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Chapter 2

Penulis: Eleven
Fifteen years ago, my brother, caught up in his playful mischief, set off fireworks inside the house and accidentally ignited a fire. He ran out, leaving me trapped in the attic.

Thick smoke filled my lungs, making me lightheaded. Flames licked at the wooden beams above, and just when I thought I would die there, Roy appeared.

He climbed up to the attic, shattered the window, and carried me out. Then he gave me CPR.

When my consciousness returned, the first thing I saw were Roy's eyes—a striking shade of green, filled with tension and urgency. From that moment, I was hopelessly drawn to him.

I fell in love with Roy that day and nursed an unspoken affection for him over the next ten years.

Later, we discovered Roy was the youngest son of the Reid Group's owner. Reid Group was the largest trading corporation in the region.

It was clear we lived in entirely different worlds. My father often said that if his company could establish a connection with the Reid Group, our family could rise to a whole new social class. But precisely because of this, I kept my feelings hidden. I didn't want Roy to think my affection was just a calculated move for business gains.

Then, five years ago, my father's company faced a crisis.

That Christmas, my father invited me to go skiing in the mountains. When I arrived at the forest cabin, I didn't find him—only Roy, drunk and lying on the bed, a satin ribbon tied loosely around his body like a present.

I stood frozen in disbelief, then grabbed my phone and called my father.

"Dad! You can't do this! I know you're nearby. Come out now!"

His voice came through the receiver, calm and unyielding. "You and Roy clearly like each other. When he's drunk, he even calls your name. But you're both too reserved. I'm just giving you a little push. Penny, our family needs the Reid Group. This is the best solution."

I reached for my coat, intending to leave, but an odd sensation crept over me. My body felt warm, dizzy.

My father's voice carried on. "I lit some exotic incense in the room. I hope you two enjoy your evening."

That night, the world blurred and spun away. When morning came, I woke to find Roy asleep beside me. Overwhelmed by a reckless joy, I leaned in to give him a soft good-morning kiss.

But Roy pushed me away.

I pulled back awkwardly, intending to brush the whole thing off as a one-night stand. I never wanted to trap him. Before I could speak, Roy cut through the silence.

"Let's get married, Penny," he said coolly. "I'll take responsibility."

Dizzy with happiness, I nodded, believing it was the beginning of a beautiful life together.

The wedding was small and rushed. Even Roy's father didn't attend. I made excuses for him, trying to convince myself that his indifference wasn't personal.

But one night at a gathering, I overheard Roy speaking to a friend.

"Penny? I used to like her," he said, his voice laced with disdain. "But she's the kind of woman who gives herself away before marriage. Just thinking about the way she threw herself at me makes me sick. Marrying her was just something I had to do. A form of charity. My family would never accept someone like her. I haven't even told my father she exists."

I wanted to explain. But the next day, Roy accepted an overseas transfer and left without another word.

That night, however, left me with a child.

Our daughter, Eve, was innocent. She deserved to be loved and cherished like any other child.

I pulled out my phone, ready to call Roy, but before I could dial, the door swung open.

Roy stepped in and was stunned for a brief second when his eyes met mine. Then, his gaze drifted to Eve, barely acknowledging her existence, before looking away.

"For tomorrow's community event," he said. "I'll be taking Sammy and Linda. You two shouldn't bother coming."
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  • Guess What, Hubby? I'm Your Stepmom Now!   Chapter 12

    Ryan tightened his grip on my hand, his expression flickering with surprise. But as he took in my unwavering gaze, his lips curved into a slow, knowing smile. Then, he laughed happily and loudly."Penny, you really are a brave girl." He turned to Roy, his voice tinged with something like amusement. "Roy, do you see it now? Do you finally understand what you've lost? For five years, you had countless chances to receive all of Penny's love, but now—" He spread his hands as if presenting an undeniable truth. "—you've lost."With that, Ryan stepped forward and shut the door in Roy's face. Roy stood outside for a long time, unmoving, before finally disappearing into the night.Once he was gone, the house fell into an eerie silence. The adrenaline that had been propelling me forward drained away, replaced by a creeping sense of embarrassment. Heat rushed to my cheeks as my mind replayed what had just happened.What did I just say?I confessed to Ryan.I told Roy to call me his stepmoth

