Page 49 of My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret 3
It wasn't Ryan.
It was Dad.
‘I'm outside your dorm Angel.Your mom and I want to see you before our flight.Just a few minutes.Come out now.'
My heart stopped and then started again in a panic."No‚ no‚ no‚ no…" I whispered‚ pacing back and forth."Oh my God‚ Sasha‚ I can't let them see this."
"See what?!"she pressed‚ her eyes darting between me and my neck."Anna‚ you're scaring me."
I wasn't listening anymore.My hands were shaking as I grabbed the nearest thing I could‚ a shawl from Sasha's laundry pile‚ and wrapped it tightly around my neck.Too tightly‚ maybe‚ but I didn't care.My pulse was pounding so hard I thought it might break through my skin.
Sasha reached for my arm."Where are you going?!"
"My parents‚" I croaked."They're outside.I have to—" My words cut off as I bolted for the door.
Outside‚ I spotted them immediately.Mom and Dad‚ standing near the car‚ waiting for me.My chest clenched so tight it was painful‚ but I forced a smile and hurried forward.
Mom's face lit up as she opened her arms."Honey."She hugged me tight‚ kissing my cheek‚ and I had to fight to keep my breathing normal.Dad hugged me too‚ his hand firm on my shoulder‚ his eyes scanning me in that way that always made me feel like he could see through everything.
"Are you enjoying it here‚ angel?"Mom asked‚ her voice soft‚ her eyes full of warmth.
I nodded quickly."Yes‚ Mom.I'm fine.Everything's fine."My voice cracked on the last word‚ but I prayed they didn't notice.
Mom tilted her head‚ her brows knitting."Are you sure?You look pale.You're not sick‚ are you?"
"No‚ I'm okay."I shook my head too fast‚ clutching the shawl tighter around my neck.
Her hand lifted‚ reaching for the edge of the fabric like she wanted to check my temperature at my neck‚ the way she always did.Panic surged through me.I stepped back‚ clutching the shawl tighter."No!I mean—no‚ I'm fine‚ Mom.Really."
She froze‚ her hand still mid-air‚ her frown deepening."Anna…"
"I'm fine‚" I whispered again‚ my throat tight.
Dad's eyes narrowed slightly‚ like he was trying to piece something together‚ but then he sighed and brushed it off."We have to go‚" he said‚ his tone firmer‚ checking his watch."Our flight is in less than twenty minutes.We'll miss it if we don't leave now."
Mom still looked like she wanted to push‚ but Dad touched her arm‚ and she let out a breath.She leaned forward instead and kissed my forehead."Don't forget everything I've told you‚ okay?always be the good girl you've always been."
My chest twisted so hard I almost couldn't speak.I nodded quickly‚ my eyes stinging."Yes‚ Mom."
Dad reached into his wallet‚ pulled out a thick bundle of cash‚ and pressed it into my hand."Take care of yourself‚ angel."His voice was deep‚ steady‚ but his gaze lingered on me just a second too long.
I nodded again‚ my throat burning."I will‚ Dad.I promise."
They both gave me one last look‚ waved‚ and climbed into the car.The driver pulled away‚ and I stood frozen on the sidewalk‚ my shawl still clutched desperately around my neck.
The second the car turned the corner‚ I let out a huge breath I didn't even realize I was holding‚ my whole body shaking as I pressed my hand over the mark hidden beneath the fabric.
CHAPTER 148
Anna's POV
For the next few days‚ I was completely lost in thought.It was like my brain refused to focus on anything else but my phone.I kept staring at the screen‚ at the message I had sent to Ryan two days ago‚ the one that still sat there‚ marked as delivered but not replied to‚ and every time I looked at it I felt my chest tighten in anger and hurt.Two days‚ and not even a single word from him.My head was so far gone that I didn't even realize the lecturer had called my name until Sasha tapped me on the arm.
"Huh?"I blinked and looked up quickly‚ feeling the heat rush into my cheeks as the whole class stared at me.
The lecturer‚ a stern woman with sharp eyes‚ repeated the question‚ her tone clipped."Miss Rivers‚ if a company's equity increases‚ what does that say about the net assets of the business?"
I froze for a second but thankfully‚ I had read ahead the night before.I cleared my throat and forced myself to answer."It means the business is expanding its value‚ ma'am‚ because the net assets will increase alongside equity."