Part 3Plot Twist: My Three-Year Crush Suddenly Became My Brother

After a night of tossing and turning, I woke up late the next day.

When I came out, they were already eating breakfast.

Callum wasn't there, he must have gone out.

My mom saw me and gave me a reproachful look.

Uncle Harrison seemed quite happy though. After some small talk, he told me to quickly sit down and eat breakfast.

As soon as I sat down, Lachlan said, "Stepsister, Mom said your soup is delicious. I really want to try it."

My mom immediately chimed in, "Yes, it's her specialty."

Then she said to me, "Avalon, go to the kitchen and make some soup for Lachlan."

Seeing the mischievous glint in Lachlan's eyes, I knew he was doing this on purpose.

But I had no choice. I could only obediently go to the kitchen to make soup for him.

It's not actually difficult, just takes some time. At least this way I didn't have to eat at the same table as them.

But just as I was halfway through, Lachlan also came into the kitchen.

He said he was there to help me.

For just one pot of soup, what help did I need? He was probably here to tease me.

But he had already come in and was taking a bowl of strawberries out of the fridge.

"I heard you like strawberries." He put the strawberries in the sink. "I bought these especially for you."

Every time he called me "stepsister," I felt like he was up to no good.

"Stepsister, try one and see if they're good." He held out a strawberry to my lips.

I instinctively took a step back, looking at him apprehensively.

He smiled and asked in a low voice, "Why are you running away?"

Then he quickly stepped forward, pressing against my back.

"You..." I had just opened my mouth when he grabbed my hand and continued, "Stepsister, teach me. Once I learn, I can make soup for my dad."

He was really too close, and this was an open kitchen with the dining table right across from us.

My mom must have heard because she laughed and said, "Avalon, go ahead and teach Lachlan. You're stepsiblings now, one family. There's nothing to hide."

I nodded in agreement and shifted forward a bit, not wanting to touch Lachlan behind me.

At the same time, I reminded him, "You can just stand to the side."

"Stepsister, I prefer to learn from behind," he said as he squeezed even closer.

I was practically bent over the counter.

Suddenly Lachlan reached around and grabbed my waist, pulling me back against him.

"Stepsister, that position was dangerous," he said in a low voice by my ear.

I was startled and my hand shook, dropping the spoon into the pot.

"Lachlan, you..." I wanted to tell him he was too close.

But unexpectedly, his hand on my waist continued to wander.

My whole body froze.

"Stepsister, if you don't get the spoon soon it'll be too late," he reminded me.

I hurriedly picked up the spoon and continued stirring the soup.

My other hand reached down to where the counter blocked the view, grabbing Lachlan's wandering hand.

But Lachlan caught my hand instead, gently kneading it.

I widened my eyes in shock. He was just trying to take advantage of me!

"Stepsister, isn't it time to add sugar?" he asked.

I quickly pulled my hand away to add the sugar.

Taking advantage of this moment, Lachlan actually slipped his hand under my apron.

And I was wearing a dress today!

I immediately panicked, not knowing what to do.

"Lachlan, don't... please don't do this..." I quietly begged him.

He chuckled and picked up a strawberry, saying, "Stepsister, don't let your hand shake. If you add too much sugar it won't taste good."

My hand holding the spoon was trembling badly. I didn't dare put it down, and it shook even more.

He was really going too far!

I wanted to escape, but my whole body was trapped against the counter. Across from us, my mom and Uncle Harrison were eating breakfast, occasionally glancing over.

"Mmm..."

Just as I was about to make a sound, Lachlan stuffed a strawberry in my mouth, muffling my voice.

"Stepsister, the strawberries are big today, aren't they? Make sure to eat it all up."

I bit down hard, and sweet juice immediately flowed out, dripping all over his hand.

Lachlan lowered his voice, his tone ambiguous: "Stepsister, you sure know how to bite."

He grabbed a napkin from the side and wiped my mouth, feigning exasperation: "Seriously, you're dripping everywhere."

At that moment, my mom happened to look over from the dining table.

In an instant, she frowned and asked, "Avalon, are you cold? Why are you shaking?"