Page 28 of Rejected By My Stepbrother Alpha
Was it possible to love and hate someone at the same time? Even though he had broken it in half, my heart still seemed like it was beating just for him.
For the rest of the morning, I watched the sun rise until it was directly above me, and the sky was a bright teal color. From the sun’s location in the sky, I guessed it was around noon. My pale skin was already hot from the sun, and if I stayed out here for much longer, I'd have a nasty sunburn.
I couldn’t stay on this roof forever.
As much as I wanted to hide away, I needed to face the aftermath of the mating ceremony. And I needed to visit Russell in the hospital. After I visited him, I could figure out what came next for me. I knew that I couldn't live in the same house as Asher. Not after everything that had happened between us the past month.
I turned around to leave, but the movement made my stomach twist painfully. I groaned in agony, bent over, and threw up on the ground.
I began to do some quickmental math.
Oh no…
After I washed up the mess I had made on the roof, I went back to Russell’s house to grab my wallet. Thankfully, the house was quiet. I’d been afraid of running into Asher or my mom. Even though I needed to shower, I didn’t even change out of the clothes I’d gotten from the station in the woods. The errand I needed to run couldn’t wait.
With trembling hands, I went to one of the pharmacys close to Russell’s house and kept my head down, hoping no one would recognize me as I bought what I needed.
When I left the store, I slipped my purchase into my pocket, threw the plastic bag away, and went back home.
When I opened the large wooden front door, the first thing I heard was loud classical music bursting from the black speakers located throughout the house.
Shit.
This wasn’t good. Growing up, I always knew when my mom was in a bad mood—which was often. She would always play classical music at full volume. The pieces she preferred had fast tempos and seemed to always be on the verge of losing control. There was something about the almost manic way the instruments sounded to me that always put me on edge.
I tiptoed up the stairs and down the hall, trying to be as quiet as possible. Maybe I could make it to my room before she noticed that I was home. As I passed her and Russell’s room, I clutched my purchase from the store that was hidden from view in my pocket. My hand began to sweat around the object.
“Ivy!” my mom yelled, thundering out of the master bedroom.
Damn it.
I spun toward her, and my eyes widened as I took in the frilly, long, black dress she was wearing. I’d never seen her wear that before. I didn't even know that she owned something like that. My mom’s wardrobe mostly consisted of neutral colors. I looked past her into the room and noticed a suitcase overflowing with clothes sitting on their king-size bed.
Anxiety gnawed at my empty stomach.
“Mom, what’s going on?” I asked.
My mother crossed her arms and leaned against her bedroom door. “Russell died this morning,” she told me flatly.
“W-what? Are you serious?” I asked, and tears pricked at the backs of my eyes.
Sorrow and guilt shot down my spine.
Why hadn’t I visited him in the hospital?
Now, I'd never have a chance to say goodbye to him. We hadn’t been particularly close, but he had always been kind to me. Asher must be devastated right now.
“Oh, save the waterworks,” my mom snapped and rolled her eyes. “I haven’t even told you the worst part.”
“Russell dying isn’t the worst part?” I demanded incredulously.
“No, the worst part is that Asher convinced Russell to change his will back at the last minute. We aren’t going to get any of his money, assets, or a cut of his business. We have to move out of this beautiful house. We’re going to be broke again!” My mother said, like it was the worst thing in the world.
Anger flooded into my bloodstream, giving me a rare feeling of courage.
“Really, Mom? Is money all you are about? Your husband just died, and money is the only thing you can focus on?” I shook my head in disgust. “I’ve always had my suspicions, and I've been too afraid to say them out loud, but not anymore. You're a greedy gold digger. You only married Russell for his money, didn’t you?”
Instead of seeming offended, my mother let out a sharp, cold laugh.
