Once Upon A Steamy Night With My Stepson

***Alice's POV***

"Marry Thomas Brooks... and every cent of your brother's hospital bills will be sorted."

The words slammed into me like ice water. My knees buckled as I heard the faint beep of the machine in Brandy's ward.

Marry Thomas Brooks? The cold-hearted billionaire with a reputation so dark everyone feared him?

Aunt Sam stood across from me, her arms crossed, her red lips curled like this was nothing more than a business deal.

Before I could process the words, her cold voice echoed through the hallway once again.

"So, what's your decision, Alice? Are you willing to do it... or would you rather watch your brother die that way?" Her words hit me like thunder, leaving me no space to think.

I dropped hard to the cold floor, my fingers clawing at her feet. "Please aunty, anything but this. He's old, he's ruthless. I can't..."

She kicked my hands away before I could finish. "Then be ready to kiss Brandy goodbye." She said and turned to the door, her heels clicking on the marble floor like gunshots.

"Wait!" My voice cracked, and tears filled my eyes like an endless stream. I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think properly either. All I could see was Brandy's pale face, tubes down his throat like a cold threat.

He was dying, and I needed to save him. This was the only opportunity I had to do that.

"I'll do it." I whispered, my voice cracking through the quiet weight of my muffled sobs. "I'll marry him."

Aunt Sam turned back, her eyes lit with excitement. "Good girl." She grabbed my wrist and pulled me up to my feet. "The wedding is tomorrow. Let's go get you pretty for your new owner."

3 years later...

Three years have passed, and my life in Thomas's house has been nothing but pure misery.

Brandy had gotten into college after his surgery, and since then, I've been trapped, living with the monster I called a husband.

I was even pregnant... carrying the child of the man who treated me like nothing but trash.

'I'll change him,' So I thought... until everything changed that night.

It was 7 pm. I was making dinner when a sudden pain sliced across my lower back and wrapped around my stomach like fire.

I dropped to the floor, clutching my stomach tight as I yelled Thomas's name desperately.

But he remained silent through it all.

Another contraction hit. Water gushed down my legs, spreading across the floor. I screamed his name again, dropping to my knees in the puddle.

He clearly heard me but chose to ignore me, lounging in the living room like I was invisible.

When he finally came in, his glare was furious, but not out of concern.

He lifted the pot lid without a word, disappointment written all over his face.

"How can you be so useless, Alice? You've been cooking for over an hour yet you haven't even gone halfway!" He spat, his cold voice slamming through the kitchen like a heavy blow.

I grasped my pounding stomach, trying so hard to steady my breath. "Thomas, please..." I panted, gripping the edge of the counter. "...the baby's coming. I can't feel my legs."

He crouched in front of me, but there was no worry in his eyes, only disgust. "And why should that bother me?" His voice thundered, laced with venom. "You're always making a fuss, and I'm done with your drama. Get up and get back to work. Now."

"I'm in labor!" I grabbed his ankle. "Please, you need to help me."

He kicked my hands off furiously, then he leaned closer towards me, his voice dropping into a cold whisper.

"Listen carefully," he hissed, his breath hot against my face. "You are worthless, and so is that thing growing inside you. Mention this pregnancy one more time and I will end you both myself."

His words hit me like a punch. He stormed out before I could even catch my breath.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I screamed even louder.

Minutes later, Maria, the youngest maid, burst in, her eyes wide with terror.

"Mrs. Brooks!" She dropped beside me, slipping an arm under my shoulders. "We need to get you to the hospital right away."

She half-carried me through the house, until we reached the gate. As soon as we got to the gate, she flagged down a taxi and shoved me in the back seat. She hopped into the front seat quickly, yelling at the driver to move.

The pain cut even deeper this time, and I faintly heard her voice trying to soothe me, urging me to stay calm.

Then everything went dark.

~

I woke up to the steady beep of machines and the sting of bright white lights flashing into my eyes.

My body felt empty, like all life had been drained from it.

A doctor stood at the foot of the bed. He looked like he was in his mid-forties, with sharp cheekbones which made him appear tough. His eyes were the exact color of Thomas's.

My stomach dropped before he even said a word.

"You're stable, Mrs. Brooks," he said gently, his voice as calm as a lake. "But there were severe complications."

I tried to sit up as panic coursed through my veins. "My baby?"

He hesitated for a moment, his quiet eyes freezing me in place.

That silence explained everything.

"We did everything we could," he said at last. "I'm sorry. The placenta tore away completely. We couldn't stop the bleeding in time."

The room spun around me, and I struggled to catch my breath.

He placed a folder on the tray table, stepping closer towards my bed.

"There's something else you should know, Mrs Brooks."

***Alice's POV***

I fixed my gaze on him, my mind racing as I waited for his words.

"During the surgery, we found something... unusual." He lowered his voice. "The rupture wasn't natural. Someone introduced a clotting agent into your IV line a few days ago. It was a massive dose which was meant to trigger exactly this."

A cold chill ran through my veins, my mind struggling to comprehend his words.

"So, what are you trying to say?"

