STEP-DAD'S SECRET

02|

✯𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏~𝐃𝐀𝐃'𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 ✯

(𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 ✿ 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕)

𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

©2025© 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

No part of this book should be published, copied or translated or i Sue you. It's been signed under f✦ckin platforms and apps. You copy, you get sued!

MAI'S POV

I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing out my black cocktail dress. The short hemline showed off my legs, and the fitted bodice accentuated my curves. My hair was curled, and I felt like a million bucks.

Mom knocked on my door, a bright smile on her face. "He's here, we can go now," she said, her voice bubbly.

I turned to her, my expression serious. "Mom, why are you doing this?" I asked, my voice low.

Mom's smile didn't falter. "It's for you, Mai. This is an opportunity for you to have a better life, a more stable one." She answered.

I was about to say something, to argue with her, but she turned and left my room, leaving me no choice but to follow.

I grabbed my bag and phone, slipping them into my clutch. As I headed downstairs, I saw Roman standing in the foyer, looking every bit the billionaire in his black suit. His grey eyes seemed to pierce through me, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. He was handsome, I had to admit. The way his suit fit him perfectly, the way his eyes seemed to bore into mine. But I wasn't going to let him get to me.

Roman's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt like I was drowning in their depths. I blinked, getting back to my senses. "Let's go," I said, trying to sound nonchalant.

Together, we entered the car, the driver closing the door behind us. As we drove, Roman turned to me, his voice smooth. "So, I've heard about you. You're in a relationship?"

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Yeah. So what?"

Roman's expression didn't change, but his voice took on a slightly disapproving tone. "You shouldn't have a boyfriend at your age."

I rolled my eyes, feeling a surge of annoyance. "And maybe you should mind your own business not my life, because you're also in a relationship," I shot back.

Mom tapped my lap, a gentle reminder to behave. I rolled my eyes, but Roman's gaze seemed to hold something like interest. I didn't care, though. I pulled out my phone and started chatting with Zoey, ignoring Roman's probing gaze. I typed away on my phone, chatting with Zoey about everything from school gossip to our favorite TV shows. Roman's gaze seemed to linger on me, but I ignored him, focusing on my conversation with Zoey.

" Omg, you won't believe what happened in math class today," I typed, grinning to myself.

Zoey responded almost immediately. "What?! Tell me!!"

I giggled, typing out a response. "So, Mr. Johnson was trying to explain this crazy-hard equation, and he ended up getting his own math problem wrong. I swear, it was like he was trying to solve world hunger or something."

Zoey sent me a string of laughing emojis. "That's so epic! I'm dying over here."

I chuckled, feeling a sense of relief that I could escape into my conversation with Zoey. Although I wanted to tell her about what's happening with me and this Roman guy, I felt it shouldn't be today. Roman's probing gaze was starting to get on my nerves, and I was grateful for the distraction.

As I continued to chat with Zoey, I couldn't help but notice Roman's eyes on me. It was like he was trying to read my mind or something. I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, feeling a bit self-conscious.

But I refused to let him get to me. I kept chatting with Zoey, laughing and joking like we were the only two people in the world.

The car ride seemed to fly by, and before I knew it, we were pulling up to our destination. I looked out the window, curious about where Roman was taking us.

The car stopped in front of a luxurious mansion, the kind of place that screamed "old money" and "sophistication". I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.

"Where are we?" I asked Roman, putting my phone away.

Roman smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Welcome to my home, Mai. I'm hosting a dinner party tonight, and I'd like you and your mother to join me."

I felt a surge of unease, but Mom was already smiling and agreeing. I shot her a look, but she just winked at me. Great. Just what I needed. A dinner party with a bunch of strangers. This was going to be a long night. As we entered the mansion, I was expecting a bustling crowd of guests, but instead, we were greeted by a group of maids in uniform. The silence was almost deafening. Wasn't a dinner ball or party supposed to have people?

Mom looked around, a hint of disappointment on her face. "Isn't there anyone coming?" she asked Roman.

Roman smiled, his eyes glinting with amusement. "No, I knew little Mai here wouldn't like a crowd, so I intentionally didn't invite anyone. But if you'd like, I can invite people for next time."

