Ruined By Him: My Stepbrother's Obsession

Chapter 4

Edeline

The back of my eyes burned.

I would not cry at this table. I refused to.

What exactly made her think that she could just sit there, spewing nonsense, telling me how to behave like she knew anything about grief or about family.

“When exactly,” I said, my voice shaking as I pushed back from the table, “will you stop ruining my life?”

I stormed out before she could say another word.

*

The drive was silent.

Auric didn’t attempt conversation, didn’t even try to needle me the way I’d half-expected. He asked for my school’s name, typed it into the GPS, and that was the extent of it. I sat in the backseat with my bag on my lap and stared out the window, grateful for the quiet.

What I wasn’t grateful for was the rearview mirror.

Every time I glanced up, his eyes were already there. Just watching. Steady and unreadable in that way that made my skin prickle, like I was something he was cataloguing.

I shifted in my seat and forced my gaze back to the passing streets, locking onto anything that would keep me from looking up again.

I've never wanted a car ride to end so quickly.

When we finally slowed in front of Westbridge, my stomach tightened instead of easing. Students were already gathered around the entrance, and before we’d even come to a full stop, several heads turned.

Of course they did.

The car alone was enough to draw attention. Auric driving it? That just made it worse.

The engine cut, and Auric stepped out like he had all the time in the world. He didn’t rush. Didn’t hesitate. He simply closed the door with a soft click, adjusted his sleeves, then rounded the hood toward my side—slow and deliberate.

My eyes narrowed.

He had to be doing this on purpose.

By the time he reached my door, more people had noticed. Whispers started. Phones lifted. Heads fully turning now. A group of girls nearby had even completely paused, staring in awe.

“Oh my God—”

“Who is that—”

“Isn’t that—”

I resisted the urge to roll my eyes so hard they’d stick.

Auric didn’t so much as glance at them.

He stopped beside my door, one hand resting lightly on the frame before pulling it open. The morning light hit him just right—catching on that sharp jaw, dark hair, and those impossibly blue eyes that had already been haunting me through the rearview mirror. For a second, it was actually ridiculous how much attention he pulled by just existing.

He stepped back slightly, one hand braced on the top of the door, and the other extending toward me in a quiet, almost mocking invitation. He really thought I couldn’t see what he was doing? This was all a performance.

Every second of it. The slow walk. The pause. The door. The way he made sure anyone within a five-meter radius had a perfect view so when he finally drove off, I’d be the one dealing with the aftermath.

God, I hated him.

“I’m good.” I pushed myself out of the car, completely ignoring his hand.

The reaction was instant.

He closed the door behind me with a soft but final click, then straightened, completely unbothered by the small fan group that had formed.

He glanced at me, the corner of his mouth tugging into something that wasn’t quite a smile.

“Have a great first day back, sis.”

I didn’t respond.

I was already walking away.

By the time I reached the steps, the whispers had only gotten louder.

Nina was already there, leaning against the entrance railing with her arms crossed, watching Auric’s retreating car like she was witnessing something life-changing.

“He got tall,” she uttered like she was simply commenting on the weather.

“Nina—”

“Like, actually tall,” she cut in, pushing off the railing to fall into step beside me. “And broad. When did that happen? Because that did not happen when we knew him.”

I quickened my pace. “Nina.”

“He’s—” she exhaled, dragging the word out like she needed a second to process it. “He’s gorgeous. Like, gorgeous doesn’t even begin to cover it.”

“He bullied me for an entire school year.”

“I know, I know—but everything I just said isn't even an opinion at this point. It's just objective reality.”

“He made my life miserable. Body-shamed me. Called me names I’m not going to repeat.” I shoved the door open harder than necessary.

“I’m just saying,” she went on, completely undeterred, “he looks like the kind of guy who could pin you against a wall and do very, very questionable things to you.”

I stopped so abruptly she nearly walked into me.

“Filter much?!” I spun around.

“Sorry! The image just—popped into my head.”

