My Stepbrother's Dirty Little Secret novel Chapter 725

Chapter 725

A strange ache settled in my chest.

To him…

I still wasn’t enough.

Not as I was, not with my dyslexia, not with my scars, not with the parts of me that still fell apart when life became too heavy.

He still saw someone who needed fixing before she could finally deserve to be chosen.

And the cruelest part was, I wasn’t sure I disagreed with him.

My fingers tightened around my phone.

After mom died, I’d been telling myself that if I could just find the answers… if could prove all those years of therapy, treatment, and impossible expectations had accomplished something, maybe I’d finally become someone worth keeping.

Someone who could stand beside Raphael without slowing him down. Someone he would never have to carry. Someone who wouldn’t embarrass him.

Someone… enough.

I swallowed against the lump in my throat. That was why I was here, not because I wanted my father, not because I wanted this house but because some part of me still needed someone to tell me that everything I’d survived had meant something.

That I hadn’t suffered for nothing.

That I was finally… enough.

And until someone did, I wasn’t sure I’d ever believe it myself.

“We’re done with this conversation now,” Dad’s voice returned to its usual tone, “You’ve had a long day. Go eat something then freshen up,” he continued, “Later, I’m taking you to my office.”

A strange feeling settled in my stomach, “Office?” I repeated.

He gave one short nod, “If you’re going to inherit this family one day, then it’s time you started understanding what you’re inheriting. We have wasted so many years already, Gianna.”

He turned and started walking back toward the house. Leone fell into step beside him without saying a word, I didn’t even know

when he had followed us here.

The garden became strangely quiet. Only the breeze moved through the trees, carrying the scent of roses and freshly cut grass.

The world seemed to stop.

I stared at him, “What are you talking about?”

His grip tightened again, “You have to-”

“Gianna,” Dad’s voice cut cleanly through the garden.

Gio flinched so hard his entire body jerked. His hand disappeared from mine immediately.

I turned to see Dad was walking back toward us. His eyes flicked from me to Gio and then to our hands.

A smile appeared on his face. He stopped beside me. Without asking, his fingers closed around my wrist. He gently pulled me away from Gio, “I believe I told you to eat.”

I looked back at my little brother. He had already lowered his head again. His hands rested in his lap like he’d never touched me at all.

Dad gave my wrist another gentle tug, “Come on. I have too much to show you.”

I couldn’t stop looking at Gio. He still wouldn’t lift his head, not even as Dad led me farther away. Only when we reached the steps leading back into the house did I risk one last glance over my shoulder.