To Hate My Stepbrother

Mason’s POV

Who could’ve done this to me?

Angrily, I made sure that I wrote all of the accounting team’s dismissal letter by myself because I have no idea how they could make such a grave mistake only because they saw my signature.

“Don’t you know that signatures could be forged?! You could’ve checked with me first before…” thinking there was no point in completing my statement since the deed has been done already, I hung up the call.

Pacing around my office trying to think of what to do next, I remembered there was a time my previous company needed a private investigator.

Putting a call through to him, I explained everything to him from the leaking of pictures to the disappearance of funds and he understood.

When I was sure that he would do everything without a flaw, we signed the contract and I hired him. Sinking into the ergonomic chair, I sighed as I pinched down hard on my nose.

Hopefully the culprit would be caught before any more damage would be done.

AVA’S POV

It was late afternoon and I didn’t need a soothsayer to tell me that Mason would be working late today. While waiting for him, I tidied the house and did some menial cleaning.

“Ava!” Khalid’s scream made me jump a little bit as he threw himself at me and I couldn’t help the laughter that escaped my mouth.

“You scared me.” I nudged him before patting his back lightly and he laughed too as he told me that he intended to scare me.

His excitement to see me was boldly written all over his face since he wouldn’t stop following me around and he’d even helped me with the dishes.

When we were done cleaning, I helped him with his assignment and soon he was telling me about how his day at school went and that was how I got to learn all about his favorite teacher.

“Is daddy coming home soon?” He asked while I dished the food and I shook my head lightly before having my seat.

“Daddy is working late today,” I told him and he nodded in understanding as he ate his food happily, “I miss having dinner with my daddy, too.” I sighed.

I had no idea that I’d said it out loud until I lifted my gaze to see that Khalid had stopped eating, “what?” I asked with a raised eyebrow.

“You miss having dinner with your dad?” He repeated after me, that was when I knew that I was thinking out loud and I nodded.

“Is Grandpa Danny not your daddy?” He asked and I shook my head, his eyes widened a little and I knew that he wanted me to explain further.

“Grandpa Danny is your daddy’s dad and not mine,” I tried to explain but he still looked confused, “my real father is dead and Danny is just like a father figure.” I explained and he looked slightly less confused.

“And I love him so much just like my real dad.” I smiled as Khalid returned my smile with a wide one of his.From NôvelDrama.Org.

“I love my daddy too.” He said happily and I smiled as I stroked his hair.

“I’m sure you do.” I responded.

The evening went by quickly and Khalid was sure to beg for extra time so he could see his favorite cartoon before going to bed and I agreed but it seemed like he was starting to take advantage of it.

“Please!” He begged, “just one more cartoon and I promise I’ll go to bed when I’m done.” He added and I rolled my eyes because that’s how he says.

“No!” I replied firmly, “you said that when you wanted to watch that cartoon and you watched another one so no more, there’s school tomorrow.” I added and he groaned as he closed his eyes.

Planting a kiss on his forehead, I turned to leave when I saw Mason behind me, he looked defeated and his shoulders were so tense that they revealed the intense amount of burden he carried.

“What’s the matter?” I asked and he only sighed as he walked to kiss Khalid on his forehead before we both turned to leave.

“You know he said he loves you today.” I told him what Khalid said but that didn’t seem to do anything about his mood.

Falling on the bed, Mason explained everything that happened at work today to me and I couldn’t help but feel sorry for him.

He looked so stressed and I knew that he wouldn’t stop thinking about it and ways to catch the culprit. Without saying a word, I went to the bathroom to run a hot water bath for him.

“You need a shower.” I dragged him out of bed because he didn’t want to and after much persuasion he finally went to have his bath and I could tell that he was a bit relaxed when he got out.

Laying on the bed, I massaged his head softly and he was unable to keep his eyes open. I stopped when I was sure that he was already asleep.

*****

Mason already left for work and I got Khalid ready for school, we got to his school and as usual I noticed some people staring at me but I paid no heed to them as I dropped him off.

It seemed as though they were waiting for me to drop him off before coming to attack me, “seducer!” I heard one of them call and, shocked, I turned to see a lot of reporters behind me.

“How does someone date and have sex with their own sibling,” another said to her fellow reporter and I could feel my head pounding.

“She’s a whore.” Another responded and I tried so hard to get away from them but they already caged me in their midst with camera lights flashing on my face.

Trying to run away from them, one of the reporters hit me with his camera so I could get back in the middle and I did except all I could see around me was total darkness.