STEP-DAD'S SECRET

04|

✯𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐏~𝐃𝐀𝐃'𝐒 𝐒𝐄𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐓 ✯

(𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈 ✿ 𝒕𝒐 𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒊𝒔𝒕)

𝑊𝑟𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑒𝑛 𝑏𝑦 𝐵𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

©2025© 𝑡𝑜 𝑏𝑒𝑙𝑙𝑎𝑗𝑏14

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CHAPTER FOUR (04)

⁠ MAI'S POV

I woke up to the sound of my alarm blaring in my ear, and I groggily reached over to turn it off. But as soon as I sat up, I felt a wave of irritability wash over me. I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the lingering fatigue. Sundays always had a way of getting under my skin.

As I swung my legs over the side of the bed, my gaze fell on the empty room, and my thoughts drifted to Roman. I couldn't help but think about the encounter we had the night before. The way he tried to lay down the law, expecting me to follow his rules without question. The audacity of him. I scoffed, remembering the way I had stood up to him. Roman was certainly not used to people pushing back against him. I wondered what he would do next, and a part of me looked forward to finding out.

But for now, I had to shake off this funk. I got out of bed and began my morning routine, trying to push thoughts of Roman to the back of my mind. As I brushed my teeth, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and scowled. Sundays just seemed to bring out the worst in me. I took a deep breath and tried to focus on the day ahead. Maybe I could find something to do that would take my mind off things. But as I walked out of my room and downstairs, I couldn't shake the feeling that this Sunday was going to be a long one.

I didn't bother to shower, just brushed my teeth and headed downstairs, my phone in hand. I was starving, and I figured I could eat something before worrying about getting clean. As I sat down at the dinner table, I started texting Caleb, asking him if he wanted me to come over. But his response was a letdown - he wasn't around at the moment, and his mom had planned a whole day of mother-son bonding.

I smiled.

As I texted with Caleb, I was oblivious to Roman's presence. That was, until he cleared his throat. I turned to see him seated across from me, his eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my skin prickle.

"Oh, you... what happened?" I asked, feeling a bit caught off guard.

"No phone during dinner," Roman said, his voice low and even.

I raised an eyebrow. "Is that one of your poor, dumb rules?" I shot back, not bothering to hide my disdain.

Roman's expression didn't change, but his words cut deep. "It's not about being dumb, Mai. It's about being present. But I suppose that's too much to ask from someone who's always stuck in their own little world, living life through a screen."

I felt a sting from his words, and for a moment, I was speechless. Roman's tone was dark and biting, and it left me reeling. I didn't know how to respond, so I just sat there, my eyes locked on his, as the tension between us grew thicker than the air.

Then I couldn't take it anymore. I smirked, trying to regain my composure. "Oh, wow, Roman, I didn't know you had a degree in unsolicited advice. You must be so proud of your ability to lecture people on how to live their lives."

Roman's eyes flashed with amusement, and he leaned forward. "I'm not lecturing, Mai. I'm just pointing out the obvious. You're so busy being online famous that you've forgotten how to be present in the real world."

I snorted. "Online famous? You mean like how you're famous for being a rich, entitled brat? I'm not sure which one is more pathetic - your lack of ambition or your overinflated sense of self-importance."

Roman chuckled, a low, menacing sound. "You know, Mai, for someone who's so quick to judge, you're awfully good at projecting. Maybe it's time you took a look in the mirror and examined your own demons before trying to psychoanalyze me."

I felt a spark of anger, but I refused to back down. "Oh, I'm shaking in my boots, Roman. You think you're so deep and complex just because you throw around a few big words? Newsflash: it's not impressive when you're just trying to sound smart without actually being smart."

Roman's smile grew wider, and he leaned back in his chair. "You know, Mai, you're like a wounded animal - all noise and no bite. But what's really sad is that you're so desperate for attention that you'll cling to anything, even if it's just being the court jester in someone else's life."

His words cut deep, and for a moment, I felt like I'd been punched in the gut. I tried to come back with another witty remark, but nothing came to mind. The truth was, Roman's words had struck a nerve, and I didn't know how to respond. I sat there, my mouth open, but no words came out. The roast battle was over, and Roman had won.

The tension between us escalated, and our words became sharper, more venomous. "You're just a spoiled brat who can't handle anyone disagreeing with you," I spat, my voice rising.

Roman's face twisted in disgust. "You're just a shallow, attention-seeking little girl who can't even take care of herself."

I felt my anger boiling over, and I hurled back, "At least I'm not a cold, calculating monster who uses people for my own gain."

