Stella’s P. O. V.
What’s happening in my life? First, my boyfriend and best friend betrayed me, and then my stepbrother kissed me.
But why didn’t I push him away? Why did I let him kiss me?
How could I have pushed him away when it wasn’t just a kiss? It felt like he was taking away all my pain and insecurities.
As soon as his lips met mine, he took me to another world. A world where there was no pain or betrayal-just the two of us.
Damn! I wanted him to keep kissing me because, for the first time in what felt like forever, I didn’t feel any pain.
Seriously, that fucking Jade never made me feel the way Alex did with just one kiss. It was a soul-soothing kiss. It’s pretty shocking how easily he made the pain disappear.
But it’s so wrong. Alex is my stepbrother.
God! My mind is such a mess.
Thank God Mom called at the right moment before we could cross more lines.
We both stayed silent the entire way home. When we reached, Alex went straight to his room, and I told Mom I was fine before retreating to mine.
Now I’m lying on my bed, wondering what the hell is happening in my life.
I toss and turn, staring up at the ceiling. I can’t sleep; my mind won’t stop spinning.
Jade’s words keep echoing in my mind. ‘You’re not a desirable woman. You never satisfied me.’
The more I think about it, the more I start to believe his words. Maybe he’s right. Maybe I’m truly undesirable.
But when Alex kissed me… I felt desirable.
God, that kiss… it wasn’t just a kiss. It was something deeper, something that made me forget all the hurt and betrayal. At that moment, with Alex’s lips on mine, I wasn’t the broken girl Jade left behind. I wasn’t the girl who wasn’t good enough. With just one kiss, Alex made me feel like the most desirable woman in the world.
And that’s what scares me.
I sit up in bed, running my fingers through my hair. I can’t stop thinking about the way Alex looked at me after the kiss, like I was the most precious thing in the world.
‘You’re beautiful, you’re strong, and if he couldn’t see that, then he’s the one who’s blind.’
His words keep playing in my head. But no matter how much I want to believe him, Jade’s voice keeps drowning Alex’s out.
Why did Jade have to do this to me? Why did he and Leah have to destroy everything? Was I really that worthless to them? How long had they been sleeping together behind my back? Did it start when I left for New York, or even before that?
Oh God, my mind feels like it’s going to explode.
I rush into the bathroom and stand under the shower. The water cascades over me, soaking my body as tears stream down my face. I’m trying so hard to push it all away, but it won’t stop.
My heart aches, and even though I want to believe it wasn’t my fault, I can’t.
I’m yearning for relief from this pain.
***
Alex’s P. O. V.
Fuck!
I can’t sleep. Every time I close my eyes, I see her-Stella, crying, breaking down in front of me, and then… that kiss.
I shouldn’t have kissed her. But at that moment, all I wanted was to take her pain away. It was the only way I knew how. But now, lying here, staring at the ceiling, I realise I might’ve gone too far.
She’s my stepsister. What the hell was I thinking?
But the thought of her, alone in her room, probably still hurting, kills me. I’m restless.
What if she’s crying again? What if she’s still believing that bastard’s words? I hate the thought of her doubting herself because of him. She doesn’t deserve to feel like that, not even for a second.
I toss and turn, gripping the sheets. I should go check on her.
No. I can’t. I’ve already crossed the line. I kissed her, for fuck’s sake. If I go to her now, what if I make things worse? What if I can’t control myself and do something that can’t be undone?
But what if she needs me?
I sit up, running my hands through my hair, frustrated beyond words. I want to rush into her room, hold her, kiss her again, and tell her over and over how fucking beautiful she is until she believes it. But my mind is screaming at me to stay put.
I’m her stepbrother. I shouldn’t feel this way, shouldn’t want her like this. But I do. And now, I’m terrified.
I get out of bed and start pacing. With every second that passes, I become more anxious. I can’t get the image of her crying this morning out of my head-vulnerable and broken because of that asshole, Jade.
I’ve already decided what I have to do with Jade. I’m going to make him pay for every fucking tear Stella has shed.
But more than that, I want to fix her. My flower. I want her to bloom again.
But how? How do I give her the relief she needs without crossing more lines? How do I hold back when everything in me is screaming to go to her?
I clench my fists. I’ve never felt this out of control before, never felt this kind of pull toward someone. Especially someone I shouldn’t even be looking at this way.
Damn it, Stella.
I want to help her, but I’m scared. Scared that if I go to her, I won’t be able to stop.
I’m pulled out of my thoughts when I hear a knock on the door.
Who could it be at this time?
Is it Stella?
Alex, stop overthinking and open the door.
I rush to open it, and my heart nearly stops when I see her.
Stella stands there, drenched from head to toe, her hair clinging to her face. Her golden eyes, once so full of life, are red and swollen from crying. Her clothes stick to her body, soaked through, but it’s the look in her eyes that shatters me-pure vulnerability and pain, like she’s completely lost.
“Stella.” I step closer to her without thinking.
“I want relief from this pain, Alex. Please make me feel desirable.” Her voice cracks as fresh tears roll down her cheeks, breaking my heart even more.
It hurts so much to see her like this-so broken, so lost, so damn helpless, and yearning for relief from her pain.
Seeing her in this condition, I’m ready to cross every boundary again. Right now, I don’t care if she’s my stepsister. I just want to give her what she’s yearning for-temporary relief from the hurt.
But she’s not okay. What if she thinks I’m taking advantage of her vulnerability?
Oh God! Why does she have to be my stepsister?