Chapter 3

NORA

No one ever expected my mom to have a daughter as grown as me, she looked far too young.  

She had me when she was just fifteen, and now, at thirty-nine, I’m twenty-four. Yet people still found it hard to believe she was my mother, baffled by how effortlessly youthful she remained.

“Oh my goodness,” he muttered under his breath.  

Slowly, my gaze lifted to meet his, and in that instant, the weight of realization settled between us.  

We were both done for. And it wasn’t entirely his fault, if I didn’t kiss him twice last night, none of this would have happened. If anyone was to be blamed, it should be me.

I cleared my throat. “Nice to meet you, sir,” I said, feigning ignorance, clinging to the hope that I could simply pretend this wasn’t happening.  

But it was too late. My reaction had already betrayed me. No amount of forced oblivion could erase the truth hanging between us.  

Silently, I turned to leave, determined to put distance between myself and the weight of what had just unfolded. But then—  

“Wait!”  

His voice cut through the air, laced with urgency.  

I froze.  

I didn’t turn. Didn’t dare meet his eyes again. Because if I did, I knew, I wouldn’t be able to let go.

“Are you going to tell your mom?”  

His question cut through the silence, sending a chill down my spine. I felt like I was walking on eggshells, every step dangerous, knowing I couldn’t keep this secret for long. But then, thinking of the bigger picture, I turned to him, uncertainty clouding my gaze.

“What happened in the past stays in the past. We have never met before.” I responded, my voice firm, and without waiting for a response, I spun on my heels and walked out of the room, my heart heavier with each step, knowing I couldn’t  accept a man I had my tongue rolling into his mouth as my stepfather.

Once the wedding was over, I’d leave quickly, quietly. Distance would be my escape, and with time, this unwelcome attraction would fade, dissolving into nothing more than a mistake.

I made my way to the living room, my mind preoccupied with different thoughts, that I barely noticed the figure standing beside the doorway; until a hand grasped my arm, pulling me back.  

Startled, I turned, my heart skipping a beat as my gaze landed on her.  

Aunt Tasha, my mom’s younger sister.

“Nora, are you okay?”  

My aunt’s gentle voice pulled me from my thoughts. I forced a smile, nodding quickly. “Yeah, I’m fine.”  But she wasn’t convinced.  

Without another word, she took my hand, guiding me toward the couch and we sat, her gaze searching mine.  

“You’re keeping secrets from me now, aren’t you?” Her voice was soft with inquiries. I exhaled, the weight of everything pressing down on me.  

I wanted to bury this truth, lock it away where no prying eyes or wagging tongues could reach it. But the more I held it in, the heavier it became suffocating and sought release.  

And deep down, I knew if there was anyone I could confide in, it was her. I just had to change my perspective, so she doesn't freak out.

“Aunt,” I called softly, and she  nodded, her eyes attentive.  

“Do you think I’m a bad person for kissing my friend’s fiancé?”  Her expression shifted instantly, brows furrowing, her lips pressing into a thin line, as her face scowled in contempt.

“Why would you do that?” she asked, disappointment evident in her tone.  

“I didn’t know he was her fiancé; I only found out afterward,” I admitted, and she exhaled deeply, relief washing over her. “That’s fine, as long as you didn’t know. But you should do your best to stay away from him, you wouldn’t want to ruin your friend’s relationship, would you?”  

I shook my head.

“Good.” She ruffled my hair with a small smile, but I barely registered it.  

There was still one question gnawing at my conscience; one I couldn’t leave unspoken.  

“What if they’re getting married? Should I tell my friend that her husband is a cheater?”

Aunt Tasha rolled her eyes as she stood, “Don’t be the one to ruin her marriage. Your friend would hate you for it,” she said simply.  

Then, without another word, she walked away.  

But her answer echoed in my mind, looping again and again.

*"Mom, will you hate me?"*  I mentally asked myself and it breaks my heart to think about it.

