That evening, as I sat on my bed, lost in my thoughts, my mother walked in, her expression unreadable. I knew she had something to say—she always did when she had that look. “Sophia, we need to talk,” she said firmly, closing the door behind her. I sighed, already exhausted from the emotional storm Jack had left in his wake. “What is it, Mom?” She sat on the edge of my bed, her gaze serious. “It’s time you stop protecting him.” I frowned. “What are you talking about?” “Jack,” she said sharply. “I know you still have feelings for him, but you need to see things clearly. He took advantage of you, Sophia. He got you pregnant, and now, when you caught him with Rachel, he’s feeding you some ridiculous story to save himself. You can’t keep falling for his lies.” I clenched my fists. “Jack didn’t take advantage of me. I wasn’t forced into anything, Mom.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “That’s exactly what he wants you to think. But you were vulnerable, and he—” “I knew what I
It all began with a dare, a reckless challenge from my friends to kiss a stranger at the party. I should have said no, but I had just broken up with my boyfriend, and the alcohol with the music had lowered my inhibitions to a dangerous level. “You can do it Sophia, don't be shy." My friends cheered, their voices buoyed by the party atmosphere. I scanned the room, my eyes finally locking on a mysterious figure standing in the corner. He was older, maybe in his forties, but still strikingly handsome with an air of mystery that drew me in. It felt as if he were waiting for me, and in that moment, I felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a hint of fear as I made my way towards him, my heart pounding. As I approached him, he smiled, and his eyes crinkled at the corners. I felt a flutter in my chest, and my heart raced with anticipation. We didn't exchange words; we didn't need to. The music and the moment said it all. He pulled me close, and our lips met in a passionate kiss. Time se
I stood frozen in the doorway, my mind shattered by the unthinkable sight before me. The stranger who had haunted my dreams, the one who had claimed my lips in a passionate kiss, now stood in my living room, smiling at my mother with a familiarity that made my blood run cold. My mother's voice, dripping with happiness, noticed me and gleefully rushed to hug me. "Sophia, you're home," she chimed, oblivious to my horror. But I couldn't reciprocate her enthusiasm. My eyes were fixed on him, my mind reeling with questions. How did he end up here, in my home, with my mother? His gaze locked onto mine, piercing me with a gleam that made my skin crawl. My mother's smile was so huge on her face, a wicked contrast to my despair. "Sophia, meet Jack, your new stepfather," she announced, her words dripping with excitement. I felt like I'd been punched in the gut, my breath knocked out of me. Stepfather? No, this couldn't be happening. My world crumbled around me, the room spinning with a s
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Inside was quiet. With my heart pounding in my chest, I made my way to my mother's bedroom, each step felt heavier than the last. When I reached her room, I knocked hesitantly. “Sophia, is that you? Come in," she said. Inside, I see my mother packing her belongings. “Mom, what's going on?" I asked, my voice surprisingly steady.My mother looked up, her smile faltering at the sight of the gloom on my face. “Sophia, why aren't you happy for me?" she asked, her voice filled with disappointment. “Why did you act like that towards Jack?" “I'm sorry mother, but..." My voice left me, I couldn't find the courage to utter another word.“Jack is everything we've been praying for. He is kind, loving, and a billionaire." My mother says, her eyes popping with excitement.“A billionaire?" “Yeah, your mother is getting married to a billionaire!" she announced gleefully. “And we're moving into his mansion this weekend." “What?" “Don't you want to?"
