Secretly In Love With My Stepson To Be

4

Sara's pov

The silence between us three was so thick you could cut it with a knife. No one moved. No one spoke. We just stood there, locked in a moment that felt like it would never end.

Then Andrew appeared.

"Are you all having fun without me?" he asked, smiling like he didn't just walk into a war zone.

My heart was still racing. I forced a smile onto my face.

"Vanessa is just welcoming Sara into the family," Mike said smoothly.

I looked at him. He would be good at lying. That thought hit me and stayed. His face showed nothing. No guilt. No fear. Just calm.

Andrew walked to me and kissed my cheek. It was a small thing. A normal thing between a man and his woman. But I saw Mike's reaction. Just a tiny movement in his jaw. A tightening.

He didn't like it.

And the truth? I didn't like it either.

That thought scared me more than anything. Since Mike showed up, everything about Andrew felt different. His touch. His kisses. They didn't feel the way they used to. Before I knew Mike was his son, Andrew's love was enough. It was everything.

Now? Now it felt wrong. And I hated myself for that.

"So, what is popping?" Andrew asked, looking at Mike.

Mike cleared his throat. "Oh, me and Vanessa just concluded. We need to hire an accountant. Someone to investigate the financial issues in the company."

Andrew nodded. "That is nice. But you don't need to start looking for one." He turned to me and smiled. "Sara is an accountant. She is good for the job."

My eyes went wide. No. No, no, no.

"I don't think that is a good idea, sir."

Vanessa's voice cut through the air like a blade. She looked at Andrew with a professional smile, but I saw the fire underneath.

"We need someone who is not within the family to investigate this case. This is a corruption case." She turned to Mike. "Right, boss?"

Mike didn't answer her right away. He let out a slow breath and looked at me. Really looked at me. Like he was trying to read my mind.

"If Sara wants to take the job, no problem," he said finally.

Vanessa's face flickered. Just for a second. But I saw it.

Andrew smiled and wrapped his arm around my waist. "She has accepted. Right, Sara?"

Everyone looked at me. Mike. Vanessa. Andrew. Waiting.

If I said no, Vanessa would win. She would know I was scared of her. And scared people look guilty.

If I said yes, I would be working with Mike. Every day. Close to him. Close to the fire.

I looked at Mike one more time before I spoke.

"Yes. I will take the job."

Vanessa's eyes went cold. Mike nodded once.

"Welcome to William Corporation," he said. "Your job starts tomorrow."

Then he turned and walked away. Vanessa followed, but not before giving me a look that said everything. This isn't over.

Andrew and I went back to his bedroom. I sat on the sofa near the window, my mind spinning. What had I just agreed to? Working with Mike. Seeing him every day. Pretending he was just my stepson-to-be.

And Vanessa. What would she do next? She made it clear she would hurt me if I got in her way. But I didn't even want Mike. Did I?

I didn't know anymore.

Andrew poured himself a glass of wine. He stood by the small table, swirling the red liquid in the glass.

"You know I hate seeing my children unhappy," he said softly.

I looked up. "No parent wants their children unhappy."

He nodded. "You are right. That is why I have been looking for that Sarah. The one Mike is dying to see again."

My blood turned to ice.

"What?"

Andrew took a sip of his wine. "He promised not to be with any other woman except her. Can you believe that? My son, waiting for a woman he met one time. One night."

I gripped the edge of the sofa. My hands were shaking.

"Is that really necessary?" I heard myself say. My voice sounded far away. "He is a grown man. He should learn to understand that one can't get everything he wants in this world. He should learn to move on."

Andrew looked at me with surprise. "That is harsh, my love."

I forced a laugh. "I just don't want him to be hurt. What if they never find her? He will wait forever."

Andrew smiled. A proud smile. "It is too late, dear. I have the best man on it. A private investigator. Very good at his job."

My heart stopped.

"In a few days, my son will get to see her again."

The room spun. I gripped the sofa harder.

In a few days.

Andrew was looking for me. He had hired someone to find me. And when that investigator did his job, he would lead them right here. Right to this house. Right to me.

What would happen then? When Andrew found out his son's mystery woman was the same woman he was going to marry?

I looked at Andrew. He was still smiling, proud of himself. Proud that he was going to make his son happy.

He had no idea he was about to destroy us all.