Chapter 67

Read In Love With My Evil Stepbrother Chapter 67 – Liam Fate really is playing me like a puppet.

I just got rid of one stepbrother only a day ago and it throws another one right back at me.

But I guess…the new one seems much better than the old one.

Embarrassed, I quickly apologize for making a big fuss earlier. But Liam doesn’t seem to mind that at all, “I should be the one to say sorry. I thought your dad had already told you about me and I just couldn’t resist the temptation to see the surprise on your face.”

I let out an awkward laugh, “I didn’t know dad’s girlfriend-I mean your mom-has a son.” .

“Really? You dad didn’t mention a word about me? I thought he was so fond of me. Well, that hurts,” he clenches his chest and pretends to be shot in the heart. “Ouch.”

Jenna has a big stupid grin on her face. She turns to me and mouths me again: HOT!

I sigh internally. My other stepbrother is also very hot, but we all know how that turned out.

“So why were you in the airport?” Jenna asks him. “You weren’t there to pick us up no?”

“Not really. I work in a Chicago law firm and just got a few days off from work. So I flied back home to visit my mom and Mr. Moore and then run into you guys at the airport…what are the odds?”

“Very rare,” I murmur.

Eventually, we arrive at our home. I sit in the car, looking through the window at the house I had spent three years in, and suddenly feel a bit nervous.

This used to be my home. But then dad kicked me out for another woman, Liam’s mom to be precise.

Although Liam seems nice, I wonder what his mom is like. Out of nowhere, I am suddenly reminded of Eason’s mom and a cold shiver runs down my spine.

Hope Liam’s mom is better than that old crow.

The car door files open while I was lost in my thoughts. Looking up, I find Liam holding the door for me, a hint of smile in his eyes.

“Ready?” he asks.

I try to keep my spirit up and jump out of the car, heading towards the front gate.

The house seems to be under good maintenance while I was gone. The lawn is freshly mowed, the broken fence is fixed, a bunch of yellow tulips are blooming in the garden… I know my father’s laid-back personality, so he couldn’t be the one who had done those works.

Liam knocks on the door, “Mr. Moore! Mom! Look who is back!”

A few moments later, the front door flies open, and a middle-aged woman appears behind it. She is about my height, slightly plump and really kindly looking. She seems one of those people who would give free hugs on the street to strangers.

“On Liam!” she hugs her son tightly in the arms, though he is, much taller than she is. “So nice to have you back! How’s your flight?”

Liam breaks free from her and moves aside for her to see me,”

Mom, look who is back.”

I hold my breath involuntarily and put on a nervous smile. Locking eyes with her, I stutter, “Ni-nice to meet you—”

Umm what should I call her? Mrs. Brown? No what’s her last name again?

But before I finish, she lets out a short, excited gasp and rushes towards me. The next second, I am in her arms already, with a sweet smell of honey and butter around me.

“Natalia! When did you come back? Oh god so nice to see you dear!” she pats my back warmly as if she had known me for a very long time. “Tom! Tom! Get out there! Your daughter is back!!”

I’m a bit overwhelmed by her enthusiasm. Liam skillfully rescues me from her arms and whispers to me smiling, “my mom is a hugger. Get use to that.”

Just then I hear a rushed footstep approaching…and a tall figure appears at the doorstep.

It’s my dad.

I’ve been secretly holding a grudge against me for kicking me out. But seeing him like this right now, all the grievance, agony and painful sufferings surge up in my chest at once. I feel my eyes become watery.

Now I just want to run to him and cry in his arms like a three-years old.

He is also looking at me, his lips slightly trembling.

“…dad…” I break the silence, sobbing.

“Oh Nat,” he strides over and pulls me in. He smells like paint and cigar as usual, which calms me down almost immediately.

And with that, all my nervous feelings are gone. I know he still wants me home, no matter what he said in the past.

Then we finally come into the living room. The kind woman sits me on the sofa and turns to his son, “Liam can you help me with the tea in the kitchen for a second?”

“Of course.”

“I’ll come too!” Jenna jumps up.

I give her a grateful look, “Thank you.” I know she is giving my father and I some privacy to talk.

“It’s Hallie dear,” she smiles back. “We’ll be right back.”

