My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 725

Chapter 25

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Chapter 725

A strange ache settled in my chest.

To him…

I still wasn’t enough.

Not as I was, not with my dyslexia, not with my scars, not with the parts of me that still fell apart when life became too heavy.

He still saw someone who needed fixing before she could finally deserve to be chosen.

And the cruelest part was, I wasn’t sure I disagreed with him.

My fingers tightened around my phone.

After mom died, I’d been telling myself that if I could just find the answers… if could prove all those years of therapy, treatment, and impossible expectations had accomplished something, maybe I’d finally become someone worth keeping.

Someone who could stand beside Raphael without slowing him down. Someone he would never have to carry. Someone who

wouldn’t embarrass him.

Someone… enough.

I swallowed against the lump in my throat. That was why I was here, not because I wanted my father, not because I wanted this house but because some part of me still needed someone to tell me that everything I’d survived had meant something.

That I hadn’t suffered for nothing.

That I was finally… enough.

And until someone did, I wasn’t sure I’d ever believe it myself.

“We’re done with this conversation now,” Dad’s voice returned to its usual tone, “You’ve had a long day. Go eat something then freshen up,” he continued, “Later, I’m taking you to my office.”

A strange feeling settled in my stomach, “Office?” I repeated.

He gave one short nod, “If you’re going to inherit this family one day, then it’s time you started understanding what you’re inheriting. We have wasted so many years already, Gianna.”

He turned and started walking back toward the house. Leone fell into step beside him without saying a word, I didn’t even know

when he had followed us here.

The garden became strangely quiet. Only the breeze moved through the trees, carrying the scent of roses and freshly cut grass.

I stood where I was, watching Dad’s back. My mind refused to slow down.

His office.

His empire.

His heir.

The words kept crashing into one another until I couldn’t separate them anymore. I didn’t want any of it. I wanted answers.

I wanted Dr. Vance.

And to get to Dr. Vance, I need to listen to Daddy. The thought made my chest ache. I took a step toward the house when something wrapped gently around my wrist.

I stopped and looked down.

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Chapter 2

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Gia

His fingers were trembling against my hand. He was finally looking up at me with the most beautiful blue eyes ever. His eyes darted toward the house before returning to mine.

He leaned forward the smallest amount. His voice was so quiet I almost didn’t catch it. His fingers tightened around mine, ” Please…” his throat bobbed, “Leave.”

I frowned, “What?”

His eyes filled with panic, “You shouldn’t have come back. Please, leave while you still can.”

The world seemed to stop.

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