My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 303

Chapter 303

1 stood silent in the darkness, my body completely still, watching her.

Gianna took a frantic, shaky breath. She quickly ran her fingers through her damp hair, trying to smooth down the wild strands, and adjusted the belt of her fluffy white bathrobe. She forced her shoulders down, trying to look calm, though I could see her hands still trembling against her thighs.

Outside, the click of the spare key turning in the lock echoed through the room.

Before the door could swing open, Gianna marched over and pulled it open herself.

“I was in the bathroom,” Gianna said, her voice sounding a bit tight but loud enough to carry. She stood right in the doorway, blocking the path inside, “What’s wrong? Why are you pounding on my door like this?”

Hazel stood on the other side of the threshold, and the sight of her immediately drew my eyes.

She looked angry, her face twisted in a glare, but one of her shoulders slumped lower than the other, and her left arm hung slightly loose, the hand trembling against her side. She was holding a small handbag, but her fingers were curled awkwardly around the strap, gripping it with a weak stiffness that looked painful.

When she stepped forward into the room, her left foot dragged slightly on the hardwood floor, a soft, scraping sound that made Gianna’s eyes briefly dart downward.

Hazel didn’t care that Gianna was trying to block her. She used her good side to push past her daughter, walking into the bedroom with uneven steps.

“Do not use that tone with me,” Hazel said. She had to pause, taking a slow, shallow breath as her chest strained, ” You think… you think I wouldn’t notice?”

She turned around to face Gianna, her body swaying slightly before she forced her weight onto her stronger leg. She used her right hand to lift the bag, shaking it at Gianna with a weak, clumsy jerk of her wrist.

Gianna stood by the door, her back completely rigid. From my spot in the dark closet, I watched her. Her chest was rising and falling too fast, her eyes locked on her mother’s weak, trembling frame.

“What is this?” Hazel asked, as she let go of the bag, throwing it straight at Gianna’s feet.

The bag hit the floor, sliding open. Three small plastic bottles rolled out across the floor, their bright orange plastic catching the morning light, the tiny white pills inside rattling loudly.

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