Bye My Stepbrother 10

Seeing the happy smile on her face, Roderick smiled gently and

ruffled her hair dotingly as he had always done.

“Andie, you finally forgive me.”

This was the first proper conversation they’d had since Matilda

came into the picture.

The smile on Andrea’s face faded.

“I wasn’t upset with you.”

It had always been the other way around.

He thought she had pushed Matilda into the water, believing

she was the petty, jealous one.

Roderick continued to coax her.

“Don’t be mad at me, OK, Andie? I promise–there’s nothing going

on between Matilda and me. It’s just an act. But I couldn’t turn

down the Turner family just like that because of their status.

“On your twenty–fifth birthday, I’ll tell Dad and Scarlett

everything and seek their approval. Alright, Andie?”

He took her hand and rubbed it against his cheek, his tone

pitiful.

Roderick could trick people with his eyes, which were usually

cold and aloof, but when it came to moments like this, they

were always filled with affection as if he had loved her to the

core.

He had always been like this, hurting her and then making it up

to her.

And she had been a fool, being tricked by him for so many

years.

She sneered inwardly. However, this time, she didn’t withdraw

her hand.

Because she didn’t want him to know she was leaving soon.

Before the day she left, she had to pretend that she knew

nothing and act normal.

With that in mind, she asked, “Really?”

“Of course,” Roderick smiled.

“But, Andie, Matilda is my fiancee in name after all, and I have

to take care of her feelings.

“Otherwise, both her family and Dad will give me a hard time.

I’m afraid you’ll have to endure it for now.”

He seemed extremely sincere.

She would have fallen for his lie again if she hadn’t known the

truth.

“Alright.” She nodded.

After patching things up, they went back home.

Just as Roderick pushed open the door, he heard Matilda

coughing in the kitchen.

The whole place was filled with smoke.

He strode into the kitchen and turned off the stove.

“Matilda, you haven’t recovered. Why are you up?”

Matilda pouted, looking aggrieved.

“I wanna cook for you and Andie. But it seems I messed up. I’m

sorry…”

He took the spatula from her hand and hugged her gently.

“Leave it with me. You don’t have to cook at all. Now, come

outside, OK? It’s so smoky in there.”

Matilda nodded obediently and turned around, only to meet

Andrea’s gaze.

She smiled, walked forward, and said, “Andie, I’m new here and

don’t know anyone. Roderick said I could live with you. Is that

OK?”

Andrea thought, “She’s so good at acting–just like Roderick. Sure

enough, they’re perfect for each other.

“She seems so gentle and harmless. Is she really that vicious

woman who pulled me into the pool together with her?”

Now that Matilda acted as if nothing had ever happened, she

had no choice but to play along.

“Of course, if that’s what Roderick wants.”

She was in a foul mood as she thought she’d see Matilda every

day from now on.

No longer wanting to see either Matilda or Roderick, she went

upstairs to sleep after saying this.

Though Roderick was her stepbrother, they lived like a couple

and even shared the same bedroom.

But Matilda came here right after Lucian had left, so they had to

continue to sleep separately.

Now, however, she was glad they didn’t sleep in the same room

anymore. It saved her the trouble of keeping up appearances.

with him.