My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 499

Chapter 499

Raphael remained focused on the screen, “I also integrated predictive analytics based on your previous medical data trends.”

I stared at him, “You did all of that?”

He finally looked up, his gaze found mine instantly. The intensity of it nearly stole the air from my lungs, “Yes,” he answered simply.

Because this was Raphael.

He protected people in the only way he knew how.

Mom’s expression softened, “Thank you.”

He glanced down at the tablet in his hands before looking back at Mom.

“It wasn’t difficult,” he said, “It seemed like the most efficient way to avoid communication delays and to make sure everyone has accurate information.”

His gaze flickered toward me for a fraction of a second before returning to Mom.

“If there are any issues with it, let me know. I can modify the system.’

Mom’s expression softened, “That was very thoughtful of you.”

“It was a practical solution,” Raphael replied evenly, “Hopefully, it’ll be useful.”

I knew him enough to know that Raphael didn’t spend hours solving problems that didn’t matter to him.

His attention remained on the tablet in his hands yet somehow, this felt more intimate than words ever could.

Because while everyone else heard efficiency and practicality, I heard the truth hidden beneath it.

He had found a way to take care of me without ever having to admit that was what he was doing.

My heart beat harder when his attention shifted toward me once more and I became painfully aware of everything.

The slight tension in his jaw.

The way his fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the tablet.

The familiar scent of his cologne.

The memory of his hands.

The warmth that spread through my chest simply from being near him.

Raphael inhaled slowly, his expression remained carefully neutral but his eyes betrayed him.

“There’s… a few things I should explain about the system,” he said, clearing his throat softly, “If you have a minute.”

I was already pushing myself off the bed.

“Yeah,” I answered quickly, “Of course.”

I followed him out of the room, pulling the door closed quietly behind me and leaned against the wall beside the door.

His gaze shifted away from me almost immediately, “I’ve been occupied.”

The silence returned. It wasn’t exactly uncomfortable, just… strange. We had fought, argued, teased each other, and made each other angry. We had kissed against the walls and looked at each other like the rest of the world didn’t exist.

But this careful politeness between us felt unfamiliar.

“I’ve been attending my classes online,” I said after a while, “And Mom convinced me to go back to ballet.”

Raphael nodded once, “Good. You should continue with those things,” he said quietly. “College. Ballet.”

My smile faded a little, “What if something happens while I’m gone?”

His jaw tightened, “The system will notify you if there’s any change,” he replied evenly, “You’ll know immediately,” he hesitated for a fraction of a second, “You don’t have to stop existing outside of this.”

I looked up at him, “And you?” I asked softly, “Are you taking your own advice? You don’t have to disappear into work either.”

His eyes moved back to mine, “I don’t know how to answer that question correctly.”

The honesty caught me off guard, “You don’t have to answer it correctly,” I said softly. “You can just answer it.”

He was quiet for so long that I thought he wouldn’t respond at all. Then, very carefully, he said, “I don’t particularly know what to do outside of work.”

The conversation should have ended there.

It almost did.

We both stood in that hallway, caught in something too soft to name properly and too awkward to ignore like neither of us knew how to leave first without making it worse.