Claimed And Marked By Her Stepbrother Mates novel Chapter 55

Chapter 55: 55-How Sweet!

Helanie:

"Who are you picking?" My father loomed over me, towering above a small six-year-old. Every time he asked me this question, it felt like I was committing a crime just by thinking about choosing.

"I don’t want to be without Mommy," I whimpered, clutching my teddy bear tightly. _{freeωebnovēl.c૦m}

"Helanie! You’re not a child anymore." My father snatched the teddy bear from my hands, trying to force an answer from me.

"Now look at me and tell me, who do you pick?" he demanded, his intense gaze piercing into mine.

"Mommy!" I whispered, barely audible, choosing my mother for what felt like the hundredth time that week. And once again, his hand struck my cheek.

"You’ll never be loved like this. If you can’t choose your father, you don’t deserve to be a daughter. I’ve given you everything—even this stupid teddy bear. I work day and night for you and your mother, and yet you still choose her?" His voice shook as he yelled, making me curl up tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"That’s enough!" my mother’s voice broke through, saving me as she walked into the room and saw what he was doing.

"She doesn’t want to go! Why are you forcing her?" she shouted, cradling me as I melted into her arms.

"Since you cheated, Alpha Diaz allowed me to keep her until our rejection is finalized on the full moon. So back off!" My mother held me tightly, and for the first time, I felt safe in her embrace. I never told her that every time my father forced me to choose, I always picked her.

Dad had made it clear that if I chose my mother, he would be harsh with me whenever I came to stay with him. And I didn’t want my father to be cruel.

"Fine! Take her all you want, but one day, she’ll make a choice and she will choose me," he said, his voice echoing through the air, claiming that I’d eventually have to make my choice—though he ignored the truth. I had already chosen. I had chosen my mom.

"Helanie!"

A familiar voice began to break through my dream. My mother’s presence blurred as I slowly opened my eyes, finding myself surrounded by doctors. It took a moment, but I remembered what had happened the previous night.

However, I was shocked to see my stepbrother beside me. This place was unfamiliar, and I could have sworn that I’d died last night.

"Did you... save me?" I could barely string together a full sentence. Kaye was sitting in the chair beside my bed, his expression unreadable.

He stared at me for a moment before answering, "I did."

I was stunned. How was he always the one to find me? The one to save me?

"Why—and how did you find me?" My voice was barely a whisper. I wasn’t hurt or crying from the assault last night; I was mortified that someone had to see me like this.