Chapter 5

Zara POV

My breath caught so suddenly it felt like my lungs forgot what they were made to do.

There he stood in the kitchen doorway like the space was made for him. He stood tall, broad shoulders that tempts you to lay your head on it, his sharp jaw set in a way that didn’t invite conversation.

His eyes…

God!

Hot chocolate brown zoning out cold steams, calculating. And when they lands on someone, like they are on Rosa, they measure, observe and dismissed you like a trash.

My stomach dropped, fingers tightened around the mug in my hands.

It was him.

The man from the club.

The stranger whose touch I could still feel on my skin, the man who had made me feel wanted and then disposable all in one night.

The realization sent heat rushing through me, accompanied immediately by humiliation and anger so sharp it made my chest ache.

He hadn’t seen me yet.

His attention was solely on Rosa, hard.

“Rosa,” he said calmly, but there was no affection in his tone whatsoever. “What are you still doing in my house?”

Rosa straightened up, looking unfazed on the surface, that familiar playful confidence sliding effortlessly into place. She smiled, light and teasing almost seem fake, as she stood up from her chair.

She strode towards him,

“Oh, baby.” She said, rubbing his arm tenderly like a girlfriend would. But he threw her a cold, one that warned her to back off.

And she did, stepping back and leaning against chair.

“I didn’t ask you to wait.” He replied sternly. “Leave now.”

The words are flat, final leaving no room for any negotiations.

I began wondering why he’s speaking to her in that manner.

The room felt colder somehow, like his presence drained warmth from everything around him.

“Wow. You’re really kicking me out now?” Rosa laughed softly, trying desperately to keep it light.

“Yes.” One word, no explanation, no emotion.

I watched the exchange in silence, my heartbeat loud in my ears. This wasn’t the man who had touched me with hunger and intensity. This version of him was closed off, distant and controlled in a way that made my skin prickle.

Rosa’s smile wavered for a split second before she covered it. “Fine.” She said with tight lip. “I’ll leave.”

He didn’t respond, that’s when his gaze shifted and landed on me.

The moment our gaze locked, something inside me twisted.

Recognition flickered in his eyes just briefly before vanishing.

“Why are you here?” He asked.

It was more of an accusation than a question, like I’d trespassed on a private property.

I opened my mouth to speak, but nothing came out. Before I could gather myself, Rosa spoke.

“She’s Zara.” She said gesturing toward me. “Your sister.”

The word rang in my head, sharp and disoriented. It suddenly dawned on me that the same man I had a one night with, is actually my stepbrother. It hasn’t clocked in earlier.

His expression barely changed.

“Step-sister.” Rosa quickly corrected herself. “Your father’s wife’s daughter.”

There was silence after that, and it stretched between us. No one breaking it up with any pleasantries, I’m too stun to, but him? I can’t say the same.

His eyes stayed on my face, searching not for emotion but analytically. Like he was filing information away, locking it somewhere inaccessible.

His expression was unreadable, not a bit of emotion just coldness. Then without a word, he turned and walked away.

He didn’t even bother to acknowledge.

The sound of his footsteps fading away, leaving behind a hollow space that felt too large, too quiet.

I sat there, stunned, my thoughts tangled and racing at the same time.

What the hell just happened?

The only time I’ve let myself get loose, I ended up having sex with my stepbrother.

Of all the guys at the club! God.

Rosa let out a slow breath, drawing my attention to her. “Well,” she muttered, grabbing her bag. “That was… something.”

She looked at me briefly, concern flashing in her eyes before she masked it. “I’ll talk to you later.”

I nodded, still frozen.

After she left, the house felt emptier than before.

I stared down at my untouched breakfast, my hands trembling slightly.

The man I’d slept with, and had insulted me. The man who was now my stepbrother…

Had just walked away like I didn’t exist.

And somehow, that hurt more than anything he’d done the night before.