Mated To My Obsessive Stepbrother

I did all I could to make him lego of my mum. Instead, he forceful swung his free hand across my face.

For the first time in my life, I saw stars. So many of them. It was like someone turned the lights off and threw stars at me. They were like tiny white explosions in my eyes. Like fireflies bursting against a dark sky.

I fell to the ground.

That was the first time he ever hit me.

And he didn't even look down to see if I was oku

***

I had no choice but to leave the house in anger. They'd stop fighting eventually like they always did. I had an important assessment to write today and I didn't want to miss it.

While doing my best to get on my parents' good side again, especially my mum, who showed signs of remorse today, I still had to maintain good grades.

I arrived at school late. Everyone was in class already. The principal didn't punish me. She just let me go to class after asking what happened to my face. I lied to her. I told her I tripped while rushing to get ready. She gave me this weird look, like she didn't believe a word I said, but she let me go anyway.

I walked into class with my backpack hanging off one shoulder, still sore from when I slammed into the closet. Everyone was already seated. Heads turned to look at me, but I kept my eyes on the floor.

The bruise on my cheek still stung. It had started turning a weird shade of purple- blue, and I was sure anyone with eyes could see it.

I sauntered to my seat, dragging my feet. My chest was still tight from everything that happened this morning. My head was all over the place. I was still angry. Not just about Dad. About everything. The way Mum cried. The way I couldn't do anything. The way I got tossed around like a ragdoll. The way Dad hit me like I didn't even matter.

I sat in the front, in the second row from the window. I tried not to look at the back of the class

where he sat.

Troy.

And his two dumb friends who laughed like donkeys at every stupid thing he said.

I kept my eyes on my table and took a deep breath. The teacher wasn't in yet, and the room was noisy like always. I figured I'd just ignore everyone today since Norlan won't be coming to school. I'd pretend I was invisible. Maybe sketch something in my book to distract myself. Maybe think of Mum and how I'd hug her when I got home-if Dad wasn't around.

But then...

"Took you long enough," Troy sneered from the back of the class. "Did you cry on the way to school or what?" His friends laughed like idiots.

Ndidn't answer.

I always didn't answer him whenever he bullied me. And since Dad wouldn't help me, I'd keep giving him the silent treatment.

"Did a dog scratch you, Kester?" He added, and his friends laughed again.

Chapter 314.

Still, I said nothing. I just clenched my pencil tighter.

"Bet he finally saw his ugly reflection and punched himself," the other one said.

I kept breathing. In and out. Just like I did at night when the shouting from the

kitchen kept me awake. Just like when I hid in the laundry room last Christmas because Dad smashed a glass and Mum was screaming.

Just keep breathing.

But then Troy opened his mouth again-and this time, it wasn't a joke.noveldrama

"Or wait..." He paused. I could almost hear

en wirk on his lips. "Did your

dad

you the same way he hits

whore of a mother you have?"

Everything went still.