My Stepbrother, My Enemy {BL}-Chapter 238: Keeping Appearances

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Before I could muster a token protest, I was being pulled forward through the crowd, Adrien dragged along beside me like he’d become just another accessory to the evening’s agenda. The music swelled around us again, the hum of polished laughter and expensive confidence closing in, and I felt that familiar knot of anxiety tighten in my chest until it was hard to breathe.

We stopped at the first group, men in tailored suits that probably cost more than my tuition, women draped in silk and diamonds that sparkled like tiny stars, all of them smiling with that practiced ease of folks who had been doing this their whole lives.

Names were tossed around too quickly for me to catch half of them, hands shaken, compliments exchanged like currency. I nodded when expected, smiled when someone looked at me expectantly, but the words blurred together, slipping by without sticking. With every introduction, my shoulders grew tense, my grip tightening on my phone in my pocket as if that were the only thing keeping me grounded.

I felt myself shrinking inward, overwhelmed by the attention, the scrutiny, the way every gaze lingered just a second too long, assessing, judging, cataloging.

Adrien noticed.

He leaned closer, his voice low and teasing, meant just for me. "You look like you’re about to bolt for the nearest exit and never look back."

I shot him a sideways glance, half mortified, half relieved someone understood. "I might actually pass out if one more person asks me what I’m ’planning to do with my future.’ Like I have any clue right now."

His lips twitched, amusement flaring briefly across his face despite everything. "Relax. You’re doing fine. Just nod and look smart. You’ve got the smart part down."

We were introduced to another couple, then another, the cycle repeating until I felt dizzy from it all. At some point, Adrien subtly shifted closer to my side, his presence grounding me in a way I hadn’t expected.

When the next businessman, a silver-haired guy with a voice like warm gravel—launched into a long, droning explanation about market volatility and legacy investments, Adrien smoothly stepped in, answering questions, steering the conversation away from me without making it obvious.

His tone was confident, effortless, the sharp edge I knew so well softened into something almost charming, like he’d flipped a switch and become the perfect society escort.

I watched him in quiet surprise as he took control, redirecting attention, letting me breathe while still keeping us both involved in the conversation. He spoke easily, politely, deflecting with just the right amount of humor when needed, and I felt a rush of warmth and gratitude bloom in my chest.

When the group finally drifted into another conversation, I leaned toward him, keeping my voice low. "You didn’t have to do that."

"I know," he replied, his eyes still scanning the room like he was on guard duty. "But you looked like you were two seconds away from faking a dramatic swoon just to escape." 𝓯𝓻𝒆𝙚𝒘𝓮𝙗𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝒍.𝙘𝓸𝙢

I let out a quiet laugh, the first genuine one I’d managed in hours. "Thanks."

He gave me a small, almost shy smile—the kind he rarely let anyone see. "Anytime."

As the hours dragged on, the gala began to lose its luster. Conversations dwindled, laughter grew tired and forced, and people glanced at their watches more frequently. By the time midnight was close, I felt utterly drained—social energy completely spent, feet aching in my dress shoes, head throbbing slightly from the constant noise and lights. All I could think about was collapsing into bed and letting silence envelop me like a blanket.

When the last goodbyes were finally said and the last guests began to trickle out, I let out a long, shaky breath I didn’t realize I’d been holding. I stood near Adrien as we waited for the crowd to thin, exhaustion settling heavily in my bones like wet concrete.

"I can’t wait to sleep," I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "Like, actual unconsciousness. No dreams, no thoughts, just oblivion."

Adrien glanced at me, something thoughtful and a little worried flashing through his eyes.

"Yeah," he said quietly.

Willow Haven lingered in the back of my mind like a shadow I couldn’t shake—dark, sprawling, unavoidable. Somewhere within those walls were answers, truths that could reshape everything we thought we knew about Logan, about Joanne, about all of us.

The gala had ended, the music had been silenced, the glittering facade packed away for another night, but the real night, the dangerous one was only just beginning.

As we finally stepped away from the emptying ballroom, the cool air of the lobby brushing against my overheated skin, I felt it deep in my chest: an unshakable certainty settling over me like frost. Whatever awaited us in Willow Haven, there was no turning back. And somehow, impossibly, the three of us were heading into it together.

The limo glided down the highway towards Willow Haven the next morning, almost like I was caught in a dream I hadn’t asked for, everything felt familiar yet just off enough to seem unreal. It was as if someone had turned down the color saturation and made everything feel a little fake.

I was squished against the leather seat, the cool window pressing against my temple, watching the blurry shapes of trees and exit signs zip by without really taking them in.

My mind kept splintering, fragments of the gala’s chaotic glamour, Logan’s empty hotel room, Ethan’s hesitant agreement in the hallway, and Adrien’s simmering anger when he reluctantly said "fine" like it was the worst word ever. Every few seconds, the weight of what we were actually planning to do settled in my stomach—a cold, heavy thing that I couldn’t just brush aside

Up front, my mom and Keith were getting all lovey-dovey again, voices soft and affectionate as they exchanged little jokes about the gala that floated back to me in pieces.

Ew, I’d never get used to this.

"Did you see Senator Hargrove trying to two-step to that swing number? I thought his wife was going to physically restrain him." Keith chuckled warmly, and mom laughed that bright, easy laugh she had been saving mostly for him these days.

Their happiness should’ve felt comforting, like coming home, but tonight it sounded distant, like a radio station playing a tune that didn’t quite connect.

They were chatting about centerpieces and networking wins and how proud they were of me for "mingling so well," while I sat there mentally scoping out every potential hiding spot in Logan’s sprawling estate, wondering how long it would be before the security figured out three teens were sneaking through the east wing at 2 a.m.

𝔞𝔲𝔱𝔥𝔬𝔯’𝔰 𝔯𝔞𝔪𝔟𝔩𝔦𝔫𝔤𝔰

I’m back, sorry for the hiatus! college’s been kicking my butt and I hardly have enough free time to write as many Chapters anymore ಥ⁠_⁠ಥ

On a happier note, this book is coming to an end so enough...the next volume will be the last one!

Thanks to everyone for sticking with me through the ups and downs of my first ever bl book...I’m truly grateful 💕