Love of Two-face

Somehow, I Became the stepmother of my bully.

In the bathroom, he pinned me against the wall, his voice hoarse.

"You don't have to like me, but can you at least stop humiliating me?"

1.

The sound of his heavy breathing filled my ears as he forcefully turned my face towards him.

"Look at me."

I suppressed the hatred in my heart, trying to soften my voice. "Ryland, please, you are hurting me..."

His tone was mocking, and he only tightened his grip.

"Kim Stephens, now you want to yield? Weren't you the one who seduced me first?

It's not over yet, stepmom."

He wasn't wrong.

After graduating from college, Ryland's father approached me.

"Miss Stephens, you resemble my late wife. If possible, I would like to propose a deal.

Also, be my beloved wife's stand-in. Three years, three hundred million dollars."

But my connection with Ryland Wilson went beyond that.

We were college classmates.

Back then, he was rebellious, with a bad temper, indulging in smoking, drinking, and fighting.

Yet, he was handsome, had good grades, and came from a wealthy family.

His girlfriends would change on a weekly basis, and he remained generous even after break - ups. A user on the campus forum even conducted an analysis of the types of girls he dated.

I considered myself attractive, but not as stunning as his ex-girlfriends, who could debut on stage with their looks.

For some reason, he took an interest in me. After I rejected him, he persistently pursued me for two months.

Even his confession felt like a king tossing crumbs to a beggar.

He cornered me after class, looking determined.

"You, be my girlfriend."

He didn't even know my name.

I told him I had a boyfriend and casually mentioned the name of one of the underlings of bullies, rejecting him.

Later, I heard he beat that underling so badly he was left disabled.

During the two months he continued to pursue me, the women in his arms changed constantly. Apart from occasionally sending me flowers, he never appeared before me again.

Ryland's father didn't genuinely love his mother. Mrs. Wilson had passed away years ago, yet now he was attempting to fabricate an appearance of profound affection.

An apple didn't fall far from the tree.

Disgusting.

2.

Half a month ago, after getting married with Ryland's father, I came to the Wilson's villa for the first time.

Ryland's father Jack had already informed Ryland to come home today.

When we returned and didn't see him, Ryland's father was furious, shouting at Alfred, the butler. "That ungrateful son, call him back as fast as he can!"

I approached him, gently patting his chest. "Don't be angry. After all, meeting his stepmother for the first time, I can understand his reaction."

"Don't worry, when he returns, I will teach him how to behave himself!"

How delightful, family drama was always intriguing.

Outside, a sports car roared into the driveway.

Ryland entered the house, frowning at the sight of me.

"What are you doing here?"

"Mind your manners!" Ryland's father scolded, wrapping an arm around my waist. "She's your stepmother."

"Stepmom?"

He chuckled softly, his gaze darkening as he looked at me. "Hello there, my dear stepmom."

The last two words were heavily emphasized.

I gave him a gentle smile. "Ryland, rest assured, I'll treat you like my own son from now on."

Seeing his displeased expression, I knew it was time to start my next plan.

Evening.

I changed into a white silk camisole dress.

In front of the mirror, I darkened the mole at the corner of my eye with eyeliner.

Looking at my reflection, I smiled with satisfaction.

On my third trip downstairs to get water, he finally couldn't hold back.

He planted his hands on the table, effectively caging me within his embrace, his tone menacing as he said, "You refused to be my girlfriend, yet you became my stepmother?

Kim, you are really unpredictable."

I turned to face him, appearing as if I wanted to look up but was too afraid.

"Ryland... Don't be so harsh. I'm your stepmom!"

With a deliberate motion, the strap of my dress slipped slightly.

A thrill surged within me.

Every move, every expression, I had practiced thousands, tens of thousands of times.

Finally, the day had come.

Would the prey take the bait?

3.

As I expected, Ryland grasped my chin, forcing me to look into his eyes.

Seeing the humiliation in my tear-filled eyes, he smiled widened.

His fingers brushed the mole at the corner of my eye.

"Why are you crying? You weren't this timid when you rejected me."

I turned my head to the side, tears welling up even more, hanging in my eyes but refusing to fall.

Vulnerable yet defiant.

Ryland forcefully turned my head back, leaving a warm trace at the corner of my eye.