And, traitorously, into mine. Auric, pinning me against a wall. Leaning in. Voice low. My stomach twisted.

“Gross,” I said flatly. “Please stop talking about him.”

“I’m being honest.”

“Be less honest then.”

She grinned—completely unrepentant—and kept going like I hadn’t said a word.

“Think about it, Edel. He really couldn't be that bad. He has some great qualities too. I mean, his dad is literally running for mayor,” she said, ticking it off on her fingers. “He’s gorgeous, crazy rich, has a reputation for being the valedictorian of his class and was said to have a genius level IQ that made teachers nervous whenever he asked questions. A student making teachers nervous is—?”

“A colossal asshole,” I cut in sharply. “Who made my life a living hell. And I guarantee he’d make an awful boyfriend to whoever is unfortunate enough to date him. So can we please drop it?”

Nina was quiet for exactly four seconds.

Then—

“I still wouldn’t mind finding out.”

I stared at her.

She smiled sweetly.

I groaned and turned away. “We are done with this conversation.”

She mimed zipping her lips—but with the look on her face? I knew this was far from being over.

*

Tyler found me between second and third period, leaning against the locker beside mine with that easy smile that still managed to make my heart melt.

“You survived the first night,” he teased.

“Barely.”

He laughed softly. “It’ll get easier.”

Tyler was the sweetest. He was everything I wanted in a guy, and I knew the feelings weren’t one-sided. I was also pretty certain he’d be asking me out soon.

That’s what I thought—until recess rolled around and I spotted him down the hall with Sharon Anderson—his ex, flawless as ever in her cheer jacket—laughing at something he said with her hand pressed against his forearm, and him not exactly pulling away.

Nina appeared on my shoulder about thirty seconds later.

“You see that?” I muttered.

“I see it,” she replied. “And I’ll repeat what I told you last time. Tyler needs chase, Edel. Your problem is that you’re too restrained, too innocent for boys like him. They need temptation to stay interested.”

I stared at Sharon’s hand on his arm.

“So what am I supposed to do?”

“Something out of character maybe,” she said simply. “Something that surprises him.”

I didn’t answer. But the thought stayed with me all the way through last period, quiet and restless, like an itch I couldn’t quite locate.

That night, alone in the gray chill of my room, I made a decision I’d probably regret.

I locked my door and rummaged through my drawer for the sexiest pair of underwear I owned. A lacy black bra and panty set. The fabric felt soft against my skin as I slid them on, the lace tickling my most intimate places.

I drew a breath as I positioned myself on the bed, my heart pounding so loudly I could hear it in my ears. The black lingerie was a stark contrast against the white sheets. I felt exposed, vulnerable, but also a thrill of excitement that made me feel elated in a way.

I’d never done anything like this before, but Nina's words had struck a chord in me. I needed to keep Tyler interested, and this was the only way I could think of.

I wasn’t backing down.

I picked up my phone, my hands trembling as I aimed it at myself.

The first few shots were awkward, my limbs were stiff and my entire face flushed. I moved around a couple more times, trying different poses, but nothing felt quite right. Fortunately, as the minutes ticked by, my body began to relax. My movements became more fluid and natural. I traced my fingers along the curves of my torso, lingering on my breasts and hips, feeling a spark of pleasure at the simple touch.

Finally, I settled into a position that felt just right. Legs spread wide, my bulging c**t pressing obscenely against the fabric. I could even feel a dull ache of desire pulsing through my core.

I took another breath and snapped the picture, lifting my phone to review it. It was perfect—every detail captured, every angle exactly how I wanted it.

Before I could second-guess myself, I hit send.

My pulse spiked as I stared at the screen, waiting.

One second.

Two.

Then my phone buzzed.

Fervor came too quickly.

I opened the message hurriedly, fingers trembling, and felt my entire world tilt.

It wasn’t from Tyler.

My stomach dropped so violently it felt like all the air had been knocked out of my lungs.

“Thanks for giving me something exciting to masturbate to.”— Auric.