Chapter 6:Lies And Desires

The slight flash of light slipping through the curtain brushed my face, making me blink. I slowly opened my eyes, and my gaze caught on a figure beside me. My heart seized. I screamed, jumped off the bed, and crashed onto the floor.

“What’s wrong with you, Miss Smith?” Mr. Felix snapped, confusion written all over his face.

I rubbed my forehead and looked at him. Gosh… I forgot I got married yesterday.

I took a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart. “I’m sorry, darling. I had a nightmare,” I said softly, forcing a smile.

My goodness, he looked terrible, his morning figure rough and unguarded.

He sighed and ran a hand through his hair, his jaw tightening as if he were trying to remember something.

Damn it. If he started recalling everything that happened last night—how I struggled—he might realize nothing happened between us. And if he did, he wouldn’t sign the deal.

I quickly hopped back onto the bed. “Honey, you were so strong yesterday,” I said shyly, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Gosh, I can still feel the movement from last night.”

A proud smile spread across his face as he leaned forward.

“We could still continue,” he whispered softly, winking.

My skin crawled. I held my breath, trying to steady myself, irritation creeping under my skin. I forced a smile and pushed his chest lightly.

“Stop it, honey,” I said softly.

He frowned, then his eyes dropped to the pajamas I was wearing.

My chest tightened. Why didn’t I change back into the nightgown from last night? Sophie, why are you so stupid?

“Why did you change?” he whispered, his eyes searching my face.

I stared back at him. Gosh, this old man is smart.

“Honey, I was dripping from your cum last night, so I decided to take a bath,” I said softly, deliberately shifting my voice into something childlike. “You were exhausted and slept off.”

He blinked, weighing my words.

“Look at your body,” I added gently. “My fingers… even hickeys are on them.”

His gaze roamed over his chest and arms, and a wide smile slowly spread across his face.

Well, well. You might be wondering how I come up with something like that. I never underestimate my opponent. I’m always a step ahead.

“Darling, what about the deal?” I whispered.

His face changed immediately. Fear crept into me. What’s with that expression?

He cleared his throat and stepped down from the bed. “Miss Smith, I’m not a foolish businessman,” he said quietly, picking his bathrobe from the floor and slipping it on. My eyes stayed on him in shock, though my face remained calm.

“What do you mean by that?” I asked softly, struggling to keep my voice steady.

He scoffed. “Women are unpredictable, and ten billion dollars isn’t a small amount of money, Miss Smith. Marriage isn’t a guarantee for our deal.”

My chest tightened. I quickly stepped down from the bed, my body trembling.

“Then what’s the guarantee?” I asked, forcing myself not to explode.

“A child,” he said casually.

My knees nearly gave out.

“Not just a child—a son, Miss Smith. I need a son,” he added, as if it meant nothing.

My heart sank. My fists clenched tightly as I blinked and took a deep breath. This man is really complicated. He knows exactly how to use people.

“Mr. Miller, this wasn’t the real deal,” I whispered, staring straight into his eyes.

His face remained unreadable. Then he broke our stare, picked up his phone from the table, glanced at the screen, and smiled before turning back to me.

“It’s almost time. I have an urgent meeting with a client,” he said. “I’ll be back in two days.”

With that, he walked straight into the bathroom.

I sank onto the bed as tears slipped down my face. I was getting trapped in my own game. What should I do? How do I get out of this mess?

Mum… Dad… Please help me get through this.

***

I stepped into the office, and everything felt empty. The workers hadn’t been paid for a month now. I had asked them to stop coming to work while I sorted everything out.

Nothing seemed possible anymore. Should I sell off the company? Because hell no—I don’t think I could ever give that old man an heir. I can’t.

An heir was never part of my plan. I hadn’t even thought about it. Gosh, he’s really a step ahead of me.

A loud groan escaped my throat as I rested my head in my folded hands on the desk.

Suddenly, the door clicked open. I slowly raised my head and saw Mia.

She looked different—dressed in a pink suit, her hair packed into a ponytail. She usually let it fall freely. I tilted my head, confused.

“What’s the occasion, Mia?” I asked.

She smiled and placed a file in front of me. “Ma’am, this is the information about Sebastian Miller. And ma’am, I have an interview at Miller’s Tech Company today.”

My eyes widened in shock.

“Wow, that’s amazing, Mia,” I said, though sadness crept into my voice. “I just wish I could still keep you,” I whispered, tugging at my fingers. She had proven herself worthy over the past six months—young, smart, and dependable.

“Ma’am, I can still work with you,” she whispered, lowering her voice as she glanced around. “I can be your spy.”

God, what a perfect sign.

I swallowed hard as a slow, cruel smile spread across my lips, darker thoughts unfurling in my mind.

“Fine. You can go. I’ll give you all the necessary plans,” I said lightly.

She nodded and left.

My heart finally eased. I picked up the file and flipped through it.

Sebastian Miller went to the same university as me; that's strange… he's two classes below me. Hmm. I don’t remember him; everywhere on campus was big.

Wait, what? He lost his mother when he was little and had been maltreated by different stepmothers.

That must have been painful. But Laura never mentioned this; she said Felix Miller hadn't married after his first wife.

Hmm, they are more about the miller's family I need to unfold.

I arrived home and walked into the kitchen, my mind still replaying the information from earlier. Maybe I had misunderstood him. Perhaps he really did have a hard life.

I should be a little nicer. Possibly we could get on each other’s good side. It’s not like anything would happen—I was just… concerned.

I picked up a mug and used the coffee machine, pressing the buttons absently. As I slowly turned around, my body went tense at the sight before me.

“Why… why are you here?” I murmured, forcing my eyes away from his bare chest, my heart pounding so loudly it felt like it might betray me.

“Oh, it’s you, little stepmother,” he drawled. “I thought it was a mouse.”

What the—