Chapter 1

Leyla p.o.vI can't believe it—it's been three years since I've been home.

I've been away for three years finishing my degree in Business Management.

I went overseas to complete my studies and to get away from all the drama that happened back then.

Let me explain.

My dad passed away about four years ago, and then suddenly, my mom remarried a guy she barely knew.

That hurt me so much—she moved on so fast.

And as if that wasn't enough, she passed away last year.

She had cancer.

Sitting here in my seat, I think, what will I say to him?

I had—or maybe still have—a big crush on him.

He's this muscular guy with a strong, chiseled face and heavenly blue eyes that could kill.

The woman next to me started talking, but I didn't listen.

My mind was on cloud nine.

Our plane will be landing soon.

As the plane dipped lower through the clouds, my stomach twisted with nerves.

I pressed my forehead against the window, watching the familiar skyline come into view.

Everything looked the same—and completely different.

I hadn't told anyone I was coming back.

Not even him.

Part of me wanted to surprise him... the other part was terrified he'd moved on, forgotten all about me.

But I couldn't keep hiding.

I needed closure—or maybe, just maybe, a new beginning.

The seatbelt sign dinged.

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, remembering the way he used to laugh, the way he always called me "trouble" with a smile in his eyes.

Did he still live in the same house?

The plane landed with a soft jolt.

This was it.

No more running.

As I stepped off the plane, a wave of warm, salty air hit me.

Home.

And somewhere out there... he was waiting.

Or not.

But I was finally ready to find.

Nathan's P.O.V.

I'm on my way to the airport to pick up Leyla.

I can't believe it's been a year since I last saw her—at her mother's funeral.

It felt like she was avoiding me back then.

She looked so grown up, so different.

A real woman now.

Beautiful, long golden hair, curves that could make any man stop and stare.

I shook my head.Get it together, Nathan.

She's your stepdaughter.

Still, I can't lie to myself.

I've always had these feelings for her—feelings I buried deep down because she was just an innocent girl.

And I was married to her mother.

Not that we were truly involved...

I was more of a support system after she lost her first husband, and when the cancer came, I stayed.

I couldn't leave her in that state.

Before she passed, my wife told me something that's haunted me ever since.

One night, lying weak in her hospital bed, she looked me in the eyes and said, "You have my blessing, Nathan.

If you and Leyla ever find each other... it's okay."

But how could it be okay?

I'm older.

Leyla would be disgusted if she ever knew how I felt.

I was married to her mother.

She'd probably assume we were intimate.

It's... complicated.

I pulled up to the airport and stepped out of the car.

The moment I saw her walking out of the terminal, my breath caught.

She looked like an angel sent from above.

I was suddenly filled with joy.

She was finally done with her degree.

I wanted her home—safe, relaxed, happy.

In the back of my mind, though, something darker lingered.

I didn't want her to work.

I didn't want her to leave.

I just wanted her here... with me.

"Dad!

Dad!"

Her voice snapped me back to reality.

I turned and saw her running toward me.

My princess.

She jumped into my arms, and the second I held her, everything else disappeared.

She felt so small, so soft.

So perfect.

Leyla's P.O.V.

The moment I saw Dad standing there, I couldn't hold back.

I ran to him and jumped into his arms.

I didn't know what came over me—I was just overwhelmed.

I missed his face, his presence.

"I missed you, Daddy," I whispered.

"I missed you too, my princess," he replied, hugging me tighter.

Nathan's P.O.V.

Holding her in my arms, I couldn't believe how much she'd grown.

I remembered her as the teenager running around the house, full of energy and life.

Now, she was a beautiful, independent woman.

Sexy.

My eyes lingered a little too long on her lips, and my thoughts went somewhere they shouldn't have.What is wrong with you, Nathan?

Get your damn head straight.

She's your daughter.

"Let's go, baby," I said, grabbing her bags.

The drive home was quiet.

It was late by the time we pulled into the driveway.

I showed her to her room and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek.

"Goodnight, sweetheart.

Get some rest," I told her.

I headed to my office, hoping to distract myself with work—but her scent lingered in the air, and my thoughts... refused to behave.