BETROTHED TO MY STEPMOM’S HUSBAND

Kayla's POV

Waking up the next morning, Baron wasn't on the bed. He was on the room’s couch, seated with eyes closed, lost in his own thoughts.

I never got the chance to look at him as closely as I was doing now. He was still as handsome as I remembered. Sitting up, he opened his eyes and looked at me.

“Hey….” I said to him.

“Good morning.”

“I am really sorry for what has happened to you. I think it's safe to say you really needed the sex and last and we can act as if it never happened.” I told him.

I took it like I was doing him a favour. He looked really miserable that night and if I didn't let him in, it would have probably worsened the whole thing.

At the same time, it was good having a man inside me again. My love for him, something I thought I had lost, began finding its way to me again. I didn't want to fall for him ever again after what he did to me but slowly, I found this feeling creeping into me. I attempted to fight it.

I could tell he felt the same way about me, but that wasn't the focus now. His wife just died, carrying his baby and he was grieving. I had to give him his space. Besides, I wasn't so cheap to fall easily for a man who kicked me out of his life.

****

I will never see my mommy again, will I?” Fiona asked as she cried bitterly. She was the one I felt for the most.

I once had a relationship with Giorgia. She was my stepmom, before she took my man away from me. I hated her and wanted to avenge her, but I would never wish her death, especially when she was leaving this angel behind.

I sat beside her and cuddled her, drawing her close to me. “Your mother can never leave you. She will always be with you, looking down and helping you when you need her help.” I was consoled.

“How about you? Will you leave me too?” She asked me. The question made me feel cold. It took a while before I could answer.

“I will never leave you. I will always be here by your side, making sure you grow to become the successful woman your mom would have wanted, okay?” I assured her.

She nodded as she held on tightly to me.

The burial was a private one and took place a week after. Only Baron's family and Giorgia’s family were allowed in.

I spent all day holding Fiona's hands and being by Baron's side.

Fiona cried uncontrollably when her mother was lowered into the ground and I had to carry her.

Baron wore a dark lens, but I could see the tears roll down. He loved her so much and seeing them suffer within themselves, I could not hold myself from crying too. I remembered the times I spent with Giorgia. We literally grew up together and shared a lot of great memories.

The funeral was quick and no media person was allowed in. In less than two hours, everything was over and we went back home.

At home, there was a meeting. It was strictly for members of the Maxwell’s family, so only Baron and his family members were around. Fiona couldn't be there because she was too young, so she sat with me in the bedroom.

They were having a lot of arguments, but the words were not clear to me. I wanted to hear what they were saying, so I went to eavesdrop.

It turns out they were arguing about the business. “Please, it's my wife's funeral. We can at least respect her and not talk about business just for once!” Baron kept saying.

He was the new CEO of the company, but the elderly, his father, mother, uncles and aunties always made decisions for him.

“Calm down, Baron, every gathering, regardless of why, is a good space to talk about business.” His mother replied.

“And speaking of how to push the business forward, we have someone we want you to meet.” His mother said. Just then, Prisha George, the lady he had a meeting with the day his wife died entered the room from another entrance.

“Good afternoon everyone.” She said to them.

Baron was confused as to why she was there. I could see him look at them, unsure of what to say or do.

“You must have met her before, the daughter of Mr. George, owner of the biggest automobile maintenance company, the ones we have been trying to get to partner with for over a year.” His mother explained.

“I know mom. I saw her at the meeting.” He replied faintly.

“The family has agreed to our deal. The only condition is that you have to marry Prisha here.” His mother was fast to add.

Baron stood up at once. “What the hell! Are you being serious, mom? My wife died a week ago and we buried her today. I can't simply do this!” He raged at them.

“Listen to your mother, son. She knows what's best for you and the company. You have to marry her.” His father said calmly.

I was sad. It was as though my wish to make Baron suffer for divorcing me wasn't going to work. If I'm the only woman in his life, he will want me but then I'll use that privilege to ignore and reject him.

This development however meant that once again, I wasn't going to have him for myself.

Just then, from nowhere, Fiona hit the door open and entered inside. I tried to stop her, but she was too fast. I had no idea she was there with me.

Seeing her, Baron tried to hold her back. “Go back to your room, Fiona. This conversation is not for you.” He said to her.

“I know what you guys are talking about. They want this woman to be my new mommy, but I do not like her. I want Aunty Kayla to be my new mom. I want you to marry her dad!” She said boldly.

Everyone turned to her in shock, then me. I couldn't believe what just happened at that instance. I never expected it.

“Please take her away, she's just a child and doesn't know what she's saying.” Baron’s mom shouted and Fiona bursted into tears, clinging hard to me.

I bent and carried her, taking her away when Baron rushed towards us, trying to console us. “Don't worry, I'll never marry Prisha. I wish you were pregnant or had anything which could stop this.”

A quick reminder spiralled over my mind.

“I have!” I snapped, looking him straight to the eyes.

“What's that? Are you pregnant?” He hastily asked.

“No,” I replied.

“Then what?” It's here a brief silence came up, I was thinking if I was making the right decision by telling him now.

Well I have no choice.

“Give me thirty to forty minutes only,” I said to him and walked out of the room with Fiona.