Oops, I Kissed My Stepbrother!

•AVELINE•

I had just turned 19 and received an acceptance letter from the Hargreaves Elite Academy.

It was a college for supernatural beings, and making it to the list was a big deal. Most people weren't accepted and were forced to attend college in the human territories.

To celebrate the news, my parents took me out for lunch. I was excited and felt grateful to them for all the sacrifices they made throughout the years to get me where I was.

My father worked two jobs before he finally opened his own company two years ago so he could afford my school fees, and my mother became a housewife and left the profession she had worked hard for.

They both made tremendous sacrifices and hoped they would finally focus on their careers and marriage without worrying about me.

"Happy birthday, Ava," my mother said as she wrapped her arms around me. "Your father and I are proud of how far you've come. You've made us the happiest parents in the entire world."

"Don't flatter me, Mom," I blushed, sitting across from them. "This wouldn't have been possible if it weren't for you. Instead of celebrating me today, I want to celebrate the both of you for the sacrifices you made for me to be here."

"Oh, baby," my mother cooed, reaching for my hand. "You're the greatest blessing in my life, and I am so proud to be your mother. I'd do all the sacrifices all over again to relive this moment."

After eating and having something to drink, my father cleared his throat and asked to talk. I was expecting he would tell me he and my mother were renewing their vows or traveling.

But no.

"Your mother and I have sat down multiple times, trying to resolve and make things work, but we realized we would be happier apart."

My heart stopped. They had been married for twenty-five years and had been together more than they had been with me.

I couldn't understand why they broke up now. I couldn't understand their problem.

I had seen how ugly divorce was from my friends and never thought I would go through the same thing. I loved them both and didn't want to choose sides.

"What?" I scoffed, shaking my head. "What happened? Did you fight?"

"You should ask your father," my mother answered, her arms folded across her chest. "He might have a better explanation for breaking our family apart."

"I thought we talked about this, Evelyn," my father muttered to her. "We had an understanding."

"What's there to understand when I make the most sacrifices in our home but still get to be the one who is cheated on?" She frowned, her tone sharp. "I stayed home while you worked and raised our daughter. My life was on standby while yours carried on unbothered. My career is stagnant because I became a full-time mom."

"Do you think I never made sacrifices as well so I could cover everything?" My father turned and looked at her, and I felt defeated, seeing how they suddenly became oblivious of their surroundings.

I was sitting right there, listening while they blamed each other for their failed marriage. Just when I thought everything was going well, everything crumbled. On my birthday.

"Mom, Dad, can you talk about this at home?" I asked, hoping their argument would stop. "We are in a public space."

"You don't have a say in this, Aveline," my mother snapped, looking at me. "My life paused because of you. Your father used me when your mother died so I could raise the child of his mistress," she blurted. "This is your fault."

I stopped breathing and felt the walls closing in on me. I zoned out for a moment, and when I snapped back, I realized I wasn't dreaming.

"W-what do you mean?"

"Aveline, sweetie," my father chimed in. "Your mother and I are very sorry about this, but this is not your fault. Do you hear me?" His voice sounded distant. My ears were still ringing. "You are the most precious thing to happen to us."

"She ruined my life, Justin," my mother scoffed. "I had been forced for 19 years to pretend that she was my daughter and the person I loved the most in the world while it killed me every day. My life is stagnant because of your mistress and her bastard child!"

I pushed back my chair and got up. I was feeling hot and needed some air outside the restaurant.

I felt as if everything I was told was a lie. My entire life crumbled before my eyes the moment I thought it was starting.

"Aveline?" my father called behind me as I went to my car in the parking lot. I got inside and ignored him as he knocked on the window.

"Baby, please," he begged. "Open the door, and we will talk about this. This is all a big misunderstanding. You weren't supposed to find out like this."

So, it was true. I was his mistress’s child. The bastard child that ruined my mother's life — Evelyn's life. She hated me all my life, and I didn't even know.

I glanced at my father at the window before pushing the key into the ignition and reversing the car out of the parking lot.

I hit the road and went straight to Ember's house. She was hosting a party to celebrate our acceptance into the academy, and the moment I arrived, I went straight to the kitchen and grabbed something to drink.

I drank as if my life depended on it.

"Are you okay?" Ember asked when she found me leaning against the kitchen counter. "You didn't tell me you were coming."

"You always said I should loosen up, right?" I chuckled. "Well, I am loosening up today." I went straight to the dance floor in the living room and danced.

I didn't realize I was stepping into someone until I felt a pair of hands around my waist.

The moment I tilted my head and saw him, the music stopped, and the room became quiet.

'Mate,' Storm muttered. 'He's our mate,' she repeated.

"You should watch where you step," he said, leaning closer.

I placed the glass on my hand on the floor and went upstairs to the bathroom. I didn't want to spark anything that I might not handle.

He was a stranger and might be more trouble than he appeared.

I washed my face and told myself to forget anything I thought happened when our eyes locked.

But just as I was about to exit the bathroom, the door opened and he stepped inside, and locked it behind him.

"You can't run from me, Bambi," he muttered, leaning closer until my back pressed against the wall. My breath hitched, and my knees weakened.

I couldn't fight him off me or run.

He didn't say another word as he slammed his lips against mine, and I didn't pull him away.