Chapter 4 My Stepbrother And I

The clock struck seven, and I found myself in the passenger seat of Mom's car as she navigated to the upscale restaurant Robert had chosen. My dress felt too tight, and the heels pinched, but I plastered on a neutral expression, determined to get through the evening without any drama.

When we arrived, a valet opened my door, and I stepped out, glancing up at the opulent façade of the restaurant. Of course, Robert would pick a place that screamed wealth.

Inside, a maître d' led us to a private room where Robert was already waiting. He stood as we entered-a tall, impeccably dressed man with salt-and-pepper hair and a warm smile that seemed practiced. Beside him stood a younger man, tall, broad-shouldered, and undeniably attractive, with sharp features and piercing blue eyes that seemed very familiar. His gaze met mine, and for a moment, the world tilted.

My breath caught in my throat.

No. This wasn't happening.

"Stella, this is Robert," Mom introduced, her voice brimming with pride. "And this is his son, Chris."

Chris. The man I had left behind in a hotel room without a word. The man I had spent an unforgettable night with, who'd ravaged my body like no one before him was going to be my stepbrother.

He stepped forward, extending a hand.

"Nice to meet you," he said, his voice smooth and confident.

I shook his hand, avoiding his gaze. "Likewise."

As we all sat down, I couldn't help but feel the weight of his attention lingering on me. This dinner was shaping up to be far more complicated than I had anticipated.

"Stella, darling. Are you alright? You look like you've seen a ghost?"

"I'm fine, Mom. Can we order?" I answered, and quickly lifted up my menu until it concealed my face. I closed my eyes tight and wished in that moment, I could disappear.

My heart pounded like a drum, each beat a deafening reminder of the surreal nightmare unfolding before me. Chris-my Chris-was sitting across the table, looking composed, as if the universe hadn't just sucker-punched me in the gut.

I risked a glance over the top of the menu, catching his eyes for the briefest moment. He raised an eyebrow, the corner of his lips curling in the faintest smirk. That smug look screamed one thing: he was enjoying this. Meanwhile, I was silently plotting an escape route.

"Stella, what looks good to you?" Robert asked warmly, his voice breaking the unbearable tension.

I fumbled with my menu, pretending to be absorbed in the choices. "Um, the pasta, maybe? I haven't decided yet."

Chris chuckled softly, and my eyes darted to him despite myself. "You might like the risotto," he suggested, his tone carrying a teasing edge. "It's... unforgettable."

My cheeks burned. Unforgettable. Was he seriously referencing last night right now? I wanted to hurl my glass of water at him, but instead, I gave him a tight smile.

"Good to know," I said flatly, burying my face back in the menu.

Mom, oblivious as ever, gushed about the restaurant's ambiance while Robert chimed in about the chef's reputation. I barely heard them, too focused on keeping my composure. Chris, on the other hand, seemed perfectly at ease, sipping his wine like we weren't sitting in the middle of an emotional minefield.

As the waiter took our orders and the conversation drifted to wedding plans, I realized I had to pull myself together. This wasn't just about me and Chris; my mom was happy, and I wasn't going to ruin that.

"So, Chris," Mom said, turning her attention to him. "What do you do?"

Chris set his glass down and leaned back slightly, his posture relaxed. "I run a tech start-up. It's still growing, but we've had some recent success with an app launch."

"That's wonderful!" Mom exclaimed, her eyes lighting up. "You must be very busy."

"Busy, yes," Chris said, glancing at me. "But I always make time for... important things."

My stomach twisted. Was he implying what I thought he was? I took a sip of my water, praying the ground would open up and swallow me whole.

"Stella's interested in tech too," Mom said, completely unaware of the silent war happening across the table. "She's always been great with computers."

"Is that so?" Chris asked, his voice laced with amusement.

"Not really," I blurted, desperate to shut down this line of conversation. "I mean, I dabble. Nothing serious."

Chris's smirk deepened, and I knew I was in trouble. This wasn't just going to be a dinner; it was going to be a battle to keep the past buried. And from the glint in his eyes, Chris had no intention of making it easy for me.

So, Dad," Chris said, turning to his father, "how did you and Stella's mom meet?"

Robert's face lit up, and I sighed in relief. Let him field the questions for a while.

"Well, we actually met at a club," Robert said warmly, glancing at Mom with affection.

"Oh, really?" Chris exclaimed, sending me a knowing look.

His father nodded. "She caught my eye right away, but it was her humor and intelligence that really drew me in."

Mom blushed, and I felt a pang of guilt. She looked genuinely happy-happier than I'd seen her in years. I couldn't tell if she was in love with him or his money, but she was happy, and I owed it to her to keep my personal disaster from overshadowing this moment.

"And you, Chris?" Mom asked. "Anyone special in your life?"

Chris hesitated just long enough for me to tense. He glanced at me briefly before replying, "Not at the moment. But I had a... memorable encounter recently."

I nearly choked on my water. This man was going to kill me.

"Oh?" Mom said, clearly intrigued. "Tell us more."

"It's still fresh," Chris said smoothly. "But I think it's the kind of story that's better told when the timing's right."

I could feel my pulse in my ears. Every word out of his mouth was a loaded weapon aimed directly at me.

Dessert arrived-a decadent chocolate soufflé-and I used the opportunity to focus on my plate, hoping to make it through the rest of the evening unscathed. But Chris wasn't done with me yet.

"Stella," he said as the waiter poured coffee, "you seem quiet. Everything okay?"

I forced a smile. "I'm fine. Just... tired. It's been a long day."

"Well," Mom chimed in, "you'll have plenty of time to relax once the wedding planning is done. Isn't that right, Robert?"

"So, um, we're very excited. We've decided to fast track the wedding to next month. The official announcement to the media will take place next week." Robert informed.

"We'd love it if you all could be there to celebrate with us." My mother added, meekly.

Robert nodded. "Absolutely."

I and Chris exchange quick glances. "You've my support."

"Likewise." I muttered.

Robert smiled and raised his glass, beaming at Mom. "To new beginnings and blending our families into one."

Chris's eyes locked on mine as we clinked glasses. "To new beginnings," he echoed, his voice low and deliberate.

I drained my wine in one gulp. This was going to be a long, complicated road.