MARRIED TO MY EX FIANCE'S STEP BROTHER

MICHELLE’S POV. I sat beside my mother’s hospital bed, my hands covering my face as I cried quietly. The smell of disinfectant filled the air, mixing with the sound of beeping machines. My mother was still asleep, her breathing weak but steady. Tubes ran across her body, and I couldn’t help but feel helpless.Everything hurt. My heart, my chest, my head. I still couldn’t believe what had happened at the church. It felt like a nightmare I couldn’t wake up from.I reached out and held my mother’s cold hand. “Mama,” I whispered, “I’m so sorry.” My voice cracked. “I tried so hard to make things better. I thought Damien would help. I thought he’d keep his promise.”Tears rolled down my cheeks as I remembered everything I had done for him.When I first met Damien, he was just a struggling actor with nothing but dreams. I worked two jobs to support him—one at a café and another as a cleaner. Every night, I’d sit up helping him memorize his lines, writing scripts, and making phone calls to p

KIERAN’S POV. The sound of voices filled the meeting room as the managers talked about the new project. Charts, numbers, and slides filled the screen in front of us. I tried to listen, but my mind kept drifting away.“…and if we release the app by next week, we can expect a twenty percent increase in market attention,” one of the department heads said.I nodded slightly, tapping my pen against the table. “Good. But make sure the quality team checks every single line before launch. I don’t want mistakes.”“Yes, sir,” they replied quickly.I leaned back in my chair, staring at the large glass window that showed the city below. I could see everything from here — the tall buildings, the cars, the busy people. Yet somehow, I always felt alone up here.When the meeting ended, the staff started packing their laptops and papers. I was about to stand when the door opened. My stepfather walked in.“Good afternoon, Kieran,” he said with a fake smile. His voice always carried that false sweetne

MICHELLE’S POV. The next morning, I woke up to the quiet of my apartment, my mind still buzzing from yesterday. My mother was safe, thanks to Kieran, but that safety had come at a price I wasn’t sure I was ready to pay.I glanced around my small apartment, the few bags I had already packed sitting on the bed. Clothes, shoes, a few personal things—it wasn’t much, but it was all I could carry. I bit my lip and tried to steady my shaking hands. Today, I would leave my home and step into a world I barely understood.I staggered to the bathroom and took a quick bath. As soon as I got out of the bathroom my phone buzzed. I let out a sigh and went to check who it was… I shouldn't have. It was a picture of Sarah and Damien at a party. I rolled my eyes and tossed the phone on the bed. I had blocked Sarah’s number but she kept sending messages to me. Urgh, she's just so insufferable. I can't wait to see the look on her face when I show up at her house this morning. A soft knock at the door

KIERAN’S POV. I sat on the balcony of my private lounge, enjoying the quiet night. The sky was dark and calm, and the city lights below looked like scattered stars. In my hand was a glass of champagne—cold, smooth, and strong enough to relax my mind.My best friend, Adrian, sat across from me. He had his own drink, though he preferred whiskey.“You look too calm for someone who just dropped a bomb in that house today,” he said, shaking his head with a tired laugh.I smirked. “Calm is my specialty.”Adrian leaned back in his chair, studying me like he always did when he was worried.“I still don’t think bringing Damien’s ex into your home is a good idea,” he said plainly. “This won’t make your life easier, Kieran. If anything, it might make everything worse.”I raised an eyebrow. “Worse for who?”“For you!” he shot back. “You think you can control everything. But people are not chess pieces. What if she switches sides? What if she runs back to Damien and ruins your plans?”I took a sl

Kieran's pov. I walked back to my room with my hands tucked into my pockets. I wasn’t the party kind of guy — especially when it wouldn't add to my net worth. And parties hosted by people like Old papa, were the kind of parties where people kissed each other's ass. I inhaled deeply, before walking to my room. Immediately I slammed the door behind me, I heard a thud. My jaw tightened as I took a quick glance around. Where the hell was Michelle?I slowly moved towards the bathroom, cautiously. “Michelle,” I called but no one answered back. My brows knitted, but I didn't enter the bathroom. The last thing I wanted was to sleep in another room because I walked in on her when she was naked. “Get the hell out!” I heard her shout. That was my cue. I slowly opened the door and peeped in but there was no one in the bathroom but the shower was on. I cautiously walked in, only to notice the shower door was opened. I shouldn't have looked but curiosity got the better of me. And immediate