My Billionaire Stepmother and Seven Sisters

The warmth of the blankets wrapped around me, but it wasn't the blankets that made me feel so comfortable. It was something else—someone else. I slowly opened my sleepy eyes, and the first thing I saw was the soft golden light filtering through the enormous bedroom windows. The familiar, soothing scent of jasmine surrounded me, and I felt something warm and soft holding me close.

It was Mama.

She was hugging me even in her sleep, one of her arms wrapped protectively around me while the other gently rested on my small back. I could hear the soft rhythm of her breathing, slow and peaceful. I didn't understand why, but waking up in her arms made me feel…safe.

I lay there for a moment, staring at her peaceful face. Her long, dark eyelashes rested against her cheeks, and her lips curved into the faintest smile, as if she were having a sweet dream. Her warmth was comforting, and I felt something stir inside my chest.

Was this what it felt like to have a mother?

I blinked, pushing the strange feeling away. No, she wasn't my real mother. My real mother was working in another city. My father promised me she would come back. I shouldn't get used to this feeling.

Yet, I couldn't bring myself to move away from her warmth.

Just then, I felt her arms tighten around me slightly, pulling me closer. A soft hum escaped her lips as she slowly woke up. Her long lashes fluttered open, revealing those gentle, beautiful eyes of hers. When she saw me staring at her, her smile deepened, and her hand slowly moved to cup my small face.

"Good morning, my love," she whispered, her voice warm and filled with affection. "Did you sleep well?"

I nodded hesitantly. She looked so happy just from seeing me awake. Her eyes shone with so much love, and for a moment, I felt my heart skip a beat.

She sat up, still holding me close. "Come, let's get you ready for the day."

Breakfast with Mama

Instead of eating in the large dining hall with my sisters, Mama insisted on feeding me personally in her private lounge. The table was filled with delicious food—pancakes, fresh fruit, eggs, and even a small plate of chocolates. But what surprised me most was how Mama was treating me.

She wouldn't let me eat on my own. She kept cutting my food into small pieces, feeding me with a fork while smiling at me like I was the most precious thing in the world.

"Say ahh," she said playfully, holding a fork with a piece of pancake covered in syrup.

I hesitated. I was five, not a baby. But when I looked into her warm eyes, I somehow couldn't refuse. I opened my mouth slightly, and she gently placed the pancake inside. It was sweet and fluffy, but somehow, her smile made it taste even better.

"My little prince deserves to be pampered," she said as she wiped the corner of my mouth with a napkin. "From now on, Mama will make sure you're always happy."

I lowered my gaze. Why was she so nice to me? Wasn't she supposed to be strict? Wasn't she supposed to make me study or tell me to be strong?

Instead, she just smiled and kept feeding me, as if she had all the time in the world just for me.

A Day of Fun

After breakfast, Mama decided we would go outside. But instead of the usual garden or backyard, she took me somewhere completely unexpected—a private amusement park.

When we arrived, my eyes widened. There were no other people, just me and Mama. The enormous Ferris wheel sparkled under the sun, and there were so many rides—roller coasters, carousels, bumper cars, and even a giant slide.

Mama knelt down beside me, her eyes filled with excitement. "This is all for you, my love. Let's have fun together."

I stared at her in disbelief. "All…for me?"

She nodded. "Yes. You deserve to be happy."

She held my hand as we walked toward the carousel. When we reached it, she lifted me onto one of the beautifully painted horses, making sure I was secure before climbing onto the one beside me. As the ride started moving, I felt a strange warmth fill my heart.

Mama laughed softly, reaching out to hold my hand even as the horses moved up and down.

"Are you having fun, sweetheart?" she asked.

I hesitated, then nodded.

Her smile widened. "That's my good boy."

A Mother's Fear

At one point, while running across the soft grass, I tripped and fell. It wasn't a big fall—just a small scrape on my knee. But the moment Mama saw me fall, she gasped, rushing toward me with panic in her eyes.

"My baby!" She knelt beside me, scooping me up into her arms. "Are you hurt? Let me see—oh, sweetheart, I'm so sorry, I should have been more careful—"

"It's just a little scrape…" I mumbled, confused by her reaction.

But Mama didn't care. She hugged me tightly, pressing soft kisses onto my forehead. "I never want to see you hurt, even a little," she whispered. "Mama will protect you, always."

I felt something strange in my chest. Her embrace was warm, so warm…

Maybe… maybe this wasn't so bad.

A Night of Comfort

That night, Mama tucked me into bed, sitting beside me and gently stroking my hair.

"My love, do you know how much you mean to me?" she whispered.

I blinked up at her. "Why… why do you care so much about me?"

Her eyes softened, and she cupped my face in her hands. "Because you are my baby. My precious, beautiful baby. And I love you more than anything."

I stared at her, my small fingers clutching the blanket. She sounded so sure, so certain. No one had ever spoken to me like that before.

"…Even though I'm not really your son?" The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them.

Mama froze for a second, her eyes flickering with something deep and painful. But then, she smiled, her expression filled with endless warmth.

"To me, you are my son," she whispered. "And nothing will ever change that."

My throat felt tight. I didn't understand these feelings, but for the first time in a long while… I felt wanted.

As Mama leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead, I felt my eyelids grow heavy. Her warmth, her love, her soft words… they made me feel safe.

For the first time, I didn't mind falling asleep in her arms.