My Stepsister, My Mate, My Curse

or Ro

ng through the house, searching for my

ooking at me in confusion. "I'm

just ten minutes ago. His eyes widened, and he stared at the screen for a long moment, trying t

me. "It looks like she's found the person s

pression washed over me. This meant my dream of reuniting

wrapped his arms around me and sai

otion. "No, I won't go! She turned her back on

one night without warning and later sent him divorce papers. She refused any settlement and said she

ther times I didn't, depending on my mood. Still, I missed her. I missed the warmth of a family, the comfort

t hurt to imagine my mother walking down t

tle smile. "She needs you. Be part of

hispered hoarsely, "Are you

se not, sweetheart. I just don't want your mot

about her happiness than your own sorrow. You s

nk about it," I muttered, th

and ten months old. In just two more months, I'll be eighteen and finally able to s

don't hate them-I fear them. If you gave me a choice between being locked in a room with an angry, horned demon or

that happened when I was six, a

t of pure selfishness, turned and ran, leaving behind nothing but a cloud of dust. I hadn't even seen the dog yet, so when it attacked me from behind, I was completely unprepared. I screamed a

back to

eup, and dating older guys. I have no idea what she sees in them, but whatev

es him because he's kind and easy to talk to. My mom, Maria, is a beautiful and ambitious woman. She used to be obsess

my pajamas, staring blankly at the ceiling. "

childhood with my mother, but unfor

t my fault," I whispered

ad and me. When he returned from his workshop, we sat t

the silence, asking eagerly,

hear my answer, b

chuckled and said, "I know, but you'll have to deci

and said, "You just

nd stammered, "Of course no

gh, "Alright, Dad. I'll

patted my head. "Good

-

ays l

everything I needed. He advised me not to

h Grandma in her hometown. I bet the old

band, okay?" Dad said gently, though I could h

nice to the trees, the birds, ev

nd ruffled m

uted, waving as I disappeared among the trave

-

e pla

o calm my racing heart. At last, I was on my

nor. Just enjoy the trip

l times. A middle-aged woman sat beside me, and we chatt

rming me that we had landed and it was time to disembark.

d my bags onto a trolley and pushed it forward, scanning the crowd for a sign with

f course, Mom couldn't even both

anded on a sign th

rritation-how I loathe it when

youthful clothes, with short hair and familiar features... Grandma, of

h!" she exclaimed with excitement as soon as she saw me,

ma... I hope

triking a pose. "I'm perfe

llowed her out of the hall, pu

d my luggage inside and shut it, then walked around to th

mething urgent came up and she couldn't make it,"

replied in a falsely sweet tone,

such an understanding

just following Dad's

sked curiously, "W

nderful! You'll love him

my breath, "Hig

ourse, and turned to ask

head quickly, flustered.

was beautiful-especially for a small city. I smiled at the scenery and

gazed at the place with childlike awe... A neat garden with trimmed grass, a large apple

ke it all in before waiting for Grandma to catch

otioned for me to go firs

stepped onto the

if waiting for Grandma. The moment he saw her,

pounding wildly.

was small, but to me, he loo

ps left between us, I let ou

ything we