The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

Christopher celebrating Orla’s birthday became a trending topic, lasting for two days. Opening your phone casually, you could see messages about the BO band everywhere, all positive news, showing Christopher’s intention to promote the band. Mason’s dream for many years was finally coming true, and Annabel was genuinely happy for him. In her heart, Mason was her brother.

However, Mason was currently ignoring her, not even picking up her calls, which made Annabel somewhat upset. On the other hand, Orla came to see her, saying she genuinely liked Logan, just like Annabel liked David, and she was determined to succeed in dating Logan.

Although Annabel’s heart leaned towards Mason, she couldn’t force such matters, much like how she herself liked David, and it wouldn’t work with anyone else.

On Saturday, she rare woke up early. Logan was already up, and Eve had made eggs for her, along with milk and bread.

“You’re up early today.”

“Yeah, I have something to attend to.”

Annabel sneakily glanced at Logan at the other end of the table. She didn’t know what Brenna had done for him, but his bruises had mostly faded in two days.

“Hey, Logan.”

Logan didn’t even lift his eyelids, bowing his head to sip his porridge. “What?”

Annabel vaguely felt he was upset with her, yet she found it ridiculous. Why should he be mad at her?

“You like Orla, right? Did you break up with Aria?”

Logan suddenly looked up, coldly saying, “Who would like your friend?”

“Hey, what’s wrong with you? If you don’t like her, why act like that towards her?”

He gritted his teeth and explained, “That’s because…”

Annabel stared at him, urging him to continue, “Go on, because why?”

Logan, feeling powerless and indignant, mumbled, “Because I drank too much!”

Annabel tossed the bread back onto the plate, muttered “jerk”, and stormed out of the dining room.

Christopher’s call came just in time. Annabel went upstairs to tidy up, grabbed her bag, and headed downstairs.

A black commercial vehicle was parked across from his house. As Annabel approached, the door swung open, and Christopher poked half his head out, smiling, “I heard you’re often late, so I was prepared to wait for a long time.”

Annabel got into the car, rolled her eyes, “Who told you that? Slander.”

Besides Christopher and the driver, there was a young, pretty woman sitting in the front passenger seat, looking smart and capable. She smiled friendly at Annabel.

“This is my assistant, Lara. You can find her if you can’t reach me in the future.”

Annabel nodded at the girl, then scrutinized Christopher from head to toe. He was wearing a white t-shirt underneath a black cardigan, paired with linen casual pants, looking quite youthful.

“Are you married? Do you have children?”

Christopher chuckled. “Didn’t you search me up online?”

Annabel shook her head, looking ahead with a cool expression. “Not interested.”

“Why are you asking me now then?” Christopher inquired.

Annabel couldn’t come up with an answer. Christopher laughed heartily, looking pleased. “I’m not married, of course, I don’t have any children.”

Annabel just hummed in response and took out her phone from her bag, engrossing herself in it, her focused expression identical to her mother’s.

With a friendly demeanor, Christopher said, “Although I don’t have children, I’d like to treat you as my own. Would you be willing?”

Annabel just stared at him in disbelief for a second before lifting her head. “You look much younger than my dad. I think calling you ‘brother’ would be more appropriate.”

It sounded like a compliment but was a subtle rejection. Christopher didn’t insist, probably understanding her character. “You do have some traits like your mother.”

Arriving at the cemetery, Christopher asked Lara and the driver to wait at the entrance while he took Annabel inside.

“How did my mom die?” she asked.

Ignoring her question, he asked, “How old are you this year?”

“Almost seventeen.”

“I’ll tell you when you turn eighteen.”

“Why wait until I’m eighteen?”

“Because by then, you’ll be an adult and can make your own choices.”

Annabel’s heart suddenly clenched. She could vaguely guess some things but was afraid of the truth.

Christopher brought a bouquet of lilies and a bottle of white wine. He placed the flowers gently on the grave and placed two glasses on the ground, filling them up. He sprinkled some wine on the grave, picked up one glass, lightly tapped the tombstone, tilted his head back, took a sip, then gently caressed the face in the photo on the tombstone, softly saying, “I’m sorry, I’m only here now.”

“For ten years, I thought I could let go, but I couldn’t, so I came back.”

“I miss you, always thinking of you.”

Annabel felt indescribable emotions. She felt her mom belonged to her dad, yet Thomas had never visited her grave, cold and heartless. And now, a stranger stood there expressing longing.

She somewhat irritatedly reminded him, “She’s my mom. Even though she’s gone, she had a husband and children.”

Christopher paused for a moment, then calmly said, “Before she died, Thomas had a lover, and after her death, Thomas had a wife and a son.”

Annabel suddenly felt annoyed, not wanting to see or hear anymore, and retraced her steps back.

She faintly heard Christopher say, “Bella has grown up, she’s a beautiful girl. It’s ironic, he refused to acknowledge her before, but now she looks the most like him.”

Annabel shook her head and walked briskly towards the entrance. The driver was nowhere to be seen, and Lara was leaning against the car smoking. When she saw Annabel approaching, she hurriedly stubbed out her cigarette.

“Give me one.”

Lara was somewhat surprised, then shook her head. “Mr. Robins would be mad if he found out.”

Annabel blinked. “If you don’t say anything, how would he know? Besides, he’s not my concern.”

Lara took out the cigarette pack, and Annabel took one, asking for a lighter, then lit it up, her movements even more skilled than Lara’s.

“So, what’s your relationship with Mr. Robins?”Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Annabel blew out a smoke ring. “He was my mom’s friend. I don’t know him well.”

Annabel’s demeanor was cold and distant, and Lara couldn’t help but think this girl was quite shortsighted. Many people wanted to get close to Christopher, and judging by her high-profile appearance, she was probably after Christopher’s money. Lara even suspected she might be Christopher’s illegitimate daughter. After all, he had gained international fame over the years, so news of an illegitimate child wouldn’t be surprising.

After waiting for almost half the morning, Christopher finally emerged, looking somewhat disheveled. Perhaps his earlier emotional display had touched her, or perhaps finally having someone to share the same longing for someone made her feel that missing her mom wasn’t a lonely affair anymore. Suddenly, Annabel felt much closer to Christopher.

As their eyes met, Annabel sensed tenderness and contentment in his gaze. He reached out and ruffled her hair.

Softly, he said, “It’s really good to still have you in this world.”