Falling for a Lie, My Stepbrother’s Hidden Revenge. novel Chapter 80

The atmosphere suddenly chilled.

Asher's eyes flashed, barely contained anger visible on his aristocratic features. "Grace, it is my choice not to carry you. It has nothing to do with Sylvia. If I ever hear you speak ill of her again, don't expect me to be so civil."

Grace continued sobbing. "Brother, I... I..." Her words dissolved into tears.

Victoria whispered in Sylvia's ear: "Want to bet her ankle isn't actually injured?"

"What do you mean?"

Victoria's lips curved into a mischievous smile. "Watch this."

"Snake! There's a snake!" Victoria pointed behind Grace and screamed in terror.

Grace leapt to her feet instantly and sprinted several steps to hide behind Asher. "Ah! A snake! Brother, I'm terrified!"

"..."

Dead silence.

The scene froze for several seconds.

Everyone present was too stunned to speak.

A breeze passed through, gently swaying the tree branches.

"Pfft—" After a few seconds, Victoria broke the silence with laughter.

"Wasn't your ankle so badly injured you couldn't walk? You seem remarkably sprightly to me. What's this, then? Playing the wounded victim?"

Realizing she'd been caught out, Grace's face momentarily contorted with rage before quickly resuming its usual expression.

Her face darkened slightly, her tone displeased. "Victoria, haven't you heard that people can access extraordinary physical capabilities when frightened?"

Victoria laughed loudly. "Ha ha ha! Grace, do you really think we're all complete idiots?"

Grace was furious. She raised her voice: "Why would you lie? There wasn't any snake!"

Victoria smiled. "Oh, there was—it just slithered away. Meanwhile, you were faking an injury to get your brother's attention, weren't you?"

Exposed, Grace's expression faltered momentarily. She tugged gently at Asher's sleeve, her voice small and pitiful: "Brother, I didn't."

Sylvia understood clearly now. The injured ankle had been fake, but the desire for Asher's attention was genuine.

Grace's feelings for Asher definitely went beyond sibling affection.

She stood silently observing, waiting for Asher's reaction.

Asher's eyes darkened, his tone distinctly cold. "Since your ankle is apparently fine, you can walk by yourself. And don't try these ridiculous tactics again—they're absurdly transparent."

With that, Asher turned and walked away without waiting for Grace's response.

Grace shot Victoria a venomous glare.

Victoria pulled a face at her, then turned to link arms with Sylvia as they walked away.

Grace stared at their retreating figures, her gaze malevolent.

Just then, Vanessa approached from behind. She glanced at Asher and Sylvia's departing figures and remarked scornfully: "She's not even officially married yet, but she's already acting like the Blackwood mistress. And that friend of hers—merely Sebastian's stepsister, hardly anyone worth noting. Grace, don't be upset. I have a way to deal with her..."

Vanessa leaned close to Grace, whispering something in her ear.

Grace's expression gradually turned vicious. "Excellent idea. Let's do it. How dare she humiliate me—I'll make her pay!"

...

Dusk settled around them.

The group reached the summit viewing platform and began setting up tents and arranging photography equipment.

Meteors streaked across the sky in breathtaking display.

Sylvia closed her eyes, making a wish upon the meteor shower.

Asher stood nearby, silently watching her.

Asher kissed Sylvia's neck, murmuring, "After waiting so many years, I finally have my heart's desire."

His gentle kisses trailed across her smooth skin, interrupted only by soft, restrained breaths.

Sylvia had come for the meteor shower; she hadn't anticipated Asher being this amorous in such a remote setting...

Naturally, they hadn't brought protection.

Would she get pregnant without it?

She wasn't ready for that yet...

Besides, their previous engagement ceremony had been cancelled. Currently, they were only dating—unmarried. She wasn't comfortable with the idea of conceiving before marriage, but how should she broach the subject?

Sylvia had never been intimate with anyone before.

Speaking up about this made her rather shy.

Just as she was feeling anxious, Asher suddenly stopped.

His ragged breathing was especially clear in the darkness, his voice husky with desire. "Your first time shouldn't be in a place like this. Let's sleep now."

Sylvia: ...

Her concerns had been unnecessary.

She'd thought Asher wouldn't be able to stop.

She hadn't expected his self-control to be so impressive—to stop when they were so close to the final step.

Meanwhile, the desire he'd awakened within her made it difficult for her to fall asleep.

Asher held her close, pressing a gentle kiss to her forehead. "Goodnight, Via."

Sylvia snuggled closer to him, like an affectionate kitten. "Goodnight, Asher."