Mom's face lit up with a smile, and she leaned in to kiss Roman, but he dodged her lips, his expression neutral. "Let's get seated for dinner," he said instead. I laughed inwardly at mom's face.. can't wait to tell zoey about that.

Roman led us to the dinner table, and we took our seats. I hesitated for a moment, feeling a bit awkward, but Mom's encouraging smile made me sit down.

The maids started bringing out the food, and my eyes widened as I took in the spread. There were dishes upon dishes of delicious-looking food, and my stomach growled in anticipation. And then, I saw it. My weakness. A towering plate of juicy, golden-brown fried chicken. My eyes widened, and I couldn't help myself. Without waiting for anyone, I dug in, savoring the crispy exterior and tender interior.

Roman raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement on his face. "I take it you like fried chicken?" he asked, his voice dry.

I nodded, my mouth full of food. I couldn't speak, I was too busy enjoying my meal. Mom smiled, looking pleased, and Roman leaned back in his chair, watching me with an unreadable expression. I ate and ate the chicken, savoring every bite. Roman and Mom talked to each other, their voices a gentle hum in the background. I didn't care, though. I was too busy enjoying my meal.

As I finished the chicken, I felt satisfied, but not quite full. That's when the maid brought out dessert, and my eyes widened in excitement. There was an ice cream cake and a cheesecake, both of my favorite desserts.

I froze for a moment, my eyes fixed on the desserts. Then, I couldn't help myself. I immediately started digging in, taking big bites of the creamy ice cream and the rich cheesecake. Roman and Mom laughed at my enthusiasm, but I didn't care. I was in dessert heaven. The flavors exploded in my mouth, and I felt like I was in a state of pure bliss. I ate and ate, not stopping until I'd devoured most of the desserts. Roman and Mom watched me, smiling and chatting with each other. I didn't notice. I was too busy enjoying my desserts.

As I finished, I let out a contented sigh, feeling full and happy. Roman smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I'm glad you enjoyed dinner, Mai," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Mom turned to me, a smile on her face. "Do you agree, Mai?" she asked, her voice sweet.

I nodded, still feeling a bit dazed from the food coma. "Yes," I said, not really thinking about what I was agreeing to.

Mom's smile grew wider. "That's my girl," she said, her voice full of pride.

But as I looked at Roman, I started to feel a sense of unease. "Wait, to what exactly?" I asked, my voice hesitant.

Mom's expression turned serious. "You'll be staying with Roman for a month," she said, her voice firm. "I'm traveling to another country, and I can't leave you alone at home."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I stood up, my chair scraping against the floor. "What? I didn't agree to that," I said, my voice rising in anger. "I never will. I don't want to stay with him."

Mom's expression didn't change, but her voice took on a firm tone. "But I've already agreed, and you've agreed to take this opportunity," she said, her words dripping with expectation.

I felt a surge of rage, and I exploded, my voice loud. "No, no, no, never, okay? I won't stay with him. I won't do it."

Mom's face turned stern, her voice rising to match mine. "Mai, you need to understand. This is for your own good. Roman can provide you with opportunities and experiences that I couldn't."

I shook my head, feeling tears of frustration well up in my eyes. "I don't care about opportunities," I said, my voice shaking. "I care about my freedom, and I care about not being stuck with some guy I barely know."

Roman watched us, his expression neutral, but his eyes seemed to be taking in every detail of our argument. I glared at him, feeling a sense of resentment towards him. Why was he getting involved in my life anyway?

Mom's expression turned cold, her voice firm. "He isn't just some guy, Mai. He's your future father, and we've decided you're going to stay with him."

I felt like I'd been slapped. I exploded, my voice loud and angry. "Like as if I wanted a dad! All you care about is you, you, and yourself, not your daughter. Like as if I ever wanted a father? Well, I don't, and I'm not staying with him for even a moment."

Mom's face turned red with anger, her voice rising to match mine. "Mai, you need to understand. This is for your own good. Roman can provide for you, and he's willing to take care of you."

I laughed, the sound bitter and angry. "Provide for me? Take care of me? You mean like you've been doing all these years? Ha! You've never been there for me, Mom. You've always been too busy with your own life."

