In Love With My Stepson

Chapter 3

“You have no choice, Genevieve,” Mr. Donald’s tone was cold, almost devoid of compassion. His eyes, once filled with warmth, were now hard as steel. “If you don’t marry Mr. Mophi, we’ll lose everything. The house, the land…even the very roof over our heads.”

Genevieve’s lip trembled as she looked up at her father. “But, Dad, he’s old… and I—" she faltered, her voice breaking.

"I love Santiago.”

These words could barely be heard but her Dad heard her

Mr. Donald’s face twisted with frustration, and he slammed his hand down on the table, causing Genevieve to flinch. “Love?”

“Love won’t put food on the table, Genevieve! Love won’t keep the lights on. By the way who in heavens name is Santiago. We are talking about Mr. Mophi . A man who can give us security. He can keep this family from falling apart, and most especially we get to preserve the cherished memory of Grandma Lucy”.

“But—” she tried again, her voice barely above a whisper.

“There are no ‘buts’!” he cut her off sharply, rising to his feet and towering over her. “You owe it to this family. You owe it to Grandma Lucy. She sacrificed everything for you, for us! How dare you even think of turning down this opportunity? Mr. Mophi has offered us salvation, and you will not throw it away because of some childish infatuation.”

Genevieve’s heart broke with each word. Her father’s voice, the way he framed her love for Santiago as something foolish, made her feel small and insignificant. She couldn’t find the words to respond. Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She had to be strong. She had to think of Grandma Lucy, of everything she had done for her. But her heart…it ached for Santiago.

Just then, the front door creaked open, and Santiago’s tall figure filled the doorway. His presence immediately shifted the atmosphere. Genevieve’s pulse quickened, and she felt her face flush. He was supposed to be out with friends, but seeing him now, the depth of her feelings hit her like a tidal wave. This was the man she loved the only one who had ever made her feel truly seen.

Santiago’s eyes immediately went to Genevieve, noticing the tension in the room. His brows furrowed in concern. “What’s going on?” he asked, his voice low, yet commanding.

Genevieve turned her face away, not wanting him to see the tears she had been fighting so hard to keep at bay.

Mr. Donald stepped forward, his face a mask of frustration and annoyance. “Santiago, this doesn’t concern you.”

Santiago ignored him, his focus entirely on Genevieve. He moved closer, kneeling beside her, gently lifting her chin with his hand. “Genevieve,” he said softly, his voice filled with concern. “Talk to me. What’s happening?”

Her heart raced as his touch lingered on her skin, but she couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze. How could she tell him that her father was forcing her to marry his father? How could she destroy everything between them with just a few words?

“Young man are younger friend? Then better talk to her .She’s being selfish,”

Mr. Donald interrupted, crossing his arms.

“She doesn’t understand the suffering this family have been through. She’s refusing to marry Mr. Mophi.”

Santiago’s body tensed. He stood up slowly, his gaze never leaving Genevieve’s face.

“What are you talking about?” His voice was calm, but there was a dangerous edge to it.

“A Billionaire”

Mr. Donald repeated, his voice firm.

“He has offered to marry Genevieve. He’s willing to take care of us, to give us financial stability. But she—” he pointed a shaking finger at Genevieve “she’s acting like a spoiled child, refusing because of some ridiculous infatuation, she has for some Santiago boy”

The room fell silent.

Santiago’s eyes widened in shock as the realization hit him. He took a step back, the weight of the news crashing down on him like a ton of bricks.

“Someone wants to marry Genevieve?” His voice was barely above a whisper.

“You better talk to your friend young man” Mr. Donald said as he left angrily.

Genevieve finally looked up, her tear-filled eyes meeting Santiago’s. The pain in her gaze was mirrored in his.

“I didn’t know how to tell you,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

Santiago’s fists clenched at his sides, anger bubbling up inside him. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. His own father? The man who had raised him? How could he?

Genevieve unaware that Mr. Trump Mophi was Santiago’s Father was about to explain to him. In a shaky voice.

“ My Dad said his name is Mr. Trump Mop….”

“No,” Santiago said, shaking his head in disbelief. “This can’t be happening.”

Santiago slams the door.

Genevieve’s breath hitched in her throat as she watched Santiago leave.

Mr Donald walked back into the house and continued the persuasion.

You Must marry him”

“I won't Dad”

“Ok You should marry him “

“I know I should but I can't “

Genevive stands in front of her Dad with tears gushing down her eyes. “Didn't you say I am your little angel,even though you had a coin left? . You would stake it for my sake? “ I guess You forgot to tell me a day would come, when you would marry me off to a man older than yourself.”

Mr.Donald stood there staring at her with his face impassive as he listened to her outburst. With the look in his eyes, his mind was made up.

“Vive baby our family legacy is at stake. Our reputation will be ruined. People will mock us” .

“You know your mother and I are Hypertensive we might not survive this. Or do you want to loss us?” He said camly

“This is an emotional blackmail Dad and I am not buying it. Mr.Trump Mophi is way older that you are and by the way I don't love him. I will not marry him I repeat I will not” . She screamed her voice breaking

“Vive remember your Grandma. The one who sold her dresses to buy you the first and only teddy bear you had while growing up was buried over there “ He said pointing at his mother’s grave.

“Remember we do a family procession for her every end of the year. If Mr.Trump Mophi takes over this land you will never get to see Grand ma Lucy again” These words made Genevieve more emotional as she cried more profusely.

“My love for Grandma Lucy is undisputed Dad, you know it. “ Then prove it," he yells and walks away.

“Let me do it some other way not this way she kept crying”.