Sinful Affair: My Stepbrother Is My Student

A Happy Ending

JACK MILLER

~~

It is funny how I left the mansion with a messed up mind and the determination to stay away from it, but now I was returning with the intention of staying and helping my soon-to-be family stay under one roof as well.

It was hilarious.

But I couldn't laugh when I drove into the parking lot and saw no one else but Pete, standing in a corner with an emotionless face. I knew I wasn't sorry for taking the car, but I immediately felt sorry for him.

“I’m sorry, Man. I would have–” I began the minute I stepped out of the car, standing face to face with Pete, who simply stretched his hands to get the car key from me.

“You can keep the apology, Jack. We both know you're not sorry.” Pete cut in. “For starters, if you were sorry, you wouldn't be coming back home with the car now. After spending the entire day out.”

Clearly, Pete was mad that I tricked him. I could only wonder how angry my dad would be even though he has many other cars at his disposal.

Before I could explain further, Pete walked off without saying another word to me. I might just have to make this up to him someday soon. For now, I had to find a way to get Kiara to move into the mansion even though I had been against that idea that morning.

I strolled into the house still not over the fun time I had with Adrian. Today was the last time I would see him in a while. Thankfully, I had my dad and his beloved family to focus on.

Standing in front of the entrance door, I inhaled deeply, assuming that the minute I opened the door, my dad would come at me, yelling and steaming with anger. I braced myself for the impact and also planned out my attack in my head.

However, to my surprise, the mansion was pin-drop silent when I stepped into it. In fact, my dad was sitting still, staring at the screen of the television with concern etched on his face.

I stood close enough to him, desiring his attention and anger. I craved that like life itself… as much as I hated to admit that to him or myself… anyone at all to be honest.

Regardless of my effort to be noticed, my dad didn't take his eyes off the screen until his new plaything barged into the living room, short of breath and pale as she exclaimed, “Did you hear the news? Did you see the fire?”

My dad immediately looked at her with deeper concern, “I’m still in shock babe. How did such a disaster happen in the heart of town? What were the residents thinking?”

Initially, I was lost until I watched on the television as well and realized that there had been a fire outbreak on the other side of town earlier in the day. I squinted my eyes to listen more, not because I had anyone living around that area, but because I was genuinely concerned about the affected resident.

“That’s where she stays, Steve. I can’t get a hold of her and–” My dad’s woman let out, her voice shaking as she did.

My dad jumped to his feet after he heard the panic in her voice and I felt myself hating the man even more. If only he were this nice and loving with my mom… “Who resides there? Breathe, Honey. Please,” My dad said to her and led her to a couch, kneeling before her like he was born to drool over her.

Such an eyesore…

“Kiara, Steve. Kiara stays there and I haven't been able to get a hold of her since I saw the news. I can’t sit here. I have to go find her, Steve. She can’t be in the building when the fire broke out… she shouldn't be there.”

For a split minute, my heart squeezed painfully as I watched Zora worry about her daughter… my heart constricted badly because I knew there was no one who would worry about me like she worried about Kiara.

After all, my mom was gone… killed by my dad…

And no one could ever replace my mom. No one.

“Kiara stays there? Yet she rejected our pleas to have her in this house?” My dad exclaimed, his words laced with disbelief.

“That isn’t important, Steve. Not now. I need to make sure my baby girl is okay and find her. I’m scared, Steve. What if she has been taken to the hospital and what if she is… oh my God! No….” Zora broke into tears as she jolted off of the couch.

“Shush, baby. Let’s go look for her. I will contact my people in the forces and hospital as well, but I hope she is safe.” My dad voiced, genuinely concerned as he walked side by side with his new woman.

How could he act this way after he took the lives of his wife and daughter? How could he care about another man’s child but completely ruin the dreams of his only living child? How could he be such a hypocrite?

Hatred swelled within me as I watched my dad go.

I completely forgot that I was supposed to be acting around him and his new woman, so I could hit them when they least expected.

I snarled out of anger, “If only you were this compassionate about saving your own daughter, Steve. She definitely would have lived to see this day, and maybe she would be the one telling you that you don’t deserve to be happy after you killed our mom–”

“You really are so dumb, Jack!” My dad gritted at me. “Does this look like the time to blab about your delusions? What monster have you become?”

“I’m the monster you created, and you will have to deal with my existence,” I countered furiously.

I would have continued and acted selfishly even though Kiara, a living human who hasn't really done much to hurt me, could be in danger…. I would have stayed here in the safety of my home and yelled if the sound of the doorbell didn't resonate through the house, ending my speech.

Zora did not spare me a glance. She ran off to the door and yanked it open, whimpering, “God… where have you been, Kiara Falls? I have been worried sick.”

Despite the harshness of her tone, I could hear pure relief in Zora’s voice as she pulled her daughter into her arms, crying.

At least someone got a happy ending…. Even though this was only the beginning.

And I also didn't realize that I had called my dad's plaything by her name.