Chapter 4

NORA

Quickly I cleared my throat and I turned to the door. “Aunt, I’m in here,” I replied cozily. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah it is. Just wanted to ask if you’ve seen Uncle Lester, your mum’s looking for him,” She spoked and I exhaled deeply as I turned to him, signaling him not to say a word, and he nodded absentmindedly.

“No Aunt, you can check the guest room, maybe he’s hanging out with friends,” I answered and I heard her sigh and her footsteps faded away and I held my chest, breathing heavily.

“Are you okay?” He asked, touching my waist and I flinched, my hands against my chest protectively.

“What are you doing?” I whispered, my eyes staring around, hoping my voice wasn’t loud enough for someone to hear.

“I just wanted to talk to you,” He replied boldly, as if he didn’t just barge in on me a while ago.

I sighed. “You can’t just walk into the ladies restroom. And what If someone saw you? Would you be able to explain that?” I queried but it didn’t seem like he was even listening, as his eyes were staring at something else— My cleavage.

“What the fuck is wrong with this man!” I mentally yelled, but deep down I liked the fact that he found me attractive, and if he belong to someone else, I wouldn’t mind stealing him away, but I just couldn’t hurt my mom because of him.

“Stop staring!” I seethed, and he blinked rapidly, his gaze moving away.

“What you just did, don’t let it repeat itself again. Or else I’ll…”

“Or else what!” He interrupted curtly.

“I’ll tell my mom everything,” I declared, my voice shaking. “From the beginning,” I added, and he scoffed as he moved close to me. “You wouldn’t dare!” he whispered, his eyes challenging me.

I hesitated, my chest rising and falling. I knew I’d never tell my mom, I just wanted him to believe I would, to scare him off, but I guessed I was wrong because he seemed adamant, desperately wanting to have me, but this little facade between us has to end.

“Fine!” I snapped, stepping back. “What about mom?” I demanded, my voice rising. He looked at me, his brow furrowed in confusion.

“You two just got married!” I pressed further, frustration and confusion knotting in my chest.

“I... I don’t know what to do,” he admitted, his voice unsteady, something I hadn’t noticed before. “Ever since that night, I haven’t been able to get you out of my mind. The way your lips felt, the way your presence consumed me... everything.”

He exhaled, as if releasing a confession he had held onto for too long. “Your scent lingered around me, haunting me. I tried to resist, but I couldn’t. I just couldn’t.”

I felt a subtle flutter stirred within me, yet I knew I couldn’t allow myself to surrender to it. Too many people I love would get hurt.

"This," I gestured between us, my voice firm. “It can't work. Do you even realize? I'm your stepdaughter, we're family!" I half yelled, and I turned to leave, but before I could step through the door, he caught my arm, pressing me gently against the wall. His hand moved instinctively, shielding my head with a protective touch as I found myself trapped in-between him.

“I’ve fought against wanting you, Princess. Do you think it’s been easy for me?” His voice was thick with anguish, making me realize the intensity of the situation.

“Every single day, I battle with the choice—marrying the woman I’ve known for years over the pull of the girl I met some night ago. Do you think it’s simple looking into your mother’s eyes and wondering if I made a mistake?”

“You kissed me first! You made me want you, so deal with it!” His words hung in the air bluntly, and my breath caught in my throat. I wanted to respond; to deny, to deflect, but nothing came, I was staring, speechless, as he poured out the truth before me.

“What have I gotten myself into?” The thought echoed in my mind as I hurriedly pulled away from his grasp. A wave of guilt washed over me, I felt suffocated and overwhelmed. With my mouth trembling, I managed to force the words out.

“Please… don’t hurt my mom. I’m sorry for everything. After the wedding, I’ll leave quietly and we’d never see each other again,” My voice was barely above whisper, carrying the weight of my decision. I turned to leave, but his next word froze me in place.

"Tell me you don't feel the same, and I'll walk away," he said, his voice raw with desperation.

I stiffened. My heart pounded against my ribs, and for a fleeting moment, I couldn't breathe. I wanted to turn, to look him in the eye, but I knew that if I did, I'd crumble. So I forced myself to stare ahead, to steady my voice.

"I don't," I whispered, though the words felt like glass splintering in my throat. "I was drunk that night, that's why I kissed you. Let it end there."

Every fiber of my being screamed at me to run before he could say another word, before I’d do something I’d regret. So I did. I hurried out, pushing past the lump in my throat, knowing I couldn't survive his questions or the way he made me feel.

I wandered down the hallway, my thoughts tangled in a mess, that I barely noticed my surroundings. When I reached the garden, I didn’t even realize I had bumped into my mom until she caught my arm, steadying me.  

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice gentle but filled with concern.  

I forced a smile, hoping it would be enough to reassure her. "I'm fine," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. I tried to step away, eager to escape, but she held onto me.  

"I've been looking everywhere for Lester, but I can't seem to find him," she said, her gaze searching mine. I looked away, willing her not to press further, hoping she wouldn’t notice the tension in my body.  

"But that's beside the point," she continued, her tone shifting to something brighter. "I have good news for us!"  

I swallowed hard, forcing myself to meet her gaze despite the turmoil churning inside me. I nodded slightly, urging her to continue, even as every fiber of my being screamed for me to retreat—to escape the guilt pressing down on me.

“The thing is… I’m relocating to Boston!” She announced, her voice bright with excitement.

I frowned, confusion clouding my thoughts. “Boston?” I asked. “But your whole life is in New York!”

“I’m ready for a change, sweetheart. Lester and I would be moving to Boston.” My breath hitched, my chest tightening as the words sank in. “What?” I blurted out, my voice rising in disbelief.

She laughed, not noticing the stunned expression on my face, as she was clearly thrilled by her decision. “I know right? It’s wonderful, he bought a huge mansion, and we can all live together as a family. You, me and him.”

Immediately, my knees wobbled beneath me. A dizzy sensation swept over me, my legs unable to hold me and I felt like I might faint.

“Living under the same roof with my stepfather? This feels like fate playing a cruel joke on me!” I thought, panic rising as I tried to process it.