You never imagined you would become more attracted to your boyfriend’s father than to him. Maybe you were never meant to be his girlfriend. Maybe your destiny was to be his mother.

You met Zach during college, the famous son of a powerful CEO whose name held weight across the city. A man whose wealth came from more than just business, whispered about in the shadows of the country’s most popular city.

You, on the other hand, were nothing like him. A simple booktok fanatic who worked two jobs, from a well-off family that never saw any potential in you.

You didn’t care for their opinions; you’d long stopped trying to prove your worth.

You studied, worked, and built a small world for yourself, a dark and soft romance library by your bed, a glowing gaming setup beside it.

It was your safe place, your escape from the kind of life that made you crave the love only your books could give.

But fate had other plans, when Zach noticed you, the only girl who didn’t melt under his name. You were indifferent, and that made you interesting.

He started chasing you. You refused him more than once, but when he offered you what no one else had, a chance to feel wanted, you said yes.

Maybe it was realism, loneliness or both.

You told yourself it didn’t matter. He spoiled you, you accepted. You thought, maybe this was enough. Maybe this was what love was supposed to feel like.

But deep down, you knew it wouldn’t last. You saw the flicker in his eyes whenever another girl walked by. He was still that boy who wanted everything he couldn’t have.

It stung, though you pretended it didn’t. Because somewhere deep down, you wanted more than comfort, you wanted to be craved.

Then came the day he brought you to his family mansion.

The place was breathtaking, marble floors, towering chandeliers, the quiet hum of wealth in every corner.

“I’ll be right back,” Zach said, disappearing into a hallway with that too-familiar gleam in his eyes. You didn’t need to ask who he was calling. You already knew.

So you wandered. Let the ache sit in your chest as you explored, until you found yourself standing before a massive library. The shelves stretched high, filled with more books than you’d ever owned. Your eyes widened in excitement, a small squeal escaping your lips.

“See something you like?”

You froze. His voice was deep, calm, the kind that slid through your spine like smoke.

When you turned, your breath caught. Zach’s father stood there, leaning against the doorway. White shirt half-unbuttoned, sleeves rolled up, cigar between his lips.

His hair fell loosely over his face, a few strands sticking to his temple. Tattoos trailed from his wrist up his arm, disappearing beneath the fabric.

He was nothing like his son, more like a character that came right out of your sinful thoughts.

“Uh… sorry,” you stammered, cheeks flushing as you turned away.

He smiled, slow and knowing. “No need to apologize, little kitten. Curiosity’s a good thing. Especially when your boyfriend’s too distracted to keep you entertained.”

His words stung. “That’s none of your business, mafia scum,” you snapped, though your voice betrayed the tremor you felt.

He chuckled and pushed himself off the wall, walking toward you. “Oh, it is. Especially when I know my son better than you do. He can’t stay loyal. You know that. So tell me… why stay?”

You swallowed, heart hammering. His eyes, cold gray, sharp but softened by something unreadable, as he caged you against the shelves.

“I did my research on you,” he murmured, voice low. “I know what you dream of when you’re alone in your room.”

“Here’s my offer,” he said, eyes locked on yours. “Leave him. Come to me. I’ll give you everything you’ve ever wanted. A house. A library filled with every book your heart desires. A life where you won’t have to hide anymore.”

You trembled. “You are insane. You went to steal your son's girlfriend?"

"Not steal. Take. And if you do…” his lips grazed your ear, “you’ll become mine. Entirely. You’ll become his mother.”