The next day, as we loaded the last of the boxes into the car, my nerves were on edge. Jack arrived to help with the move, his presence making my heart flutter. I avoided his gaze, focusing on the task at hand. When I saw him and my mother holding hands my skin crawled. I couldn't decipher my feelings - disgust or jealousy? I busied myself with packing, but the image of them together kept haunting me. I had to remind myself why I was doing this, why I had to keep it together. My mother's happiness was at stake, and I couldn't let my emotions get in the way.Rachel showed up later, her usual cheerful demeanor a stark contrast to the turmoil inside me. She gave me a supportive smile, and I felt a bit of my resolve strengthen. “Hey, need any help?” she asked, already grabbing a box. “Thanks,” I muttered, grateful for her presence. As we continued packing, Jack approached me, his expression unreadable. “Sophia, can we talk?”I stiffened but nodded. “Sure,” I said, putting down the bo
Rachel and I slipped away to one of the many guest rooms, closing the door behind us. Rachel turned to me, her face serious. “Sophia, what's going on? You can’t keep this bottled up. It’s eating you alive.”I sank onto the bed, burying my face in my hands. “I know, but what am I supposed to do? If I tell her, it will destroy her.” Rachel sat beside me, her voice gentle but firm. “You don’t have to tell her if you don't want to. But can you cope living under the same roof with him?" I looked up, tears in my eyes. “I don't think I know how to deal with this." Rachel took a deep breath. “Maybe you should try talking to Jack again. He needs to understand how this is affecting you. Maybe he can help find a way to make this easier.” I shook my head, feeling hopeless. “I tried, Rachel. He just wants to forget it happened. But I can’t forget. Every time I see them together, it’s like a knife in my heart.” Rachel squinted her eyes at me. “Sophia, do you have feelings for Jack?" I shoo
As the days went by, I struggled to conceal my emotions. Living under the same roof as Jack and my mother made it so difficult, as i couldn't escape the pain of seeing them together. I am forced everyday, to watch as my mother and Jack laughed together, their chemistry undeniable. I felt a pang in my chest, a mix of jealousy and longing. How could my mother be so oblivious to the way i felt?Rachel, noticing my distress, suggested a night out to take my mind off things. We headed to a trendy bar in town, where Rachel knew the owner. As we sipped our cocktails, I felt a bit relaxed. That's when i saw him - a tall, dark-haired man with piercing hazel eyes, laughing with the bartender.As our eyes met, I immediately felt a jolt of electricity and quickly looked away, trying to brush off the feeling. But I couldn't help sneaking glances at the mysterious handsome stranger. He too was watching me with an intensity that made my skin prickle."Sophia?" Rachel's voice called softly.I looked
The kiss with Jack was intense and passionate, my whole body responded to him in a way like never before. But for crissake he was my mother's husband, my stepfather! What in the world was I doing?I tried to push him away, but Jack held me tight, his arms wrapping around me like a vice. His lips moved against mine, demanding and insistent. I felt a surge of resistance, but my body betrayed me, melting into his touch.As we kissed, the room around us melted away, leaving only the two of us, lost in a sea of tension and desire. I couldn't think, couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything but feel.And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, Jack pulled away, his chest heaving with emotion. We stood there, panting, our eyes locked in a fierce stare."What are you doing, Jack?" I whispered, my voice shaking with emotion.Jack's eyes burned with intensity. "I'm showing you how I feel, Sophia. I'm tired of pretending."I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized the truth. Jack's feelings f
That evening, as I sat on my bed, lost in my thoughts, my mother walked in, her expression unreadable. I knew she had something to say—she always did when she had that look. “Sophia, we need to talk,” she said firmly, closing the door behind her. I sighed, already exhausted from the emotional storm Jack had left in his wake. “What is it, Mom?” She sat on the edge of my bed, her gaze serious. “It’s time you stop protecting him.” I frowned. “What are you talking about?” “Jack,” she said sharply. “I know you still have feelings for him, but you need to see things clearly. He took advantage of you, Sophia. He got you pregnant, and now, when you caught him with Rachel, he’s feeding you some ridiculous story to save himself. You can’t keep falling for his lies.” I clenched my fists. “Jack didn’t take advantage of me. I wasn’t forced into anything, Mom.” She let out a frustrated sigh. “That’s exactly what he wants you to think. But you were vulnerable, and he—” “I knew what I
The soft rays of morning sunlight streamed through my curtains, pulling me from a restless sleep. I blinked a few times, my eyes adjusting to the light, when a rich aroma wafted into my nose—freshly brewed coffee and something warm, buttery, and sweet. I sat up slowly, confused, and that’s when I saw him. “Good morning, sleepyhead,” Alex said with a boyish grin, standing at the foot of my bed with a tray in his hands. “What… what are you doing here?” I stammered, my voice still thick with sleep and disbelief. He shrugged, setting the tray down on the bedside table. “I figured you could use some cheering up, so I thought I’d surprise you.” My eyes darted to the tray. It was a perfect breakfast spread—pancakes drizzled with syrup, scrambled eggs, fresh fruit, and a steaming cup of coffee. It looked like something out of a magazine. “Cheering up?” I repeated, frowning slightly. He sat on the edge of the bed, his usual playful demeanor softened. “Your mom called me last nigh
