My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 12

Gianna

━⊰ ❦ ⊱━

The sun was barely up, but I was already dressed and ready to go. I had on my favorite pair of baggy cargo pants and a simple gray crop top. My light brown hair was pulled back into a bun, and my heavy backpack was slumped over one shoulder.

I looked like every other girl on the UIC campus, which was exactly what I wanted.

I checked my phone one last time. Between the disability aid I received and the extra cash I made from my side projects, I was barely keeping my head above water without taking out more loans.

I didn't want to owe anyone anything, especially not the men in this house like my mother wanted for me.

My head hurt from staring at my laptop screen. Because of my dyslexia, the letters liked to dance around when I was tired, and my machine learning project was a mess of blurry lines. I just needed to get to the computer lab where I could use my special software to get some real work done.

I moved quietly down the hallway, hoping I could find the front door without getting lost in this maze of a house or worse, running into someone.

Especially that stronzo from last night.

I had just reached the bottom of the stairs when a voice stopped me.

"Gianna! You’re leaving already?"

I turned around. Claire was standing near the arched doorway that led to another part of this stupidly big house. She looked glowing and happy, her hand resting on her stomach.

"I have a long day," I said, "I have to get to the lab before my first lecture."

"You can't go to school on an empty stomach," Claire said, walking over to me with a kind smile, "Come inside. We’re all having breakfast. It’s a beautiful morning, and I’d really love for you to sit with us for a bit."

I looked in the direction of the living room. Freedom was around there somewhere. I could practically taste the cheap campus coffee. But Claire was looking at me with so much hope in her eyes that I felt my walls start to crack.

"Just for a few minutes?" she asked softly, "Your mom is already at the table, and she’d love to see you before you go. She was worried about you yesterday."

I let out a slow breath, "Okay. Just a few minutes, Claire. I really can't be late."

"Perfect!" she chirped.

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