SEVEN NIGHTS WITH MY STEPFATHER novel Chapter 25

Chapter 25

I woke before the sun, before the house stirred, before the lie could settle back over everything like fresh snow.

I showered in water so hot it left my skin red, scrubbed every inch of myself until I couldn’t smell him anymore, then dressed in the plainest clothes I could find: gray sweatpants, an oversized hoodie, hair twisted into a knot. Armor Distance. I needed both if I was going to survive the last thirty-six hours.

Downstairs, the kitchen was still dark. I made coffee strong enough to burn, scrambled eggs I didn’t taste, and sat at the island staring at the plate like it had personally betrayed me.

Cassian appeared twenty minutes later, barefoot in low-slung sweats, hair tousled from sleep, looking unfairly beautiful. He smiled when he saw me, that slow, warm smile that had started to live behind my ribs.

“Morning, little girl.”

He crossed the room, leaned down to kiss me like it was the most natural thing in the world.

I turned my head. His lips brushed my cheek instead.

He froze.

The air shifted, went still and sharp.

He pulled out the chair beside me, sat close enough that his knee touched mine, and studied my face.

“What’s wrong?”

I kept my eyes on my coffee.

“Nothing. Tomorrow night the seven days are over. I go home. You keep your promise and clear Mom’s debt. That’s all.”

My voice sounded flat, dead. Good.

He frowned, confusion flickering in his eyes.

“Ivy-”

I stood abruptly, plate in hand, and carried it to the sink. The clatter of ceramic on steel was too loud in the silence.

He was behind me in an instant, arms sliding around my waist, chest warm against my back. His lips found the side of my neck, the spot that always made me melt.

I went rigid.

1/3

Chapter 25

+25 Bonus

“Let go.”

He didn’t. His hands tightened, gentle but immovable.

“Talk to me.

I spun, shoving at his chest hard enough that he took a step back.

“Don’t touch me.

His brows drew together. “What the hell happened now?”

I laughed, and it came out ugly.

“My mom was right about you,” I said, voice shaking with everything I had swallowed since 2 a.m. “You really are a bastard.”

The words landed like a slap. I saw them hit him, saw the shock flash across his face.

“What are you talking about?”

I stepped forward, finger jabbing at his chest.

“I heard you last night. On the phone. Telling her you love her, that you’ll be home soon, that you miss your baby.” My voice cracked on the last word. “I was just the temporary fuck while you were away, right? Someone to keep the bed warm until you went back to whoever’s waiting for you.”

His mouth opened, closed. For the first time since I had known him, Cassian Voss looked speechless.

“Ivy-”

I didn’t let him finish.

I slapped him.

Hard. Open-palmed across the cheek, the crack echoing off the cabinets.

His head snapped to the side. A red mark bloomed instantly on his skin.

“Don’t,” I said, tears burning hot down my face. Don’t say my name like it means anything. I was never anything to you but a debt to collect and a body to use. I’m not your toy. I’m not your little girl. And I swear to God, if you touch me again before tomorrow night, I will scream this house down.”

He didn’t move. Just stared at me, gray eyes wide chest rising and falling too fast.

I backed away until the island pressed into my spine.

“Stay away from me,” I whispered. “Just… stay away.”

2/3

Chapter 25

+25 Bonus

I turned and walked out of the kitchen on legs that barely held me, leaving him standing alone among the broken pieces of whatever we had pretended this was.

Two nights left.

Thirty-six hours until I could drive away and never look back.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify