To Hate My Stepbrother

Ava’s POV

America, San Francisco.Content is property of NôvelDrama.Org.

The fresh breeze of a new city, a new start hit me as I got off the plane and although I was exhausted I was still relieved.

Looking around, I found Danny and my mum waiting for me and I knew I felt a sense of peace at once. Walking towards them slowly, they both met me halfway and took my bags from me.

The drive back home was a little bit silent because all I wanted to do at that point was cry my eyes out. We soon got home and when my mom offered to cook something I told her I was fine.

“Are you really fine?” She asked and that was the question that made me lose it.

I’ve been lying to her, to myself. I’m not fine, I’ve never been fine and worse, I went through hell in my marriage.

Unable to control my tears, I sobbed as my mother patted my back slowly and gently stroked my hair as she kissed it. I couldn’t keep it away from her anymore.

This is me, all of me and I couldn’t keep up with the lie anymore so I told her about everything, the emotional abuse I went through and how I’d contemplated suicide.

“I lied mum, I lied. I’m not fine, I’ve never been fine and now I’m in a lot of debt.” I cried in her arms and she only pecked me.

“It’s fine, you’ll be fine. Danny will pay off the debts tomorrow so please don’t bother yourself too much about it.” She assured me.

Going back to my room, everything came rushing back to me. The memories Mason and I had made in this house which I tried my hardest to forget about.

Tossing and turning in my bed because of my inability to sleep, I picked up my phone and scrolled to Mason’s contact and stared at it as I contemplated calling it.

Finally deciding against it, I tossed my phone beside me as I ran my fingers through my hair. Calling him now is useless and we’re better off as strangers.

Picking up my phone again, I sent a text to Nicole and told her about how I left LA for San Francisco and won’t be back for a while.

My sanity had gone down below and right now I had no idea who I was. I lost myself amidst losing the most important person in my life and now I had no idea how to get myself back.

Scrolling through the internet, I tried to hunt for jobs because I knew that way I would have less things to think about but nothing good was coming out of my search.

I closed my eyes and the first image that popped up was that of Mason, his smile, the way his hair fell on his face and his soft, luscious perfect lips that always called out to me.

Groaning, I buried my face in my pillow and tried to sleep but all efforts proved futile and I gave up as I stared at the window as the night plunged deeper into darkness, my eyes soon started feeling tired and I was grateful.

***

It’s been two days and I’m still a damn train wreck. Sleeping would be hard for me if I didn’t do it in Mason’s room and reminisce about the good times we had together.

Holding onto his favorite shirt, I clutched it close to my chest as I cried. I’m missing him so much and it’s not only killing me, it’s ruining me.

“What is going on?” My mother’s sudden voice made me jolt and I hurriedly cleaned my tears before turning to look at her.

I had no idea when she got in or how long she’d been here, “Nothing, what do you mean?” I laughed nervously as I tossed the shirt behind me.

“Don’t you dare lie to me, Ava!” She cautioned before sitting beside me and took the shirt from me, “I’ve been watching you since you arrived and you’re always in Mason’s room.” She finished and I sighed.

I had no idea what to say as I fiddled with the hem of my dress while my mother pointed out the obvious.

“This same thing happened years ago when Mason left after his graduation, you cried and slept in his room for days,” she continued as she took my hand in hers, “I just want to know what’s going on.” She finished softly.

I lifted my gaze to look at her and I still don’t know what to say, I could see the flicker of sadness and concern in her eyes, her face was wrinkled too.

“Did anything happen between you two or is something going on between you two? I just want to know because you asked us not to tell him anything about you, you completely shut him out of your life and now you made us promise not to let him know you’re home, talk to me Ava.” She added.

“I… it’s.. it’s nothing.” I stuttered but I know I failed because the last thing my mother would believe right now is the usual ‘I’m fine’ that I always say to her.

I stared at her and she had an eyebrow raised, denying it would be pointless so I braced myself up and told her about everything that happened between Mason and I.

For the first time I was able to not think about the scolding, the disappointment, the judgement and I was able to tell her what happened between Mason and I.

I’d thought she was going to tell me about how I’ve let her down by having a sexual relationship with my stepbrother. I braced myself up to hear all of the horrible things she had to say and when she didn’t say anything I lifted my gaze to meet hers and she was smiling.

“Why am I just getting to know about this now?” She asked and I held her tightly as I cried. The reason I couldn’t tell her all these years was because I was afraid.

Sitting there with my mother and crying, I finally laid on her lap as she comforted me.

I really should’ve just told her about it a long time ago.