Betrayed by All, Loved by My Stepbrother Chapter 07
Scarlett
Alexander’s kiss from last night still lingered on my lips.
I lounged on the living room sofa, fingers lightly tracing my mouth, my heartbeat still irregular.
He said he wanted to protect me forever. That promise was sweet as honey, making me smile like an idiot.
[A woman in love is most beautiful]
[But be careful]
[It’s always calmest before the storm]
The comment system’s warnings made my heart tighten, but I shook my head. Maybe I was overthinking.
At three in the afternoon, an urgent doorbell shattered the peace.
Looking through the peephole, I froze instantly.
Blake!
He looked terrible–sunken eyes, unshaven face, wrinkled suit. But most frightening was the near- manic anger in his eyes.
“Scarlett! I know you’re in there! Open up!” he pounded on the door.
My hand hesitated on the doorknob. Logic told me not to open it, but Blake sounded truly desperate…
Eventually, I opened the door.
Blake burst in, nearly knocking me over.
“This is all because of you!” he pointed at me, eyes bloodshot. “My company is bankrupt! Everything’s gone!”
I backed away in panic: “Blake, how did you find this place?”
“Alexander cut off all our partnerships!” Blake’s voice was hoarse. “I’m completely ruined! Investors pulled out, employees quit, even the banks are calling in their loans!”
[Danger!]
[Call 911!]
[Get your brother to save you!]
The comment system scrolled frantically as my heart pounded violently.
Blake moved closer, desperation burning in his eyes:
You have to talk to Alexander! Make him work with me again!”
“Why should I help you?” I forced myself to stay calm. “You betrayed me! You chose Victoria!”
“That’s in the past!” Blake tugged at his hair frantically. “I need your help now! You’re his sister, he’ll listen to you!”
Suddenly, a thought flashed through my mind. I looked directly into Blake’s eyes: “Wait, how did you
know I was staying here?”
Blake faltered, his gaze shifting: “I… I have my ways of finding you.”
“This is Alexander’s private apartment,” my voice sharpened. “Even the Sterlings don’t know this address.”
Blake grew angry with embarrassment: “Who cares how I found out! The point is you need to help me!”
[Someone leaked your address]
[Watch out for Victoria]
[She’s pulling strings behind the scenes]
The comments‘ warnings made my heart sink.
Everything started becoming clear.
“Was it Victoria who told you?” I probed.
Blake’s expression changed instantly: “Never mind that! What matters is you have to help me!”
“Why?” I laughed coldly. “Aren’t you with Victoria now? Let your new girlfriend plead your case.
“She…” Blake paused. “She said she couldn’t help. Only you can convince Alexander.”
Something wasn’t right. Logically, since Blake was with Victoria now, why would he come begging me, the fake heiress who’d been kicked out of the Sterling family?
Unless… unless Victoria had another agenda.
“If asking nicely won’t work,” Blake suddenly grabbed my wrist with painful force, “then I’ll have to get rough!”
“Let go of me!” I struggled desperately, but Blake was much stronger.
Fear washed over me like a tidal wave. This man had completely lost it.
Just then, the apartment door swung open.
Alexander walked in, his face dark with anger, his eyes cold as ice: “Take your hands off her.”
Blake turned, trying to look tough despite his fear: Alexander, perfect timing! Get your sister to convince you…”
“Sister?” Alexander smirked, walking toward us. “She‘ s my woman.” With those words, his fist crashed into Blake’s face.
Blake cried out in pain, falling to the floor as blood gushed from his nose.
“Touch her again,” Alexander looked down at Blake, his voice a whisper from hell, “and I’ll make you wish you were dead.”
[Brother is so badass!]
[Protecting his woman like a boss!]
[So satisfying seeing that jerk get what he deserves!]
My heart nearly leaped out of my chest. What did Alexander just say? I’m his woman?
Right in front of Blake, he had publicly acknowledged our relationship.
Alexander turned and embraced me, gently examining my wrist; “It’s okay now. I’m here.”
His embrace was like a safe harbor, instantly dispelling the fear in my heart.
Blake struggled to his feet, his face already swelling and bruising. He pointed at us: “You… you’ll both regret this!”
“Get out,” Alexander’s voice was completely devoid of warmth.
Blake staggered toward the door, turning back with venom before leaving: “Scarlett, you’ll be sorry! You‘ ll all be sorry!”
“Security,” Alexander picked up his phone, “this man is not allowed in the building from now on.”
The door slammed shut, and the apartment fell silent again.
[He won’t let this go]
[Brace yourself for the storm]
[He’s planning something big]
The comment system’s warnings made me uneasy. Blake’s expression just now… that wasn’t the look of someone admitting defeat, but of someone plotting revenge.
“How did you get here so quickly?” I leaned into Alexander’s embrace, my voice still shaky.
“I installed security alerts,” Alexander stroked my hair. “I get notified whenever someone rings the doorbell. When I saw it was Blake today, I rushed over immediately.”
I bit my lip. “This is strange. Why would Blake come asking for my help? Isn’t he with Victoria now?”
Alexander’s expression grew serious: “Maybe Victoria is using him.”
“Using him for what?”
“To damage our relationship.” Alexander squeezed my hand. “If Blake had hurt you today, I would have completely lost it. That would give her an opportunity to make her move.”
I gasped. If that was true, Victoria was even more calculating than I’d imagined.
“What do we do now?” I worried. “Blake won’t give up easily. And you just told him I’m your woman…
Alexander cupped my face, looking at me earnestly: “I don’t regret it. I want the whole world to know you’re mine.”
His words made my heart race and my cheeks burn. But deeper worry followed.
“But once word gets out…”
“There will be trouble, I know.” Alexander kissed my forehead. “But I’ve made my decision. I don’t want to hide our relationship anymore.”
[So sweet!]
[But danger is approaching]
[Victoria won’t let you two off the hook]
The comment system’s reminders made me realize that our sweetness might soon be destroyed by an even bigger storm.
Blake’s eyes when he left were filled with a thirst for revenge. And Victoria was clearly plotting behind the scenes.
Our love had barely begun, yet we faced so many challenges.
But looking at Alexander’s determined expression, I knew that no matter how treacherous the road ahead, I wanted to face it with him.
“I’m not afraid,” I squeezed his hand, “as long as you‘ re by my side.”
Alexander gazed deeply at me, then lowered his head to kiss my lips: “Always.”