passive–aggressive gasps.

Whatever. Let them stare.

My life was already a mess.

Mom was marrying Greg in a few days, which meant I was basically starring in the world’s most twisted drama. My name was already being written in the book of scandal. Might as well get used to the spotlight, right?

Still, I hated the way my hands tightened around the strap of my backpack like it was the only thing keeping me grounded. I hated the way my chest felt tight, like it was trying to collapse in on itself.

I snuck a glance at Ethan.

He looked… calm. Too calm. Focused, straight ahead, expression unreadable like he wasn’t currently being watched like a tiger at a petting zoo. His hands were jammed into his pockets, and his gait was relaxed.

How did he do that? Just exist like nothing could touch him?

If he became my stepbrother–God, I hated even thinking that word–what would happen then? Would he finally snap out of whatever delusional headspace he’d been living in and realize there was no version of reality where this thing between us could happen?

Because he needed to.

He needed to understand that there was no future here. No chapter of Camila Ethan happily ever after. Not when Mom’s happiness was on the line.

Even if Ethan was my mate or whatever,

This just kept getting more complicated. Like life had taken the plot of my already–messy existence and decided, let’s toss in forbidden love, some magical bond shit, and a sprinkle of trauma. That’ll really spice things

பற.

My eyes moved away from Ethan and landed on Liam.

He was standing a few feet down the hallway, leaning slightly against the wall, eyes locked on me in a way that made my stomach twist. I hadn’t seen him much since that night..

Since the old lady.

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Chapter 81

His eyes lingered for just a beat too long before he turned and walked away.

I exhaled slowly, releasing a breath i didn’t realize I’d been holding, and turned toward my locker. My fingers fumbled with the combination as Ethan drifted off toward his own, giving me space, which I appreciated… kind of.

My hands were shaking slightly, not enough for someone to point it out but I could feel it. That subtle tremble you only get when your brain’s fried and your body’s still running on leftover adrenaline from God knows what. I inhaled through my nose, shoved my books into the locker like they were personally offending me, and just stared blankly at the inside of it like it held the answers to my rapidly imploding life.

“So what is going on?”

The voice cut through the choos in my head so fast I physically jumped, bumping my shoulder against the locker door.

I spun around, already bracing myself.

Tessa.

She was standing there, arms crossed, one eyebrow lifted with full knowing best friend mode activated. She had that look on her face that said spill now or I will cause a public scene.

“Jesus, you scared the crap out of me, I muttered, placing a hand on my chest.

She ignored the dramatics. “Camila. Babe. What is happening?” she beamed.

“What do you mean?” I asked, doing a piss–poor job of sounding innocent.

She gave me that don’t bullsh*t me glare. “Don’t play dumb. You and Ethan just walked into school like you were straight out of a romantic YA novel.”

1 groaned. “Tess-”

“Nope. I want details. Now.”

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