The Stepbrother’s Wager Chapter 09By Novel7s / July 20, 2026 The Stepbrother’s Wager Chapter 09Many years later, I returned to that small town.The apple tree had grown tall, and its branches stretched over half the road.A roadside stand was selling fresh apple fritters. When the vendor lifted the lid from the warmingtray,a curl of steam rose into the air, carrying the faint scent of apples and cinnamon.Julian bought one and handed it to me.“Want to try it?”I took a bite.It was not very sweet, but it was fragrant with apples and cinnamon.Standing beneath the tree, Julian reached down and gently brushed a fallen blossom from myshoulder.I suddenly remembered how, many years ago, my mother had held my hand and led me around a street corner on a spring day just like this one.We had no money then. She could afford only one small apple fritter, yet she smiled and told me, “Ivy, things will get better.”It turned out that things really could get better.A black car was parked a short distance away.Dylan stood beside it without approaching us.He held a small bunch of apple blossoms, and the breeze gently ruffled the sleeves of his shirt.When he saw me, his lips parted.In the end, he only lowered his head and placed the blossoms beneath the tree.He remained there for a long time.When he finally turned away, the spring sunlight cast his shadow far behind him.Julian asked, “Do you want to go talk to him?”I shook my head.AviaTC“No.”Some apologies come too late and are heard only by the person who says them.On the drive back, an email appeared on my phone.It was from Ethan and contained only one sentence.[Ivy, I hope the rest of your life brings you nothing but peace.]I stared at it for a moment, then deleted it.Outside the window, apple blossoms fluttered down all along the road.Julian did not ask. He simply slowed the car a little.A breeze slipped through the partially open window and stirred the ivy-leaf pendant around myneck.Its silver gleam was faint, but the warmth it gave me felt just right.I leaned back in my seat and said softly, “Julian, let’s come back next spring.”He smiled.“Okay.”I smiled too.When the fog finally cleared, I could at last see the spring waiting ahead of me.
