CHAPTER 21: 21-COULD BE A GOOD STEPMOTHER

Kash:

After the meeting ended, I returned to my office with a defeated look on my face. I couldn’t understand why I was so upset since Iris’s reaction shouldn’t have meant anything to me.

The only reason I hired Lara was because I wanted to hurt Iris. But now I was stuck with Lara as the brand model and she had a lot of questions for me.

The moment we entered my office, the smiles Lara had been flashing around began to fade.

"What was it?" she asked, folding her arms over her chest.

"What? You got assigned as the model?" I tried to play dumb, but I knew what she meant.

"Kash, I walked in and saw you two standing so close. Your hands were basically wrapped around her back. What’s going on? Are you two thinking about getting back together?" she asked, her voice shaking with fear at the thought of us reconciling.

"She was falling, and I helped her. I supported her to prevent the fall. That’s all that happened," I replied a bit harshly. I noticed she didn’t appreciate it because she instantly started to growl at me.

"What’s going on with you? You’re so rude to me. Is it because of her return?" she pressed, making me take a deep breath before walking around the table to stand by the big window and stare outside.

"Lara, I told you, there’s nothing going on between us. And it’s funny you’re so upset because, remember, you were the one so against the idea of an alpha king being with just one mate and not being able to explore."

As soon as I said that, I turned to look at her and saw the shock on her face. She crinkled her nose and straightened her posture.

"Well, that was because you loved me. Do you love her?" she asked.

"No," I responded almost instantly and saw the concern fade from her face.

"Well, then what’s the problem? If you don’t love her, you don’t need to stand so close to her again. If she falls, let her fall," she said, reaching over to wrap her arms around me and rest her head on my chest.

I didn’t take my hands out of my pockets, but a memory came to me. A few years before I married Iris, I was truly in love with Lara. We were doing great until we weren’t. I remember how hard it was for me to get over her. I thought I never would.

Then Iris came into my life, and I started to fall for her. That kind of love was different. When Iris left me, I thought I’d get over her too, that I’d move on. I had my first love back with me, so I decided to focus on Lara. But I couldn’t.

Because I never really wanted to be with Lara. Even when I tried, it just didn’t work. I couldn’t get Iris out of my head. Then, one by one, Iris’ truths started coming out, hurting me more and more, making me realize I had believed in the wrong person.

And here I was today, finally getting back at her for playing me. But at the same time, a part of me still wanted to do it for her.

"Anyway, don’t worry about anything. I’m so sorry. I was just being jealous. I don’t want to make you feel a certain way. I trust you," she said as she broke the hug and lifted her head to look at me.

I looked down at her, trying to fall in love with her. So I focused on her face. She was pretty, there was no lie.

’But not prettier than Iris,’ my wolf snapped, and I secretly growled at him.

"You didn’t ask about my children," I said to Lara, tilting my head to see her reaction properly.

However, she instantly smiled.

"I know. I heard from my dad. Honestly, I was scared at first because I thought you would drop me after Iris came back. But when I found out that you two were only going to co-parent and weren’t even living under the same roof, I felt better. And I trust you, like I said. Besides, I’m actually really good with kids. I’d like to know them," she said.

Every word she spoke suddenly made me feel at ease.

"You’re not upset about the fact that I have children?" I asked her in confusion, but she confidently shook her head.

"You think I’d be upset about it? Children are cute. And like I said, I’ll try to be the best stepmother I can. I’ll make you proud of me," she cheered, clapping her hands.

Then she reached for her phone, unlocked the screen, and ran back to me like a little bird, showing me the screen.

"Look, I already ordered some toys for them! So when I meet them for the first time, I’ll have the best gifts," she said excitedly, making me just stare at her face in disbelief.

I didn’t expect her to be so thoughtful, but honestly, her reaction to my children won my heart. She looked so happy for them, so I decided to loosen up a little with her.

The first thing I did was raise my hand and gently touch her cheek with my fingertips, tucking the strands of hair away from her face and behind her ear.

She suddenly stopped, looking stunned, in fact. Then she smiled at me, acknowledging that I had shown her affection, even if it was just a little.

After that, she started showing me more of the things she planned to buy for the babies.

"You know what?" I said as I held her hand and gently rubbed her elbows. "How about I take you home with me and let you meet my children?"

As soon as I said that, her eyes widened, shining with hope and happiness.

"Really? Oh my God, I can’t wait! Thank you. Thank you so much!" she jumped up and down, overflowing with excitement and joy at the thought of being part of my family.

I guessed my children would love her. She had this vibrant, innocent energy about her.