Chapter 4

“Honey. You're back.” Melinda asks enthusiastically, running for Cassian's arms.

I quickly break out of his arm as if scorched to give way for their lovely reunion after hours apart.

I glance at Brother's face, feeling betrayed, hurt, and angry.

Just when I thought living with him wouldn't be as bad as I'd imagined, he had a big surprise waiting for me.

To think he lied to Mom about Melinda leaving.

I watch as Melinda jumps into his arms, and he catches her, and she seals his lips in a passionate kiss.

An eternity later… They finally pull apart.

How sweet. I sneer inwardly, filled with contempt.

“Oh, Angela… You're here?” Melinda mumbles, looking confused as if she wasn't expecting to see me here, as she breathes heavily from the mind-blowing kiss.

I roll my eyes, unable to hide my anger and disdain.

I round Cassian, reach for my suitcase, and make my way into the house.

"To think she even has the key to his house." I scoff disdainfully under my breath.

He had taken out his key earlier. Does that mean he didn't know she's here? Was I quick to jump to conclusions?

Well, to hell with them, I don't care anymore! My thoughts race as I lift my suitcase, each step I take up the stairs.

The moment I enter my room in my brother's house, I slam the door shut and run for the bed, slumping on top and taking off my glasses.

“Ahhhh!” I scream into the mattress while hitting it repeatedly. “I hate you, Cassian Ironveil, even more than I hate that clingy, beautiful girlfriend of yours!” I shout, my tears falling out at last.

It hurts.

It hurts so bad that I hate myself.

For crying out loud, he is my brother, not even a step-sibling.

Mom and Dad will kill me if they ever find out.

I know this is wrong, but I can't help it. I try to convince myself it's only lust, but I know I'm just deceiving my heart.

For me to hate my brother this intensely in just a day, there’s only one explanation.

Goddess, help me. How do I stop this madness?

I don't want to destroy this family of mine with my forbidden emotions.

Knock

Knock

“Who's there?” I ask because I am not going to allow Melinda in. In fact, I won't allow Brother in either. How do I explain my tears to him?

However, the door clicks open the moment my question leaves my lips.

I didn't have to turn to know it's him; his cold and domineering presence commanded the space, like a grip around your neck, both pleasurable and deadly.

I don't move, since he must be here to deliver the medicine he got me.

“You just put it on top of the nightstand.” I murmur into the mattress, my voice sounding muffled.

However, seconds turned to minutes, and I didn't hear my door opening and closing.

I turn, putting on my glasses, and there he stands, leaning against the wall with his one hand casually tucked into his pocket.

Shameless me begins to check him out instead of rebuking him.

The few undone buttons of his black shirt that expose his intricately inked chest. I should probably stop checking out my brother, but I look further downward, and the front of his pants at his groin is full.

He has a boner, and it's because of Melinda.

That realization knocks me out of my reverie, and I look away.

“Why stop so soon? Go on, I know I'm good-looking.” He mutters with a hint of mischief, and my head snaps at him as I glare at him with eyes that shoot daggers.

“What do you want, Cassian?” I ask harshly. But he pulls off the wall, like his back has been pricked by needles.

“Say it again,” he demands, and I roll my eyes. He was acting out of character. Did I say something wrong?

“I ask you why you're still here; your girlfriend must be sick and lonely, waiting for you,” I inform him, sarcasm dripping from my tone. I look away.

I hear him sigh heavily, and then, the next second, I feel the bed dip from his weight.

“You… why are you sitting down?” I stutter.

He doesn't answer me but replies with a question of his own.

“Why were you crying?” I turn to look at his face at his soft voice. It's been months since he last used that voice, but that doesn't mean I forgive him for deceiving me about Melinda.

“The reason I cried is because I hate you. I don't want to be here. I want to be with my boyfriend!” I yell in his face, the action bringing our faces close.

My breath catches in my throat.

“You hate me?” he asks hoarsely through clenched jaws as he grips my chin, bringing our faces closer.

I think I felt our lips brush; maybe I'm wrong.

I look into his eyes, drawing me in like a magnet, my emotions overwhelming me, my eyes stinging with tears.

“Yes, Brother, I hate you.” I state firmly, and he nods so calmly, but his face says otherwise.

“You would rather be with that loser than stay here?” He asks in a deceptively calm tone, but this time I've already seen through his guise.

He's angry, very angry; I can feel it rolling off him in waves.

Why the hell is he angry?

He should know why I hate him; he should know why I would rather stay at Brandon's place.

“Yes. I would rather stay at his place!” I let out a cry, and his grip on my chin tightens. I can see how he's trying to control his anger but is failing.

Goddess help me, because I can see I'm truly testing his limits, and I’m anxious about what he might do next.

But I simply couldn't relent.

“You don't want to provoke me, Ella.” He drawls in a low growl, and my skin crawls from the intense glint in his bloodshot eyes.

He has lost it.

Great, this is what I need, to finally have a valid reason for staying away from him. So I say something, anything, to rile him up more.

If I'm lucky, he might hit me, but I doubt that my brother will ever raise a hand on a woman.

But I really hope he will.

Because if he does, I will use that to guilt-trip him the rest of his life.

“I wish I never met you, Cassian. I hate you. I hate your perfect girlfriend, and I hate that you're…”

He seals my lips, cutting me off.