HELLO EX! I'M YOUR STEP- AUNT (Beyond Our Control)

The taxi screeched to a halt in front of the house, and Sophie jumped out, heart racing with anticipation. She quickly handed the driver the fare, a small smile tugging at her lips. In her arms was a small box, its contents brimming with love and hope. The excitement bubbling in her chest made it nearly impossible to contain.

The house stood as it always had—a place of warmth and familiarity. The door was unlocked, which was a little surprising but not entirely out of place. Pushing it open, she stepped inside, her eyes scanning the cozy living room. Memories of laughter and shared moments filled the air, wrapping around her like a comforting embrace.

"Goodness, where’s he hiding now?" she murmured with a soft chuckle, her voice breaking the quiet stillness.

Carefully, she set the box down on the table, untying her ponytail and letting her chestnut hair cascade over her shoulders. Lifting the lid, she admired the cake she had spent hours perfecting. The words “Happy Birthday to us, Honey” were written neatly across the icing—a simple yet heartfelt gesture.

Balancing the cake in her hands, she followed the faint sound of voices drifting from the bedroom. Her heart skipped a beat, assuming Aaron was on a call. But just as she raised her hand to knock, muffled sounds from the other side of the door made her freeze.

"Ahh, hmm, you’re hitting a good spot. Gosh, harder, Aaron!"

Sophie’s breath caught in her throat. A sickening chill spread through her veins.

"Yeah, I see you’re liking it, ah ah."

The voices were unmistakable—Aaron’s deep, familiar tone and a woman’s sultry moans.

Her stomach twisted into knots, fingers trembling as she almost lost grip of the cake. Her mind fought against the reality of what she was hearing, desperately hoping she had misheard.

But the moans grew louder.

Her pulse pounded against her ribs. This couldn't be happening.

On impulse, she pushed the door open.

The scene before her shattered her world.

Aaron was entangled with a red-haired woman—Jeana, his assistant. Her legs wrapped tightly around his waist as they moved together on the bed. The very bed Sophie had chosen with so much care.

The cake slipped from her trembling hands, crashing onto the floor with a soft, tragic thud. The sound echoed in the room, stark against the obscene reality before her.

Aaron’s head snapped up, eyes locking onto hers. “Sophie?”

She stumbled back a step, her gaze darting between him and Jeana, whose lips curled into a smug grin. Her chest felt hollow, breath hitching in her throat.

Aaron climbed off the bed with an infuriating lack of urgency, tugging on his pants as if he had simply been caught in a minor inconvenience. Jeana, still lounging on the bed, propped herself on her elbows, watching Sophie with amusement.

“What are you doing here, Sophie?” Aaron’s tone was sharp, edged with irritation rather than guilt.

Her mouth opened, but the words came out broken. “I—I came to surprise you. To celebrate our birthday.”

Aaron sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You were supposed to be with your family. Why did you come back?”

Sophie’s breath hitched. “Why?” The word came out barely above a whisper, but the pain behind it was deafening. “Aaron, what the hell is going on here?”

Jeana smirked, stretching lazily. “Hello, Sophie.”

Sophie’s body trembled with anger as she turned to her. “Jeana? You? Here? Like this?”

Aaron stepped closer, his expression hardening. “Don’t make a scene, Sophie. It’s not what you think.”

A hollow laugh bubbled from her throat. “Not what I think?” Her voice cracked. “I heard you! I saw you! And in our bed—fucking this…!”

Aaron’s face remained impassive. “It is what it is,” he said, voice cold and detached. “Don’t be so dramatic. We’re not even married yet.”

The words hit her like a slap. “Are you even listening to yourself?” She gasped, fists clenched at her sides. “Aaron, we’re getting married in two weeks! This—this is betrayal!”

His gaze darkened. “You’re blowing this out of proportion. If you weren’t so clueless, you’d realize I was never going to marry you for real.”

Silence crashed around her. Her mind struggled to process what he had just said. “What are you saying?”

Aaron met her stare, his tone laced with venom. “You’re not worth it, Sophie. You have no value to me.”

Jeana let out a light, mocking laugh. “Oh, Aaron, don’t be so harsh on her,” she drawled. “She did try, didn’t she?”

Sophie turned toward her, voice shaking with rage. “You—you’re nothing but a homewrecker.”

Jeana shrugged, utterly unbothered. “Call me whatever you like. Aaron knows what he wants, and it’s not you.”

Sophie’s gaze flickered back to Aaron, her voice breaking. “I gave you five years of my life, Aaron. Five years of love, support, and loyalty. And you throw it all away for this?”

