Drowning in my Step Son

Chapter 3

Liliana froze mid-kiss, her lips still pressed against Sebastian’s. The soft creak of the hallway door sent ice through her veins. Someone was there. Watching.

She pulled back quickly, heart slamming against her ribs. Sebastian’s eyes widened. He moved fast, stepping in front of her as the door pushed open wider.

Theodore stood in the doorway, his face hard under the dim light. “I thought I heard voices,” he said slowly. His eyes moved from Sebastian’s messy hair to Liliana’s flushed cheeks. “Couldn’t sleep?”

Tension filled the room like thick smoke. Liliana’s mind raced. How long had he been standing there? Did he see them kiss? She forced her voice to stay steady. “I couldn’t sleep either. We were just… talking about tomorrow’s meetings.”

Sebastian nodded, but his fists were clenched at his sides. “Yes, Father. Business strategy. Nothing important.”

Theodore stared at them for what felt like forever. The suspicion in his eyes was clear. “Business strategy in the middle of the night? Interesting.” He turned without another word and walked away, his footsteps echoing down the hall.

The door clicked shut. Liliana let out a shaky breath and sank onto the bed. “That was too close again. I can’t do this, Sebastian. My heart is racing every second. What if he knows?”

Sebastian sat beside her, taking her hand. But even his touch couldn’t calm the storm inside her. “He doesn’t know. He’s just being his usual controlling self.” His voice was low, but she could hear the doubt in it.

In the middle of the night, with the snow falling silently outside, their emotional conflicts poured out. Liliana pulled her hand away and stood up, pacing the room. “This is tearing me apart. I married your father because I had nothing. He gave me safety, money, a life. Now I’m betraying him with his own son. I feel guilty… but I also feel alive with you. It’s like I’m two different people.”

Sebastian watched her, his face tight with his own pain. “You think I don’t feel it? He’s my father. He ignored me my whole life, pushed me aside like I was nothing. But being with you… it feels like revenge and love at the same time. I hate myself for wanting you this much. Yet I can’t stop. I love you, Liliana. Not just your body. The way you understand me.”

Tears filled Liliana’s eyes. “Love? We’re playing with fire. If he finds out, he’ll destroy us both. Cut us off without a penny. I’m scared of losing everything… but I’m more scared of losing this feeling with you.” She stopped pacing and looked at him. “What are we doing? Are we monsters for wanting his empire too? For planning to take it from him?”

Sebastian stood and pulled her into his arms. The embrace was tight, full of conflict. “Maybe we are. But he’s the real monster. Cold. Selfish. Planning to replace you with a younger woman and leave me with scraps. We deserve better. Together we can build something real.” His words mixed love with dark ambition, making Liliana’s heart twist even more.

They talked faster, emotions spilling out. Liliana confessed her fear of being seen as a gold-digger who stole the son. Sebastian admitted his deep anger at years of neglect. Yet every word brought them closer. The taboo of their relationship hung heavy between them — stepmother and stepson, lover and betrayer. The pull was stronger than the guilt.

As the sky began to lighten with morning, they lay on the bed, fully clothed, holding each other. “We have to be smarter,” Sebastian whispered. “Start gathering proof of his dirty deals. Use the meetings this week.”

Liliana nodded, but fear still gripped her. “Okay. For us.”

A sudden loud knock on the door made them both sit up fast.

“Sebastian! Liliana!” Theodore’s voice boomed. “Open the door. Now. We need to talk.”

They looked at each other in panic. The handle started to turn.