Ten Days to Leave My Stepbrother (Beatrice) novel Chapter 2

**Across Quiet Meadows Rise Dreams Waiting For Their Moment 2**

**Chapter 2**

**288 Vouchers**

The shrill sound of Beatrice’s alarm pierced the stillness of the morning at precisely 8 AM, yanking her from the depths of sleep.

As her eyelids fluttered open, she realized with a pang of disappointment that Maverick was already gone.

For the past five years, they had adhered to a secret pact, a carefully crafted rule born from the fear of their parents’ discovery: Maverick would sneak into her room at the stroke of midnight and vanish by 5 AM. Soon, however, their secret rendezvous would be relegated to the past, and they would simply be siblings, no longer needing to tiptoe around the truth. The thought of that finality stirred a mixture of sadness and relief within her.

After hastily dressing, Beatrice made her way downstairs, her mind still swirling with thoughts of Maverick. As she turned the corner into the living room, her gaze landed on an unfamiliar woman perched on the couch, her presence strikingly out of place.

“Bex, come here!” Celia called out, her voice brimming with enthusiasm. “This is Mac’s girlfriend. Go get our guest some water.”

Beatrice felt a flutter of nerves as she approached. Maribel Mowbray stood up, her hand outstretched, adorned with a dazzling smile that revealed deep dimples.

“You must be Mac’s sister! It’s such a pleasure to finally meet you! He talks about you all the time, even though we’re just meeting for the first time,” she chimed, her excitement palpable.

Beatrice’s hands quivered ever so slightly as she glanced at Maverick, who was watching the exchange with an unreadable expression. Choosing not to voice her questions, she turned to fetch a glass of water, her mind racing with unspoken thoughts.

Just as she filled the glass, Maverick strolled into the kitchen, a playful grin plastered on his face. He wrapped his arms around her waist, leaning in to plant a kiss on her cheek.

“Hey, what’s up?” he murmured, his breath warm against her skin.

Beatrice quickly turned her head away, a blush creeping onto her cheeks. “Stop messing around. Your girlfriend is right in the living room!” she replied, her voice a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

Maverick raised an eyebrow, a smirk dancing on his lips as he pecked her again. “Jealous? I forgot to mention, she’s just a childhood friend who went abroad years ago and just returned. Dad’s been on my case about marriage, so I brought her here to distract him from setting me up with random women. It’s all just an act.”

“You know who my real girlfriend is, don’t you?” he added, his tone teasing yet sincere.

Beatrice remained silent, her expression carefully neutral as she nodded in acknowledgment.

Maverick’s eyes widened with surprise at her calm demeanor; he had anticipated a much more dramatic reaction.

In the past, when other girls had sent him love letters, Beatrice’s jealousy had erupted like a tempest, leaving her in tears. When he had confronted her about it, she had clammed up, refusing to divulge her feelings. He had resorted to all sorts of antics just to coax a few words from her.

She had always believed their love was a forbidden secret, that she could never openly stand by his side as his girlfriend.

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**Chapter**

Thus, she had never dared to confront him or express her anger. Instead, she would sulk alone, cocooned beneath her covers, wrestling with her emotions.

Today, however, was different. Despite the familiar pang of heartache, she felt an uncharacteristic calmness wash over her.

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