He laughed bitterly. “What did you even give me, Sophie? Nothing but dead weight. Jeana’s been the one who’s helped me grow. She’s been more valuable in a few months than you were in five years.”

Sophie felt the last piece of her heart shatter.

The pain in Sophie’s chest tightened like a vise as Aaron’s words cut deep. Her hands clenched, nails digging into her palms, but she refused to let the tears fall.

“You’re disgusting,” she spat, her voice trembling with rage.

Aaron leaned in slightly, his smirk cruel. “And you’re pathetic, Sophie. Always have been.”

A bitter laugh escaped her lips, sharp and unplanned. It was fueled by the betrayal burning inside her.

“You said I’m of no value?” Her voice cracked, but her glare was unwavering. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she stared at the man she had loved for five years—the man who was now the source of her worst nightmare.

Aaron scoffed, crossing his arms. “What have you even done for me?” he snapped, dismissing her as if her years of loyalty meant nothing. “The last five years with you were fruitless!” He gestured toward Jeana, who lounged on the bed with a smug smile, her bare legs crossed like a queen surveying her domain. “But in just a few months, Jeana has given me countless opportunities to grow my company. I sealed huge deals because of her.”

Sophie’s breath hitched. The blood drained from her face. “You think your success is because of her?” she whispered, disbelief masking the heartbreak threatening to shatter her.

Aaron’s lips curled in distaste. “Hell yes. You were just a thorn in my flesh. A burden I was trying to get rid of.”

The words slammed into her like a physical blow, making her knees weak. Her fists clenched tighter, shaking with restrained fury. A deep breath steadied her trembling voice. “You’re going to regret this, Aaron. Mark my words. One day, you’ll regret everything.”

He chuckled darkly. “Get over yourself, Sophie. I won’t regret anything.”

Jeana’s laughter chimed in, mocking. “Well, Sophie, I suppose it’s time you step aside. Clearly, you were never meant to be in his league.”

Something inside Sophie snapped. Without hesitation, she grabbed Aaron’s glass of whiskey from the dresser and flung its contents at Jeana. The amber liquid splashed against her perfect red hair, soaking it. Jeana gasped, recoiling in shock.

“What the hell is wrong with you?” Aaron barked, stepping toward Sophie as Jeana wiped her face, eyes blazing.

Ignoring him, Sophie turned and snatched their scattered clothes from the floor. Without a second glance, she stormed into the bathroom, her vision blurred with unshed tears. The faucet roared to life as she tossed their garments into the tub, letting the water drench them completely. A bar of soap followed, the fabric turning into a ruined, soapy mess.

By the time she returned to the bedroom, Aaron’s face was flushed with fury. He opened his mouth, but she cut him off, her voice sharp and cold. “Don’t. Just don’t. Save your pathetic laments for someone who cares.”

“You’re insane!” Aaron snapped.

Sophie let out a bitter smirk. “Oh, I’m the insane one? You’re the liar, the cheat, the coward.” Her eyes flicked to Jeana, filled with loathing. “And as for you, you’re nothing more than a placeholder for his insecurities. You two deserve each other.”

Without waiting for a response, she turned on her heel and stormed out of the house. The cool evening air stung her heated skin as she leaned against the outer wall, her breath unsteady. Her heart pounded with anger and humiliation, but she wouldn’t let it consume her. Not this time.

Straightening her shoulders, she pulled out her phone. Her thumb hovered over the screen before she hit a familiar contact. The line rang twice before a voice answered.

“Hello, Manager Leo?”

“Oh, my lady!” Leo’s voice carried relief. “I’ve been trying to call you—”

“I know,” she interrupted, her tone sharp. “I need you to do something for me.”

“Another task?” he asked cautiously.

“Yes,” she said firmly. “I want you to revoke the deal Sterling Dynamics secured through Royals Inc.'s efforts.”

A stunned silence followed. “What? But you asked me to make that possible just a few days ago!”

“I don’t care,” she snapped. “Do as I say. Understood?”

“Yes, my lady,” Leo responded quickly, though his hesitation was evident. “But… your family?”

She hesitated only a moment. “I’m going back to them. Don’t worry.”

Ending the call, she let the phone fall to her side. Her gaze flickered back to the house, its door still ajar, as if taunting her to return. Her jaw tightened as she whispered under her breath, “You’ll regret this day, Aaron.You and your slut.”

Without another glance back, she stepped into the cold night, the fire inside her burning stronger than ever.