"I'm saying that," he whispered, glancing at the door. "... someone paid me a quarter million dollars to make sure none of you left this hospital alive... neither you nor the baby. I refused the second half of the money, and that's why I'm telling you... because I want to save your life."

He slipped a small flash drive into my palm and closed my fingers over it. "This contains the security footage, alongside names and bank transfers, revealing how the whole operation went down. Use it wisely, Mrs. Brooks."

He turned to leave, then paused midway through.

"One more thing," He whispered, his voice carrying a more serious tone. "Your husband will be on his way here tonight... with security. They believe you're still unconscious."

My heart slammed fiercely against my ribs. But the doctor wasn't even done yet.

His eyes met mine, his expression deadly serious now. "If you want to stay alive, Alice, you have to disappear before midnight."

As soon as he said those words, he turned and walked away, leaving me there to my thoughts.

I stared at the closed door, the flash drive stinging my palm, while the empty ache burning between my legs reminded me that I had just lost everything.

The doctor's warning still echoed in my head, even after he had left the room.

I stared at the flash drive wrapped in my palm, struggling so hard to keep myself sane. Thomas had paid to murder our child. And now he was coming to kill me too.

The door burst open again, and two nurses wheeled in a metal tray.

"Time for your discharge meds, Mrs. Brooks," one of them said cheerfully.

I forced a smile, sat up, and let them administer the drugs.

The doctor slipped back in while the nurses were still busy. He walked straight to where I was and pressed a small envelope into my palm.

"In there is ten thousand cash with everything else you need to escape." He whispered, his voice dropping lower. "A taxi is waiting outside. The driver is my friend...he knows exactly where to take you. Leave now."

I paused for a moment, flashing a curious glance at him. "Why are you doing this? You barely even know me."

He shook his head slightly, his expression unreadable. "That's because twenty years ago someone gave me a second chance, even when I didn't deserve it. I'm just trying to pay it forward."

He squeezed my hand gently and walked away, like nothing ever happened.

After he left, I changed into the plain jeans and hoodie he had left in the bathroom, tucking my hair under a baseball cap as I made my way out. I looked like an exhausted college girl now... not the wife of Thomas Brooks.

The drive felt endless... longer than I expected. Maybe it was because I couldn't stop thinking about the doctor's words. His voice still echoed in my head, leaving me completely restless.

After everything he had warned me about, I was supposed to be running far away from Thomas now, not showing up at his mansion.

But I did.

I needed to look Thomas in the eye one last time and let him know I was no longer afraid of him. I had taken a steak knife from the hospital's kitchen secretly, just in case he tried anything stupid.

As soon as I crossed the gates, Maria hurried towards me, her eyes wide with surprise. "I thought you would never come back." She breathed, fear etched in her voice.

"Of course, I would return. It's still my house."

Maria's eyes flashed with unease. "I know that, Mrs Brooks." She replied, her voice trembling. "But... this place is not safe for you anymore. He's after your life."

I nodded slowly, like her words meant nothing to me. "You don't have to worry, Maria. I have everything under control." I brushed her shoulder gently, and began to make my way up the stairs.

Just when I reached the basement, the last stair leading up to our room, a sharp sound pierced through the air, stopping me right in my tracks.

A woman's soft moans echoed through the hallway, freezing me in place.

"Mmhhh... Fuck me hard, daddy."

Then Thomas's voice echoed... a deep, low groan. "Say my name, naughty girl."

The woman moaned his name right back, her voice dripping with pleasure.

I sure as hell recognized that voice, but I brushed it off. Maybe it was just my mind playing games with me.

I steadied my breath and stepped forward, gripping the door knob. Then without a second thought, I kicked the door so hard it slammed against the wall.

Thomas's gaze snapped towards the door instantly, his cock still buried deeply inside the woman in front of him. The woman turned too... and my breath caught when I saw her.

"Aunt Sam?" I muttered under my breath, my voice shredded into a throaty whisper.

Thomas jumped to his feet and quickly wrapped a towel over his naked frame. His eyes went wide with shock, then they narrowed, burning with pure hatred.

Aunt Sam scrambled for the duvet, clutching it firmly across her naked chest.

"Alice?" She gasped, her eyes wide with terror.

Thomas found his voice then. "How are you still alive?"

"Disappointed?" I whispered, my voice surprisingly calm. "You paid a quarter million to have me killed, yet I'm still here... alive. Talk about a bad investment."

Samantha's face went white. "What is she talking about?"

Thomas sprang off the bed, aiming towards me with a furious scowl.. "You crazy bitch! I'll..."

"You'll what?" I snapped, swiftly pulled out the knife from my pocket and aimed it at him. "Take one more step forward and I'll not hesitate to split your throat in two."

His face went pale, and for the first time in three years, he looked really frightened. He stepped back, his legs trembling beneath him.

Samantha plunged at me from behind, her nails digging out. "You ungrateful little..."

I stepped aside sharply, just before she could reach me, and she crashed into the dresser, the perfumes shattering on the floor.

I stared at the both of them... at the man who had planned to kill me and my baby, and the woman who had sold me to him like cattle, and my anger burned even deeper.

But I hadn't come to fight them... not yet.