  • Guess What, Hubby? I'm Your Stepmom Now!   Chapter 11

    I never thought I would see Roy again.I had no idea how he found me, but there he was, standing in front of Eve and me, looking like a man who had traveled through storms to reach us."Penny, Eve, I was wrong."Months had passed since we last met, and time had worn him down. His face carried a weight I had never seen before.His eyes clung to me, filled with regret. He kept apologizing, inching closer, trying to hold me. I dodged him again and again.Eve, who had been hiding behind me all this time, suddenly rushed forward, her small hands pounding against him."Let go of my mom! Let go! I'll call my daddy to come and beat you up!"Roy turned to her, his voice soft. "Eve, I am your daddy."Eve shook her head. "No, you're not. I already told Mommy—I don't want you anymore. You're Linda's daddy."Roy shut his eyes in pain, as if the words had carved into his soul."Back then, I was angry. I let that anger twist my judgment. I pushed you away, but the truth is, Penny, from the

  • Guess What, Hubby? I'm Your Stepmom Now!   Chapter 10

    When I began my new life, I had no idea that Roy was already losing his mind back home.At first, he was just angry. He assumed my departure was another one of my games, a ploy to draw him back. He figured if he ignored me for a week, I would come crawling back, tail between my legs.So, he returned to Sammy.But after that news report, no matter where he and Sammy went, people whispered."Look, the domineering CEO and his wife. What a perfect couple."Words he had once dismissed now grated on him in a way he couldn't ignore.A week passed. Still no word from me. His irritation turned into unease. He reached out first, sending me a message.No response.He thought of asking my friends about my whereabouts, only to realize I had no friends in the country.I had lived in a world that consisted solely of him and our daughter.And now, he had lost me.In the end, he went to Eve's school."I'm here to pick up Eve," he said to the teacher at the front desk.The teacher frowned.

  • Guess What, Hubby? I'm Your Stepmom Now!   Chapter 9

    I had no idea what was happening back in the country I had just left.As soon as Eve and I landed, we went straight to my father's house. I rang the doorbell, and both of us hid behind the door, ready to jump out and surprise him the moment he opened it.The door swung open, and I sprang forward. "Dad!" I called out, a triumphant smile on my face, arms wide open, expecting his familiar embrace.But instead of his usual hearty laughter, I found myself wrapped tightly in someone else's arms—a warm, solid embrace that carried the familiar scent of cedarwood. A voice, smooth and teasing, drifted down from above my head."I suppose it wouldn't be too wrong if you called me Dad," it said.The voice was unmistakable. My breath hitched as I pulled back slightly."Ryan?" I blurted out, still dumbfounded."It's me. Long time no see, Penny," he said, flashing a lazy smile. "When I saw you with your arms wide open, it seemed a shame not to give you a hug."Before I could respond, Eve spo

  • Guess What, Hubby? I'm Your Stepmom Now!   Chapter 8

    Linda's hand was shattered—a comminuted fracture. Surgery was necessary.When Roy heard the operation had been successful and wouldn't affect her future mobility, he let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. For two days, Sammy had been consumed by worry, but now, finally, she had fallen asleep.Roy instinctively reached for his phone. The emptiness in his chest spread to his fingertips.Since that day—after hanging up on my call—he had turned off his phone. When he powered it back on, he had braced himself for the flood of missed calls and messages from me. Instead, the screen remained stubbornly blank.Not a single call.He tried dialing my number and even sent me messages, but every attempt vanished into the void. A strange unease swelled in his chest, heavy and oppressive. He decided to go home and find me—but just as he turned to leave, he overheard two nurses chatting nearby."Did you hear? A couple of days ago, someone flew in a specialist by helicopter from th

  • Guess What, Hubby? I'm Your Stepmom Now!   Chapter 7

    Roy had followed us all the way and had been waiting at the door for two hours.At his feet, a pile of cigarette butts hinted at his restlessness."It's nothing. My documents expired—I just needed to renew them. Are you that free today? I heard Sammy's eyeing two properties in the neighborhood. She could probably use your help."Roy stared at me, his gaze sharp, searching for cracks in my facade.For a long moment, neither of us spoke. Then, with a cold laugh, he said, "Penny, this is a first for me—seeing a woman push her own husband toward another woman. Remember, you're the one who said it. As you wish."Without waiting for a response, he turned and walked away, not once looking back."Mommy, what's wrong with Roy?" Eve clung to my leg, her voice soft with curiosity."Nothing, honey. He's just busy," I said, brushing her hair gently, avoiding any discussion about how she addressed him.After all, in five days, Eve and I would be leaving. I hadn't expected that the very next

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