Sleeping With My Step Daddy-Chapter 58: "Kai’s Fiance"

Aiko (softly smiling): "Uncle Takeshi decided it... He always missed you. He says that when Kai finally comes back home, he’ll officially announce our engagement."

Her cheeks flushed pink as she spoke, eyes glimmering with quiet excitement. But Kai’s heart dropped.

Kai (firmly): "I’m not ready for this."

The smile on Aiko’s face slowly faded, confusion washing over her expression.

Kai (hesitantly): "I... I love ba—"

He suddenly paused, biting his lower lip. His chest tightened, the memory of Yuri’s warning echoing in his head. If you keep saying that man’s name... your father might kill him. His voice dried up with fear.

Aiko (tilting her head): "You love...? What are you saying, Kai?"

Kai took a breath and looked her straight in the eyes.

Kai (quiet but honest): "I like men. Not girls."

Aiko’s eyes widened in disbelief. Her lips parted slightly, but no words came. She quickly stood up, her expression wounded and confused.

Without saying another word, Aiko turned and rushed out of the room, gently shutting the door behind her.

Kai sat still on the edge of the bed, his fists clenched in his lap, heart beating painfully against his chest.

In her room, Aiko sat curled up on the edge of her bed, her face buried in her hands as soft sobs escaped her lips.

The door creaked open and Yuna stepped inside, her elegant steps light across the wooden floor.

Yuna (gently): "My little princess, what’s wrong?"

Aiko looked up, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Aiko (crying): "Mom... Kai doesn’t like girls. He—he likes boys. He rejected me."

Her voice cracked as she covered her face again, heartbroken and humiliated.

Yuna’s expression changed instantly—first surprise, then a quiet fury flickering in her eyes. She stood straighter, her tone no longer soft.

Yuna (coldly): "Don’t cry, darling. I’ll speak to your father about this."

She turned around and walked out with swift, firm steps, her face calm but her thoughts racing darkly.

The next morning...

The entire family gathered around the long breakfast table, the atmosphere warm with soft conversation and the clinking of cutlery. Kai walked in quietly. His expression was neutral, but his eyes were heavy with sleepless thoughts.

He sat beside Takeshi.

Kai (softly): "Good morning."

Takeshi (smiling): "Good morning, my son. How are you feeling now?"

Kai: "I’m okay."

They began eating in silence until Takeshi suddenly cleared his throat and smiled widely.

Takeshi: "I have a good news for my family."

All eyes turned toward him with curiosity.

Takeshi: "Next week, I’m holding a grand function... to officially announce the engagement of Kai and Reiji."

Kai’s eyes widened in disbelief. He turned his head sharply toward Takeshi.

Aiko (standing up, voice shaking): "Uncle! Kai is my fiancé! How could you do this to me?"

Takeshi (calmly): "Kai likes boys. If he does, I won’t force him to marry a girl. That’s why I decided—Kai and Reiji will be engaged."

Yuna (smiling sharply): "Little princess, calm down. Sit."

Aiko, heartbroken and stunned, slowly sank back into her chair, her lips trembling.

Kai turned to Reiji, who sat across the table wearing a smug grin. He winked at Kai playfully.

Kai’s thoughts raced. Why did I tell them last night that I like boys...? What should I do now...?

He hesitated. Then, finally, he spoke up.

Kai: "Mr. Takeshi..."

Takeshi looked at him curiously.

Takeshi: "What are you saying, son?"

Kai’s hands trembled under the table. He took a deep breath.

Kai (quietly): "Dad... I think we need to talk."

Takeshi (smiling): "Sure. I need to talk to you too."

Takeshi and Kai walked in silence to a private, elegant room adorned with dark-toned luxury. The atmosphere was heavy, almost suffocating. Takeshi sat comfortably on the wide leather couch, motioning for Kai to sit beside him. Kai followed quietly, his shoulders tense.

Takeshi: "Son, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Kai (softly): "I... I don’t want this engagement." freēnovelkiss.com

Takeshi’s relaxed expression shifted slightly, his eyes sharpening.

Takeshi: "Look, son. I gave a promise to my brother. So don’t say those words again."

He leaned back, tone calm but firm.

Takeshi: "You already rejected Aiko and said you liked boys. I respected your choice—I didn’t force you to marry her. And now, Reiji is perfect for you. He’s tall, handsome, from our own bloodline. I’ll give you whatever you want, my son. You are my everything."

Those last words struck Kai like a bullet, piercing straight into his chest.

"I’m your everything."

Bast’s voice echoed painfully in his heart.

