I Ran From My Psycho Step-brother Straight Into The Alpha's Lap novel Chapter 105

**When Night Grows Softer Hope Returns To Lead Us by Asa Rowan Finn**
**Chapter 105**

Talya trudged into the lunchroom, her gaze fixed firmly on the floor, as if the tiles held some kind of solace. Fatigue weighed heavily on her shoulders, and frustration simmered just beneath the surface. She longed for the day to end, for the relentless ticking of the clock to finally grant her some relief. As she crossed the threshold into the bustling lunchroom, a peculiar hush seemed to envelop the space, wrapping around her like a thick fog.

Curiosity piqued, Talya lifted her head, and her breath caught in her throat.

Before her, Brandon was seated at his usual table, surrounded by his entourage of friends. But it wasn’t the sight of him that held her captive; it was the girl who was practically draped over him, her laughter ringing out like a cruel taunt. Talya felt as if she had been struck motionless, the scene before her freezing time itself. As if sensing the weight of the moment, Brandon finally released the girl from his embrace, standing up with a flourish. He caught Talya’s gaze for the briefest instant, a flicker of recognition passing between them, before he leaped onto the bench, commanding the attention of the entire room.

“Three cheers for our victory last night!” he bellowed, his voice booming with exuberance.

The lunchroom erupted in cheers and whistles, a cacophony of excitement that filled the air. “As is our custom,” he continued, his voice rising above the noise, “after the last game of the year, the quarterback announces who he will be taking to Prom. This year, I asked Stephanie; and she said yes!” The cheers crescendoed, drowning out his words as he pulled the girl up beside him, wrapping her in an embrace that felt like salt in Talya’s wounds. Their kiss was public and unabashed, a display that made her stomach churn.

Talya felt as though the air had been knocked out of her lungs, a visceral pain settling in her chest. She glanced around and noticed the eyes of her peers upon her—some whispered, others pointed, while a few wore expressions of pity that felt more like daggers. She needed to escape, to flee the scene before her emotions spilled over. With a swift turn, she attempted to make her exit but collided with a solid form.

“Whoa there,” came a familiar voice as warm arms steadied her. Talya looked up to find Liam, his expression unreadable but focused. Yet, his eyes weren’t on her; they were scanning the room, clearly fixated on the scene that had just unfolded behind her.

“Excuse me,” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, thick with the threat of tears. She had to get away before she utterly humiliated herself.

“Don’t give him the satisfaction of seeing you run away,” Liam said, his voice low but laced with an intensity that made her pause. He looked down at her, jaw clenched tight, as if he were holding back his own frustrations. “Turn around and face him. Hold your head high. Then walk away. And whatever you do, do not shed a tear for him.” His words, fierce and commanding, ignited a flicker of strength within her, compelling her to suppress the tears that threatened to spill over.

With a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and turned to confront Brandon.

To her surprise, he was already looking in her direction, anger etched across his features. She crossed her arms defiantly, glaring at him as if to say she wouldn’t be broken. With that, she turned and strode out of the lunchroom, her legs trembling with every step, as if they might buckle beneath her at any moment.

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