Page 30 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3

I looked at him‚ my mouth dry‚ my brain racing.He was clearly trying to change the subject‚ but I couldn't stop thinking about that message‚ about the name‚ about the heart emoji‚ about the fact that someone out there called him babe and felt comfortable enough to send that.

Still‚ I smiled.Just like that‚ forced the corners of my lips up and said‚ "Next week Wednesday."

He nodded‚ barely making eye contact now.I could see how his mind had drifted elsewhere‚ how the lightness from earlier had disappeared.I tried to keep the smile on my face‚ but the silence between us started to feel thick‚ heavy‚ awkward.

So I asked.

"Who's Sophie?"

His eyes snapped up to mine.He blinked‚ froze for a moment‚ and then the color drained from his face just enough for me to notice.He rubbed the back of his neck‚ looked anywhere but at me‚ and said‚ "It doesn't matter."

and that was it.

He didn't explain.Didn't lie.Didn't offer anything else.

and I didn't push.

I just nodded slowly‚ kept eating my food even though I couldn't taste it anymore‚ even though I could feel this dull ache starting to build in my chest.

After we were done eating‚ he stood up and said‚ "I'll be heading out.Got a few things to handle."

He leaned down‚ tried to kiss me‚ but I tilted my head slightly at the last second‚ and his lips landed on my ear instead.He paused‚ clearly noticing‚ and I saw the frown tug at his brow.But he didn't say anything.Just straightened‚ grabbed his phone‚ and left.

and I was left sitting there‚ alone at the table‚ my untouched tea going cold‚ and my head spinning.

Who the hell was Sophie?

CHAPTER 132

Anna's POV

Just a few minutes after I finished eating‚ my phone buzzed beside me.It was a message from Ryan.He said‚ "Go to my room.Check the drawer beside my bed.You'll find my card holder there.Take the black card and replace your friend's dress.The pin is 0000."

I stared at the message for a while‚ frowning a bit.That was all?Just like that?He didn't even say anything else?Maybe an explanation about who Sophie was?

and come to think of it‚ doesn't he always lock his room door?

I sighed‚ slipped my phone into my pocket‚ and headed to his room.The knob turned easily when I twisted it‚ and just like that‚ the door swung open.I stepped inside slowly‚ glancing around.It smelled like him.My eyes immediately landed on the bed‚ and I swallowed hard‚ pausing for a second as my mind suddenly flooded with the images of everything that happened on that very bed.I took in a deep breath‚ shook the thoughts out of my head‚ and walked to the bedside drawer.

I opened the first drawer and‚ just like he said‚ the cardholder was sitting right there.I picked it up‚ opened it‚ and saw the black card tucked inside neatly.I took it‚ but just as I was about to close the drawer‚ curiosity got the better of me and I opened the second one.There were files‚ nothing too interesting‚ but then I saw a small remote tucked in the corner.I picked it up and faced it towards the TV‚ thinking maybe it was some fancy remote for that‚ but when I pressed the button‚ nothing happened.I frowned‚ tried again‚ but still nothing.I placed it back where I found it‚ still wondering what it controlled.

I left the room‚ went back to mine‚ changed into something simple‚ grabbed my bag‚ and took a ride to the boutique.I found Sasha's exact dress without much stress.The moment I saw it‚ I realized it was the fake version she had‚ and beside it was the original.I didn't think twice.I picked the original and paid for it with Ryan's card‚ then headed straight to Sasha's dorm.

She was already waiting outside‚ after I'd called her I'd be coming over.

"You brought it already?I told you you could give me on Monday.It's just Saturday‚" she said‚ raising an eyebrow.

"I just wanted to get it over with‚" I replied‚ smiling a little.

She took the bag and didn't suspect anything until we got inside her dorm room.It was a single room‚ neat and filled with scented candles and throw pillows.Typical Sasha.She pulled out the dress‚ looked at the tag‚ and her brows knitted.

"Wait...did you buy me a new one?"she asked.

I nodded‚ trying not to look at her directly.

"What happened to the old one?"she asked‚ tilting her head.I didn't say anything.I just blushed‚ the memory flashing in my mind.

"Oh my God..."Sasha's eyes widened as she covered her mouth‚ grinning."Don't tell me it was ruined while you were...you know..."She wiggled her brows.