The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

David accompanied Sara into the pharmacy, and Annabel felt uncomfortable watching. She stayed outside and could faintly hear him advising Sara on what medicine to take and what not to. It seemed like David had feelings for Sara, and Annabel felt a bit panicked. If it were true, what should she do? Feeling restless, she walked to a deserted corner, took out a cigarette from her bag, and lit it. David didn’t like her smoking, but it seemed like only smoking could relieve her anxiety.

“Annabel?”

Before she could finish her cigarette, she heard David’s voice from behind. She quickly stubbed it out, took a few deep breaths to make sure there was no smell of smoke, and then nonchalantly emerged from the shadows.

David frowned at her. “Are you smoking?”

Annabel shook her head and lied earnestly, “I’ve quit for a long time.”

David didn’t say anything more. “Let’s go back.”

On the way back to the dormitory, David and Sara chatted and laughed, and Annabel felt like a third wheel.

After dropping Sara off at her dorm, Annabel still followed behind David.

Feeling frustrated that David was still upset over her accidentally seeing him showering, Annabel said, “Just because I peeked while you were showering, you’re still mad? Actually, I didn’t see anything.”

Afraid he wouldn’t believe her, she raised her hand and swore, “I’m telling the truth, I didn’t lie to you!”

Seeing her still bringing it up, David said impatiently, “Forget it, don’t mention it again!”

She grinned, “Okay, okay. We haven’t seen each other for a long time. Can you walk with me?”

“Follow me,” he said. There were things he needed to clarify with her; he couldn’t let it drag on any longer.

Under the tree in front of her dorm, there was a row of stone benches and tables.

“Sit down, I need to talk to you.”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

He looked serious, and Annabel couldn’t help but reach out from her pocket and tug at his sleeve. “I haven’t done anything wrong, can you not be mad at me?”

David stepped back, clearly avoiding her touch.

Annabel’s smile froze for a moment, and she withdrew her hand lazily. “Looks like it’s going to rain. I’ll go first.”

“Wait!”

She turned her head, smiling nonchalantly, “Can’t bear to see me go?”

David looked at her coldly, arms crossed. “Annabel, did I do something to make you misunderstand?”

Annabel shook her head, knowing what he was probably going to say. She played dumb, “I don’t know what you’re talking about?”

“I’ve already explained everything before. I have a deal with your dad, so I’m nice to you. Everything has a purpose. You don’t still think I’m interested in you?”

Annabel hesitated for a moment, then shrugged indifferently. “I know you’re not interested in me, and I didn’t think much about it.”

“Then you don’t need to cling to me all the time. I won’t be with you. In my eyes, you’re still the poor kid I saw in detention. I’m just soft-hearted and can’t stand to see anyone in need,” David said sternly.

She looked down at the ground for a while, blinking, then said, “I never said I wanted to be with you. Whatever reason you had for being nice to me in the past, it’s over. Can’t we just be friends? I came to chat with you, that’s all. You’re the one who read too much into it.”

She could endure it to this point, and David decided to be firm. “You bother me every day. How can I find a girlfriend?”

Annabel stood up and spread out her hand towards him. “Feel free. I’m not stopping you.”

Communication seemed impossible. David shook his head and turned to leave.

She grabbed the corner of his clothes, hesitating. “Did my dad say something to you again?”

Knowing that she was upset, so he stayed with her at the clinic for half the night; Afraid of being taken advantage of by others, he had someone find her in the middle of the night; Afraid of her illness and he worried all night, how could these be fake?

He paused. “It’s not about your dad. In my eyes, you’re still an underage girl. I can’t see you as a woman. I worry about you, maybe it’s just a habit, not romantic feelings. Do you understand?”

She slowly let go of his hand and stared at him for a while, as if seeing through him.

Feeling uneasy under her gaze, David turned and left as if fleeing.

Suddenly, her voice came from behind, full of malice. “I don’t understand. Why should I understand?”

He walked a few steps faster, leaving her voice and his own troubles behind.

Perez had gone to see a midnight premiere with Sharon, so it was late when they returned. David, still awake, stood by the window, lost in thought. The cigarette between his fingers had burned down quite a bit, indicating he hadn’t moved for a long time.

Perez was drying his wet hair with a towel. It had started raining when they back to school, and he didn’t have an umbrella, so they had to run back in the rain. “I thought you didn’t smoke. What’s wrong?”

David raised his hand, looking somewhat melancholic. “I just wanted to try. Why is this thing so hard to quit?”

He had seen Annabel smoking in the pharmacy, hiding in a corner. She must have a strong addiction but never smoked in front of him. It must be incredibly difficult for her to resist.

“Smoking is like drugs. Once you’re addicted, it’s hard to quit. Who doesn’t have some bad habits? There are very few people as disciplined as you.”

David grunted and glanced into the pitch-black night. “The rain’s getting heavier.”

He wondered if after saying all that to her today, she might go out again. The thought crossed his mind, but he quickly dismissed it.

“Why were you so cold to Annabel today? It was hard to watch. She’s so headstrong, but she accommodates you in every way. Are you really interested in Sara? How devastated will Annabel be?” Perez asked.

David threw the remaining half of his cigarette into the trash can. He hadn’t seen her cry when she was bullied in detention or even when she was beaten up. The only time he saw her cry was when he lied to her.

Feeling annoyed, he said, “Just take your shower.”

Perez sensed that David was in a bad mood and didn’t press further, turning to head to the bathroom.

With the end of the break, the routine of classroom to library, day and night, resumed. David was busy assisting his advisor with research on educational psychology.

Annabel hadn’t visited him much in the past half month. Occasionally, she would send a message asking what he was up to. Sometimes he replied after a long delay, and sometimes he didn’t reply at all. David felt she must have given up.

On the way to the cafeteria after class, David ran into Sara.

“Are you feeling better?” he asked.

“Much better. Your mom’s medicine really works. My mom said I have to personally thank her when we go back for the New Year,” Sara replied.

“Don’t mention it. My mom’s a doctor; it’s the least she could do.”

They chatted as they walked and soon arrived at the cafeteria door, where many people were coming out.

Two young girls approached, whispering to each other as they glanced at David. Sara chuckled. “Girls these days are bold.”

David smiled but didn’t say anything.

As they passed by, the girl with short hair suddenly spoke up, “You’re David, right?”

David turned, a bit puzzled, and nodded.

“We’re Annabel’s roommates. We’ve seen your pictures. Her phone and laptop wallpaper are all photos of you. You’re even more handsome in person,” the girl said.

David asked, “Where is she?”

The round-faced girl looked surprised. “She’s been in the hospital for almost half a month. Don’t you know? She had severe stomach pain one night and was rushed to the hospital. She messaged us yesterday saying she’s been discharged and went home to rest for a while. Her family wants her to go abroad, and she’s troubled by it.”

The girl with short hair glanced at Sara, then turned to David. “You’re her idol. Give her a call to comfort her. She might recover faster.”

Sara’s heart tightened, and she looked up.

David lowered his eyes, his expression indifferent. “I’ll talk to her when I have time.”

Sara felt her heart settle.