"I came for two things." I said quietly, my fists tightening. "My winter coat. And also to tell you both to rot in hell."

I walked to the closet, pulled out the coat from its hanger, and tore the hidden seam open.

The divorce papers slid out, already signed by me, waiting only for his signature. I tossed them on the bed and crossed my arms, letting the flash drive hang loosely between my fingers.

"Sign, or I walk out that door and straight to the federal attorney with all this evidence. The choice is yours."

Thomas stared at the papers as if they were a ticking time bomb. Then, slowly, he leaned forward and picked them up.

***Alice's POV***

He signed the papers without protest. Then he threw them back at me, his eyes burning with rage. "You'll regret this Alice. You're nothing without me!"

"We'll see to that." I said quietly, shooting them one final glance before making my way out.

Samantha's voice echoed behind me as I left... thick with mockery. "Goodbye, Alice. Don't come crawling back when your pathetic little savings begin to fail you!"

Her words stirred something inside me, but I didn't look back. I had long made up my mind to leave for good... I couldn't stop now.

I booked a cab quickly as soon as I stepped out of the room.

As the car took off, I made a promise to myself never to return to Thomas's house. I was never going to spend one more night there... and that starts tonight.

When the car pulled up at the hotel I had planned to spend the night in, I stepped out and walked straight into the building.

The place was grand and quiet... the exact kind of serenity I needed at this moment.

The receptionist greeted me with a warm smile, treating me like I was a special guest. I didn't understand why, but I didn't care either.

"Come with me, ma'am. I'll take you to your room," she said, leading the way.

I nodded and followed her, my heart pounding with each step.

We reached the last door at the end of the hallway, with bold letters that read VIP, and she stopped.

I froze.

VIP? This had to be a mistake. I couldn't afford anything close to that.

The woman noticed my hesitation and smiled. "Don't worry, Mrs. Brooks. It's all taken care of."

My chest tightened. Taken care of? By who? And how did she know my name?

Before I could speak, she pressed a key card into my hand. "This unlocks your room. Have a pleasant stay."

She turned and walked off, her heels clicking down the hallway, leaving me there, confused... and a little bit scared.

I stood there, gripping the card in my hand, her words ringing in my head like an endless drum.

Fear gnawed at me as I glanced at the card one last time, but I shook it off and slid the card into the slot anyway. The door swung open... and I froze at the magnificence of the room.

A massive chandelier gleamed at the center of the ceiling, lighting the space with a soft... rich glow.

I sank onto the king‑sized bed, my cheeks flushing with a strange mix of relief and excitement. This was a moment of peace after all the chaos I had endured all these years.

My eyes drifted to the minibar in the corner. I got up, walked towards it, and poured myself a glass of tequila, downing the content without thinking twice.

Just then, the door burst open with a loud thud, startling me.

I dropped my glass, my heart slamming heavily in my chest. Two men in black suits stormed in, their faces grim.

They charged towards me, grabbing my arms. My struggles to break free from their grip were all useless.

"Who are you... " My words died as one of the men clamped his large palm over my mouth.

"Shut the fuck up, Alice!" he hissed, venom dripping from his voice.

They pushed the door open and began to drag me out when a sharp, deafening sound thundered through the room, knocking them off their feet.

I clamped my hands over my ears, my head dropping low as gunfire echoed through the air.

Moments later, silence returned. I opened my eyes, my legs shaking with terror.

My heart nearly exploded when I saw the two men sprawled on the floor... lifeless, their blood staining the tiles.

Then I heard footsteps. I raised my gaze slowly, and I saw him... he was tall, dressed in a brown suit, his hair falling messily across his face, his jaw sculpted perfectly like a statue.

He looked too familiar... yet I couldn't place him. My legs wobbled beneath me; the alcohol hit hard now.

Before I could collapse, he caught me, holding me steady in his arms. His eyes studied mine calmly as he laid me gently on the bed.

"You should rest," he said, turning away.

But I caught his hand before he could go any further. I tugged him back until his body pressed against mine, my arms sliding up to lock around his neck.

"No," I breathed, my voice shaky and raw against his skin. "I don't want rest... I want you."

His eyes narrowed, a flash of surprise crossing his face. "Are you sure about this, Alice?"

The sound of my name on his lips made me freeze.

I hadn't realized he knew who I was. But right then, it didn't matter. Nothing else mattered except the urge to feel him against me... deep inside me.

I nodded, closing the last bit of space between us. He met me halfway, and his mouth claimed mine in a kiss that stole my breath, his hands sliding across my waist, firm and possessive.

In one smooth motion he lowered me onto the bed, his hands cupping my breasts, his thumbs brushing over my nipples until they hardened under his touch.

A helpless moan tore from my lips as I kissed him back, desperate... drowning in him.

His fingers tightened gently around my throat... just enough pressure to make my heart race faster.

For a brief moment, he lifted his head, his eyes locked onto mine with a quiet intensity.

Then, without a word, he stripped my dress off my body, his breath fanning my face.

His fingers trailed along my curves, sending a jolt of electricity running down my spine.

Then he lowered his head towards my breast... but the moment his mouth closed over my nipple, his phone lit up with a text message.