Mom's eyes flashed with anger, and she raised her voice. "That's enough, MAI HARPER ISLA!! I've had enough of your disrespect."

I stood my ground, my voice still raised. "Don't call me Mai Harper Isla," I said, my voice firm. "You don't get to use my full name like that."

Mom's expression turned cold, her voice dripping with authority. "I have the right. I'm your mother."

I scoffed, feeling a surge of anger. "For goodness' sake, I'm nineteen, Mom. I'm no longer a teen or a child. I can make my own decisions."

Mom's face turned stern, her voice firm. "As long as you're still under my roof, you aren't leaving. And you're definitely staying with Roman."

I felt a wave of anger wash over me, and I yelled, "Fine!" before turning and storming upstairs to a room. I slammed the door behind me and collapsed onto the bed, feeling tears of frustration and anger well up in my eyes. I buried my face in a pillow and started crying, feeling overwhelmed and trapped. Why couldn't Mom just listen to me? Why couldn't she just understand me? Why wasn't she like other mother?

I lay on the bed, my mind racing with thoughts and emotions. I couldn't stop thinking about the argument with Mom, about Roman, about everything. I felt overwhelmed and trapped, like I was stuck in a situation I didn't want to be in.

As I thought, my tears flowed freely. I cried and cursed, letting out all the frustration and anger that had been building up inside me. "Why can't she just listen to me?" I muttered to myself, my voice shaking with rage. "Why can't she just understand me?"

I punched the pillow, feeling a surge of anger. "This is all so unfair," I said, my voice muffled by the pillow. "I don't want to stay with Roman. I don't want to do anything she wants me to do."

I cried some more, feeling like I was all alone in this. Like no one understood me, like no one cared about what I wanted. I felt like I was just a pawn in Mom's game, a game I didn't want to play.

As I cried, I said all sorts of things, things I wouldn't normally say. I cursed my situation, I cursed Roman, and I even cursed Mom. I was angry, and I didn't care who knew it. But beneath all the anger and frustration, I knew I was scared. I was scared of what would happen if I stayed with Roman. I was scared of what Mom had planned for me. And I was scared of being trapped in a life I didn't want. I cried until I was exhausted, until my body ached and my eyes were puffy. I lay there, feeling drained and empty, wondering what would happen next.

I questioned myself until it was time to leave. I didn't know what to expect, but I knew I had to face whatever was coming my way. I headed downstairs, my heart heavy with emotions. As I reached the living room, I saw that no one was there except the maid, who was busy cleaning. I approached her, trying to compose myself. "Excuse me," I said, my voice neutral. "Where are they?"

The maid looked up, a hint of a smile on her face. "Oh, boss left with madam," she replied. "They also said I should show you to your new room."

I felt a surge of anger, but I didn't show it. Instead, I smiled, trying to appear calm. "Oh, where is it?" I asked, my voice light.

The maid nodded, gesturing for me to follow her. She led me to the room I'd been crying in earlier, and I felt a sense of irony. This was going to be my new room?

The maid bowed slightly. "This is your room, miss. I'll leave you to settle in."

I nodded, still smiling, as she turned and left the room. As soon as she was gone, I let my smile falter, and I felt a wave of emotions wash over me. I was alone now, alone in this big house with no one to turn to. I looked around the room, feeling a sense of unease. This was my new reality, and I had to accept it. But I knew one thing - I wouldn't go down without a fight.

I lay on the floor, my back against the cool marble. I had promised myself I wouldn't accept Roman as my new father, and I was determined to stick to it. I wouldn't give in, no matter what. I felt a sense of defiance wash over me. I wouldn't sleep in the bed, wouldn't give Roman the satisfaction of thinking I was accepting him. I would sleep on the floor, like a protest.

The floor was hard and cold, but I didn't care. I was used to discomfort, and this was nothing new. I closed my eyes, feeling a sense of resolve.

I would do what I had to do to survive, but I wouldn't give in. I wouldn't accept Roman as my father, no matter what Mom said. I was my own person, and I would make my own decisions. I felt a sense of determination. I would fight this, fight Roman, and fight Mom's plans for me. I would be strong, and I would come out on top.

The darkness closed in around me, and I slept, my body weary but my spirit unbroken.

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