STEP-DAD'S SECRET

05|

✯𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏~𝐃𝐀𝐃'𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 ✯

(𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 ✿ 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕)

𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

©2025© 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

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⁠ CHAPTER FIVE (05)

MAI'S POV

I stepped out of the shower, the warm water dripping from my skin. I wrapped a towel around myself and walked to my dresser to grab some clothes. Escape. That's what I needed. I couldn't take being trapped in this house anymore. I decided to head to Zoey's place. At least there, I'd have some freedom.

I made my way to the door, but when I tried to leave, one of the guards stepped in front of me. "I'm sorry, Mai. Roman's orders. No one is to let you out of your sight." I felt a surge of frustration and anger. Why was Roman doing this to me?

I pulled out my phone and dialed my mom's number, hoping she'd answer. But it went straight to voicemail. I tried again, but still, no answer. I was starting to get worried. Where was she? Where ever she was why didn't she answer?

I dialed Zoey's number, and she picked up on the first ring. "Hey, girl! What's up?"

I hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Zoey, I need you to come over. I'm going crazy here."

Zoey's tone changed to concern. "Mai, I've tried to come over, but they didn't let me in. I went back to my place. What's going on?"

My anger boiled over, and I felt like screaming. Roman's fame. His influence. It was suffocating me. I hated this. I hated being trapped and controlled. My anger issues were resurfacing, and I couldn't contain them anymore.

With a fierce cry, I tossed my room upside down. Clothes flew off the shelves, and vases shattered on the floor. I kicked over my dresser, and the mirror cracked. I didn't care. I just wanted to break free from this prison. Tears streamed down my face, and my chest heaved with rage. I was trapped, and I didn't know how to escape.

After I'd exhausted my anger, I stormed out of my room, determined to get some breakfast. Roman had ruined my morning meal, so I was going to enjoy my breakfast now. I headed to the kitchen, expecting to see the maids bustling around. But to my surprise, there wasn't a single maid in sight. I was alone.

I opened the fridge to grab something to eat, but it was locked. I cursed Roman under my breath. "So, I'm gonna starve to death today?" I muttered, feeling frustrated and helpless.

I decided to order a pizza instead. I trudged back upstairs to my room, which was still a mess from my earlier outburst. I picked up my phone and checked my bank account to make sure I had enough money. Satisfied, I ordered a pizza online.

After placing the order, I went downstairs to inform the guard about the pizza delivery. "Hey, I'm expecting a pizza delivery. The guy will come, and I'll need you to let him in." The guard nodded and left, replaced by another person who took up position to secure the area.

Fifteen minutes later, the guard returned with my pizza. I took it from him and headed to the living room. The aroma of melted cheese and savory sauce filled my senses, and my stomach growled in anticipation. I sat down on the couch, opened the box, and dug in.

As I ate, I pulled up a K-drama on my phone called "My Demon." I was hooked on the storyline, and the characters' banter had me giggling. The pizza was delicious, and for a moment, I forgot about Roman and the rules. I was lost in the world of Kim Shin and his demon-slayer love interest. The drama was a welcome distraction from my chaotic life. I devoured the pizza and watched episode after episode, feeling a sense of normalcy wash over me. The warmth of the sunbeam streaming through the window, combined with the comfort of the couch, lulled me into a deep relaxation. Before I knew it, my eyelids grew heavy, and I drifted off to sleep. The remnants of my pizza feast were scattered around me - crumbs on the sofa, floor, and table. My legs were stretched out, with one foot on the armrest and the other on the headrest of the sofa. I was still wearing my bum shorts and crop top, a testament to my earlier laziness.

As I slept, my chest rose and fell with each breath, and my hair was a tangled mess around my face. The TV was still playing in the background, casting a soft glow over the room. The mess around me was a testament to my earlier indulgence, but I didn't care. For now, I was at peace, lost in a dreamless sleep.

I slowly opened my eyes, groggily taking in my surroundings. The sun had set, casting a warm orange glow over the room. I sat up, rubbing my eyes, and that's when I noticed the mess I'd made earlier. Crumbs and stains were everywhere, and I felt gross. I needed a shower.

I stood up and headed to my room, but when I opened the door, I was greeted by the chaos I'd created earlier. Clothes were scattered all over the floor, and the furniture was overturned. I sighed and decided to use another room to shower.

I picked a room and headed inside, locking the door behind me. The warm water felt amazing on my skin, washing away the dirt and grime. I wrapped myself in a robe and stepped out of the shower, feeling refreshed.

But my peace was short-lived. As I walked out of the room, Roman suddenly appeared in front of me, his eyes fixed on me. I rolled my eyes and tried to brush past him, but he was too quick. He grabbed my wrist, his grip firm.

"Let go," I said, trying to wriggle free. But Roman's hold only tightened. I glared up at him, my anger simmering just below the surface. What did he want now?

Roman's eyes narrowed as he gazed at me. "So, you did this," he said, his voice low and even. I frowned, trying to process what he was talking about. "Did what?" I asked, trying to sound nonchalant.

But Roman wasn't having it. He pushed me against the wall, his movements swift and sudden. I let out a startled gasp, my heart racing as I felt the wall behind me. Roman's face was inches from mine, his eyes blazing with intensity.

"You destroyed my house," he growled, his voice low and menacing. "In a few hours, you're acting like a 5-year-old. But you're older. You're a young adult. What's your problem?"

