My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret novel Chapter 181

CHAPTER 71

ANNA’S POV

Back at the house, Grandma and Mom wouldn’t let me rest. The moment we stepped in, they both kept hovering around me, asking questions one after the other as if I could even think straight right now.

“Anna, are you okay? Do you feel dizzy? Should I call the doctor?” Grandma asked, her hands on my shoulders as she stared straight into my eyes, her voice filled with worry.

Mom was no different, moving closer and touching my arm gently. “Anna darling, you look pale. Do you need water? Tell me if you want tea. Or maybe juice? Anything you want.”

All I needed was Ryan, but Ryan wasn’t here. He had gone with Dad, Beta Logan, Gamma Steve, and Alex to the company because there was an emergency meeting that couldn’t wait. So while I had to follow Grandpa, Grandma, and Mom back home, Ryan went straight into the fight I knew was waiting for him, and I was left here feeling like a piece of me had been cut off. (1

After taking my bath, I slipped on a very simple gown. Mom called me downstairs to join them at the dining table. Almost all eyes turned to me the moment I sat down. Not eyes filled with disgust, not even a little, but eyes heavy with worry and concern, and it was so much that I didn’t know where to look.

Grandma leaned forward, her face soft and careful. “Anna, sweetheart, are you hungry? Do you want soup? Or rice? Just tell me what you want and I’ll have them bring it to you.”

I shook my head slowly, my voice weak. “I’m fine, Grandma.”

Mom frowned. “You don’t look fine. You need to eat something. Even a little bread or fruit will help. Please , my angel.”

Grandpa cleared his throat, his voice calm but steady. “Anna, no one is forcing you, but you must take care of yourself. You’ve been through too much today.”

I let out a small sigh and pushed my plate back gently. “I… I just don’t feel okay. I think it’s the jet lag, everything is spinning and I just want to sleep.”

I forced a small smile so they wouldn’t worry too much, even though inside I was burning up and shaking at the same time. My body felt feverish, but it wasn’t the kind of sickness that medicine could fix. It was the kind that only Ryan could fix, and not having him beside me was making it worse. I needed him close , not just beside me but inside me, connected to me, because it was as if I couldn’t function properly unless he was there.

Mom’s chair scraped against the floor as she stood up immediately. “Let me support you up the stairs, Anna. You look weak. I don’t want you fainting.”

I quickly shook my head, forcing myself to stand on my own. “No, Mom. Don’t worry. I can go up myself. I’m fine, really.” My voice cracked, but I couldn’t tell her the truth, I couldn’t tell her that what I needed right now wasn’t sleep or food, it was Ryan.

They all watched me as I made my way upstairs, their eyes following me with so much worry that I felt guilty for pushing them away, but my heart couldn’t handle anything else. I just wanted him. Nothing else mattered. Not food, not comfort, not words. Just him.

When I got to Ryan’s room, his bed was neatly made, the sheets fresh and clean like it had been waiting for me. I laid down, hugging his pillow tightly, and inhaling his scent, pretending it was him, and for the first time since the chaos began, I closed my eyes. Sleep dragged me in almost immediately, and the last thought in my mind was how badly I needed Ryan, how badly I needed him to come back to me.

A dip in the bed woke me, the mattress sinking slightly under a familiar weight, and while I opened my eyes I saw Ryan, shirtless, his skin still damp from the shower, tiny droplets sliding down his chest and disappearing into the waistband of his shorts.

His hair was wet too, messy from the towel he’d clearly run through it, and the fresh, clean scent of soap and his cologne clung to him so strongly it made my whole body ache with how much I’d missed him.

I hadn’t even noticed when he came in or when he’d taken his bath, but now he was right here, climbing onto the bed beside me, pulling me into his warm, damp skin as if he couldn’t stand being away from me for even another second. He pressed a kiss to my forehead, his voice soft but heavy with exhaustion.

I nodded slowly, pressing myself against him. “Is this when you arrived?”

“Ryan…” I called softly,

“Mm?” he hummed, his hand rubbing my back lazily.

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