My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 675

Chapter 675

“Done.”

Just one word, no bargaining, no conditions. He didn’t even ask questions.

“I’ll see to it personally. They’ll be safe. You have my word.”

I could hear people laughing somewhere behind me. Children were shouting over a game. It sounded so

normal that it almost felt unreal.

“When I do this for you… You will come with me.”

I nodded although he couldn’t see me, “I told you I’d come.”

“I need to hear you say it again.”

I closed my eyes, “I’ll come but only for a little while. I can’t stay forever. My life is here too,” I drew in a slow breath, “Jules is here.”

Raphael is here…

The thought alone tightened my chest.

“She already lost Mom. I’m not going to disappear on her.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to abandon your sister,” he answered, his voice was softer than before, “If she needs you, you’ll go back. I can accept that.”

I frowned, “Just like that?”

He let out a tired chuckle, “I’ve spent six years with nothing. If all I get is a little time with my daughter, I’ll take it.”

My throat tightened, “I need you to promise me something.”

“Anything.”

“No games, no trying to convince me to stay after I’ve made up my mind. I’ve had enough of people deciding what’s best for me. I need you to hear me when I say no,” I snapped.

His answer came quietly, “I can do that.”

A tight knot in my chest loosened just enough for me to breathe, “Good, then we understand each other.”

“We do.”

For the first time since the call began, it didn’t feel like we were standing on opposite sides. It felt like we were trying, however awkwardly, to build a bridge neither of us knew how to cross.

The garage door rolled shut behind me. The quiet ticking of my motorcycle engine cooling beneath me filled the space.

I killed the engine, swung my leg over the bike and pulled off my helmet. The cool air hit my face. I ran a hand through my hair then I saw her.

Gianna.

She was sitting on the hood of my black Aston Martin, her legs hanging over the edge. She had been waiting… for me?

“Yes.”

She swallowed, “Because you think I lied.”

I stopped beside my workbench. Slowly folded the cleaning cloth I had picked up. Placed it back where it belonged.

She took another careful step, “I wasn’t trying to hurt you.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you treating me like this?”

I finally looked at her because if I didn’t, I’d keep pretending I wasn’t angry, “You disappeared.”

Her eyebrows knitted together but I didn’t give her a chance to answer.

“You shut everyone out. Fine. I understand that but you shut me out too. I’ve spent weeks watching you stand a few feet away from me like I don’t exist. You look at me like I’m a stranger. You lie to my face. You walk away the moment I come near you. You told me you hated me.”

My jaw tightened.

“And you turned something that should’ve meant something into… whatever that was. You treated me like I was nothing more than a body when you needed one. And somehow I’m supposed to act like none of it happened.”

She lowered her head, “My mom died.”

“I know. I know exactly what losing a parent feels like but I also know what it feels like to lose someone who’s still standing right in front of me. I don’t even recognize the woman looking back at me anymore. You’re not my Gianna…”