Drowning in my Step Son

Chapter 4

The door handle rattled noisily. Liliana’s blood turned to ice. Sebastian jumped off the bed and she scrambled down too, both their hearts pounding like a war drum. Theodore’s voice sounded again, sharp with anger. “Open this door this instant!”

Sebastian gestured for Liliana to slip into the bathroom and she ducked in swiftly, leaving the door slightly ajar. Her hands were shaking as she listened; this was it. The pressure was a cord being tightened around her neck.

Sebastian pulled open the door. "Father? Is something wrong?"

Theodore stormed in, pushing him aside and his eyes scanned the room. "I saw you two at the table. The way you two looked at each other. The way you touched hands under the table. Don't you think I'm stupid?" He said in a low and wrathful voice. "Liliana, come out. I know you're in here."

Liliana walked out slowly, her face pale and a deep sense of guilt overwhelming her. It had been years ago that Theodore had saved her from an impoverished life and now she was involved with his son in a secret love affair. "Theodore, it's not like what you think..." her voice trembled and cracked.

Sebastian stood tall beside her. "We were just talking. You're imagining things again."

Theodore let out a short, sharp, and emotionless laugh. "Talking? At this hour, in your bedroom?" He stepped forward and loomed over them, his height creating a long shadow over them. "I built this empire from nothing and you think I'm going to let some money-grubbing tramp of a wife and a spineless, lazy son tear it all down?"

An explosion of emotions tore through Liliana. She loved the thrill with Sebastian, the intoxicating feelings that made her feel so young and so desired. The sight of Theodore however, sent waves of shame through her. "I've given you my prime," she stammered, tears pricking at her eyes. "You've always treated me like a prize; never like a wife. Always with your work, and always with other women.Sebastian actually notices me."

Sebastian's eyes were burning with the pain that had endured for years. "You never loved me, Father. I was always just a nuisance you had to look after, that you have always pushed aside in my entire life. Liliana and I... We understand each other, we deserve more than just the leftovers you give us."

Theodore's face went scarlet with fury. "You ungrateful brat!" With that Theodore rushed forward and sent Sebastian flying back, his shoulder hitting the wall with a sickening thud. "You dare think you can take my wife? My company?"

Sebastian threw his father back and they both crashed to the floor sending a table crashing and a lamp smashing against it. They grappled on the floor, each man landing blows upon the other; Theodore still strong for his age from years of exerting power but Sebastian had youth and adrenaline fueling his movements. He caught his father square on the jaw. "I made you!" Theodore roared at his son.

Sebastian swung back and landed his fist square on his father's chest. "You ruined me!" The fight was swift and brutal; furniture was overturned and they were both breathing hard. "Stop!" Liliana screamed, trying to wrench the two men apart but ended up being thrown against the wall.

Deep within Liliana's heart, she was torn. Part of her was horrified by the physical confrontation, another part revelled in Sebastian fighting for her, for their future, for the empire they aimed to possess. "I love him, Theodore," she cried out loudly, her voice shaking. "Not you. Not anymore. You are cold and selfish."

Theodore froze for a split second, a shocked expression etched on his face. This was the opportunity Sebastian needed and he sent his father reeling back with a powerful punch; a cut opening on Theodore's lip. "You'll both pay for this," he growled, breathing heavily. "I will cut you both out of the will entirely! I've already changed it!"

Theodore stormed out of the room, but paused at the door to turn his gaze back on Liliana one last time. "I trusted you."

Theodore slammed the door, and Sebastian wiped a trickle of blood from his lips. He embraced Liliana tightly. "Are you alright? We need to make our move now."

Liliana nodded, her body shaking from the violence and from the confession. Their love was stronger than ever but so was the danger. "What if he tells security? Or worse?"

Before Sebastian could answer, his cell phone buzzed on the nightstand. He snatched it up, his face going ashen as he read the text.

"It's Father's lawyer," he said hoarsely. "He's moved the board meeting up to this morning. We've been kicked out of everything."

Panic flashed between them as they looked at each other. They could hear footsteps already thundering down the hallway outside-more than one person coming their way.