My Billionaire Stepmother and Seven Sisters

Chapter 23: Chapter 23: A Father's Determination



Now that I had given my father a small chance, even if I wasn't fully ready to accept him, I could feel a change in the air. He wasn't distant anymore. He wasn't just a figure in the background, watching from afar. He was trying—trying so hard that even I, a five-year-old, could tell.

The next morning, I woke up feeling warm. Emma was holding me close, her arms wrapped protectively around me. It was comforting—so comforting that I almost didn't want to move. But then I heard soft footsteps outside the door.

"Is he awake?" My father's voice was quiet, but there was hope in it.

Emma gently kissed my forehead before sitting up. "Not yet," she whispered back, but I knew she had seen my eyes flutter open. "But you can wait inside if you want."

I turned my head slightly and saw my father step inside. He looked unsure, as if he wasn't sure whether I would reject him or let him stay. I still wasn't completely used to him being around so much. Before, he would leave for work early and come home late. Now, he was always near, always looking for ways to spend time with me.

Instead of sitting far away, he cautiously sat on the other side of the bed. He didn't reach for me or try to pull me into his arms like Emma and my sisters always did. Instead, he just looked at me, his eyes soft but full of emotion.

"Did you sleep well?" he asked gently.

I gave a small nod.

"Good," he murmured, as if that one word meant everything to him.

Emma smiled and ran her fingers through my messy hair, fixing it carefully. "Your father cleared his entire schedule today. He doesn't have work, no meetings, nothing. He wants to spend the whole day with you."

I blinked in surprise. "The whole day?"

My father nodded. "Yes. Only if you want to, of course."

I wasn't sure how to respond. With Emma and my sisters, I always had fun. They spoiled me, carried me everywhere, fed me my favorite foods, and never left my side. My father, though... I didn't know what spending the day with him would be like.

Emma must have noticed my hesitation because she gave me a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, baby. We'll all be with you. Your father just wants to be part of the fun too."

Her words made me feel a little better. I wasn't ready to be alone with him yet, but if Emma and my sisters were there, maybe it wouldn't be so bad.

I hesitated before finally nodding. "...Okay."

The joy in my father's eyes was instant. He looked like I had just given him the greatest gift in the world.

"Thank you," he whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Emma chuckled. "You don't have to be so dramatic, my love. He's just spending the day with you."

"But it's the first time in so long," he said, his voice barely above a whisper. "It means everything to me."

I looked down at my hands. I wasn't used to this—this much emotion from him. It was strange, but not in a bad way.

Emma noticed my expression and kissed my forehead again. "Let's go have breakfast, baby. Your sisters are waiting."

I nodded, feeling a little lighter. Maybe today wouldn't be so bad.

A Day With Father

Breakfast was loud and full of laughter. My sisters, as always, fought over who got to feed me.

"I made this pancake just for him!" Olivia huffed, holding up a perfectly golden pancake.

"But I cut mine into little stars!" Charlotte argued, showing her plate.

"You're both ridiculous," Isabella sighed, rolling her eyes. "He should eat what he wants."

"Can you all just let him eat?" Sophia said, her usual elegant tone slightly exasperated.

I giggled softly, feeling warm inside. This was normal for them. They always fought over me in the silliest ways, but I didn't mind. It made me feel special.

My father watched quietly, a soft smile on his face. He looked like he wanted to join in, but he wasn't sure how.

"Papa, do you want some?" I asked without thinking.

The entire room fell silent. My sisters and Emma all turned to look at me in shock. My father looked just as surprised.

I frowned. "What?"

"You... You just called me Papa," my father whispered, as if he couldn't believe his ears.

I blinked, realizing what I had said. I had never called him that since coming here. It had always been "Father" or nothing at all.

My face grew hot. I didn't know why I had said it—it had just slipped out.

My father's hands trembled slightly, but then he gave me the gentlest smile I had ever seen. "I would love some, little one."

Emma wiped a tear from her eye, smiling warmly. My sisters, after a brief pause, all grinned.

"Aww, look at him!" Mia cooed. "He's about to cry!"

"I am not," my father huffed, but his eyes were definitely misty.

I shyly placed a small pancake on his plate. He looked at it like it was the greatest treasure in the world before taking a careful bite.

"It's perfect," he said softly.

Emma leaned in to whisper in my ear. "That made him so happy, baby. You're doing so well."

I felt a little proud. Maybe this wasn't so bad after all.

An Afternoon of Laughter

The rest of the day was filled with activities. We played games in the garden, my father lifting me onto his shoulders for the first time. It was strange at first, but then I started giggling. It was fun.

We went swimming, where my father panicked every time I splashed too far from him.

"Careful, little one!" he called, rushing over.

"Papa, I can swim!" I giggled.

"I don't care! Stay near me!"

My sisters laughed, teasing him. "He's acting like Mama now!"

But he didn't care. He stayed close, always watching me, making sure I was safe.

For the first time, I saw what it was like to have a father who truly cared.

A Night of Acceptance

That night, I hesitated before going to bed. Usually, I would sleep with Emma. But when I peeked outside my door, I saw my father sitting alone in the living room, looking at an old photo of me from before.

Something in me felt sad.

Slowly, I walked over and tugged on his sleeve.

He looked down, surprised. "Little one?"

"...You can sleep with us tonight," I mumbled, looking away.

His breath hitched. "Are you sure?"

I nodded. "But only for tonight."

His hands trembled before he carefully lifted me into his arms. "Thank you," he whispered, holding me close. "You don't know how much this means to me."

I didn't respond, but as he carried me back to the bedroom, I felt something warm in my chest.

Maybe, just maybe, I was ready to let him in.


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