Chapter 2
Leyla's P.O.V.
I couldn't sleep.
Everything felt strange—but familiar at the same time.
My room looked the same, but I didn't feel like the same girl who once lived here.
I was older now.
I had seen things, experienced pain, loss, growth... and now, I was back.
And he was here.
Nathan.
My... stepfather.
But it didn't feel right calling him that.
He had been more present in my life than most blood relatives ever were.
He always took care of me.
Protected me.
And now, seeing him again, something stirred inside me I hadn't wanted to admit.
He looked good.
Strong.
His beard was a little thicker than I remembered, and his voice deeper.
When he hugged me, I felt safe—and something else too.
Something I tried to ignore but couldn't.
I rolled over in bed, staring at the ceiling.
Why does it feel like my heart is racing every time I think about him?
Was it just comfort?
Or was it... more?
The way he looked at me at the airport.
I caught it.
Just for a second.
That flicker in his eyes.
Was I imagining it?
I sat up, unable to take the silence anymore.
I needed water... or maybe I just needed an excuse.
Slipping out of my room quietly, I padded barefoot through the hallway.
The house was still, except for a dim light coming from the office.
He's still up?
I paused at the door.
It was slightly open.
I could see him inside—his sleeves rolled up, sitting back in his chair, rubbing his forehead.
He looked tired.
Worn.
But still... handsome.
I knocked gently.
He looked up.
"Can't sleep?" he asked softly.
I stepped in. "Not really.
Thought I'd get some water.
And maybe... see if you were okay."
He smiled, but it didn't quite reach his eyes.
"I'm okay.
Just catching up on emails."
I hesitated, then took a step closer.
"Can I sit with you for a bit?"
He didn't answer at first.
Then he nodded.
"Yeah.
Sure."
I sat on the couch across from him, my knees tucked under me.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
The room felt charged—like something unspoken was hanging in the air between us.
"Thank you," I said suddenly.
He looked over, confused.
"For what?"
"For being there.
All these years.
Even after Mom got sick.
Even now."
He leaned back, exhaling.
"You don't have to thank me for that, Leyla.
I was exactly where I wanted to be."
His voice dropped on the last part, and my heart skipped.
I looked away, nervous to meet his eyes.
But I could feel them on me.
And deep down, I knew—
Something was about to change between us.
Nathan's P.O.V.
She stepped into my office like a dream I wasn't ready to wake up from.
Barefoot, hair loose, wearing one of those old sleep shirts that barely brushed her thighs—she looked soft, innocent... and dangerously beautiful.
"Can I sit with you for a bit?" she asked, voice gentle, almost unsure.
I should've said no. I should've told her to go back to bed.
But instead, I nodded.
Yeah.
Sure.
The words came out too easily.
She sat on the couch, curling her legs up under her like she used to as a teen—but she wasn't that girl anymore.
She was a woman now.
And I was trying with everything in me not to see that.
She thanked me.
And I nearly lost it.
She didn't understand.
I wasn't doing any of this because I had to.
I stayed with her mother because it felt right at the time.
I supported Leyla because I wanted to—because she had become the most important part of my life long before I even realized it.
"You don't have to thank me," I said quietly.
"I was exactly where I wanted to be."
The room went quiet again.
I watched her eyes flick away.
She didn't know how much power she held in that silence.
My heart pounded in my chest.
I couldn't stop thinking about what her mother had said.
If you and Leyla ever find each other... it's okay.
But was it really?
She was my stepdaughter in name, but not by blood.
I helped raise her, but I never crossed a line.
Not once.
Until now—until tonight—when just being in the same room with her felt like the most dangerous temptation I'd ever faced.
"Leyla..." I said, the word catching in my throat.
She looked up.
"I...
I'm glad you're home."
Her smile was soft.
"I'm glad, too."
I wanted to tell her everything.
About what her mother said.
About how I tried to bury these feelings, tried to fight them... but I couldn't.
Not anymore.
But she stood up before I could speak.
"I think I'll try to sleep now," she said, her voice a little shaky.
"Thanks for letting me stay awhile."
I nodded, but my hands clenched around the armrests of the chair.
"Anytime, sweetheart."
She leaned in and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
Her lips were warm, soft.
She lingered for just a second too long.
Then she left.
And I sat there, alone in the quiet, wondering how much longer I could keep pretending that what I felt wasn't real.
-------Next Morning
Leyla's P.O.V.
It felt so good waking up to the smell of my favorite breakfast—pancakes.
I stretched, smiled, and slipped into my yellow mini dress with gold sandals.
The sunlight through the window made the fabric glow as I made my way to the kitchen.
That's when I saw her—Clara.
My fairy godmother.
Well, that's what I used to call her when I was little.
She was more than just a maid.
She was family.
A second mother.
She used to babysit me when my parents were away, and she never left our side, even after everything.
She was too busy flipping pancakes to notice I was in the kitchen.
So, I crept up and gave her a warm back hug.
"Oh my!
You gave me a scare!" she laughed, turning to look at me.
"Let me see you... oh my, you look beautiful!"
"Thank you," I said, smiling.
"Go take a seat in the dining room, sweetheart.
I'll bring your breakfast in just a moment."
I made my way to the dining table, the morning sun pouring through the windows.
It felt peaceful.
After I finished my food, Clara joined me with a warm smile.
"So tell me, honey," she said, her eyes twinkling.
"Did you meet someone special in your life?"
"Not yet," I replied with a small laugh.
"You will soon, my darling." She gave me a mysterious smile and walked off, humming softly.
I couldn't help but wonder what she meant by that.
Feeling a little curious, I decided to check in on Nathan.
I walked quietly down the hall and opened the door to his office.
He was so focused on his work, he didn't even notice me walk in.
Eventually, he looked up—and gave me that smile.
The one that could launch me straight to Mars.
"What are you doing today?" he asked.
"I was thinking of going to the mall and stopping by Sophie's."
He just nodded.
"I have to head to work now.
See you later," he said, standing up.
I walked over and gave him a small kiss on the cheek.
"Good luck," I whispered.
"See you later."
"See you, my princess," he replied.
I paused as I walked away, my smile fading slightly.
I'm a grown woman now, not some little princess, I thought to myself.