Owned By My Step Brother

Chapter 25 - The deal

Alice’s Point Of View

“The rumors have already spread like wildfire,” Claire said excitedly, a smirk curling up her lips as she touched her visible pregnant belly.

I watched on in horror as my mother took Claire’s hand in hers.

“How is the little one?” she asked curiously, her eyes softening.

“The next ultrasound is in a few days. She has been kicking a lot lately.” Claire responded with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

“All of this is for her sake; she deserves a clean future without the scandal of certain vengeful people,” My mom smeared, her smile faltering for a second.

“The doctor said the stress might be too much for the baby,” Claire whispered, and let out an exhausted breath.

“Please, Claire, try to rest as much as you can. I will sort all of this out,” my mom said urgently, caressing Claire’s hand.

Claire's smile widened, and her eyes twitched like they did when she succeeded in deceiving people.

The ground below me began to shift, and I started to feel dizzy.

I tried to hold on to something, anything, in an effort to balance myself, but my leg slipped and broke a vase.

“Who is there?” My mom asked urgently, letting go of Claire and rushing outside.

I hid behind a wall, hoping she wouldn’t notice me.

She walked out, looked around anxiously, and paused for a second before walking back inside.

“Who was it?” Claire asked anxiously, her breath hitched.

“No one, it should be one of the cats,” My mom said confidently, taking Claire’s hand again.

I waited for a while before quietly walking to my room.

My mom and Claire had kept talking, but I didn’t care to hear what they were saying.

I couldn’t bear to listen anymore for fear that my heart was going to bleed out of my chest.

My own mother was the architect of my destruction and pain.

“But she knew…” I whispered softly, my lips trembling as tears rolled down my face.

She knew how her ex-best friend had destroyed my relationship, how my life was in shambles because of her, but she had been planning with her to break me down all along

“My own mother?” I asked silently, my hands shaking as I fiddled with my doorknob.

For some reason, I couldn’t open the door even though I struggled over and over again.

“Oh gosh!” I screamed in exhaustion, falling to the floor with my back against the door.

I soon slept off, in that spot, too frustrated and exhausted to do anything else.

I woke up on my bed with Reynolds sleeping by my side.

I was shocked at first, but was soon distracted by the beautiful man in my bed.

He looked so peaceful, his chest going up and down as he breathed evenly in his sleep.

My hands moved instinctively, tracing a line from his nose to his lips.

“Ouch!” I said in shock, trying to take my hand out of his mouth as he tightened his lips against my finger.

“Are you done playing?” he asked cockily, a smirk forming on his lips.

“I…I…I…How did you get in?” I asked hurriedly, anxious to change the topic.

“The door was unlocked,” he said calmly, looking amused by my question.

“Why did you sleep outside?” he asked firmly, worry filling his eyes.

And then, it all came back, the things I had heard, her mother’s betrayal, Mrs. Charles’ words, Claire’s pregnancy, everything.

I was quiet, my face crumbling as tears rolled from my eyes.

The emotions, the pain, the confusion, it was all too much for me.

“Tell me,” he whispered softly, cupping my face with his hand.

I hesitated, looking into his eyes for a short moment.

Was he an enemy or a friend? Even if my mother had betrayed me, was this worth it?”

“Alice…” he called softly, squizzing my hand.

In that moment, I made the decision, if I wanted to find the truth and fight, I needed to take risks, and at this point, he was the only one who could help me.

“I haven’t told you why I was in that accident to begin with,” I said calmly, as I sat up trying to compose myself.

“I found Claire sleeping with my ex, I was angry and restless, I didn't pay attention, and before I knew it, the accident happened,” I said quietly, a strange clarity engulfing me.

“I begged my mom to save me, but she couldn’t care less because she was with her newest fiancé, and then you saved me…” There was a long pause, and I stared into the distance, reliving the entire experience.

“I had barely recovered when she called and tricked me into coming for her wedding. There, I saw Claire and Nick; my mom had invited them even after knowing about their betrayal…” My voice broke, tears welling up in my eyes.

I told him everything that had happened at the library, what I had seen the night before, and how it had broken me completely.

By the time I finished speaking, my entire body was shaking, tears had clouded my vision, and Reynolds looked at me calmly.

He didn’t look shocked or angry, but his eyes studied mine.

“Come here, princess,” he said sweetly, his arm wide open.

Against my better judgment, I lunged into his arms, my sobs becoming louder.

He didn’t say any words, but his arms tightened around me, and he kissed my forehead from time to time.

I felt the type of comfort and safety I had never felt before until he finally spoke.

“Why are you telling me this, Alice?” he asked calmly, his face expressionless.

For some reason, he scared me more than all the treats I was facing.

“I need your help, Reynolds, please…” I begged desperately, my eyes staring into his.

Right from high school, he was known as the only guy who could solve puzzles like this.

There was a long silence between us, but when he finally spoke, his words were filled with dread

“I can help you, Alice, but it will cost you,” he said calmly, his eyes darkening.