“Why are you staring like a lost puppy,” Aunt teased, giggling as she made her way up the staircase. “Go get some rest, tomorrow is your mom’s big day!”  

I forced a small smile but didn’t respond, watching as she disappeared into Mom’s room.

Begrudgingly, I stood up from the couch and I headed to my room with a new sense of determination. My main focus was my mom, and no one was going to ruin that.

I slipped into my room, freshened up, and hoped that sleep would come easily. But it didn’t.  

Restless, I grabbed my laptop, my fingers hesitating over the keyboard and before I could realize what was happening.  

I typed his name into the search bar.  

With a few clicks, I landed on his Instagram profile, scrolling through his posts, watching his videos, one after another, until I fell asleep.

****

My mom’s wedding ceremony unfolded under the evening sky, the garden bathed in the soft glow of moonlight. The guests were all seated smiling widely, as they anticipated her arrival.

She stood at the entrance, radiant, and I stood behind her. Slowly, I walked her down the aisle, my hand gently wrapped around her arm. Our shimmering gowns flowed gracefully as we moved in unison.

And as I stared at her face, I saw how gorgeous and happy she saw. Together we move with fulfillment, her long gown rustling behind her as everyone witnessed the heartfelt moment.

We reached the altar, and as I gently placed my mother’s hand into her husband’s, my gaze lingered, unable to tear away from him as he stood tall and handsome in his neatly tailored suit beside the priest, his cold demeanor gracing the entire garden.

His gaze quietly ran into mine and I swallowed hard, melting under his burning gaze. But as he caught my lingering gaze, he hesitated. Then, almost reluctantly, he looked away.

I blinked rapidly, as I turned and took a seat.

They exchanged vows and shared a kiss which I couldn’t bear to watch, but I still tried as much as possible to be there for her. I watched as my mom danced happily with her husband.

After a while, I was feeling tired and pressed, so I told my aunt and quietly excused myself and I went into the bathroom. As I was done peeing, I made to walked out when a strong hand grabbed me and pulled me back into the bathroom, and the door hanged shut with a loud thud, and as my eyes went up to see who it was, I was shocked to see my stepfather, his intense gaze filled with a unexplained expression.

“W…what are you doing here?” I slutttered in confusion.

“God damn it! I can’t resist you!” He grunts, his voice raspy, and I blinked my eyes rapidly, my heart fluttering.

“Every since that day, I just couldn’t stop thinking about you,” he confessed and before I could process what was going on, he drew me close and he crashed his lips on mine, kissing me intensively.

I tried to push him away, but he grabbed my hands with one arm and he pinned it above my head as he devoured my lips, and slowly I found myself kissing him back and he let go of my hands.

Gradually, his hand went into the slit of my dress as it roamed around my thigh and it rested on my ass, squeezing it impatiently and I moaned loudly.

“Y…yeah, moan for me Princess,” He grunted roughly, and as if the name he called did something to me, I clung onto him tightly to myself.

He left my lips and he began trailing wet kissing all over my bare chest, while I moaned in ecstasy, my hand roaming around his air, and as he made to unzip my dress, and loud knock on the bathroom door broke the silence and my aunt’s voice came afterwards.

“Nora, are you in there?”  The voice from outside jolted me, sending a shockwave of panic through my body.  

I jumped, my breath hitching as my eyes widened in alarm. I quickly turned to my stepfather who seemed unfazed.

“Oh my goodness,” I whispered, my fingers instinctively raking through my hair, my mind racing, the realization of what I’d just done played right in front of me.

I’d just made out with my stepfather in the bathroom, right under my mom’s nose, and it worsen it all, my aunt was standing outside, while he wasn’t a bit ashamed or embarrassed by what just happened.

“What have I gotten myself into?" The thought echoed in my mind relentlessly, as the knocking on the door grew more insistent.

I swallowed hard, bracing myself, knowing there was no escape from what was unraveling before me.