Once Upon A Steamy Night With My Stepson

Chapter 1 Alice's POV "You have one condition, Alice." My heart skipped a beat, hoping the condition my nonchalant aunt was about to give me wouldn't involve me doing something stupid. “Get married to Thomas Brooks, and all your brother's medical expenses will be sorted.” For a moment, I just stood there— stunned, not sure I had heard her clearly. My heart pounded heavily in my chest as I tried to make sense out of what she just said. Get married to Thomas Brooks? The ruthless billionaire? How could my aunt be so mean? — My name is Alice, and this was my harsh reality. I'm a victim of circumstance… I've always been one. My parents had passed on, leaving me with the only family I had left— my kid brother, Brandy. Life seemed to be going on just fine, not until that fateful night… “My stomach hurts. I can't feel myself!” Brandy cried out, clutching his stomach with both hands. We shared a room together, so I was there when the whole drama unfolded. I ran up to him at once, and by then, his eyes were already pale, his body trembling as he struggled to keep himself stable. My hands shook as I held him up, making him rest on my shoulder. “Brandy? Are you okay?” I quizzed, my voice faint but shaky, my heart pounding in my chest. He didn't say a word. His lips were pressed together now and he seemed to find it difficult to speak. When it was obvious he was only getting worse, and obviously I could do nothing to help, I dropped him carefully on the bed, placed his head on a soft pillow and ran off to Aunt Sam's room. She was sitting on the edge of her bed when I walked in, holding onto a stick of lit cigarette— her normal routine. She turned abruptly when the door burst open, and I froze at once, noticing that cruel, aggressive stare from her. “A– Aunt Sam, please I need your help.” I stuttered, my hands trembling. She didn't say a word, not like I was even expecting any from her. “Brandy is dying. We need to rush him to the hospital please!” I continued, my voice shaky and desperate now, hoping that would be enough to get her to help. But she didn't move from where she was sitting. She didn't even flinch. She remained there, like everything I had said made no sense to her. “Aunt please, I—” I pressed on, but she cut me off before I could even finish. “You're not out of your mind, are you?” She quizzed, that deadly glint of anger flashing through her eyes. “What gave you the nerves to barge into my room that way? Do you have a death wish?” I froze at the spot, my whole body tensed as I felt the weight of her furious glare. I lowered my head, completely avoiding her gaze. “I– I'm sorry aunty.” That was all I could say at that point as the air suddenly seemed to have dried from my lungs. I really wished my apology was enough to get her to forgive me and at least attend to my request, but she didn't even bat an eye. “Get out.” She ordered, her voice calm but dangerously low. My jaw dropped, and for a moment, all I could do was stare at her, hoping she never meant those words. But she repeated the same words, louder this time. “Leave! I won't repeat myself.” That was it. She went back to her phone, puffing the cigarette like nothing else mattered to her. At that moment, it felt like the world had stopped moving. My vision seemed blurry, my mind a complete mess. The thought of losing Brandy was something I couldn't handle. I was just eighteen, and he was literally the only family I had left since our parents died. Aunt Sam had promised to take care of us, but the reverse seemed to be the case at this point. I dashed out of the room, moving as fast as my legs could take me until I stormed back into our room. By now, Brandy was unconscious. I ran up to him, grabbing his weak frame helplessly. Different thoughts were running through my mind now, but none of them seemed to provide a solution to this. Just then, an idea finally struck. Doctor Kevin. He's the family doctor, and I remember he had given me his contact on the day my parents died, just in case an emergency comes up. I reached out for my phone at once, scrolling through in desperation as I searched for his number. After what felt like an eternity, I finally found the contact— Doctor Kevin Scott. I dialed it at once, my heart pounding desperately. “Please pick up.” I muttered under my breath, pacing around the room as I waited for him to pick. After a few rings, he finally picked up. “Hello?” His deep, professional voice rang out. “Hi, Doctor Kevin. It's Alice on the line.” My voice echoed, deep with desperation and frustration. For a moment, he didn't say a word. He seemed not to recognize my voice, let alone my name. “You should know me.” I continued. “Alice Cooper, daughter of the late Mr Harry Cooper.” “Oh, Alice!” He exclaimed, his voice clearer now… more friendly. “How are you doing?” “Doctor, I'm not fine.” “What? What's the issue?” His voice dropped low, etched with concern. I put down the phone and looked out through the window to be sure Aunt Sam wasn't passing by. “I need your help, Doc. My brother is dying!” At this point, I couldn't hold back my tears from falling. My heart was heavy now, and each time I glanced at Brandy, I felt something twist in my chest— pain, fear. “What's going on? What's wrong with him?” “I have no idea, doc. Please just help us, I don't want to lose him.” There was a deep sigh on the other end of the line, and for a moment, no one said a word. “You have to calm down, Alice.” He finally muttered, and his voice somehow calmed me in a way I didn't imagine. “I'll be there right away.” I heaved a sigh of relief, feeling like a huge burden had been laid off my shoulders. “Thank you doc. I'll be expecting you.” I said and hung up without another word. For a while, there was a deep silence in the room, only broken by the soft tick of the clock. My mind was a tug of war. I kept looking out restlessly through the window for any sign of the doctor, but each time, disappointment flushed through my veins as there was no sign of him. I finally gave up trying and walked up to Brandy's bed to feel his pulse once again, and just then, a loud knock echoed on the gate.