My Billionaire Stepmother and Seven Sisters

The days feel longer now, not because I'm bored or sad, but because I've started to look forward to the moments when I'm with her. Emma. Her presence is like a steady warmth, always there, always watching over me. I don't have to ask for her attention—she just gives it, always making me feel like I'm the most important person in the world. And even though I still don't completely understand it, I can't help but crave it.

It's not just when she's taking care of me—feeding me, brushing my hair, holding me in her arms. It's the little things. The way she looks at me when I'm not paying attention, like I'm everything she's ever wanted. The soft hums she makes when she's near me, as though she's trying to comfort me even when nothing is wrong.

I find myself starting to notice when she's not around. I wait for her footsteps down the hallway, or the sound of her voice calling me to come for a snack or to play. I don't say it out loud, but I want her to stay with me all the time, and when she's not there, I feel an odd emptiness.

One afternoon, as we're sitting together on the couch, Emma looks at me with such tenderness that it almost makes my heart ache. She brushes a strand of hair away from my face and places her hand on my cheek. "You've been so quiet today, my little one," she says, her voice soft. "Is something bothering you?"

I don't know what to say. I don't want to tell her that I miss her when she's not here. It feels silly. But then, I find myself answering her with the only words that seem to fit.

"I like it when you're here," I say quietly, my voice barely above a whisper.

She smiles, her eyes sparkling with unshed tears. "I'm always here, sweetie. I'll never leave you."

I feel a strange warmth in my chest, and it spreads to my face, making me feel both embarrassed and... comforted, all at once. I nod, though I still don't fully understand why it feels so important to me. Why her staying with me makes everything feel... right.

That night, she tucks me into bed like she always does. I'm already feeling the pull of sleep when she whispers to me, her voice thick with emotion. "You know, I never thought I could love someone the way I love you. You're my miracle. You're my dream come true."

I look up at her, blinking sleepily, but I understand the meaning behind her words. She's not just saying them to make me feel better—she truly means them. I can feel the sincerity in her voice, and for the first time, I realize just how much she must love me.

I shift in my bed, pulling the covers up to my chin, and I say something that surprises even me.

"Mama," I murmur softly, the word feeling strange on my tongue but also... right. "I love you."

Her eyes widen, and I can see the emotions swirling in them—surprise, joy, and something else that makes her voice crack when she speaks again.

"I love you too, my sweet boy. Always."

She leans down to kiss me goodnight, her lips brushing my forehead in a tender, lingering kiss. And as I drift off to sleep, the last thing I hear is her voice, soft and filled with love, promising me once more that she'll always be there.

The next day, she surprises me by taking me to a small family gathering—a quiet event at one of the family's other mansions. I'm not sure what it's for, but Emma insists that I come, and the moment we walk in, I can feel her eyes on me, her hands never straying far from my back, guiding me through the crowd.

The other family members greet her warmly, but she keeps me close to her, like I'm the most precious thing in the room. I'm a little overwhelmed by all the attention, but Emma's presence makes everything feel safe, even when it's chaotic. She talks to me softly, telling me stories about the family, her childhood, and how much she's always wanted a child—how she'd waited so long for someone like me to come into her life.

The day passes in a blur of laughter and conversations I don't quite understand, but I stay close to Emma, clutching her hand and watching her. And in those moments, something shifts inside me. I begin to realize just how much she's truly there for me—how much she's given up for me, how much she cares for me. She's not just a mother in name. She's my mother in every way that matters.

As the evening comes to a close, Emma takes me outside for a quiet walk in the garden. It's just the two of us, and she holds me close, wrapping her arm around my shoulders. The stars are twinkling above us, and for the first time, I don't feel the need to pull away. Instead, I lean into her, breathing in the scent of her perfume mixed with the cool night air.

"I'll always protect you, my love," she says softly, her voice filled with promise. "No matter what happens, you're mine, and I'll never let anything hurt you."

And in that moment, I know that she's telling the truth. She's not just saying words to make me feel better. She means every single one of them. And I believe her.

I've never felt safer.