Misunderstood By My Stepbrother

Chapter 3

Freya’s POV :

Two days later…

“Freya… Freya.. where are you?”

I heard Mom’s voice through my sleep distant at first like an echo underwater.The next moment my bedroom door opened.

“Freya… you’re still asleep? Do you know what time it is? Honey,wake up quickly.”

I buried my face deeper into the pillow.

“Mmm… Mom, please… let me sleep…”

“Freya did you forget where we’re supposed to go today? Get up quickly and have breakfast.”

Her words pulled me out of sleep instantly.My eyes snapped open. I sat up on the bed my heart suddenly uneasy.

“Mom… where are we going?”

She came closer and sat beside me her voice softer now.

“Freya, today we’re shifting.”

Shifting?

The word felt heavy.

“Shifting? Where, Mom?”

She gave me a small smile.

“To your new dad’s house.”

My chest tightened. “But Mom…”

“Freya no ‘but.’ I already told Hendrix that we’re coming today.”

I swallowed. “Mom… what about my college?”

“We’re not leaving this city,” she said gently. “Hendrix’s house is here. You can go to your college every day just like before.”

“Oh… okay Mom.”

What else could I say?

“Now hurry up have breakfast and get ready.I told Nina to pack your things.”

“Okay…”

But I didn’t feel okay.

After Dad passed away,we had moved into this house.I was young. Rose was even younger.This place held my childhood my tears my laughter… every memory of him.Leaving it felt like losing him all over again.

I decided to pack my things myself.

While clearing my study table something slipped from between my books.

A photograph.My fingers froze.

It was Dad.

I was only three in the picture sitting on his shoulders my tiny hands tangled in his hair. He was smiling,so alive so warm.

I had never shown this photo to Mom. No one knew I still kept it hidden.

I gently traced his face with my fingers.

When I was ten he died in a car accident.Mom was pregnant at that time. Everything changed after that day.

I carefully placed the photo inside my dress, hiding it deep in my luggage,as if I was hiding a piece of my heart.

Hendrix Osborne,my stepfather,had sent a car for us.

Rose, Mom and I left the house.

I didn’t look back.

Because I knew if I did… I might cry.

After almost three hours the car slowly stopped.

I stepped out,and my breath caught.

"The mansion stood tall and magnificent. Twilight wrapped around it,golden lights glowing like secrets against the darkening sky. Terraced pools shimmered like fallen stars. Palm trees lined the gardens like silent guards protecting something precious."

Rose stood beside me just as stunned.

This didn’t feel like a house.

It felt like another world.

At the entrance stood Hendrix Osborne waiting for us.He walked forward with a bright confident smile.

“Freya..Rose,meet Hendrix. He is your dad. Say hello,” Mom said.

Dad.

The word felt wrong.

He is my stepfather… I corrected silently in my mind.

Still I forced a polite smile. “Hello.”

Rose echoed softly, “Hello.”

Ten maids stood behind him welcoming us.

It felt overwhelming.

Hendrix held Mom’s hand. “Honey please come inside.”

Rose and I followed quietly as the maids carried our luggage in.

The inside of the house was even more luxurious. Marble floors. Crystal lights. Everything spotless and grand.

“My two little princesses,” Hendrix said cheerfully, “tonight I’ve arranged a small dinner party. I’ll introduce you to someone special. For now, freshen up have lunch and rest. The maids will show you your rooms upstairs.”

Someone special?

I didn’t ask.

A maid led Rose and me to separate rooms.

When I entered mine I stopped.

It was breathtaking.

"Soft cream walls. A fluffy white bed.Crystal chandeliers.Tall arched windows. Glowing mirrors. The room felt royal… yet strangely warm."

I walked slowly to the balcony.

From there I could see the swimming pool and the garden below.

The water shimmered under the fading light.

Then I noticed something.

Someone was swimming in the pool.

I leaned slightly forward.

“Oh… so other people live here too,” I murmured. “He’s not alone.”

But the distance was too far. I couldn’t see his face.

After a few seconds I stepped back.

For some reason… my heart felt restless.

I turned and walked back into my room not knowing that this house,, was about to change my life completely.

The moment I stepped into my new room, exhaustion crashed over me.

I didn’t even bother changing.I walked straight to the bed and threw myself onto it.It was unbelievably soft like sinking into clouds.My body still ached from the long journey and the unfamiliar silence of this massive house felt overwhelming.

The next thing I knew darkness had fallen.

When I slowly opened my eyes,the room was dim illuminated only by the soft golden lights outside. I turned my head toward the tall window.

It was night.

“I didn’t even realize when I fell asleep for so long…” I murmured to myself.

No one had come to wake me up.

Before I could think further there was a knock. A maid entered, holding a dress carefully in her hands.

“Ma’am, you’re awake. Sir and Madam sent this dress for you.”

So this was for the party.

I glanced at the dress without touching it.It looked expensive.

Delicate.

Probably chosen carefully.

“Okay.” I said quietly. “Leave it on the table.”

After she left I freshened up and stood in front of the dress.

I stared at it for a long moment.

It wasn’t about the size.

It wasn’t about whether it would fit.

It was about control.

About choice.

About not wanting to feel like a doll in someone else’s perfect picture.

After a few seconds I turned away from it and opened my own suitcase.I chose one of my dresses instead.

A white,sheer,long sleeved dress with a halter neckline.It flowed loosely around me ending just above my knees. A small white flower rested at the neckline.

Simple.

Soft.

Mine.

When I walked down the stairs I saw Mom,Rose and "Hendrix my stepfather" waiting in the drawing room.

