The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

In private, the roommates would often discuss some R-rated topics in the dorm, such as how forward their boyfriends were, with requests for hugs and kisses and make love being commonplace. Annabel felt that her relationship with David was like playing house; she even had to initiate the hugs. Amy said that David was the abstinent type.

Annabel knew that David didn’t really like her that much. He was slowly pushed into this relationship by her persistence and force. He treated her more like a pampered younger sister or daughter than a girlfriend, which often left her confused.

She tried to convince herself not to mind. Regardless of the reason, he ultimately became her boyfriend. She wouldn’t let him escape, nor would she allow another woman to take him away.

She pushed open the door to the clinic.

“What are you doing here?” he asked in surprise, signaling her with his eyes. Annabel ignored him, glancing at Sara, who was dressed like a little princess. “Sara, what are you doing here?”

Sara’s attitude was a bit cold. “I came to get some medicine.”

Iris asked, “Do you two know each other?”

Iris had a strong impression of Annabel, not only because she looked a lot like Lola but also because she was the first girl brought home by a male teacher due to menstrual cramps.

Sara noticed the expression among the three and realized that Iris didn’t know about Annabel and David’s relationship. She naturally wouldn’t reveal it. “We go to the same school and have seen each other around.”

Iris gave David a meaningful look, and he frowned at Annabel.

“Little girl, what brings you here? Have you eaten?” Iris asked.

“I have. Happy New Year, Iris…” Before she could finish, she felt a tug on her collar. David’s low voice whispered in her ear, “I’ll agree to all your requests later.”

Annabel smiled inwardly, then took Iris’s arm affectionately. “I was just passing by and saw your lights on, so I came in to wish you a Happy New Year, Iris. I think about you often, do you think about me?”

Iris patted her hand kindly. “I think about you too. How’s your stomach now?”

Annabel glanced quickly at David and Sara behind Iris. David looked like he wanted to shut her up. Annabel smiled slyly. “Your medicine helped, and with someone always watching over me, I haven’t had any issues. I’m on winter vacation now and have nothing to do. Can I come here often to keep you company and help out?”

Iris chuckled but also felt a twinge of caution. “There’s not much to do here. Enjoy your vacation and have fun. It would be boring to hang out with an old woman like me.”

Iris’s subtle refusal was clear, and Annabel understood. Even Sara smiled slightly, her expression tinged with mockery.

The next second, Annabel nonchalantly smiled and said, “I know you’re busy, but if I get sick, you have to take care of me. Your medicine works wonders for me now.”

Sara took her medicine and was about to leave when Iris asked David to walk her home. Both of them were well-matched in all aspects, including family background, and Iris was intentionally trying to set them up.

As soon as David and Sara left, Annabel found an excuse to leave too. She felt a sense of grievance-who exactly was his girlfriend?

At the street corner, David hailed a taxi and opened the door for Sara. Just as she was about to get in, Annabel ran over and grabbed the corner of David’s coat. “Shall we both see her off together?”

David ignored her, handed the medicine to Sara in the car, and told her to be careful on the way before closing the door.

He turned around, crossed his arms over his chest, and frowned at her. “Who told you to come here without saying a word?”

His attitude was cold, which annoyed Annabel. She pouted, “I missed you. Can’t I come to see you?” Despite her pout, she moved closer to him and stood in front of him, looking up at him. “You just said you’d agree to all my requests.”

David glanced at her, easily guessing what she might ask for, but Iris was just 200 meters away.

He pretended to make a move to punch her. “Can’t you be a bit more reserved?”

Annabel hadn’t expected him to change his attitude so quickly. She accused him, “You don’t keep your promises. Don’t think I can’t see that your mom wants to set you up with Sara!”

The winter night wind was icy and piercing. He ignored her accusation, stomped his feet, pulled out his phone, and called for a taxi, intending to send her home as soon as it arrived.

She glared at him angrily and turned to head back towards the clinic. David, alarmed, quickly grabbed her. “Where are you going?”

With a determined look on her face, she said, “I’m going to tell Iris that I’m your girlfriend, and that we’re getting married in a couple of years!”

David saw the determination in her eyes and realized she wasn’t joking. He quickly pulled her back. “No, no, don’t provoke my mom. Can’t you just let me have a peaceful New Year?”

Annabel ignored his plea and instead snuggled into his arms, hugging him tightly.

David was still talking, a puff of white breath escaping his mouth as Annabel stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed him.

Fearing his anger, she stepped back a bit, touched her lips, and smiled. “Tastes good.”

David frowned and beckoned her with his finger. “Come here.”

Annabel pursed her lips and smiled. “No.”

He strode over, took off his gloves, and held her cold face in his warm hands. “When the taxi comes, you’ll go home, okay? It’s late, and your grandma will be worried.”

Annabel frowned. “David, you’re really annoying.”

“I only annoy you, no one else. Is that okay?”

“That’s more like it.”

His hands were dry and warm, and his gaze was gentle. Annabel blinked as she looked into his eyes. “David, can you kiss me? I have an illness that won’t get better unless you kiss me.”

He chuckled softly, held her face, and kissed her, their lips and tongues entwining gently.

A car approached the street corner, and he finally let her go. “Have you had enough for today?”

Annabel blushed slightly and remained silent. He opened the car door, waited for Annabel to get in, and was about to follow.

“David.”

A voice came from behind him-it was Iris. David paused, didn’t look back, and closed the car door. He smiled at Annabel. “Go home. Text me when you get there, okay?”

Iris watched David silently, her face full of shock and disappointment. Annabel opened her mouth to say something but couldn’t find the words.Property of Nô)(velDr(a)ma.Org.

As the driver started the car, she lowered the window and looked back. The empty street corner now had only David and Iris.

They were arguing, and she heard the name Lola again. Suddenly, Iris raised her hand and gave David a heavy slap.

Annabel’s heart tightened. “Stop the car!”

The driver was annoyed. “Even if you get out now, you’ll still have to pay the fare.”

She didn’t respond and didn’t get out. She just turned to watch.

Annabel could only see David’s back. He walked away silently, not stopping even when he passed Iris, and quickly disappeared around the corner.

Iris stood in the cold wind, trembling and crying.

Annabel felt both heartache and shock. What had happened to make Iris so heartbroken and dislike her upon learning about their relationship?