STEP-DAD'S SECRET

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✯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!

CHAPTER ONE (01)

MAI'S POV

I trudged down the hallway, my headphones blasting my favorite playlist. Music was my escape, my sanctuary. I hadn't been looking forward to coming back to school after the drama with Mom, but I had to keep up appearances. As I walked into my classroom, an eerie silence hit me. Everyone's heads were turned toward me, their faces a mix of curiosity and gossip. My stomach dropped. I hadn't expected this. I didn't have time to process; I needed to get to my seat. As I walked down the aisle, snippets of conversation reached my ears. Whispers, really.

"That's Caleb's girlfriend..."

"Her mom's getting married to some young guy..."

"Her dad died like, what, a month ago? And her mom's already moving on?"

"I heard her mom lied about her age to get him."

The words stung, each one a tiny barb that pierced my skin. I felt my face heat up, embarrassment and anger warring for dominance. I kept my eyes fixed on my seat, refusing to meet anyone's gaze.

As I sat down, the whispers died down, but I could feel the weight of their attention still on me. I pulled out my notebook and pretended to study, trying to tune out the murmurs and focus on the lesson. But my mind kept wandering back to Mom's news and the gossip that was apparently spreading like wildfire.

Why did it have to be like this? Couldn't people just mind their own business? I felt like I was on display, a sideshow spectacle for everyone to gawk at.

The teacher started talking, but I wasn't listening. I was too busy trying to navigate this minefield of emotions and reputations. The teacher's voice droned on, but I was lost in my own world. I couldn't shake off the feeling of being under a microscope, with everyone watching and judging me. My eyes scanned the room, searching for a friendly face.

That's when I spotted Caleb, sitting a few rows ahead of me. He was focused on the lesson, oblivious to the whispers and stares. I felt a pang of gratitude toward him. At least I had someone who cared about me, who didn't see me as a gossip-worthy celebrity.

But even Caleb's presence couldn't shield me from the sting of the rumors. I wondered how they had spread so fast. Had Mom's fiancé already told people about their relationship? Or had someone else spilled the beans?

The bell rang, signaling the end of the period. I gathered my things, trying to blend in with the crowd. As I stood up, Caleb caught my eye, his expression softening into a gentle smile. I returned it weakly, feeling a sense of relief that he was there for me.

We walked out of the classroom together, the hallway bustling with students. Caleb fell into step beside me, his arm brushing against mine. "Hey, how's it going?" he asked, his voice low and concerned.

I hesitated, unsure how much to share. "It's been better," I said finally, trying to keep my tone light.

Caleb nodded, his eyes understanding. "Want to talk about it later?"

I nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude toward him. Maybe, just maybe, things would be okay.

I nodded, deciding not to spill my guts about the gossip mill just yet. Caleb deserved better than to be dragged into my family drama. It's been hell but it was finally over, school ended faster than expected. Caleb and I parted ways with a gentle peck on the cheek and a promise to catch up later.

As I settled into the luxurious car, the silence was a welcome respite from the chaos of the day. When I arrived home, I expected to see my mom bustling around, preparing for her wedding or whatever else she had planned.

Instead, I walked into a scene that made my jaw drop. My mom was kissing that same guy – Roman, I assumed – in the living room. I coughed loudly, faking a clearing of my throat. "Sorry to interrupt."

Mom turned around, a bright smile plastered on her face. "No need to apologize, darling! I'll introduce you both properly now." She beamed at Roman, who looked every bit the suave, confident billionaire.

"Mai, this is Roman Jaxon Cross," Mom said, her voice dripping with excitement. "He's a billionaire, with businesses, multi billionaire companies in Italy, Spain, and Russia. You'll be living with him soon."

My eyes widened as I took in Roman's chiseled features and charming smile. He looked...young. And smug. Like he knew a secret and wasn't sharing. I forced a nod, trying to process this new reality. Roman's eyes locked onto mine, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. This was going to be interesting. Roman's smile faltered for a moment, and his expression turned dark, his eyes narrowing slightly as he looked at me. The air in the room seemed to stiffen, and I felt a shiver run down my spine. For a moment, I thought I saw something flicker in his eyes, something that looked almost like...disapproval.

But then, just as quickly, his expression smoothed out, and he extended a hand, his smile returning. "It's nice to meet you, Mai," he said, his voice deep and smooth.

I took his hand, feeling a jolt of surprise at the firmness of his handshake. Roman's eyes seemed to bore into mine, as if sizing me up. I pulled my hand back, feeling a little unnerved.

"Mom, can I talk to you for a minute?" I asked, trying to edge away from Roman's intense gaze.

Mom nodded, her smile still plastered on her face. "Of course, darling. Roman, would you excuse us for a moment?"

Roman nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "Of course. I'll just...familiarize myself with the house."

As Mom followed me out of the room, I could feel Roman's eyes on me, watching me. I shivered, despite myself. Something about him didn't feel right. As soon as we were out of earshot, I turned to Mom and whispered, "What's going on? You barely introduced us, and he's already acting like he's in charge here."

