It's been three years since Dad died, but some mornings it still feels like he just stepped out for a moment. Except he didn't. Cancer took him—swift, ruthless—and left only silence in its place.
Mom and I have been scraping by ever since. Blackwood Logistics, where Dad worked, was kind enough to offer Mom a job, but it's nothing like what he had. Dad managed people, set targets, and led the company to success. He was brilliant—so brilliant that he once won the Best Employee Award.
Mom? She's buried behind a desk, drowning in paperwork, staying late just to keep things moving. The pay barely keeps us afloat.
But things are changing. Mom talks about a man she met at work. Sebastian Blackwood, the owner of the company. She's in love with him and wants to marry him—if I agree.
I don't. How can she replace Dad? How can she move on while I'm still holding on? And yet… I see it in her eyes, the way she smiles, the way she lights up. She deserves this. Maybe, deep down, I want her to be happy.
Today, I'm meeting him. My new stepfather. I'm not excited. I'm angry. Dad was the only one I'll ever accept. Mom can love whoever she wants, but I'll never stop missing him.
Soon, I'll be at college, a dorm room away, trying to navigate a life where Dad is gone and Mom has someone else. I won't forget him. I won't forgive this. But maybe… maybe I can survive it.
I didn't get much time to think further. The car pulled into the driveway, and through the window, I saw the mansion—something straight out of a movie. Big gardens, towering gates, marble pillars—it took nearly four minutes to reach the front door. And now it was happening. I was about to meet my new stepfather. God, this sucked.
Two butlers opened the car doors for Mom and me. Another led us through the hallway, and there he was—Sebastian Blackwood—lounging on a large maroon sofa like a king surveying his kingdom. Which, of course, he was.
As soon as he saw us, he stood and walked forward, a practiced smile on his face.
"Hey. Took you long enough to get here," he said.
"Yeah, traffic was crazy," Mom replied.
"And this must be Sophia Ashford… or should I call you Sophia Blackwood?" His eyes sharpened slightly, almost teasing.
I forced a small, shy smile, already cursing him a thousand times in my head. How dare he throw my name around like that? We hadn't even met properly.
"Please, have a seat," Sebastian gestured toward the sofa.
Mom sat gracefully. I hovered near the doorway, stiff as a board. I wasn't here to be polite; I was here to survive this meeting.
"So… Sophia," Sebastian began, leaning back as if he owned every inch of the room, "how are you feeling about all this? About me… us?"
Us? I blinked. "I… I guess it's okay," I muttered, trying to make my voice sound steadier than it felt.
Mom gave me an encouraging smile. "She'll get used to it, Sebastian. Don't worry."
Sebastian's gaze lingered on me for a moment too long. "I hope so. I want you to feel at home here."
I swallowed. Feel at home? My father was gone. My mother was moving on. And now I was expected to smile and nod at a stranger acting like family?
Before I could reply, the front door opened again, and a tall figure stepped in. Blond hair, sharp eyes, and a smirk that made my stomach twist. He leaned casually against the doorway.
"Sebastian," the newcomer said, voice smooth but teasing, "you're already getting guests?"
"Ah, Ainsley," Sebastian replied, smiling. "Meet Sophia, my future stepdaughter."
The man's smirk widened. "Sophia, huh? Nice to meet you… though I think I like your original surname better."
I froze. Of course. A stepbrother with an attitude. Perfect.
Mom stepped in quickly. "Ainsley, this is Sophia. She's going to be living here with us."
Ainsley tilted his head, studying me like a puzzle. "Living here… huh? This is going to be… interesting."
I gave a tight-lipped smile, regretting the word 'interesting' instantly. My life had just turned into a drama I hadn't auditioned for.
Sebastian waved a hand. "Ainsley, leave her be for now. We'll give her time to adjust."
Ainsley chuckled softly. "Sure, Dad." Then, with a mischievous glint in his eye, he added, "Sophia… welcome to the Blackwood family. Try not to get too comfortable."
I felt my jaw tighten. This was going to be a long, long day.