Lahat ng Kabanata ng Craving My Stepson: Kabanata 51 - Kabanata 60

My mother seemed satisfied... momentarily, at least as she stared at me to ensure that I actually said those words with my own mouth. Without another word, she spun toward the kitchen, muttering things to herself while I sat stiffly in the faded armchair, holding my sore cheek where she’d slapped me earlier. Minutes later, she appeared again, holding a cracked plate with steaming food. She placed it on the small coffee table between us. It was a simple meal. Rice, beans, and a little chicken, probably something she must’ve worked hard to afford. I sat forward automatically. But then hesitation crawled up my spine. If I ate this, she would think I owed her more. If I refused, she would think I had become too good for her. So either way, I lost. “I’m not really hungry, Mom,” I tried gently. “We just—” She scoffed loudly. “Oh, of course. Right. This isn’t the gourmet food they serve you in the mansion... I totally understand, dear. I personally won’t eat this scrap anymore after

I sat in the back seat with my hands folded tightly on my lap, staring at my phone. The screen stayed dark, though I checked it repeatedly as if somehow, a message from him might pop up the second I stopped looking. When the sign for Los Angeles passed us by, my pulse began to race. I leaned forward a little, clutching the seat in front of me. “Harold.” That was the driver’s name. “Yes, ma’am?” he replied. “Before we go home… I want to see my husband.” He blinked in the mirror. “Mr. Wendell asked that I take you directly—” “To the house,” I finished for him, nodding. “I know what he said. But I am his wife, and I want to see him first.” He swallowed, clearly uncomfortable. “Ma’am, I could lose my job if—” “I will take the responsibility,” I insisted. “You can tell him I insisted. Please… take me to my husband’s company right now.” He hesitated, but finally he sighed and nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” I was relieved that I had to sit back and breathe. I pressed my palm to my chest, fe

I spent the rest of the day pacing my room, the walls closing in tighter with every minute that passed. I couldn’t focus on anything except my mother’s face. The disappointment, the desperation, and the heartbreak when I had to leave her behind in Oregon. My chest still ached with the hug she never gave me. Every time I blinked, I saw the way she’d turned away. It was starting to look like my mother was right. No matter how much everyone said he cared about me, it felt like he only cared when it fit his terms. He controlled who entered my life, and now he was deciding who could stay in it. I hated how powerless that made me feel. The sun had already started setting by the time I left my room again. I walked down the hall and into the living room, where Ace was sitting on the couch, scrolling through his phone. The moment he noticed me, he stood up, concerned. “You okay?” he asked quietly. I nodded. “Just tired… thinking too much.” He didn’t push any further. Instead, he gently r

I had spent the morning hours with some of the housemaids preparing my mother’s new room for her. My sleeves were rolled up, my hair tied in a messy bun, and for the first time in a long while, I didn’t care that my manicured nails had smudges of dust on them. I wanted everything to be perfect. “This should go to the corner,” I said, pointing to the small vase filled with white lilies. One of the maids nodded, moving it obediently to the bedside table. “Will that be all, Mrs. Wendell?” she asked. “Yes, thank you,” I said, smiling faintly. “You’ve all done wonderfully today.” They curtsied slightly before exiting the room. As soon as the door clicked shut, I looked around at the now spotless guest bedroom that was soon to be her bedroom. My mother’s. Maybe now, she’d finally be proud of me. I was fluffing one of the pillows when a quiet knock came at the door. Before I could answer, Ace stepped inside. He leaned casually against the doorframe, arms folded across his chest, with

It was late afternoon, and so far, my mother hadn’t been in much trouble. She’s kept to herself and hasn’t made any messes, creating less work for me and the staff to clean up. I had spent the last hours hidden inside my bedroom. Still, something was missing. “Mary,” I called as one of the housemaids passed by carrying a basket of folded linens. “Yes, ma’am?” I smiled. “How many times do I have to remind you that it’s Sabrina?” She chuckled. “I’m sorry. Sabrina.” “Have you seen Ace?” I asked. “Is he back yet?” Mary shook her head. “No, Sabrina. He hasn’t returned since he left this afternoon.” I frowned slightly. “He didn’t tell you where he was going?” “No, he didn’t.” “Alright. Thank you, Mary.” She nodded politely before disappearing toward the hallway. I leaned against the doorframe for a moment, rubbing the back of my neck. I sighed, then I walked downstairs to check on the kitchen staff and find out what we were having for dinner, but then, there she was. My mother.