I felt a surge of fear mixed with anger. How dare he? "I have none," I spat, trying to keep my voice steady. "But you have. You starved me and insulted me."

Roman's expression turned stern, and he scolded me. "You're not a child, Mai. You need to act like an adult. This behavior... it's unacceptable." His words stung, and I felt a spark of resentment ignite within me. Who was he to lecture me?

I stood tall, my eyes locked on Roman's, and said, "Why? Huh? Why the lecture? You don't have control over me."

Roman's gaze was intense, his eyes boring into mine as he said, "You're going to clean those messes, and no maid will help you do so."

I scoffed, folding my arms across my chest. "No, you clean it, Mr. Roman."

His jaw twisted in anger as he repeated himself, his voice firm. I stood my ground, my arms still crossed, and said, "No."

In a sudden burst of anger, I spat at him. Roman's face twisted in disgust as he cleaned the saliva from his face. I felt a flicker of satisfaction, but it was quickly replaced by second thoughts. I shouldn't have done that. That was disrespectful. I wasn't disrespectful. I was thought and forced by my real dad not to be.

Before I could apologize, Roman's hand swung out, and he slapped me. I felt the sting on my cheek, and my vision blurred as I fell to the ground. My hair scattered over my face, and I felt Roman's grip on my hair as he dragged me out of the room.

The pain and fear mixed together as I was pulled down the stairs to the basement. I tried to struggle, but Roman's grip was too strong. I was helpless, and the fear in my eyes grew as I realized I was completely at his mercy.

I stumbled as Roman dragged me down to the basement, his grip on my hair like a vice. The dim lighting and damp air enveloped me, making my skin crawl. I tried to struggle, but he was too strong.

As he pushed me into a small, isolated room, I felt a surge of fear. The space was tiny, with stone walls and a single, flickering light bulb hanging from the ceiling. Roman's eyes locked onto mine, his expression unyielding.

"You've made a mess, Mai. Now, you'll clean it up. Literally," he said, his voice low and authoritative. "You'll stay here, in this room, until you've reflected on your actions. No food, no distractions. Just you, and your thoughts."

I felt a chill run down my spine as he turned to leave. "Roman, please..." I whispered, but he didn't look back. The door slammed shut, and I was left alone in the darkness. The only sound was the echo of my own ragged breathing.

Panic set in as I realized the extent of my confinement. I was trapped, with no escape. Roman's words replayed in my mind, and I knew I had to confront the consequences of my actions. But as the minutes ticked by, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in for a long, hard night.

I slammed my fists against the door, desperation and anger fueling my actions. "Let me out!" I screamed, but the door didn't budge. In a fit of rage, I kicked and hit the door again, determined to break free. But in my blind fury, I misjudged the distance and ended up hitting my head against the hard wood. A searing pain shot through my skull, and I stumbled backward, clutching my head.

Tears streamed down my face as I cried out in pain, calling for Roman to help me. "Roman, please! Open the door!" But my pleas were met with silence. The door remained shut, and I was left alone with my agony.

As I slid down to the floor, holding my throbbing head, flashes of my childhood burst into my mind. I remembered being locked in my room by my father when I was little. He wasn't a cruel man, but when he was drunk, he'd do things without thinking. I'd cry and call out for him, just like I was calling out for Roman now. But back then, he'd eventually come back, apologetic and remorseful.

I hated being alone indoors after those incidents. The memories came flooding back, and I felt like a scared little girl again, trapped and helpless. The pain in my head mixed with the emotional turmoil, and I sobbed uncontrollably, longing for someone to open the door and let me out.

I curled up on the cold floor, my head throbbing in sync with the flickering light bulb above. The memories of my childhood flooded my mind, transporting me back to a time when I was small and vulnerable.

I remembered the sound of my father's heavy footsteps, the way he'd stumble and laugh, the smell of alcohol on his breath. I recalled the feeling of being trapped, of being locked away with no escape. The memories were fragmented, but the emotions remained raw.

One particular incident stood out. I must have been around 6 or 7. My father had locked me in my room, and I was crying hysterically, pounding on the door just like I was doing now. But back then, he'd eventually come back, his eyes bloodshot, his words slurred with apologies. He'd hug me tight, promising never to do it again. But he did, and the cycle repeated.

As I lay on the floor, the memories swirled around me like a vortex, pulling me under. I felt like I was reliving those moments all over again. The pain in my head merged with the emotional pain of my past, and I felt like I was drowning in a sea of fear and helplessness.

The door remained shut, and Roman's absence only added to my distress. I was alone with my demons, forced to confront the shadows of my past. And as the minutes ticked by, I wondered if anyone would ever come to set me free.

I continued to cry, my body shaking with each sob as I hit the door again and again. But instead of calling out for Roman, I found myself reverting to a childlike state, pleading with a figure from my past. "Daddy, please let me out! Daddy, I'm sorry! Please don't leave me here!" I wailed, my voice hoarse from crying.

The pain in my head throbbed in sync with my heartbeat, and my body ached from the cold floor. I felt small and scared, like a little girl lost in the darkness. The isolation was suffocating, and I felt like I was drowning in my own fears.

As the minutes ticked by, my cries grew weaker. My body trembled, and my vision began to blur. I felt like I was drifting away, lost in a sea of despair. The door, the room, everything faded into the background as I whispered one last time, "Daddy..."

And then, everything went black. I slumped against the door, my body limp and lifeless. The darkness consumed me, and I was gone.

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