My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 723

Chapter 723

For a long moment, I simply stared at it. Six years ago. I would’ve thanked him. I would’ve smiled. I would’ve drunk it without a second thought because Dad had handed it to me.

Now…

All I could think about was the sting in my arm, the heaviness in my eyelids, the way I’d fought to stay awake while he held me against his chest.

“Go to sleep, my darling.”

My fingers tightened around the glass. Slowly, I lifted my eyes to him, then I held the glass back toward him, “Take a sip.”

Dad blinked, he looked genuinely caught off guard, “Excuse me?”

“The juice,” I kept my hand exactly where it was, “Drink it.”

His brows slowly drew together, “And why,” he asked carefully, “would I do that?”

“Because I need to know it’s safe.”

His expression hardened, “What exactly are you implying?”

“I’m not implying anything,” I shrugged, “I’m making a new rule.”

His jaw clenched, “What rule?”

“Anything you give me to eat,” I lifted the glass slightly, “Anything you ask me to drink. You’ll have it first.”

Dad let out a short, disbelieving laugh, “You honestly think I’d poison my own daughter?”

“No,” my answer came immediately, “I think you already proved you’re comfortable putting drugs into my body without asking me.”

His smile disappeared, “I had to sedate you.”

“You drugged me.”

His voice sharpened, “Gianna.”

“So now…” I looked down at the juice before looking back at him, “Every single thing that comes from this house goes through you first.”

His eyes narrowed, “You’ve lost your mind.”

“Maybe,” I nodded once, “But after waking up in my childhood bedroom because my own father stuck a needle in me,” I pushed the glass toward him again, “I’d say my trust issues are pretty justified.”

His nostrils flared, “You are being ridiculous.”

“And you’re wasting time,” I gave the glass another small shake, “Drink.”

His patience finally snapped, “I am your father.”

“I know.”

“You will not speak to me like-”

“Dad…” the word came out flat, “Please. I really don’t have the energy for a lecture today.”

His mouth opened.

1/2

1 didn’t let him speak, “Either drink the juice or I’ll assume there’s a reason you won’t.”

+15 Bonus

Dad stared at me and I stared right back. Neither of us moved, finally, with a sharp exhale through his nose, he snatched the glass from my hand, “You’ve become impossible.”

He lifted it, held my gaze, then deliberately took a long drink. He swallowed then thrust the glass back toward me, “There. Happy?”

I accepted it without a word, watched him for another couple of seconds, then I took a drink myself. I swallowed the rest before handing the glass back to him, “Thank you.”

He looked at the glass, then at me. His jaw remained tight as he took it back. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed movement.

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