Page 28 of Stephan

A huge smile spread across Stephan’s face andI sighed. Damn dimples. His parents laughed and I wanted to burymyself in the covers and hide.

They came further into the room and I couldsee where Derick and Stephan got their looks. Stephan’s mother wasgorgeous, she had long blonde hair, big brown eyes with super longlashes, big thick lips, and a stunning curvy body. Stephan’s fatherwas his clone or he was his, jet-black hair, deep ocean blue eyesand strong masculine features. When I looked at him he smiled anddimples popped on two cheeks. Damn. Who knew an old man could behot.

Stephan growled and my gazed darted to him.“Stop checking out my dad.”

“I’m not. Well, I am but it’s just he’s yourclone or…um …I mean you’re his errr clone.”

Stephan’s parents were cracking up withlaughter now. I sank lower into the bed praying I’d turninvisible.

“I love her, Stephan. Isn’t she justadorable?” his mother said. What the hell? I was a lot of things,but adorable wasn’t one.

“Yes, dear, she’s perfect for Stephan.” Hisfather patted Stephan’s mother’s hand.

Stephan’s mother came forward to the bed.“Hi, Jade. I’m Evelin Silverman. And the clone behind me is LucasSilverman. It’s so nice to finally meet you. I just wish it wasunder better circumstances.”

“Um…nice to meet you too.” I chewed on mybottom lip. “Thanks so much for all your help. I’ll never be ableto repay you for everything you’ve done for me.” Tears rolled downmy cheeks. Crap. I couldn’t stop them.

“Sweetheart, it was our pleasure. You’re apart of the family now.” Evelin picked up my good hand and kissedit. She brushed hair out of my face and tucked it behind my ear. “Iheard some good news, you get to come home tomorrow if the doctorgives the go-ahead in the morning.”

“Yeah, about that…” I wanted to make surethey didn’t feel any obligation to help me. I could look aftermyself. “If it’s a problem me coming and staying with you, I’m sureI can find somewhere else to stay. I’ve looked after myself foralmost seventeen years.”

Lucas came next to Evelin and patted my hand.“Don’t be silly. You would have come and lived with us sooner orlater. If Stephan had his way, he would have had you living with usthe day he meet you. I had Evelin in my house twenty-four hoursafter meeting her. It would have been sooner if she didn’t wastetime arguing for those twenty-four hours. You women seem to thinkyou know what’s best for you.” He shook his head like it was shamewe were stupid.

I giggled when Evelin hit Lucas. “We do knowyou jerk.”

Lucas raised his hands in surrender andwinked at me. A huge weight I didn’t know had been holding me downlifted, and I felt hope things could work.

*****

He was dreaming if he thought I’d be movinginto his room. Standing at the entrance to his room I shook myhead. “I don’t care what you think. I’m not sleeping in your roomwith you.”

“Fine. We’ll sleep in another room.”

“No. We won’t be sleeping in the same room atall.” I slowly walked toward the stairs only to be lifted up andbrought against a hard chest.

“Are you trying to hurt yourself? You’ve justcome back from hospital and were about to attempt to go downstairs.Jade, the backs of your legs are covered in stitches.”

Was he for real? I know I have over thirtystitches in my legs. The muscles in my calves pulled every time Iwalked. “You don’t think I bloody know? The only reason I was goingto go downstairs was so I could get away from you, find yourmother, and see if she could talk some sense into you.” I wasyelling now, but didn’t care. I probably sounded like the brat mygrandpa accused me of but again, I didn’t care, I was grateful foreverything Stephan had done but he was suffocating me.

“Mum doesn’t need to talk sense into me. Youneed to listen and stop arguing.”

My anger was rising and I struggled in hisarms but he just held me tighter. Stephan carried me down thestairs and still didn’t let me go when we reached the bottom.

“I can walk now.” I wiggled to get out ofStephan’s hold.

“I know. I like you in my arms though.” Hewalked to the games room were his mum sat on the sofa with aneReader.

Evelin glanced up and smiled. “How are yousettling in?”

Stephan placed me on the sofa next to Evelin.“Good thanks. I would be doing even better if you would tell yourson I’m not staying in his room.”

Evelin raised one dainty eyebrow in questionto her son. Stephan crossed his arms over his chest and glared atme. I rolled my eyes heavenward praying for patience. Evelinsighed. “Stephan, I did the room up right next door to yours. Ireally think you should let Jade stay in there. You won’t be farfrom her and you’ll see her every day.”

“Mum, she belongs with me.”

I chewed on my lip and looked to Evelinhoping she wasn’t going to fall for his crap. Evelin stared at mefor a while and she must have seen something because she clearedher throat and stood so she was almost toe-to-toe with her son.“Stephan, I won’t ask you again, I’ll tell you. Jade is staying inthe room I did up for her. When Jade chooses, she can move intoyour room.”

I felt like doing a fist pump and sticking mytongue out at Stephan, but the stare he sent my way had me sinkinginto the sofa and quietly enjoying my victory. I liked Evelin. Shewas my ally and I felt bad for using her but I intended to use heras much as I could. Stephan was just too tempting and hard tofight.

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