In Love With My Step-Brother

the wildest scenario

Xavier POV

“What the hell are you doing here?” she yelled at her.

Shocked and enraged at her act, I got on my feet. “Emily, have you lost it? Behave yourself!”

Before I could reach out to Ashlyn, Evan approached her. Helping her to stand, he questioned with concern, “Are you okay?”

Ashlyn nodded in response. Probably, too dumbfounded to utter any words.

Emily reached out for Evan. She tried to pull him away and said, “Get the hell away from her, Evan. There is no need to have a soft side to her.”

She was losing her control. She was indeed stubborn, but I had never seen her that violent before. Never knew she was too possessive.

Ashlyn attempted to console her. “Emily, you are misunderstanding. I was just–”

“Shut up! Who is even talking to you?” She shot her a glare and, pointing towards the entrance, added, “Get out!”

“Emily, calm down. Stop being rude,” said Evan.

“Don’t you dare take the side of this intruder, Evan. You are my brother, not hers. We have nothing to do with her. So, throw her away, right now!”

“What nonsense? She is not garbage to dispose of!” Evan didn't stop taking her side.

“Yes, I am not garbage.” Ashlyn spoke out in a trembling tone. Though she was defending herself, her gaze was lowered. “But willingly, or unwillingly, we are bound in the relationship of step-siblings.”

Her last words crushed my heart. It wounded my soul. The only truth which I was trying to run from was there, and it was hard for me to take it. It was not only bitter but all the nasty taste that my tongue hated.

“Apparently! Her points are valid!” Evan agreed.

Trembling in rage, Emily shouted, “Step-siblings! My foot!” Then she shoved Ashlyn again.

This time I rescued her from falling. Then I shouted at Emily, “Enough, Emily! Stop being childish. Apologise to her right now.”

“NO!” She refused sharply.

Sighing heavily, I tried to keep my voice calm as I said, “She didn't come on her own. I brought her here.”

I could see disappointment painted on her face. Then shaking her head, she muttered, “No, brother, you cannot do this.” Tears ran down exploring her cheeks. “I already made it clear that I don't want her here. You still brought her? I cannot believe this.”

Wiping her tears, she added, “Her mother took our father away. But not her. I am not letting her take my territory.”

“Ptf!” Evan snickered. “If this is your territory, who are we? Your slaves?”

Smacking his head, she grumbled, “Shut up! I am never talking to you.”

Then she turned to me saying, “Brother, I am telling you once and for all, it will be either me or her in this house.”

Speechless, I stared at her. I was wondering what I should tell her, when Ashlyn stammered, “I– I think it is better for me to leave!”

Folding her arms, she said, “Finally, your brain has started working. Now leave before it malfunctions again.”

I watched Ashlyn walking away. With her departure, my heart beat the loudest drum against my chest.

‘Are you really going to let her go again?’ a voice lingered in my head. ‘Just one meal she had begged for. Are you not giving her even that?’

“Ashlyn!” I couldn't help calling out nor was I able to move my gaze away from Emily.

“I hate you, brother! I really hate you for this!” Emily cried out before running away.

Ashlyn stared at the direction Emily had disappeared. Evan went to her.

“Don't bother about her. She is just overwhelmed with the joy of getting additional family members. Come!” He reached out for her wrist. “Damn! Do you have a fever? You are burning.”

As she sat for breakfast, she said, “I will leave as soon as I am done eating.”

‘She must be starving really badly to be this concerned about food!’ I thought and called out for Joy.

“Cook some porridge and prepare a room for her!” I ordered him.

Then turning to her, I said, “You can leave after your recovery. But don't expect anything more than that.”

“Thank you! Thank you so much!” she murmured in a tone that carried a sense of relief.

Then, leaving her under the care of Evan, I left the main house. Freshening up, I got myself in a navy blue suit. As I groomed my hair my thoughts loomed around Ashlyn.

The worry of what she might do after she recovers was lurking inside me. Though it was none of my concern, my heart was not ready to let go of this topic.

Getting inside the car, I couldn't drive away immediately like any other day. I turned on the car and glanced at the main house. Tapping the steering wheel, I contemplated for a few minutes.

Turning off the car, I stepped out. Entering the house, I found it wrapped in strange silence.

“Joy!” I called out, strolling my gaze around. As soon as he appeared in the kitchen entrance, I inquired, “Where is she?”

With a nervous smile, he glanced at Evan’s room. Squinting my eyes, I questioned, “I ordered you to prepare a room for her. So what is she doing there?”

“I did but–” He paused and lowered his gaze.

With no patience to interrogate, I ran upstairs. I was reluctant to enter the room unannounced, so I knocked once.

I waited for a few seconds. Though there was no answer, I pushed the door wide. As I stepped inside, my throat went dry and chills ran down my spine. I was dumbfounded to find both of their clothes scattered on the floor, starting from the entrance all the way to his bed.

‘How? How can they?’

‘Even a single day has not passed, and they are already –’

The heartbeat was loud and clear in my head, anger traveled all the way from my heels to the tip of my head. The more I thought about them, the more my mind was getting into the wildest scenario. Thus, to not let it sink deeper and hurt myself more, I walked to the bed where they perhaps lied.