My Billionaire Stepmother and Seven Sisters

The warmth of the sun streams through the window, gently waking me from my sleep. For a moment, I forget where I am—then, I feel her. Soft hands on my back, lifting me up gently. I blink, and there she is, Emma, standing beside me with her radiant smile. Her voice is like the softest lullaby, soothing and familiar.

"Good morning, my precious boy," she whispers, her hand brushing the hair from my forehead. I don't answer at first, too sleepy to speak, but I nestle into her chest, feeling the warmth of her embrace. Her scent surrounds me, familiar and comforting.

She laughs softly, brushing my cheek with her fingers. "Come on, let's get you dressed and ready for the day. We have so much fun planned."

I can't help but feel that small tug of guilt in my chest as I let her help me sit up. There's something about her touch—something that makes me want to pull away but also something that makes me stay. She's always so gentle with me, never rushing, never impatient. It's like she's always waiting for me to come around, to let her in.

As she helps me get dressed, I catch her eyes for a moment. There's something in them, something that makes my heart feel full but heavy at the same time. She smiles at me like I'm the most important thing in the world, and for a moment, I wonder if maybe... maybe I am.

"Let's go eat breakfast," she says, lifting me effortlessly into her arms. I don't even protest anymore; I just hold onto her, feeling safe, even though part of me still doesn't understand why.

At the breakfast table, she serves me my food with the most tender care. She wipes my mouth gently with a napkin, her fingers soft against my skin. I feel her watching me, and for a brief moment, I meet her gaze again. There's something different today. Something softer, more urgent in her eyes.

"You know you're my precious baby, right?" she says quietly, her voice thick with emotion. I nod, unsure of how to respond. I feel a strange warmth inside my chest, like I should be saying something back, but the words are stuck.

She smiles, though, and it makes everything inside me settle a little bit.

After breakfast, she cancels all of her meetings, deciding to spend the day with me. My heart stirs with confusion—why does she do all of this for me? I don't know how to explain the way it makes me feel... like I'm important, like I matter more than anything else in the world.

We go for a walk in the mansion's garden, and Emma carries me most of the way, her arms firm but gentle around me. We talk softly about simple things—flowers, the birds in the trees—but I can feel the love in her voice, like every word she says is meant just for me. She tells me stories about her day, about her dreams for the future, and I listen, captivated by how she makes everything sound so magical.

When we reach the picnic spot in the backyard, my sisters are already there, all of them smiling and excited. They're happy to see me, but Emma keeps me closest, always holding my hand or keeping her arm around my shoulders.

The day passes in a blur of laughter and joy. We play games, and Emma tries so hard to make me laugh, even though I still don't fully understand why it feels so good to be near her. When the sun starts to set, we gather around the picnic blanket, and she tells me one of her bedtime stories, her voice a soothing rhythm that calms my racing heart.

For the first time, when she pulls me close to kiss me goodnight, I don't pull away. I hesitate, just for a moment, before leaning into her embrace. I feel the familiar warmth of her body, the security of her arms around me, and I realize—maybe for the first time—that I don't want to leave.

As she tucks me into bed later that night, I catch her watching me. Her eyes are soft, but there's a hint of sadness there too, like something weighs heavy on her heart.

She sits by my bed, brushing a lock of hair from my forehead as she watches me drift off to sleep. Her voice is barely a whisper as she speaks, but I hear it clearly.

"I'll never leave you, my sweet boy," she says softly. "I promise. You're my everything."

The words settle in my heart, making everything inside me feel warm and full. But there's something else there too, something I can't quite name. The way she says it... like she's afraid. Afraid of losing me.

I drift off to sleep with her words echoing in my mind, feeling her love wrap around me like a blanket.

But even in my sleep, I can't shake the feeling that she's afraid. Afraid of something I don't understand. And in that moment, I know—she would do anything to protect me. Even if it means holding on to me forever.