Ruined By Him: My Stepbrother's Obsession

Chapter 3

Edeline

I couldn't stop thinking about Tyler, my mouth already twitching into a smile even as I finished my bath.

It was pathetic, maybe, but I didn’t care. I was really looking forward to seeing him, plus it was the only thing keeping me from dreading the day entirely. The thought of seeing him—his easy smile, those soft hazel eyes, the way he always knew exactly what to say—was the only silver lining in this otherwise gray morning.

I grabbed a robe and crossed to the mirror, patting the ends of my hair dry. Ponytail or down? Left down felt effortless while a ponytail felt a bit more put-together, like I knew exactly what I was doing. Even if that was just half the truth. I tilted my head, rocking it back and forth, because apparently, this was the most pressing decision I’d made in days and I was going to take it seriously.

If I had it my way, I’d skip breakfast entirely, avoid every interaction with Lydia, Alex and especially that smug bastard, Auric. I'd slip out the front door undetected. But we couldn’t always have what we wanted, could we? I’d just keep it brief. Eyes down, responses short, in and out.

I’d just lifted a section of hair to test the ponytail when I pulled open the bathroom door and stopped dead in my tracks.

What the actual hell?

Auric. Standing by my bed, holding the framed photo of me and my dad that I’d placed on my nightstand.

I saw red.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I asked through gritted teeth.

Auric looked up and smirked, that stupid, arrogant smile already getting under my skin. And God, it was unfair. Even the beauty mark just beneath his bottom lip looked annoyingly perfect on someone so completely devilish.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s rude to walk into someone’s room and touch their things without permission?” I crossed the room in three steps and yanked the frame from his hand.

“What?” He shifted his weight to one leg. “A brother can’t check in on his sister?”

“I am not your sister.”

“Are you always this feisty in the morning?”

“Are you always this insufferable?” I snapped, my hands curling into fists at my side. “Get out of my room and stay away from my stuff.”

“Make me.”

He took a step closer, closing the distance between us to almost nothing.

Getting a good look at him now, he genuinely didn’t look anything like he did back in middle school. That once scrawny body of his, now replaced with an athletic, powerful build that easily cleared six feet. His once full face, now sculpted to perfection. On a normal day, it would’ve been intimidating—but I wasn’t intimated.

Not anymore.

I held his gaze and didn’t move an inch.

“Look,” my voice dropped steady and cool. “I don’t know who you think you are. But I am no longer that powerless middle schooler, and you can trust that I will fight back if you try anything.”

And just like that—the widest smile broke across his face, canines peeking through, teeth impossibly white and sharp. Then the single dimple in his left cheek appeared, and it felt like collateral damage to my heart.

It should’ve softened him—made him look harmless, almost boyish. Instead, it did the opposite, sharpening his features into something beautiful pretending not to be lethal. Infuriatingly sexy in the worst possible way. Like a vampire who could lull you into lowering your guard before leading you straight into your own doom.

“I really wasn’t trying to start anything.” He raised both hands in mock surrender. “I came as a considerate older brother checking on his little sister before school. Don’t incriminate a harmless gesture.”

“I seriously don’t give a damn, Auric.” I pointed at the door. “Get. Out.”

“Fine,” he said, already turning away. “Lie to yourself all you want though. We're still stuck together.”

The single sentence sent a chill straight down my spine. A life stuck with Auric. I almost felt bile rise in my throat.

I held it together until the door clicked shut. Then I carefully set the photo back on the nightstand and exhaled.

Eighteen, I reminded myself. Just two more months.

I brushed off the entire encounter and proceeded to look into my closet for something cute. I still had one mission and that was getting Tyler’s attention.

After getting dressed, I headed downstairs, drawn immediately by the smell of blueberry pancakes drifting from the dining area. My jaw almost dropped.

The long, polished table was covered in every breakfast food imaginable—pancakes, waffles, eggs, bacon, hash browns, you name it. My stomach grumbled at the sight. I found a seat on the far side of the table, as far from Auric as the room would allow. I was just reaching for the serving spoon when Lydia spoke.

“Good morning, honey,” she said cheerfully from her end of the table. Still making attempts to speak to me, I see. Great.

“Morning,” I returned dryly.

“How was your first night?” Alex asked, seated beside her.

“Fine,” I mumbled, reaching for the hash browns first.

“I didn’t know what you’d like, so I asked the chef to make a little of everything.” He gestured at the spread. “So please, enjoy.”

“Thanks.”

“And one last thing, Edeline,” he continued, setting down his coffee. “Given everything that’s happened, I think it’s best if Auric drops you off at school from now on. You’d be with someone familiar, and it would be safe.” He folded his hands with the composed authority of a man used to being agreed with. “Plus, being able to spend time together daily on the drive to school will give you both a chance to get to know and accept each other. Solidifying your relationship as siblings.”

And the plot thickens.

I set my fork down against the table. “No, thank you. I’m quite capable of getting myself to school.”

“Well, I think it’s a brilliant idea.” Lydia chimed in and I shot her a cold glare.

“I understand you want to do things on your own,” Alex started carefully, “You’ve been through a lot and suddenly being thrust into this life must be hard but I want you to know we're all here for you. Just give us a chance to—”

“I said I’m fine,” I cut in sharply, my voice carrying a heavy note of annoyance. “I don’t need your concern or Auric dropping me off anywhere. He doesn’t know me, and I don’t need any protection.”

“It’s not just about protection, we're worried—”

“He’s not my brother.” I looked directly at Alex. “And you’re not my father. So I’d appreciate it if you stopped trying to be.”

The table went quiet.

Lydia’s voice came sharp and controlled.

“Edeline, don't speak to him like that.”

“I mean it.”

“I understand you're in mourning and I've been trying to be very patient with you but you're not making this easy for me, Edeline.” Lydia said, setting down her glass.

“Everyone here cares for you and we only want the best for you. Grief pushes people to do stupid things and your father and I are only looking out for you. I know it's going to be hard for you to accept my marriage to Alex but he's my husband and that makes him your stepdad. We're all family now and there's nothing you can do about it so just accept it and stop acting like a brat. Auric will drive you to school and that's final."