Roman's eyes flashed with fury, and he shot back, "You're one to talk, Miss 'I-need-constant-validation-from-social-media' Harper."

The insults flew back and forth, each one more hurtful than the last. I could feel my emotions unraveling, and Roman seemed to sense my weakness, pouncing on it with ruthless precision. But I refused to back down, and our verbal sparring continued, each of us trying to outdo the other in a battle of wits and insults. The air was thick with tension, and it seemed like the argument could spill over into physical violence at any moment.

Just when it seemed like things couldn't get any uglier, Roman delivered a devastating blow that left me reeling. His words cut deep, and I felt my defenses crumbling. I couldn't respond, couldn't even look at him. I just sat there, frozen in shock and hurt.

Roman's eyes seemed to gleam with a cruel light as he spoke, his words dripping with malice. "You know, Mai, it's no wonder you're so messed up. You've been abandoned by everyone who's ever mattered to you. Your father, for instance. He couldn't even stick around long enough to see you grow up."

I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. How dare he bring up my father? Roman's voice continued to cut me down, relentless in its cruelty. "I suppose that's what happens when you're not worth sticking around for."

Something inside me snapped. I pushed the food away, my eyes welling up with tears. "You don't have the right to talk about someone you haven't met," I spat, my voice shaking with rage and pain. "F•ck you and your life."

I couldn't take it anymore. I jumped up from the table and ran upstairs, locking the door behind me. I collapsed onto my bed, letting out a sob as the tears finally broke free.

I cried and a memory flooded my mind. I was a little girl, standing in the kitchen, watching as my father cooked dinner. He was laughing and smiling, his eyes warm and loving. But then, he reached for the whiskey bottle, and his demeanor changed. His eyes turned cold, his words slurred and menacing. I remembered the fear that gripped me, the way I cowered in the corner, praying that he wouldn't notice me.

I buried my face in my pillow, letting out a wail of pain and sorrow. Why did Roman have to bring up my father? Why did he have to hurt me so badly? I felt like I was reliving all the trauma and pain of my childhood, and I didn't know how to make it stop.

Roman knocked on the door, his voice cold and detached. "Open up."

I sniffled, wiping my nose on my sleeve. "Leave me alone," I said, trying to keep my voice steady.

Roman's tone didn't change, but his words became more forceful. "Mai, open the god-damned door."

I shook my head, even though he couldn't see me. "I said leave me alone."

Roman's voice grew louder, more commanding. "Mai, open the door. Now."

I felt a surge of anger and resentment. "No, just leave me alone, Roman. Can't you see I'm not in the mood for your games?" I shouted back, my voice echoing through the door.

Roman's response was immediate. "Open the door, Mai. Don't make me repeat myself."

I scoffed, my anger boiling over. "Or what? You'll come in here and force me? Newsflash, Roman: I'm not some weak little thing you can bully around. Leave me alone."

Roman's voice remained cold, unyielding. "Mai, I won't ask again. Open the door."

I laughed, a harsh, bitter sound. "Make me, Roman. I dare you."

Roman hit the door, the loud thud making me jump. I was shaking in fear, my heart racing. Memories flooded my mind, memories of my father standing outside my door, demanding to be let in. I was just a little girl then, too scared to open the door, too scared to face whatever wrath he had unleashed. I covered my ears, trying to block out the sound of Roman's voice, trying to block out the memories. But they were too loud, too real. I felt myself spiraling into a panic attack, my breathing growing shallow, my body shaking uncontrollably.

The door creaked open, and Roman rushed in. At first, he didn't seem to notice my distress, but as he approached me, his expression changed. I tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn't cooperate, and I fell to the floor.

Roman's eyes widened as he took in my state. He knelt beside me, trying to calm me down, but I was beyond consolation. I was shaking, my body convulsing with fear. "No, no, please, Daddy, I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice barely audible.

Roman's face was a blur, but I could sense his concern. He tried to wrap his arms around me, to hold me steady, but I pushed him away, still trapped in my memories. "Please don't hurt me," I whispered, my voice shaking with fear.

My chest tightened as the panic clawed at me, making it hard to breathe, hard to think. Roman's presence was steady—his hand on mine, his voice low—but it all felt so distant. Until suddenly, everything shifted.

I barely registered it at first—the way he tilted my chin up, the warmth of his lips brushing against mine. My mind was still spinning, heart pounding too fast. But then the kiss deepened, and slowly, the chaos started to fade.