Mom's smile faltered for a moment before she regained her composure. "Roman is a very important man, Mai. He's used to getting what he wants, and he's very...assertive. But he's good for me, and he'll take care of us."

I raised an eyebrow. "Assertive? That's one way to put it. I think 'controlling' might be a better word."

Mom's expression turned stern. "Mai, don't be dramatic. Roman is a wonderful man, and you'll learn to appreciate him. Just give him a chance."

I sighed, feeling a sense of unease. I didn't like this one bit. But for now, it seemed like I had no choice but to go along with it. "Fine," I said, reluctantly. "But if he tries to boss me around, I'll set him straight."

Mom's smile returned, but it seemed a little forced. "I'm sure that won't be necessary, darling."

I raised an eyebrow, skeptical. "You sure about that? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like he's already trying to fit himself into our lives like a puzzle piece."

Mom chuckled, a light, airy sound that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Oh, Mai, you're being dramatic again. Roman is just trying to get to know us, to fit in. He wants to be a part of our lives."

I folded my arms, my expression unyielding. "And what exactly does he get out of this arrangement? Besides the obvious, I mean."

Mom's smile faltered for a moment, and I saw a flash of something – calculation, perhaps, or determination. "Roman wants to settle down, have a family. He's willing to take on the responsibilities that come with being a part of our family."

I snorted. "Save it, Mom. You're not exactly selling me on this deal. What's the real reason he's so interested in us?"

Mom's eyes flashed with annoyance, but her voice remained calm, controlled. "Roman is a good man, Mai. He's kind, generous, and he cares about us. That's all that matters."

I shook my head, unconvinced. "You're not telling me the whole truth, Mom. What's going on? What aren't you saying?"

Mom's expression turned stern, her voice firm. "Mai, sometimes you just have to trust me, okay? I know what's best for us, and Roman is it. Just...try to get along with him, for me?"

I hesitated, unsure of what to say. Part of me wanted to rebel against this arrangement, to refuse to play along. But another part of me wanted to trust Mom, to believe that she knew what she was doing.

"Fine," I said finally, reluctantly. "I'll try. But if Roman does anything that makes me uncomfortable, I'm telling you, and we're re-evaluating this whole situation."

Mom's smile returned, warm and relieved. "That's all I can ask for, darling."

Mom's expression turned serious, her voice taking on a cautionary tone. "Mai, I want you to understand that Roman isn't like your father. He's different."

I rolled my eyes, feeling a surge of defensiveness. "Don't talk about him," I said curtly, not wanting to hear Mom's comparisons between Roman and Dad.

Mom's eyes clouded over, but she nodded, respecting my wishes. "Okay, darling. I just want you to keep an open mind."

Just then, Roman appeared in the doorway, a charming smile on his face. "How about dinner tonight? Let's get to know each other better over dinner. I'll pick you both up at 7?"

I raised an eyebrow, surprised by the sudden invitation. "I don't know..." I started to say, but Roman's eyes sparkled with persuasion.

"Come on, Mai. It'll be fun, I promise. We can get to know each other better, and I can show you that I'm not as bad as you think I am," he said, his voice low and smooth.

Mom chimed in, her voice enthusiastic. "That sounds like a great idea, Roman. Mai, why don't you give it a chance?"

I hesitated, unsure of what to do. But Roman's charming smile and Mom's encouraging nod eventually won me over. "Fine," I said, reluctantly. "But don't expect me to be all smiles and sunshine."

Roman chuckled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I wouldn't dream of it," he said, his voice dripping with amusement.

As we discussed the details, Roman suggested an Italian restaurant in the upscale part of town. "I've heard great things about it," he said. "We can try their pasta dishes."

I raised an eyebrow. "You're really pulling out all the stops, aren't you?"

Roman smiled. "I want to make a good impression."

Mom interjected, "That sounds lovely, Roman. What time were you thinking?"

"How about 7 pm?" Roman replied. "I'll pick you both up from here."

I nodded, feeling a sense of resignation. "Okay, 7 pm it is."

As we finalized the plans, Roman asked, "What kind of music do you like, Mai? Maybe we can listen to some during dinner."

I shrugged. "I'm not picky. Whatever's good, I guess."

Roman smiled. "I'll make sure to ask the DJ to play some popular tracks then."

Mom added, "And what about the dress code? Should we dress formally?"

Roman replied, "The restaurant is upscale, so formal attire would be great. But feel free to dress however you like, Mai."

I nodded, feeling a bit more at ease. Maybe dinner wouldn't be so bad after all.

As the conversation went on, we discussed everything from food preferences to hobbies. Roman seemed genuinely interested in getting to know us better.

By the end of our conversation, I had to admit that Roman wasn't as bad as I thought he'd be. He was charming, witty, and seemed to genuinely care about making a good impression.

"Alright, it's a deal," I said finally, extending my hand.

Roman smiled, shaking it firmly. "I'll pick you up at 7 pm. Looking forward to it."

Mom smiled, seeming to relax now that the plans were set. "I'll make sure to have everything ready."

As Roman left, I turned to Mom and whispered, "I guess dinner will be interesting."

Mom smiled, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Let's hope so, darling."

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