My Alpha Stepbrother's Dirty Secret novel Chapter 290

Chapter 18

Diana’s POV

I didn't even wait for him to finish speaking before the question slipped out of my mouth.

“Was this your doing?”

Isaac froze.

The surprise on his face was real‚ and for a second it almost made me hesitate. Almost. But my heart was already racing too fast‚ and my thoughts were too loud to stop now.

“Hey‚ hey… calm down‚” he said‚ lifting both hands slightly as if trying to steady the situation.

But I wasn’t calm.

I couldn’t be calm.

This was not how I wanted things to happen. I wanted a job that was mine‚ something I earned by myself without anyone pulling strings behind the scenes. I had fought too hard to step out of my parents’ shadow just to end up depending on someone else’s influence again.

“I need you to tell me the truth‚ Isaac‚” I said‚ my voice shaking despite my effort to sound strong. “Did you do this just so I could work with you? So you could have access to me anytime you like?”

The hurt that crossed his face was instant and sharp.

“Is that what you think of me?” he asked quietly.

His question made my chest tighten‚ but I forced myself not to back down.

“Isaac‚ please answer me.”

“I won’t‚ Diana‚” he said firmly.

He walked past me toward his desk‚ dropped his bag‚ and a deep frown settled on his face. He picked up his doctor’s coat from the hanger and wore it slowly‚ like he needed the routine to calm himself.

I sighed heavily.

“Just tell me if this was your doing‚” I said again‚ softer now. “Please‚ Isaac. It would mean a lot to me.”

He paused midway through adjusting his sleeve and stared at me.

“That’s not how you should have asked in the first place‚” he said.

Guilt hit me immediately.

“I’m sorry‚” I said quickly. “I just… I thought you did this so I could always be close to you. I thought you wanted me here so you could reach me whenever you wanted.”

My voice dropped before I could stop it.

“I thought you were doing this so you could finally have sex with me.”

Isaac frowned deeply and walked toward me‚ stopping only a few steps away.

“Is that how you see me?” he asked‚ his voice low but controlled. “Someone who just wants to fuck you? Who just wants to sleep with you? Someone who would use you and throw you away after?”

I couldn’t answer.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair.

“I can’t believe this‚” he muttered.

Silence filled the office for a moment before he spoke again.

“First of all‚ I didn’t arrange this‚” he said. “I needed a medical secretary because my previous one went on maternity leave. That’s why you didn’t see anyone the last time you came here.”

I nodded slowly.

“Since I was the one in need of a secretary‚ the admin informed me when they received applications from qualified candidates‚” he continued. “They sent me the list last night when I got home.”

He held my gaze.

“Good‚” he said simply.

I took a deep breath and straightened my shoulders.

“But I want to make something clear‚” I added carefully. “Whatever happened between us yesterday should also end yesterday‚ Isaac.”

He stared at me for a second.

Then he smirked.

“You’re right‚” he said slowly. “Whatever happened between us yesterday will end yesterday.”

Relief started to settle in my chest.

Until he began walking toward me.

My breath caught as he closed the distance between us. Before I could step back‚ his hand slid around my waist and pulled me closer.

My heart slammed against my ribs.

His voice dropped‚ warm and confident near my ear.

“Today…” he murmured.

I felt the heat of his hand through my clothes‚ steady and possessive‚ making my thoughts scatter.

“Today is another day.”

His eyes locked onto mine.

“Yesterday I didn’t own you‚” he said quietly.

“But from now onwards‚” he added‚ his gaze dark and confident‚ “I own you.”