His lips moved with a certainty that startled me. I should’ve pulled away. I wanted to—but I didn’t. Instead, I sank into it, clinging to the strange calm washing over me. It was nothing like I’d expected from him—this cold, unreadable boy. And yet, for a brief moment, something in him felt… real.

When I finally pulled back, breathless, reality crashed in again. "What was that?" I asked, voice trembling.

Roman’s face was unreadable, the emotion gone. “Just a way to calm you down,” he said flatly.

I stared at him, unsure whether to scream or cry. Was that all it was? Just a method? Or had there been something more? Something neither of us wanted to admit?

I didn’t know what scared me more—my panic attack, or the way that kiss had made me feel.

"How dare you," I spat, my anger and hurt boiling over. Roman's expression remained cold and unyielding, not a flicker of emotion crossing his face. I felt a surge of fury at his indifference, and my words turned venomous. "You kissed me! You kissed your own future daughter...not just daughter but a step daughter who's in a relationship!! YOU'RE IN A F•UCKING RELATIONSHIP AND I'M IN A RELATIONSHIP!! HOW FUCKIN DARE YOU!!"

Roman's gaze never wavered, but he slowly rose to his feet, his movements fluid and controlled. He seemed to be planning to walk away, to leave me sitting there seething with anger and hurt. But I wasn't going to let him get away that easily. I reached out and grabbed his arm, my fingers digging deep into his sleeve. Roman turned to face me, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at my hand on his arm.

And then, without thinking, I slapped him. The sound of my palm hitting his cheek was loud in the silence, and Roman's head jerked back slightly. For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable. Roman's expression still didn't change, but I saw a flash of something in his eyes. Surprise? Anger? I wasn't sure, but it was enough to make me take a step back, my heart racing with anticipation. What would he do next?

"I hate you!" I yelled, my voice echoing off the walls. I swung at Roman, my fists flying, but he dodged my blows with ease. Before I could even register what was happening, Roman had pinned me against the wall, his grip on my wrists like a vice. I froze, my chest heaving with anger and exertion. Roman's face was inches from mine, his eyes cold and unyielding.

For a moment, we just stared at each other, the tension between us palpable. Roman's grip tightened, and I felt a spark of fear. My heart was racing, and I could feel my pulse pounding in my neck. Roman's eyes seemed to bore into mine, and I felt like he could see right through me.

"Remember the rules," Roman said, his voice low and even. "You know better than to attack me." His words were a stark reminder of the power dynamic between us. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and my anger momentarily gave way to a sense of unease. Roman's gaze held mine, and I knew I was trapped. I couldn't escape his grip, and I couldn't escape the rules that bound me to him.

Roman's grip remained firm, but his expression didn't change. He didn't seem to be affected by my outburst, and that only made me angrier. I glared up at him, my mind racing with thoughts of rebellion and escape. But for now, I was trapped, pinned against the wall by Roman's superior strength. All I could do was seethe and plot, waiting for my chance to strike back.

Just as I thought Roman's grip would never loosen, his phone rang, shattering the tense silence between us. Roman's gaze flicked to his pocket, and he pulled out his phone, his eyes scanning the screen. For a moment, he seemed to hesitate, his grip on my wrists still firm. Then, with a swift motion, he released me and stepped back, his attention fully focused on the phone.

Without a word, Roman turned and walked away, answering the call in a low, even tone. I watched him go, my anger and frustration still simmering just below the surface. How could he just walk away like that, leaving me pinned against the wall one minute and then dismissed the next? I rubbed my sore wrists, feeling a mix of emotions: anger, hurt, and a deep-seated resentment towards Roman.

As Roman disappeared from view, I took a deep breath and tried to calm down. I couldn't let him get to me like this. I needed to regroup and figure out my next move. But for now, I was left standing alone, wondering what Roman's phone call had been about and what it would mean for me.

As Roman's footsteps faded away, I let out a slow breath and tried to process what had just happened. My mind was still reeling from the intensity of the moment, and my wrists throbbed with a dull ache from Roman's grip. But beneath the physical pain, a more unsettling feeling had taken root. For once, I had seen a glimmer of something in Roman's eyes that made me truly fear him. It wasn't just his strength or his control that intimidated me – it was the cold calculation in his gaze, the sense that he was capable of anything.

The thought sent a shiver down my spine, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I had only scratched the surface of Roman's true nature. I had always known he was ruthless and calculating, but in that moment, I had glimpsed something darker, something that made me wonder if I truly knew him at all. The realization was unnerving, and for the first time, I felt a spark of genuine fear when I thought of Roman.

And for once in my life, I feared Roman.

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