My Fake Stepbrother’s Undercover Kiss - Chapter 4: Chapter 4

"You're out of your mind! I won't let you get away with this!"
I drove my knee into his gut, sending him crumpling to the floor with a choked gasp.
That fleeting warmth from that night? A lie. A pretty little illusion masking the rot beneath—this father and son duo were vipers in silk sheets.
"Emily, you really think what you saw was real? I never lied to you."
His wounded-puppy act didn't fool me. Not for a second. Every word out of his mouth was poison. These people were sick—who knew what twisted game they were playing?
"Save the act. We both know the truth."
I barely had time to shove him back before his fist cracked against my temple. Darkness swallowed me whole. When I came to, my skull pulsed like a second heartbeat, and bile burned the back of my throat.
Blinking through the haze, I spotted two figures—backs turned, voices low. They hadn't noticed I was awake.
"Dad, you sure about the dosage? I hit her hard. What if she—"
Not his voice. Sharper. Colder.
"Relax. We've done this before. Getting cold feet now? Her family's dripping cash. One big score, and we vanish for a month. Or you wanna keep dancing on knife's edge with me?"
That gravelly rasp—him. My soon-to-be-stepfather.
Ice flooded my veins. Every nightmare I'd had was unfolding in real time. That charming smile? A mask.
"Fine. Stick to the plan. And watch that other guy—he's got eyes everywhere."
"Already handled."
They turned. Froze.
"You're up early."
"Eavesdropping, sweetheart?"
Now I saw them clearly—my stepfather and some stranger. Not the pretty-boy escort from the club.
Their web was massive. Another new player.
Just as my lungs locked in panic, a scream shredded the air.
Mom.
"Where is she? What did you do?" My own shriek bounced off the walls.
I couldn't—wouldn't—picture what these animals had put her through.
At nearly fifty, Mom spent more on facials than most did on rent. She could've passed for thirty-five.
Her hands? Softer than mine.
"Save the dramatics. The fun's just starting."
Stepfather hauled me up like a sack of flour.
"Wanna see Mommy? Let's go."
They dumped me in a reeking hellhole—stench of rot and piss so thick I gagged. My life had been silk sheets and champagne. This? A slaughterhouse.
"Look familiar?"
His finger jabbed toward a crumpled shape in the corner.
Matted hair. Face smeared with filth, stinking of decay. Not a scrap of fabric left on her. She looked like roadkill.
This wasn't my mother. I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe.
"Cat got your tongue?"
His boot slammed into my ribs, sending me sprawling into her.
"Emily… baby, are you hurt?" Her voice was sandpaper on glass. I didn't know this shattered creature.
"Mom… what did they—?"
I reached for her, but the sight of her ruined face made my hands shake. All I could grab was her torn sleeve.
"Emily, this is all my fault."
"If I hadn't… if I'd just seen him for what he was—" Her breath hitched. Even through the grime, the despair in her eyes screamed too late.
But life didn't do rewinds. Even if we could go back, we'd end up right here.
She clutched my arm, sobbing. And all I could think?
This is your mess. And now I'm drowning in it.
If she hadn't been blind for that man, we'd be safe. She did this. And I was paying the price.
"I told you he was trouble. Look where we are. Because of you."
Curled in the filth, Mom wept. "I didn't know… I loved him. I never thought—"
"If you'd listened—"
Pointless. We needed an exit.
"He played me. Just wanted my money. I… I was a fool."
She never imagined the man who whispered forever would sell her like livestock.
That "special" mung bean soup at dinner? Drugged. The romantic hotel getaway? A trap.
Then—
Hands. Too many to count. Ripping. Taking.
"Next! Move it!"
"Damn, this one's prime. My wife's got nothing on her."
"Easy. Don't break her before I get mine."