My Stepson Is a Bully

KATIE’S POV. My dried tears clung to my cheeks so keenly as though they were my last hope as I stood in front of the unfamiliar faces, my fingers clutching onto my tattered gown tightly with my nails digging into my skin. I haven’t showered in five days, but that was the least of my concerns right now. “The brown-haired goes for 50 bucks.” I heard the man roar as he continued to chew on a stick, causing me to lift my head slightly to look his way.He had a deep cut right on his jaw of about three inches. My eyes trailed to meet his eyes, and it immediately sent fear running down my spine as I behold the emptiness it held. I snatched my eyes back to stare at my unpainted nails, the inner part of me missing the good old days. Days before my Father’s death. Beautiful days before, my stepmother sold me off to these strangers and hurried off with a wicked grin on her face after she was handed the big wand of cash. One would think that she had awaited his death. Tears stung the back of

KATIE’S POV Barely ten hours ago, Axel had informed me of the wedding being fixed to take place in five days during breakfast. The words rolled off his tongue so casually that one would assume he wasn’t the one who just offered me money to leave his Father last night. Thoughts of how there could be more to what was going on in this family grasped my mind and filled it with black clouds and loud bangs as it threatened to rain confusion.In the end, I concluded that I was finding my way out tonight. There was absolutely no way I was going to walk down the aisle with a male that was twice my age.A low sound echoed from the metal door, and my eyes trailed towards it. It sounded again until it was eventually pushed open, his thick legs making their way gently towards me.“What do you want?” The words made their way out quickly as my back found comfort in the wall, the yellow duvet serving as armour around my chest.“Don’t be scared. I won’t hurt you.” Maverick said calmly, but who was I

KATIE’S POV It had been days since the wedding, and Maverick had kept his promise and stayed in his lane. We never slept in the same room, but no one knew because I always ensured to sneak into the room late and wake up earlier than everyone. Walking down the stairs, I head towards the kitchen, wanting to help with something. Sleeping, waking, eating, and doing nothing daily took a toll on me because I hated being idle. I wanted to do anything at all to take my mind off the predicament I was going to be stuck in for months. The thought of telling Maverick about resuming school crossed my mind, but I had no clue how he would react. It was either that or I take up a job, anything at all. The aroma of the soup filled the air with Zina’s back turned towards the door.“Is there anything I can help with?” I asked and watched her fidget a little out of fear before turning around to look in my direction.“No…Ma. We can handle everything. It’s our job.” She responded, her purple hair packe

AUTHOR’S POV“What do you want, Father?” Blaze asked once again, obviously irritated by his presence.Most times, he despised the fact that this man was his Father. Deep down, Blaze knew Maverick was nothing but a monster. He always has and always will be.“Always in a hurry, hun.” Maverick joked, then laughed dryly.He still couldn't wrap his head around how he and his son had fallen out, how they had learnt to live like enemies.“As you can see, I’m too busy for pep talks,” Blaze responded harshly, and Maverick felt something unsettling grip his insides—the hatred in his son’s voice.The boy who once ran out to him every time he pulled up from work while yelling Father on top of his lungs.“You haven't been coming home…”Blaze let a sigh break free.“Okay, since that's all. You can leave now.” He informed coldly.Maverick’s eyes trailed over his son’s face, and he could tell he had failed, failed as a Father.“My company, Blaze, you need to come oversee it.” He informed and watched

KATIE’S POV I barely slept a wink all night because every time I closed my eyes, I would find him there, standing close to me or, worse, still lying in bed next to me. It was as though Blaze loved torturing me, but this time, it was just my mind playing tricks with me.“Hi.” I greeted them casually as I stepped closer to them. They were all having a meal. “Sorry, I slept late.” I apologised, my head banging a little.My eyes met his as he sat across the table, and I could feel my cheeks heat up. However, his eyes held no emotions, and it was as though he was unaffected by last night. Gradually, he pulled his eyes away to land back on his meal.Settling down into a seat beside Maverick, I watched a staff dish my food. Silence hung in the air, thickening with each second that passed by. It was as though they were all robots controlled by their owners, having no say on their own.Was this what being a family meant? Seconds blended into minutes, and soon, our plates were abandoned, with