"Did that old man..."

"I like you!"

He was stunned. "What?"

I repeated, looking at him with unwavering eyes.

"Kim, do you think I'm that easy to deceive? Can't that old man satisfy you?"

"Hmm?"

I slapped him hard.

The sound of the slap echoed sharply in the silent night.

I refused to look at him, letting my tears fall freely.

"Ryland, do you really love me? They say all your girlfriends are of the same type, and pursuing me is just another one of your games.

If that's the case, why do you toy with my feelings?"

His gaze grew darker, but I was oblivious, continuing to speak my mind.

"You're great, in every way. I know I'm not good enough for you. But I can't help it, I still like you."

"When your father approached me, I felt incredibly lucky, having a chance to be by your side, to take care of you.

Ryland... please, let me go."

He leaned in to kiss me, but I broke free from his embrace and ran upstairs.

Feeling his gaze on my back, I pretended to hesitate for a moment but didn't stop until I reached my room.

I understood Ryland too well-under his father's thumb, struggling to find his own identity.

He needed someone who resembled that woman to love him wholeheartedly.

He could only choose the path I laid out for him.

4.

After that night, I deliberately kept my distance from Ryland.

Even when we accidentally crossed paths, I would quickly lower my head and leave.

Once I maintained a distance in public, I had to start working in private.

Ryland went out drinking every night, returning home reeking of alcohol.

Yet, he always found a comforting bowl of porridge and a glass of honey water on his table when he got back.

At meals, the table was filled with dishes good for the stomach.

He never asked, just silently ate everything.

In the kitchen, I chatted idly with the housekeeper, Liz.

"Ma'am, let me handle these things. Why do you need to cook yourself?"

"It's fine, Liz. I know Ryland has a bad stomach and loves to drink. These will be good for him."

"Oh! Ma'am, you're so good to the young master! He'll surely be happy to know."

I smiled, but couldn't hide the sadness in my voice.

"As long as he's happy... this is all I can do for him."

Hearing the soft footsteps leaving behind me, I smiled to myself.

That night, just as I stepped out of the bathroom, I heard a knock on the door.

Wrapped in a towel, I went to open it.

As soon as the door opened, Ryland's presence enveloped me.

He closed the door, pinning me against the wall, his fingers trailing down from my shoulder. I felt a chill, and my face involuntarily flushed.

His voice was low and hoarse.

"Let me show you how much I care, okay? Kim."

I placed my hands on his chest, pretending to push him away. "Don't... don't do this."

He pressed closer.

"Kim... let me see your true feelings."

His actions sent shivers through me, and the room's temperature quickly rose.

Hearing him call my name caught me off guard.

Was I still not just a substitute for that woman?

5.

"You little brat! That's your mother! How dare you..." Ryland's father trembled with rage.

I lay in his arms, sobbing softly.

"Jack, Ryland didn't mean it... maybe it's because of my face..."

Realizing I had said something wrong, I fell silent.

Ryland's father grew even angrier, ordering butler Alfred, "Bring the family whip to me!"

The whip cracked against Ryland's body, but he remained silent.

Earlier, Ryland had cornered me in the garden, and Jack and Alfred happened to witness it.

I pushed Ryland away in panic and threw myself into Jack's arms, crying that Ryland had forced me.

Even though it was a marriage of convenience, I was still his wife in name.

Jack's face turned red. He was well - aware of precisely what his son was thinking. The intention behind marrying me was to put an end to Ryland's persistent feelings.

Because I resembled that woman too much, it scared him!

His health was deteriorating. Despite having numerous individuals on the periphery, Ryland was fated to remain his sole biological son.

As the whip rose and fell, I glanced at Jack, knowing it was time for me to intervene.

"Enough, dear. Anger is bad for your health."

I pretended to raise my hand to stop him, and he let the whip fall, then held my hand.

"Fine. As you say."

Ryland lifted his head, watching the intertwined hands of Jack and me, his eyes filled with turmoil.

Jack signaled Alfred to take Ryland to see a doctor, then led me to dinner.

As we walked, he probed, "Kim, Ryland was spoiled from a young age. If he offended you again, you must tell me."

I replied obediently, "It's fine, as someone older, I can see where he's coming from."

Hearing the emphasis in my words, he nodded in satisfaction.