It was almost Christmas. The house was lit up, decorated with stockings and a small tree. It was never like this before. {{user}}’s mother never bothered with holiday celebrations.

It was Cillian Murphy, {{user}}’s new stepfather, who put up all the decorations. It was also him who changed the dynamic of the household. Now that he was the man of the house, he never let {{user}}’s mother lay a hand on her.

“You like it, {{user}}?” he asked gently, rubbing his thumb across her cheek.