The sun had already dipped below the horizon by the time I reached Jack's private apartment. My heart was pounding—not from fear, but from determination. I had decided to tell him everything about my mother’s schemes and Margaret’s involvement. We needed to be united against them, no matter what they threw our way.I used the spare key Jack had given me the last time I was here after knocking severally with no response. Pushing open the door to his apartment. The living room was dimly lit, a faint glow spilling out from under the bedroom door. I hesitated, suddenly uneasy.“Jack?” I called softly.No response.I stepped further inside, my unease growing with every step. When I reached the bedroom, I gently pushed the door open, only for the sight before me to send my world crashing down.Jack was in bed, tangled in the sheets with Rachel.Her head was nestled against his chest, and his arm was draped possessively over her. Their clothes were scattered across the floor, leaving no room
My mother reached for my hand, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m trying to protect you, Sophia. From him, from the pain I know is coming if you stay with him. Please, believe me.” I pulled my hand away, standing to put some distance between us. “I can’t, Mom. I can’t just trust you after everything you’ve done. You’re not trying to protect me—you’re trying to control me. And I won’t let you.” Her shoulders slumped, and for the first time, she looked truly defeated. “You think I’m the enemy,” she said quietly. “But one day, you’ll see. One day, you’ll realize I was right about him.” Without another word, she rose and walked to the door. Before leaving, she turned back to me, her expression a mix of sadness and resolve. “I just hope it won’t be too late when you do.” As the door clicked shut behind her, I sank onto my bed, my mind swirling with doubt and anger. Was she right about Jack? About me? But deep down, I knew one thing for certain: I couldn’t let her control my life,
An hour later, the sound of a car pulling into the driveway drew me to the window. Jefferson stepped out, his tall frame and commanding presence impossible to miss. I hurried downstairs to let him in. “Thank you for coming,” I said, my voice shaky but grateful. He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. “Of course. Where is she?” “In the living room,” I said, gesturing toward the door. Jefferson nodded and walked in, his footsteps firm and deliberate. My mother looked up from her tea, her eyes narrowing when she saw him. “What are you doing here?” she asked coldly, setting her cup down. Jefferson didn’t respond immediately. Instead, he took a seat across from her, his expression unreadable. “We need to talk, Karen.” “I don’t have anything to say to you,” she snapped. “Well, I have plenty to say to you,” he replied, his tone calm but unyielding. “This plan of yours to use Sophia’s situation to get money out of Jack—it’s despicable, even for you.” Her eyes flashed wit
When I got home, the weight of the confrontation at the station still pressed heavily on my chest. My mother’s words echoed in my mind, each syllable laced with anger and judgment. I slammed the door behind me, my steps firm as I made my way to the living room where she sat, sipping tea like nothing had happened. She glanced up at me, her face composed, as if the firestorm she had unleashed didn’t exist. “Why, Mom?” I demanded, my voice trembling with a mix of fury and disbelief. “Why would you go to the police? Do you have any idea what you’ve done?” She set her cup down with a deliberate slowness, her gaze sharp but calm. “I did what any mother would do to protect her daughter.” “Protect me?” I laughed bitterly, crossing my arms. “Don’t pretend this is about me. You’ve been trying to destroy Jack from the start. What’s your plan, Mom? What are you really after?” Her lips pressed into a thin line, and for a moment, I thought she wouldn’t answer. Then, she sighed, gesturing
I sat frozen, staring at my phone long after Jack had hung up. My mind raced, replaying his words over and over. My mother had gone to the police. She wasn’t just trying to hurt Jack—she was trying to destroy him.But what about me? What would happen when they started asking questions? The truth wasn’t just messy—it was a minefield. One wrong move, one slip of the tongue, and everything could explode.I needed to act. Now.Grabbing my jacket, I hurried out of the house, barely registering the biting wind against my skin. My mind was set—I needed to get to the station. I couldn’t leave Jack to face this alone.The ride there felt endless, each minute dragging as I rehearsed what I might say. How could I explain this? How could I protect him—and myself—without making everything worse?When I arrived, the building loomed in front of me like a fortress. My legs felt like lead as I pushed through the doors.“Can I help you?” a stern-looking officer asked from behind the counter.“I’m here
It had been a few days since Jack and I had last spoken. He was probably trying to prepare himself for the inevitable—Karen's decision to end things officially. A part of him thought he would receive a divorce letter, and he was ready for it. After all, there wasn’t much left to salvage in this mess we both had created.But when the letter came, it wasn’t from a lawyer. It was from the police.Jack sat at his desk, staring at the envelope in disbelief. His heart pounded as he tore it open and read the contents.“You are hereby requested to appear at the Central Police Station regarding allegations filed against you involving your stepdaughter, Sophia—”The rest of the words blurred as his mind raced. Allegations? My stepdaughter? The implications hit him like a freight train, and Ihefelt the air leave his lungs.This had to be a mistake.His hands trembled as he set the letter down, his thoughts in chaos. Who had done this? How had this gotten out? Karen—she wouldn’t… would she?The t
It had been days since my last conversation with Jack, and I was still navigating the emotional storm it had left behind. The weight of my mother’s expectations, Jack’s unwavering stance, and the impending reality of the baby were more than I could bear. But the thought that kept reoccurring the most was our initmate time together. It was so good, I replayed it several times, and somehow wished I could go back to him and do it all over again. The silence in the house was both a blessing and a curse, giving me too much time to think. What was going to happen after my mother and Jack get divorced? Will Jack and I be able to be together? Or was that a dream that would never come true?When the doorbell rang that afternoon, I wasn’t expecting anyone. I hesitated for a moment before opening the door, my heart sinking the instant I saw Alex standing there.“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice sharper than I intended.Alex stood there, looking as confident as ever, but there was so