Ruined By Him: My Stepbrother's Obsession

Chapter 6

Edeline

“I was wondering when you’d show up. You should know I hate being made to wait.”

That was the first thing out of Auric’s mouth, and it nearly threw me completely off balance.

He hated being made to wait?

What a load of—

Calm yourself, Edeline.

I came here to negotiate, which meant I couldn’t afford to let him intimidate me. Not now. Not after spending the last hour psyching myself up just to walk through his damn door.

I shifted my weight, cleared my throat, and squared my shoulders.

“Well, good thing I didn’t keep you waiting,” I bit back.

The corners of Auric’s lips twitched instantly, amusement flickering across his face.

“You’re cute when you try to be feisty.”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. Barely.

“I’ve thought about your offer, and I agree,” I said finally, forcing the words past the lump in my throat. “But it’ll only be for one night.”

Auric laughed.

Actually laughed.

A smooth, silky sound that flowed so easily it was infuriating. And annoyingly attractive. I felt physically ill for even thinking that.

“I’ve got to give it to you,” he said, easing back against the bed. “You’re bold. Trying to take control and assuming you have any power in this situation.”

My stomach tightened.

“I have to admit,” he continued, his gaze dragging over me slowly enough to make my skin crawl, “I really like it. Breaking you will be so much more fun.”

The temperature in the room seemed to plummet. A sharp chill wrapped around my body so suddenly it made my pulse stutter. Every hair on my body stood on end.

What the hell was he saying?

“I’m being serious, Auric,” I said firmly, though the slight tremor in my voice betrayed me. “I’m only sleeping with you once, and that’s it.”

“Well, sorry to disappoint you, Princess, but I call the shots.”

The teasing edge in his voice disappeared.

“I’m the one with the picture, remember?” He leaned forward slightly, those piercing blue eyes darkening as his smile faded. “I’ll decide when it ends.”

A cold knot twisted violently in my chest.

“But,” he added casually, “if you’re good enough, maybe the torture will end earlier than you expect.”

My heart dropped.

Shit.

I might’ve just made the worst mistake of my life.

Because if Auric called the shots, then what did that even mean? A week? Months? Years, even? Heck, what guarantee did I have that he’d even delete the photo after getting everything he wanted?

None.

Absolutely none.

And somehow, standing here now, that realization was finally beginning to sink in.

I could already feel my fingertips trembling. Sweat gathering at the base of my spine despite the cold air blasting from the vents overhead. I swallowed hard, trying desperately to keep my composure intact, but my body was betraying me one reaction at a time.

I should’ve known better.

I walked straight into his trap.

Auric had me backed into a corner. Again.

It felt like middle school all over again—like nothing had changed. I was still the weaker one. Still the one trying not to shake while he towered over me like some nightmare that refused to stay buried.

I hated it.

After everything I’d done to rebuild myself, after years of forcing myself to stop being afraid, somehow I’d ended up right back where I started. Cornered by Auric Gilbert.

And the worst part?

He knew it.

He knew I was desperate. Knew I was cornered. Knew I’d eventually have no choice but to grovel if he pushed hard enough. Maybe that was exactly what he wanted—to watch me break apart piece by piece right in front of him.

I wasn’t about to let him have his way.

“I’m only doing this if it’s for one night, Auric,” I repeated, straightening my posture even as anxiety clawed through me. “Anything more than that, then forget it.”

“Good luck explaining that picture to our parents then.”

My jaw tightened instantly.

“I’m sure my Dad and your Mom would love to hear whatever excuse you come up with,” he continued lazily, counting off on his fingers. “And let’s not forget your school.”

His gaze locked onto mine.

“Imagine if your nude accidentally leaked and went viral. Would you be able to face anyone at school?”

He clicked his tongue slowly, almost thoughtfully.

“And then there's the fact that it would ruin Dad's campaign. Whether you like it or not, sugar plum, you're officially a part of the Gilbert family and it's also your responsibility to hold up our public image. Imagine the shame you'd bring to this family. Let's not forget that your sexy little pic is considered child pornography and there are really harsh laws for that. Should I go on?”

My hands clenched so tightly at my sides my nails dug into my palms. Rage burned so hot through me I could barely think straight anymore.

It was clear as day.

Auric Gilbert was a sadistic f**k who genuinely got off from watching me suffer. If I could go back in time, I’d curse the day I ever met him.

“How the hell can you be okay with forcing someone to sleep with you?” I shot, my teeth grinding together so hard, they might as well crack.

Auric proceeded to sigh, like I was exhausting him.

Like this entire conversation bored him to death.

“I’m not forcing you to do anything.” He gestured lazily toward the door. “You can walk out right now and simply deal with the consequences…”

His eyes flickered back to me.

“Or you can accept my very generous offer and experience unimaginable pleasure.”

A slow smile spread across his face.

“Pick your poison.”

My stomach twisted violently in disgust. Saying I hated the fact that I was about to lose my virginity to Auric would’ve been the understatement of the century.

This wasn’t how I’d imagined my first time.

Not even close.

I’d wanted it to mean something. I’d wanted it to be with someone I actually liked—someone gentle, someone who felt safe. Tyler. Not Auric. Never Auric.

Not the same person who had spent his time tearing this body apart piece by piece with his words. The same person who had once made me dread waking up in the morning because existing around him felt unbearable. The same person who had broken me down so badly at one point that I genuinely stopped seeing the point in living.

And now here I was. In his bedroom. About to hand over the last piece of myself because I was cornered. Because he’d trapped me so thoroughly there was barely any room left to breathe.

The humiliation burned like acid in my chest.

I felt sick. Truly sick.

But…

He was right.

I had to pick my poison.

And between this and ruining my life or worse, ending up on a list, I already knew which option I’d choose. Even if it made me hate myself a little.