The Stepbrother’s Hidden Desires

What happened that evening in David’s office spread quickly through the school. His colleagues began to look at him strangely, and Nancy mocking him with cold sarcasm for several days. Paul gave David a sympathetic look, knowing full well that Annabel was capable of such behavior. He couldn’t resist reminding David, “You need to reflect on yourself.”

David was annoyed. “I’ve done nothing wrong, what should I reflect on?”

“Have you ever thought that Annabel’s behavior is your doing? You haven’t realized it, but you’re spoiling her. You’re treating her like Lola! If you have no other intentions, you’re harming Annabel. If you do have feelings for her, you’re harming yourself!”

Paul’s words sent a chill through David. Could it be true that he was unconsciously treating Annabel like Lola?

Before the rumors could die down, things took a turn for the worse. A girl posted on the school’s forum, claiming she lived in the same neighborhood as David and had seen him carrying Annabel into the complex. She provided specific details-time, place, and even the weather. The story of a teacher-student relationship spread like wildfire, escalating to claims that they were living together and had met each other’s parents.

It was clear that someone was deliberately targeting Annabel or David.

As the lunch bell rang, students rushed into the cafeteria. Logan, as usual, was surrounded by a group of classmates.

“Did you hear about Annabel? They say she’s dating her physics teacher.”

“Is she the one who performed with the BO band last time?”

“Yeah, she used to act like a delinquent, smoking in the bathroom. I even saw her coming out of a bar with heavy makeup. She only got into our school because she’s related to the principal.”

“No way, she seems pretty normal.”

“A year ago, she was totally different. Since getting involved with David, she’s changed. David is really biased towards him.”

At a nearby table, a group of girls had been gossiping non-stop. Ryan, listening in, nudged Logan. “Hey, is this true? You sit next to Annabel; you should know.”

Most people didn’t care about the truth, just enjoying the gossip as a distraction from their monotonous school life.

Louis, sitting nearby, rolled his eyes. “This rumor has been going around for days, and you’re just now hearing about it?”

He glanced at Logan, who was quietly eating and seemed uninterested in their conversation. Louis elbowed Logan, “Do you like Annabel? Aren’t you mad about these rumors?”

Logan’s expression darkened. “Can you shut up? If she doesn’t care, why should I?”

Louis mimed zipping his lips but turned to mutter, “Your’re mad. Don’t pretend.”

The gossip at the nearby table continued.

“David’s classes are interesting, and he’s handsome. Why would he be interested in someone like her?”

“Because she’s pretty. All guys are the same.”

“Pretty? She always looks like someone owes her five million. I still think Aria from their class is the prettiest. She’s got good grades too.”

Ryan couldn’t hold back and whispered to his friends, “This girl has good taste!”

“When David finished his internship, he didn’t plan on coming back. He stayed because of Annabel. He even has her picture in his wallet. A female teacher in their office saw it herself.”

Ryan’s group listened intently, whispering, “Mr. Curry definitely treats Annabel differently than he does us. To us, he’s like a teacher. To Annabel, he’s like…”

Logan’s cold gaze interrupted Ryan, who swallowed back the word “girlfriend” and replaced it with “sister.”

The gossip abruptly stopped when Annabel appeared, tall and slender, in their line of sight. The girls immediately fell silent.

She was a bit late, and the cafeteria was packed. Ryan, with a knowing smile, called out to Annabel, “Annabel, I’m done here. You can sit.”

Annabel looked around, finding no other seats, so she sat across from Logan. Neither of them spoke to each other.

Annabel ate sparingly, drinking some soup, taking a few bites of rice, and then grabbing an apple. She took a bite and started to leave. Logan hesitated for a moment, then got up to follow her.

Louis and the others exchanged glances and teased from behind, “Bro, come on!”ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

Logan shot them a look that made everyone instantly quiet.

Seeing Logan following her, Annabel quickened her pace and turned a corner. When Logan was almost upon her, she deliberately stuck out her foot, but Logan stopped and pulled her out from the corner.