Sunlight streamed through the blinds, nudging me awake.

“Good morning,” I called softly, but no response came.

My eyes darted around; he was gone.

I was alone, tangled in blood-soaked sheets, the evidence of last night clinging to me like a secret I couldn’t wash away.

I ran my hands slowly over my body, half-expecting pain, half-expecting proof. Not a single scar remained except the faint mark on my neck. My breath hitched. Was I hallucinating? Or was he something more, a myth in human form?

The thought thrilled me, but beneath it, longing burned. A one-night stand was supposed to be just that, brief, satisfying, nothing more. So why did my chest ache as I replayed his every word, every touch? Was it his flirtatious charm or the raw intensity in his drive?

I faced the mirror. My reflection startled me. I looked different. Awake. Alert. Alive. Yet untouched by the chaos of last night. I missed him more than I should.

Reaching for his pillow, my fingers brushed something solid. A diamond necklace glimmered beneath it, catching the light. My chest squeezed as I slipped it on, savoring the illusion of closeness, of the cuddles I had already begun to crave.

Musicless, I danced alone in the room, swaying to the rhythm of memory. For a few stolen minutes, it felt like he was still here.

Until my phone rang.

“Kira,” I whispered, snatching it up.

“Lil, where the hell are you? We’re gonna miss the flight!”

My heart dropped. “Shit! I had to be in L.A. to meet my stepdad and mom.”

I bolted for the shower, threw on clothes, and raced downstairs with the necklace clutched at my throat.

At the airport, Kira and Kate were already waiting, both wearing that we-know-what-you-did look.

“Well?” Kira folded her arms. “Why so late?”

Kate smirked, nudging me. “Spill. Don’t tell me you actually did it.”

I exhaled. “We… did it.”

Their jaws dropped, followed by Kira’s squeal and Kate’s sigh.

“Yay!” Kira grinned. “And? Details?”

I bit my lip. Flashes of blood, the mark on my neck, the way he felt both human and not. I couldn’t explain it to them, so I simply said, “It was intense. Different. I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

Kira narrowed her eyes but brushed off her suspicion. “Fine. But later, you’re spilling everything.”

The plane ride blurred past me, their chatter barely registering. I was somewhere else entirely, back in the hotel room, trying to recall what happened.

Soon we landed in L.A., hugged goodbye, and ordered our separate taxis.

“Call us when you settle in,” Kate waved, entering her car.

“And don’t forget the uncut story,” Kira added with a wink.

I forced a smile and waved them off. But as their Uber pulled away, emptiness crept in. I had known him only a night, yet missed him like a lifetime. Still, I reminded myself it was time to move on.

I hailed my own ride, giving the driver one word: “Golden Gate.”

When the car slowed before a building I recognized instantly, my stomach tightened. Home.

The front door was open. My pulse quickened as I stepped inside, locking it behind me. I tiptoed upstairs where I found my mom rifling through her closet, talking to herself. I decided to surprise her from behind.

“Mommy, I’ve missed you so much,” I shouted, wrapping my arms around her waist.

“Ahhh, Lilith, my baby, how are you?” she gasped, pulling me close.

“I’m good. But why are you so tense? Aren’t you happy to see me?”

“Oh, I am,” she said quickly, holding my hands. “It’s just… I thought it was—” She hesitated.

“Let me guess, you thought it was my stepdad?” I teased.

Her cheeks flushed. “Okay, you got me. Now go change. He’ll be here soon.”

“Yeah, you told me a week ago,” I retorted, leaving her room. She paused, then softened her tone. “Lilith, happy birthday, love.”

“Thanks, Mom.” I kissed her cheek and slipped away.

After changing, I came back to her room. She stood in front of her mirror, holding up outfits like a giddy teenager.

“Which one looks better, the dress or the leather pants?”

“Mom, it’s just a man. You’ve met him a couple of times, done worse with him. So what you wear doesn’t matter,” I replied flatly.

“You don’t get it, Lilith. This relationship feels like real, young love. My first marriage was a broken one, and we both know the damage it left. But this time…” She sighed dreamily. “I’m falling in love with everything—his eyes, his lips, that sexy ass—”

“That’s enough, lover girl.” I rolled my eyes, leaving her room while her giggles followed me downstairs.

Her reason to smile again was the only thing I wanted, because for years, it had only been us, running from the brutal man I once considered my father. After the divorce, we left New York for L.A., hoping she would find love again. But heartbreak strongly disagreed.

Then came this man she met online. What started as dinners, movies, and luxurious gifts led to a strange engagement with no guests or pictures two weeks ago.

And the craziest part? She didn’t tell him she had a twenty-year-old daughter until after the proposal. But instead of running, he stayed. I was about to brainstorm why when the doorbell rang.

“Honey, get that! It’s him! And be nice.”

“Yeah, whatever,” I muttered, dragging myself to the door.

“Sherrie, I’m here, open up.” The man’s voice was deep. Familiar.

To confirm my intuition, I opened it and froze.

The man standing there was tall, like I remembered, suitcase in hand. His icy blue eyes swept over me, then stopped. His lips parted, like he was about to say my name.

“Hey… Lilith?” he murmured, voice low and smooth.

“You…” My throat tightened, heartbeat racing.

Before I could speak, Mom came flying down the stairs in a red dress, glowing like a teenager in love.

“Xander, you’re here!” she beamed.

“Yes, and these are the flowers you wanted,” he said, handing her a bouquet. But his gaze never left me. Not once.

“Do you know each other?” Mom asked, suspicion creeping in.

“No, we don’t,” I answered too quickly.

“I guess now we don’t,” he echoed, lips curling into a smirk.

My blood ran cold, my fingers shivered, while my legs wobbled.

I still couldn’t believe it. Xander, the same man I had shared a one-night stand with in California, was my mom’s fiancé. And worst of all, he was now my stepfather.