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“You’re late,” Remy says.
I meet his gaze, and my heart thunders. It’s the same every time I look at him, even when he’s an asshole. Butterflies erupt in my stomach, and heat floods my veins like lava.
“Sorry, I got caught up in—“
“It’s not acceptable, Ella. All you do is mope around in your room all day. You can keep to a schedule and arrive at dinner on time.” His jaw clenches. “Go and get me a drink.”
I stand up, my gaze darting to Leo and Luca. Their eyes are glued on me like a piece of meat ready for slaughter.
I walk over to the bar to pour Remy his whiskey. As I place it on the dinner table, my hands tremble.
Sitting back down, I ignore the snide comments, sneering faces, and lewd remarks hidden in their mundane conversation. Their words are like daggers, cutting through the heavy silence.
“So, Ella, how was your day?” Leo’s voice brings me back to reality.
“Fine,” I shrug, focusing on my plate.
“Just ‘fine’?” Remy’s voice holds a subtle edge as if he’s challenging me.
“I helped out in the garden,” I add, trying to provide a topic that wouldn’t give them a chance to twist my words.
“Oh, I bet you looked so pretty, all hot and sweaty, working those muscles,” Luca chimes in. His words make my skin crawl.
“I... I was pulling out weeds,” I stammer, the room suddenly feeling too small, their laughter echoing in my ears. I try to keep my composure, the taste of my dinner turning bitter in my mouth.
The laughter dies down, but it’s still ringing in my head, each echo a fresh wave of humiliation. A knot forms in my stomach. My heart pounds a lonely rhythm in my chest, a constant reminder of the isolation that has become my reality in this house.
“Well, at least she’s useful for something.” Remy’s comment slices through the uneasy silence like a well-aimed arrow. His words sting, a harsh reminder of my value in their eyes.
The room fills with their laughter again. I keep my gaze down, focusing on the barely touched food on my plate as I swallow my pride and the bile rises in my throat.
Remy’s gaze is heavy, his eyes burning into me. He lifts a single eyebrow, daring me to say something. But my throat is tight, and the words won’t come out. I look away as heat creeps up my neck, hating myself for still feeling attracted to him despite how wicked he can be. I find the confidence from somewhere to speak out.
“What exactly have I done to the three of you to treat me like this?”
Luca leans back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips as he meets my gaze. “Oh, don’t act so innocent, Ella. Remember when I offered to show you a good time? You shot me down like I was nothing,” he says, his tone mocking.
“Because you are my stepbrother! For fuck’s sake. What is wrong with you?”
Remy clears his throat. “She’s right. You shouldn’t have tried it on with her.”
I’m surprised to hear him back me up.
Leo chuckles. “No, because she’s too fucking frigid.” He pauses, running a hand through his hair. “Although I’ve seen her looking at you, Dad, like she wants a ride.”
The room falls silent at Leo’s words. I can feel my cheeks burning, embarrassment searing through me like wildfire. I wish I could deny it, but the truth was plain for all to see. I’ve been caught. “That’s... that’s not true,” I stammer, but the conviction in my voice is lackluster at best.
Remy chuckles, a low, throaty sound that sends shivers down my spine. “Are you sure, angel?” he teases, but beneath his joking tone, I can see a dangerous glint in his eyes. “Maybe you’d like me to put you over my knee.”
Leo and Luca chuckle.
Any appetite I may have had is gone now. All that’s left is shame and disgust at myself. Because he’s right, I want him even though I shouldn’t.
“Certain,” I say, shaking my head. “I’m not attracted to old men.”
His eyes flash with dangerous rage as he clenches his jaw.
Luca laughs out loud. “Good one, sis.”