Takeshi (gently): "Kai, look at me."

Kai blinked slowly, his eyes filling with tears, lashes trembling.

Takeshi: "Reiji is a good boy. I’m sure... after spending some time together, you’ll love him."

Kai didn’t reply.

Takeshi placed a firm hand on Kai’s shoulder.

Takeshi: "Now, adjust yourself here. Forget the past."

He paused, his voice deepening slightly.

Takeshi: "If you won’t forget it... I’ll remove it."

Kai’s heart nearly stopped. His body went cold.

"If you keep saying his name, your father will kill him."

Yuri’s chilling warning rang in his ears.

Takeshi wiped Kai’s tears with a fatherly hand, smiling softly.

Takeshi: "You need to continue your studies. And sometimes, take interest in the business. One day, you’ll be the one holding all of it."

Kai slowly nodded, too scared to speak, too broken to fight.

Takeshi: "Be a good boy. And if you want something—go shopping, or visit Tokyo—I’ll tell Reiji to take you. You’re free to enjoy yourself."

Kai lowered his eyes, his voice trapped in his throat, his heart aching for the warmth of the only man who ever truly called him everything.

After some time...

Kai lay curled on the bed, silent and drained. His fingers brushed against the silver ring on his hand—the one Bast had once slipped on his finger with a quiet smile. The metal felt cold now, but the memory burned warmly in his chest.

His eyes, already red from crying, welled up again. A tear slid down his cheek.

Suddenly, the door creaked open with a soft knock.

Reiji stepped in casually, a smirk on his lips.

Reiji: "Hello, babe."

Kai sat up slowly, wiping his tears in frustration. He looked away, not wanting Reiji to see him like this. He clenched his fists—he wanted to punch him. But he couldn’t.

Takeshi’s warning echoed sharply in his head.

Reiji walked closer and sat beside him.

Reiji: "Are you crying?"

Kai didn’t respond, just turned his head to the side, jaw tense.

Reiji: "Let’s go on a date."

Kai (coldly): "I don’t want to go."

Reiji (grinning): "You know you can’t refuse. Uncle Takeshi told us to spend time together—so you’ll fall in love with me."

Kai (under his breath): "In your dreams."

Finally, Kai turned to him, his voice low but sharp.

Kai: "Why did you even agree to this? I was your sister’s fiancé. I rejected her. Aren’t you angry?"

Reiji chuckled, unbothered.

Reiji: "Nope. Actually, I’m really glad you rejected her. Now you’re mine."

Kai’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Kai: "What a weird guy..."

Reiji: "When I saw you for the first time, I noticed right away—you like boys."

Kai (snapping): "Get out of my room."

Reiji didn’t move. Instead, he grabbed Kai’s wrist tightly.

Reiji: "I’m your future husband. How can you tell me to get out? I fell in love with you the moment I saw you. It’s love at first sight. And now... you should love me back."

Kai struggled to pull his hand away, his voice shaking with anger.

Kai: "Let me go!"

But Reiji held him firmly, dragging him toward the door.

Kai: "Where are you taking me?!"

Reiji smirked, sliding on his sunglasses with flair while still holding Kai’s wrist tightly.

Reiji: "Honey, we’re going on a date."

Kai sat in the car, arms crossed, a deep frown on his face. His eyes were fixed on the window, watching the familiar streets of Tokyo blur past. The city looked just like it did when he was ten.

Back then, he hadn’t wanted to leave Tokyo.

Now, he didn’t want to stay.

Reiji glanced at him from the driver’s seat, a casual smile playing on his lips.

Reiji: "Do you like Tokyo?"

Kai didn’t respond. His eyes stayed on the window.

Reiji: "I heard from Dad you lived a luxurious life in America... with your stepdad. What’s his name again? Nam... oh, right—Sebastian Vaughn. One of the biggest businessmen in America, huh?"

Kai’s jaw tightened at the mention of Bast’s name, but he still didn’t look at Reiji.

Finally, after a long pause, his voice came out quiet but firm.

Kai: "Yes. He is. He’s the best businessman."

Reiji (chuckling): "You know, you look totally obsessed with your stepdaddy."

Kai (softly, almost a whisper): "I’m in love with him."

There was a sharp silence.

Reiji (blinking): "What did you just say?"

Kai (quickly covering up): "I said... I don’t like your voice, so shut up."

Reiji laughed, completely unfazed.

Reiji (grinning): "My future wife has such a bad temper..."

Kai rolled his eyes and turned his face back to the window, his heart pounding hard in his chest. He had slipped—and for a second, the truth had cracked through.