They leave the room.

When we are finally alone, dad clears his throat before saying, “so …things didn’t go well in Boston?”

I was pushed aside, bullied, played, and kidnapped. I fell madly in love and then had my heart torn into pieces.

“…yeah, not so well,” I answer lowly.

My dad lets out long sigh and rubs his hairs. He isn’t a very chatty man, the very opposite of my mom.

So after a short silence, he says gruffly, “You can stay here. Hallie is a decent woman. You will like her.”

“Really?” I sneer bitterly. “Who asked me to make room for you and her? Oh wait, it’s you.”

Dad presses his lips into a thin line, a clear guilt on his face. He shifts a bit in his seat, as if he is trying to move closer to me, but eventually gives up on the thought.

“Hallie and I just started dating and…and your mom really wanted you in Boston. But regardless, that was very selfish. I’m sorry Nat,” he sighs.

If he hadn’t insisted on me staying in Boston, I guess none of those things would have happened between me and Eason. But the damage has been done already. It’s about time to move on.

“Is my old room still available?” I force out a smile.

His eyes light up immediately,” Always. Always available.”

**

*

So I settle in, with my dad, Hallie and Liam. A few weeks have passed since then and I find my wounds slowly healing up.

Mom called me, of course. She went all hysterical hearing that I’ve flied back to Miami without telling her. But she eventually gave in after realizing that I wouldn’t be coming back to Boston anytime soon.

So I escaped my nightmare successfully, at least for now. Although from time to time, Eason’s face would still haunt me in my dreams.

And another upside is that I can finally get the chance to focus on my college application. To my surprise, Liam turns out to be a great help during that process. He finds time to fly back every weekend recently and helped me polish several of my essays.

Today is my last due day. After submitting everything needed for the application, I feel very relived for the first time in a long time.

“Mind if I come in?” Liam knocks on the door with a plate of fresh baked cookies in hand. “Mom insisted you be the first one to taste her secret recipe.”

“Yummy!” I grab one and stuff it in my mouth. “So, are you free tonight?”)

“Yes. But why?” he sits down beside me.

“I was wondering if you want to grab a drink after dinner? Thanks to you, my dear mentor, my applications went really well. At least let me buy you a drink?”

He lets out a low chuckle, “wait how old are you again?”

“You can flash the bartender your ID card and I’ll dazzle him with my cash. How does that sound?”

He bursts into laughter, “That sounds lovely. Settles then, it’s a date”

I flush, and my heart rate inexplicably increases.

Liam is a very charming person. Being around him is like being around a big brother. He can always make me feel comfortable and protected.

And probably because of my history with my other stepbrother, I can’t stop overthinking things when Liam becomes flirty.

“Come downstairs,” Liam stands up without noticing the flush on my face and pats my shoulder.“ Mom made a feast to celebrate.”

I follow him to the kitchen and find the dining table packed with delicious foods. Hallie even made a cake with pink frosting and two huge words on top: College Student!

I stutter and blush tomato red seeing these, “Y-you shouldn’t bother…thank you, I meant. But I haven’t got admitted into any schools yet.”

“YET,” Hallie hugs me tightly.“ I’m sure you will.”

Everyone sits down beside table. Dad is in such a high spirit, so he pops open a bottle of good wine and pours himself a full glass. The food, the drink, and family’s company…my heart is swelled with happiness.

“I’d like to raise a toast,” Liam picks up his glass and smiles looking at me. “To Natalia, and a bright future ahead of her.”

His dark black eyes flash in the warm evening light, making it impossible for me to look away. I find myself lost in his gaze for a short moment.

“To Natalia!” Hallie and my dad echo.

I blush and raise my glass as well. But before it touches my lip, suddenly a knock comes from the front gate.

“I’ll get it,” Liam sits down his wine and stands up.

Suddenly, a rush of panic seizes my heart for no reason. So I follow Liam to the door and watch him open it.

A face appears behind it.

It’s the last person I expected to see.

“Can I help you?” Liam frowns looking at the man in front of him.

“Yes,” the man looks over Liam and his gaze lands on me. “Hope I’ve not disturbed your dinner plan. But I need to talk to you, Natalia.” It’s Mr. Ramirez.