Lahat ng Kabanata ng Stepdaughter by Day, Wife by Night: Kabanata 111 - Kabanata 120

LENAI never thought I’d say this, but I was more nervous about my bachelorette night than I was about walking down the aisle. It wasn’t because I didn’t trust Roman—God, if anyone had earned my trust, it was him—but because the idea of letting loose, even for one night, felt strange after everything we’d been through.Ava, my best friend and unofficial maid of honor, had been planning it for weeks. She promised it would be “lowkey,” which, coming from her, could mean anything from a quiet dinner to a private yacht party with fireworks.Roman, of course, had his own plans that night with his groomsmen. Knowing him, that meant cigars, whiskey, and probably some good-natured teasing at his expense. He’d joked earlier, “Don’t do anything that’ll make the tabloids happy, Mrs. Almost-Wolfe.” I’d rolled my eyes and told him the same.Now, as I stood in front of my mirror, smoothing the silky dress Ava had chosen—a soft champagne color that hugged just right—I felt a mix of excitement and ne

LENA The morning before our wedding felt like a dream. The house buzzed with excitement — hair stylists setting up in the living room, Ava double-checking flower arrangements, Isabella running around in her tiny silk robe that matched mine. She was giggling with one of the bridesmaids, clutching a stuffed bunny in her hand, when I felt a soft flutter in my belly — a reminder that her brothers were already making themselves known. It made me laugh quietly. Two heartbeats inside me, one little girl dancing outside, and the man who had turned my entire life upside down waiting downstairs with something I didn’t know about. Ava noticed my distracted smile and leaned over. “You okay?” “Yeah,” I said, smoothing my robe over the curve of my stomach. “Just feeling… everything. It’s a lot.” She grinned knowingly. “You’re glowing. Pregnancy looks good on you — again. And your husband’s been acting like he’s up to something.” That part made me nervous. “Roman always acts like he’s up to so

LENA The applause still rang faintly in my ears when Roman took my hand and led me away from the crowd. The reception had just started — laughter, music, and clinking glasses filled the air — but all I could focus on was the weight of his fingers brushing against mine, and the way he looked at me like the rest of the world had fallen away. “Just five minutes,” he murmured, his voice low against my ear as he guided me toward the garden behind the venue. “I need you all to myself before anyone steals you again.” The cool evening breeze kissed my shoulders as we stepped out. Lanterns hung from the trees, glowing softly like floating fireflies. Beyond them, the ocean stretched endlessly, shimmering beneath the fading light. Roman stopped, turning me gently until I faced him. His eyes caught the light — that sharp gray that always managed to undo me. “You’re officially mine, Mrs. Wolfe,” he said, his smile breaking into something boyish and breathtaking. “I already was,” I teased

LENA The night air was soft and salty, the kind that wrapped around your skin and made everything feel a little slower, a little more dreamlike. The reception had ended hours ago, but I could still hear faint laughter echoing from the garden as the last guests left. Roman carried me through the doorway of the villa, and for a second, I forgot how to breathe. The place was breathtaking — floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the sea, candles flickering everywhere, and rose petals scattered across the floor like something out of a movie. He didn’t put me down right away. His arms were strong around me, his face just inches from mine. “Still feels unreal,” I whispered, my voice catching on the last word. He looked down at me with that slow, knowing smile that always undid me. “You really think I’d let this be just a dream?” I laughed softly. “It kind of feels like one.” He set me down gently, but his hands didn’t leave my waist. They stayed there — warm, grounding — as if he

LENAThe night had that kind of quiet that almost hummed. The kind that made every sound—every breath, every heartbeat—feel louder.Isabella had finally fallen asleep, her tiny snores soft through the baby monitor. I stood in the doorway of her room for a long moment, one hand resting over the gentle curve of my belly. The twins kicked faintly, like they were reminding me they were there too.Behind me, Roman’s arm slid around my waist, his palm covering mine. His touch was warm, grounding. “She’s finally out?” he whispered, his breath tickling my neck.I smiled faintly. “After three bedtime stories and a lullaby.”He chuckled low, the sound vibrating against my back. “You’re amazing, you know that?”I tilted my head back, meeting his gaze. The house was dim, but the soft glow from the hallway light caught in his eyes, making them glint with warmth. “You always say that,” I murmured.“That’s because it’s true,” he said.We stood there a little longer, just watching our daughter sleep,