“There’s Freya.she’s coming!” Rose said excitedly.

Mom turned to look at me. Her eyes instantly dropped to my dress.

“Freya,what are you wearing? Why didn’t you wear the dress your dad sent?”

Dad.

The word still felt foreign when it referred to Hendrix.

I hesitated. “It was… too tight. I couldn’t wear it.”

Mom frowned slightly. “But it was exactly your size.I checked it myself."

“Mom,I said it felt tight,” I replied, trying to stay calm. “What’s wrong with this one? I’m wearing my own dress. Is it bad?”

“I didn’t say it was bad Freya. I just__”

“Amelia, please,” Hendrix interrupted gently. “She’s still young.If the dress didn’t fit properly,what’s the problem?The one she’s wearing looks perfectly fine.Now let’s go.Everyone must be waiting.”

Mom didn’t argue further.

We left together.

At the party venue the lights were bright the atmosphere formal.But I noticed something immediately,Hendrix looked distracted.

Like he was waiting for someone important.

“Honey… what’s wrong?” Mom asked softly.

“Nothing much,” he said,though he didn’t look convinced. “I’m just a bit tense.He wasn’t happy about our marriage but I went ahead anyway. I’ve spoken to Steven."

“Is he coming?” Mom asked.

“Yes.”

Mom placed her hand over his. “Relax. Since he’s coming,everything will be fine.”

I didn’t understand fully,but I felt like tonight wasn’t just about us.

Then the party truly began.

A tall figure entered the hall.

Hendrix’s face immediately lit up.

He walked forward and hugged him tightly.

“I knew you would come,my son.”

Son?

I felt something shift in the air.

The young man replied calmly almost coldly,

“I didn’t come because of you.

I came because of Steven.

And… congratulations on your new life.”

There was tension in his voice.Controlled.Sharp.

I watched quietly.

I learned from their conversation that Steven had raised him.That he had grown up feeling alone. That tonight’s party was arranged mainly to introduce him to us.

To his new sisters.

A strange feeling crawled under my skin.

I was standing turned slightly away when I sensed them approaching.

I turned around.

And saw him.

He wasn’t looking at me at first.

“Hayden,my son,these are your two new sisters, Rose and Freya,” Hendrix said.

Hayden.

The name hit me like a distant echo.

He wasn’t looking at anyone… until he heard my name.

“Freya.”

The moment Hendrix said it, he looked up.

Our eyes met.

And he froze.

His expression changed instantly.

Shock.Disbelief.

His eyes widened slightly.His jaw tightened.I saw his hands clench once.Twice.

Like he was holding something inside.

Anger?

Pain?

I didn’t know.

But I knew one thing.

I had seen him before.

That face.

Those eyes.

Where?

College?

The road?

Why did he look at me like that?

Why did it feel like I had just stepped into something dangerous without realizing it?

Hendrix began “Hayden,Freya is also in your college__”

But before he could finish, Hayden suddenly turned.

Without saying a single word,he walked away.

Not walked.

Stormed.

The air felt heavier after he left.

And I stood there confused… my heart beating faster than it should.

Because I was sure now,

I had seen him before.

My legs aren’t in my control as i excuse myself and go after him.Rushing through people,i watch as he goes out,i don’t think twice before following him.

Coming out,i pant looking around at the empty road,searching for him.

Strange,where did he go so fast?

He couldn’t have left.I was right on his heels.

“Looking for someone?”

My head whips and i turn around at the sudden voice.There he stood,leaning against the wall,a cigarette between his fingers,slight smoke surrounding him.

The way he looks at me so coldly makes me gulp and suddenly turn nervous.“I..um,i just wanted to ask you if we have met before?”

A mocking smirk pulls up on his lips as he looks around before suddenly grabbing my arm and pulling me forward.

I yelp as my back hits the wall hard and his body presses against mine dangerously close.

I hold my breath and stare up at him wide eyed,my heart thumping wildly in my chest.“W-what are you doing?”

He leans down slightly and stares into my soul with a heated gaze.“That should be my question.What are You doing here?”

“What do you mean?”I ask with a frown that has him glaring mockingly.“What do i mean?I mean what the hell are you two in my family,my home,my life?How dare your mother think that she could ever take my mom’s place?Steal her place?Who does she think she is?Who do you think you are?”

My lips quiver as i gulp and try to push him off of me but it’s utterly impossible to move him with the size difference between us.“I don’t care about the past but now,me and my mom are your family so you better learn to respect her.As for other things,you should clear this with your father.And i will say one thing, my mother is not the type to steal someone’s place.So mind your words.And learn to respect relations.”

“Relation’s huh?Fine i will respect it gladly,sister.”He say’s and my eyes widen when a hand grabs my jaw roughly and a pair of lips cover mine.His lip’s are harsh and move with an urgency.

The taste of pine and smoke invades my nostrils immediately as the taste of cigarette fill my mouth.

My heart skips a beat before it starts going wild completely.My eyes are wide open as i look around to make sure no one is in sight as i try to push him off of me.

However,he refuses to let go like a persistent little s**t.

What the hell is he doing?If someone saw us,everything will be ruined.We are supposed to be family.

This wont do.I have to get away.

Left with no choice,i raise my knee and hit him in the nuts with all my might.

That seems to do the trick as his moves away from me and groans in pain,bending slightly.

I don’t even dare to wait for a second or look at him as i run back inside with my heart beating wildly.

The moment i reach inside,i lean against the wall with my back.My arms and legs are trembling from fear and nervousness as i catch my breath.

What the hell was that?