Unholy After Dark

Mila

I slammed the front door hard enough that the sound echoed through the fancy new hallway. My suitcase bumped against the wall as I dragged it inside. The whole house smelled like vanilla candles and Mom’s expensive perfume, the kind that always made me want to sneeze.

“Mila?” Mom’s voice came from the living room, tight with annoyance. “Is that how you enter a house now?”

“Yeah, it’s me,” I shot back, kicking off my heels. I walked in and saw her standing there with her arms folded. And right behind her was Sean, leaning against the wall, watching everything quietly.

I felt a strange twist in my stomach. He looked too good — broad chest, strong arms, dark hair, and those eyes that seemed to notice everything. It made me hate him even more. Mom had no right to marry someone like him without telling me.

“You got married and didn’t even bother to call me?” I said, staring straight at Mom. “I had to see it on I*******m like some stranger. Really classy, Mom.

Mom let out a long breath. “Mila, I don’t think you need to concern yourself with my business, but before you forgot, you specifically asked that I do not bother you with anything while you were on your trip”

“So that means you just go and replace Dad with him?” I pointed at Sean without looking. “Without even asking how I feel about it?”

Sean’s voice came low and even. “I’m not here to replace your father, Mila.”

I finally turned to him. “I didn’t ask for your input, this is between me and my mother.”

Mom stepped forward. “That’s enough. You just got home. Can we at least try to be civil for five minutes?”

“Civil?” I laughed, but there was no humor in it. “You spring a new husband on me and expect me to be happy? I hate this. I hate coming back to this house. I hate that you did this behind my back.”

Mom’s face tightened. “You’re eighteen now, Mila. You need to stop acting up every time things don’t go your way.”

“I’m not acting up, I’m calling out how messed up this is,” I said, my voice rising. “Did you even think about me at all when you decided to get married so fast?”

“Mila calm down…” Mom said

“Don’t tell me to calm down," I snapped at her.

Mom rubbed her temples. “This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you over the phone. You always make everything so difficult.”

“Difficult?” I crossed my arms.

Mom let out a long breath, her shoulders dropping. “Mila… I’m sorry. You’re right. I should have told you first. I was scared you’d react badly and I put it off. That was unfair to you.”

I stood there, arms still crossed, the anger in my chest loosening just a little at her apology. The air felt thick with tension, but her words took some of the heat out of me. Sean stayed quiet, his presence solid and calm behind her.

“I… I’m sorry,” I said, my voice lower now. “It felt like you replaced everything while I was gone.”

Mom stepped closer and touched my arm gently. “I am sorry, sweetheart. I handled it poorly. Let me introduce you properly. This is Sean. Sean, this is my daughter Mila.”

Sean gave a small nod, his deep voice smooth and even. “Nice to finally meet you, Mila. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

I looked at him directly, my pulse quickening despite myself. Up close he was even more attractive — the way his shirt hugged his chest, the quiet strength in his stance. “Hi,” I managed, trying to keep my tone neutral. “I guess… welcome to the family.”

Mom smiled softly, clearly relieved that things weren’t exploding. “Thank you for trying, Mila. I know this is a lot to take in. Can we try to make this work?”

I exhaled slowly, the fight draining out of me for now. “Yeah… okay. I’m sorry for storming in like that. It just caught me off guard.”

We talked for a while longer in the living room. Mom explained how they met and why they moved so fast. Sean added a few calm comments, his voice low and controlled, which sent unwelcome little shivers down my spine every time he said my name. I hated how aware I was of him — the subtle scent of his cologne, the way his eyes stayed steady on me. But I stayed civil for Mom’s sake, even managing a few polite responses.

Eventually I went upstairs, close my bedroom door, and threw myself onto the bed. My short skirt rode up my thighs. I pressed my face into the pillow, trying to ignore the way my body reacted just from being near him. This was all Mom’s fault.

Three days later, Mom left for her trip to Dubai. She hugged me quickly at the door and turned to Sean.

“Please keep an eye on her. She’s still adjusting to everything.”

Sean nodded. “I will. Safe travels.”

I smiled at my Mom from the stairs. Once Mom was gone, the house felt different. Quieter. Heavier.

That fourth night, I wanted to get out. I found Sean in the living room, sitting on the couch with his laptop.

I stood in the doorway. “I’m heading out now, see you later”

He looked up at me, his eyes locking onto mine with that intense focus that made my breath catch. “Where are you going?”

I rolled my eyes, “out”

He exhaled loudly and set the laptop aside, leaning forward. His presence filled the room, commanding and solid. “You’re not walking out that door until you tell me exactly where. I’m not asking twice, Mila. Speak.”

I crossed my arms, pushing my chest out a little. “Fine. A party. Happy now?”

Sean’s gaze stayed on me, steady and unyielding. A small, satisfied smile touched his lips. “That wasn’t hard, was it? I'll be expecting you back by ten, latest thirty minutes past ten. You call me if anything changes. Understood?”

“Yes,” I said, keeping my tone flat. “Ten o’clock.”

I changed into my shortest black pleated skirt and a tight top with a v-line that hugged my tits perfectly. I slipped out without saying anything else.