My Stepbrother, My Sin

Chapter5

Moana’s Pov

I woke up with a headache. My eyes burned, and my body felt heavy like I hadn't slept at all. The moment I sat up, the memory of last night hit me so hard my chest tightened.

The rooftop.

The kiss.

Ashton's hands on my face.

His breath against my mouth.

The way he said my name.

The way I ran.

I pressed my fingers into my forehead. I dint want to think about it, but it kept replaying. I hated how my body reacted when I remembered it. I hated the heat in my stomach and the way my heart sped up.

It was a mistake.

I kept telling myself that.

I was upset. He was upset.

It happened in a stupid moment.

I wasn't supposed to feel anything.

I pushed off the bed and moved fast. I needed to get out before everyone was awake. I dint want to see him. I didn't want him staring at me the way he did last night, like he knew every thought going through my head.

I grabbed my robe and opened the door quietly.

But Ashton was standing there.

He leaned on the wall like he'd been waiting for hours. His arms were crossed. His eyes were on me the second the door opened. He looked tired, but he also looked like he wasn't leaving until he got what he wanted.

My stomach dropped.

"Move," I muttered.

"No."

I tried to walk past him. He shifted, blocking me.

"We're talking."

"There's nothing to talk about," I said, keeping my voice low. "Last night was nothing. I was emotional. You were..."

"Don't do that," he cut in. His voice was calm but sharp. "Don't lie."

I kept my eyes on the stairs. If I looked at him, everything would crumble.

"It didn't mean anything," I said.

His jaw tightened. "Say it properly."

"I just did."

"Look at me and say it."

I didn't. I couldn't. My throat felt tight.

He stepped closer. His voice dropped. "You're shaking."

I snatched my arm away. " I'm cold."

"Moana..."

"I said it meant nothing. Let it go."

Right then, footsteps echoed down the hall. Nadine appeared at the corner, dressed too nearly for this early hour. He smile came slow, like she walked into something she didn't expect.

"Oh," she said. "You're both awake early."

Her eyes moved between us, slow and curious. Then her gaze landed on me longer than necessary.

"You look tired," she said, smiling a little too sweetly.

"Rough night?"

Ashton's head snapped toward her, annoyed. He didn't answer her. He didn't even try to explain. He just walked past her like she wasn't even standing there.

Nadine's smile slipped.

She watched him leave, then turned back to me. Her expression softened into a fake concern.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

I nodded and walked away without answering. I didn't trust myself to say anything that wouldn't make things worse.

****

Breakfast was tense. It wasn't loud or chaotic. It was worse. Quiet. Too quiet. Matteo sat at the head of the table, checking something on his phone. My mom serves the food like everything was normal. Miguel sat on the side, watching everyone with that calm face.

Ashton came in last. Nadine followed behind him, sticking close like she wanted everyone to see she belonged beside him.

I kept my eyes on my plate.

Every time I looked up, Ashton was already looking at me. It made tighten. I looked away fast each time.

"So," Matteo said, breaking the silence, "we lost two shipments last night."

Miguel looked up. Ashton stiffened.

"Martello rats again," Matteo added. "They're getting bold."

No one said anything. The air felt heavy. I didn't know much about that family, but I knew my stepfather didn't take losses lightly.

"It's fine," Matteo said. "We'll deal with it."

His tone didn't match his words. Hair fingers tapped the table slowly.

Nadine slipped her hand around Ashton's arm. He didn't pull away, but he didn't react either. He stared at his food, lost in thought.

I forced myself to finish eating, even though my stomach felt tight the whole time.

When we finished, I stood up immediately. I didn't want Ashton catching me alone again. I walked fast, heading towards the stairs.

But I didn't get far.

A hand grabbed my wrist and pulled me into a small hallway beside the kitchen. Ashton shut the door behind us.

"Stop running from me," he said.

"I'm not."

"You have avoided me since last night."

"I don't want to talk," I muttered.

"Well I do."

I tried to pull my hand back. He didn't let go.

"You kissed me," he said.

"You kissed me first."

"Don't twist it."

"I'm not twisting anything," I snapped. "I'm saying the truth which you also knew."

"You're trying to act like nothing happened."

"Because nothing should have happened."

He stepped closer. "You think I don't know when you are lying?"

"I don't care what you think."

His jaw clenched. His eyes were dark, but not angry, hurt, frustrated, confused, all mixed together. I hated that look. It made it hard to breathe.

"I don't give a damn about that engagement anymore," he said quietly. " You know that."

"That's your problem, not mine."

" Moana...."

"I don't want you," I said. The words came out fast

Too fast.

He stared at me like he was trying to break the lie out of me. My heartbeat was loud. I felt it in my neck.

"You're a terrible liar," he said.

I didn't answer.

He let go of my wrist and allowed me to walk away.

But the way he looked at me stayed in my head long after I stepped out of the hallway.

On my way back upstairs, I passed my step father's office. The door was slightly opened. I wasn't trying to listen but Nadine's voice stopped me mid-step.

"I don't like the way Your step daughter is too close to Ashton."

My stomach dropped.

She said it like she cared but her time was like she was reporting a threat.

My step father's voice came next, calm but cold.

"I'm very sure they just cared about each other as siblings with no strings attached. Don't worry Nadine won't pose as a threat to you, she's a good girl."

My breath froze.

I stepped back slowly, afraid the floor would creak. I didn't want them knowing I heard.

When I reached the room, I shut the door and leaned against it. My breath was beating too fast.

Nadine is already suspecting something.

If my step father found out about last night, I'm pretty sure he won't forgive me after trusting me that much.

He wouldn't let it and he'd destroy anything he thought was threat including me .

I sank into the bed, my hands shaking.