Semua Bab HELLO EX! I'M YOUR STEP- AUNT (Beyond Our Control): Bab 1 - Bab 10

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, Hon

Three Hours EarlierPaaa!A resounding sound shattered the tense silence in the vast living room of the Algernon Mansion. Sophie’s head snapped to the side from the force of her mother’s slap, a sharp sting blooming across her cheek. Gasps erupted from her grandmother, cousin, and Aunt Wally as the sound echoed through the grand space.Her fingers trembled as she pressed them against her burning skin. Tears pricked at her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet her mother’s—eyes once filled with pride and warmth now brimming with pain and disappointment.“How dare you show up here after sidelining us for five years?” Karina’s voice shook with fury.Sophie opened her mouth, but only a cracked whisper escaped. “I…”She had expected anger, but not this depth of raw betrayal. And yet, she had no defense. She had walked away when they needed her most.“Why have you come back now? Why?” Karina demanded, stepping closer, her presence suffocating.Sophie rea

Damien's voice cut through the tense air, cold and filled with lethal intent. "Watch your mouth when you talk to my woman."The words hung in the air, heavy with possessiveness, and Sophie’s heart skipped a beat. She felt a chill creep up her spine. It wasn’t just the implication of the act they were playing—it was how real it felt. The possessiveness in his tone made her stomach twist uncomfortably, though she quickly shoved it aside. What mattered now was how Aaron was reacting.Aaron's face went pale, disbelief flooding his expression. His mouth opened, but no words came out, only shallow breaths, as though his very understanding of the world had cracked. Jeana, standing just behind him, stared at the scene in a mix of shock and confusion. Both of them turned their attention to Sophie, looking for an explanation, but none came.“She’s your…” Aaron stuttered, pointing shakily at Sophie. But before he could finish his thought, Damien was on him in a flash, gripping him by the collar w

Aaron’s eyes widened, and his voice faltered, his words tripping over one another."I... I didn’t mean—" he stammered, his face flushed with panic as he tried to correct his mistake. But before he could finish, Damien’s hand shot out like a predator’s strike, grabbing him roughly by the collar.Belina gasped, her eyes darting from Damien to her son, her mouth opening in a wordless plea. Jeana’s face blanched, and she clutched the back of her neck, her gaze glued to the scene unfolding before her. Aaron seemed to struggle to break properly as Damien’s grip tightened, lifting Aaron off the ground just enough to leave him dangling in his powerful grasp.Damien’s voice was cold and controlled, his lips curling into a sneer. "How dare you call my wife names?" He spoke slowly, deliberately, as if savoring the words. His eyes bored into Aaron’s, full of disdain.Aaron’s body jerked, and his mouth opened in shock. He let out a strangled shriek, his eyes darting between the faces around him.

Sophie and Damien decided to leave the party before it officially ended. Sophie’s heart felt lighter after Aaron’s public humiliation. They walked toward the exit, Sophie moving with measured elegance. Her dress shimmered under the hall lights, and her posture was straight but natural—grace with just a hint of triumph. Damien held her hand firmly but gently, his touch grounded and protective.As they approached his sleek black car, camera flashes exploded in the night like tiny bursts of lightning. Media personnel swarmed around them despite Damien’s guards trying to push them back. Mics and recorders stretched toward them as rapid-fire questions filled the air.“Mr. Cavanaugh, what’s your relationship with the lovely lady?”“Rumors say she’s more than just an escort. Care to confirm?”“Is she your wife, sir?”Damien turned, a cool smile playing on his lips. He met their gazes with a steady calm. “What do you think?”One reporter stepped forward. “Sir, we’ve rarely seen you with a wo