I'm Lovelorn After My Ex Becomes My Stepbrother

My mom's new husband's son turned out to be my ex-boyfriend.

*****

At the dinner table, I was so awkward I could only fiddle with my fingers and keep my head down, sticking to the two dishes in front of me.

"Why don't you say hello?"

I gave an awkward laugh. "Mr. Mitchell, hi, I'm Stephanie Harrison."

Frank Mitchell was a gentle and refined man.

He smiled warmly. "This is my son, Zachary Mitchell. He's a year younger than you and studies right next to you at Aurumisia University. Just call him Zachary."

I thought, "Zachary?

Oh no! Back when we started dating, I was so enchanted by Zachary that I used to call him Zakky."

I quickly changed the subject and raised my glass. "Mr. Mitchell, we're gathered here today to celebrate the first anniversary of your lovely relationship with my mom, who was the most beautiful and gentle woman. Soon, you'll be stepping into marriage. I wholeheartedly wish you both a harmonious, joyful, and healthy life together."

I downed my drink in one go, moved by my own words, and hugged my mother, Lauren Phillips, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

I thought to myself, "Oh, it's so hard to let go when mom remarries, but what can I do since I'm such a mama's girl."

Frank was touched, "Look at how eloquent Stephanie is. Daughters are indeed more affectionate."

I sneakily glanced at the tall figure across from me, feeling his intense gaze.

"I have no objections," he said slowly, clearly directed at me.

I avoided his eyes as embarrassment washed over me again.

I was the one who had broken up with him, finding him too dull and unenthusiastic after the initial attraction wore off.

Who would have thought that he would become my stepbrother six months later, living under the same roof?

My phone vibrated. It was a message from my current boyfriend, Thomas Sullivan, inviting me out for a LARP session.

I quickly agreed, seizing the chance to escape.

But then Lauren suggested, "Why don't you take Zachary with you? They just moved here. It'd be good for you young folks to get to know each other better."

I thought, "Oh, my goodness!"

Mom didn't know about my new relationship. She thought I was just hanging out with friends.

Caught off guard, I signaled Zachary with my eyes, hoping he would decline.

To my surprise, he stood up. "I've never tried LARP before. Stephanie, I'd appreciate it if you could show me."

I thought, "Oh, no!"

Zachary just casually called me by my name, sending a shiver down my spine.

*****

In the taxi, we both sat with our heads turned away, silent, overwhelmed by too many unspoken words.

He played with his phone for a while, then suddenly leaned over. "Add me back?"

A proper ex should be cleanly cut off, which was why we had mutually deleted each other after he agreed to break up.

I nodded, unlocked my phone, and a message popped up: [Baby, I'm here. Hurry up.]

I was speechless.

After one social embarrassment after another, I had become numb. I hastily dismissed the message and smoothly added him back.

Then I explained, "My boyfriend."

He replied indifferently, "Oh."

Feeling oddly guilty, I blurted out, "We just made it official last week."

He turned to look at me, his handsome features still striking. "And?"

I thought to myself, "He never changed at all."

I chuckled. "My mom doesn't know yet, so don't tell her, okay?"

*****

When we reached the escape room, I immediately went to find Thomas, who had brought several friends, some familiar, some not.

One of the girls whom I met for the first time caught my attention. "And who is this beauty?"

"Oh, she's a kid from my neighbor's. She just got into university, like a little sister to me. I brought her along as she's bored over the summer."

Thomas wrapped his arm around my waist, and I awkwardly pulled away.

Noticing Zachary behind me, Thomas was slightly unpleasant. "Babe, who's this?"

I kept it brief. "My brother."

Relieved, Thomas brightened up again, his sunny smile revealing a set of white teeth.

I felt a mix of emotions.

He brought his sister, and I brought my brother, and the expressions of our mutual friends were oddly peculiar.

I thought to myself, "So many people here."