In Allard Romanov's life, company and material security are everything. However, one night with a mysterious woman two years ago continues to haunt his mind. His quiet life is shaken when his father, John Romanov, introduces his fiancée, Nora Angelica, who turns out to be a woman from Allard's past. Trapped between curiosity and pent-up feelings, Allard must decide whether to follow his heart or stick to a cold, settled life. Can Allard face this conflict and find the answer?
Chapter 1 Meet You, Again!
"Shit! Why can't that woman's face ever leave my mind?!"
Allard Romanov-a dashing and handsome 28-year-old man-kept grumbling to himself, annoyed that he couldn't let go of the memory of the hot night he spent with a beautiful woman his age.
His daydream shattered when his phone rang. He grabbed it and raised his eyebrows as he saw the name on the screen.
"Well, this is unusual. Daddy's calling me." He answered the call.
"Hello, son. Where are you?" asked John Romanov-his father.
"I'm still at the office, Dad. Why are you calling me? This is rare."
John chuckled softly on the other end. "Allard, I know you've never asked me to remarry. But this time, let me make that choice."
Allard frowned. "What do you mean, Daddy?" he asked coldly.
"I'm going to get married again, and tomorrow I'll introduce you to the woman. Greet her politely. Don't be rude!"
Allard rubbed his forehead. "Oh, Daddy. You should be finding me a wife, not planning to remarry yourself first." He was furious with his father, who decided to remarry after fifteen years of being separated from his wife, Melany.
"Find one yourself. Why should I do it for you? After all, you'll be the one enjoying the woman, not me. It's late, Allard. You should head home. And don't forget to put on your happy face tomorrow when you meet my fiancée."
John ended the call after informing him about his upcoming wedding.
"Shiiit!! He's fucking getting married! Daddy's absolutely shameless. Even at his age, he still wants to get married. Wasn't playing around with women all this time enough for him?"
Allard cursed his father under his breath. He was genuinely annoyed at John for planning to marry another woman at his age.
In his mind, the woman had to be old, just like his 55-year-old father. She was probably only slightly younger than John himself.
Allard shook off the thought and returned to imagining the beautiful face of the woman he had spent the night with before.
Though it had only been one night, it had left a lasting impression on him. Allard covered his face and puffed out his cheeks slightly.
"Where else should I look for her? Why is it so hard to find you?" he muttered, still obsessing over the woman who had shared that unforgettable night with him.
**
The next day, as John had promised during their phone call, he was going to introduce a woman to Allard-the woman the old man intended to marry.
"Allard, where are you, son?" John called out loudly.
Allard emerged from his upstairs room in his work attire. "I'm here, Dad," he replied softly.
John smiled warmly at his son. "Come here, son. I want to introduce you to someone."
With sluggish steps, Allard descended the stairs, approaching his father, who was sitting with the woman he claimed would become Allard's stepmother.
Allard sat down across from the two but still refused to look at the woman beside his father.
However, the woman was already staring at him. Nora Angelica-a 31-year-old woman-froze when she saw the man sitting in front of her.
"My dear, this is Allard, my one and only son. He's smart, intelligent, and very capable. But unfortunately, when it comes to relationships, he's hopeless. To this day, I have no idea if he even has someone special in his life."
Nora swallowed hard, doing her best to keep calm. Allard's eyes still refused to meet hers.
'Has he forgotten about me?' Nora thought to herself.
"Allard, greet your future mother, son."
Reluctantly, Allard turned his head, but then he froze the moment his eyes met the woman's face.
The woman who had always been the reason he never pursued a relationship with anyone.
"Hey! Stop staring at her like that. It's okay to be surprised, but don't let your eyes pop out from looking at her that way," John said, snapping Allard out of his piercing gaze that seemed to cut into Nora's soul.
"Her name is Nora Angelica. She's still young, but she's very skilled at making me fall in love."
John smiled proudly, thrilled to have found a woman who excelled in matters of intimacy.
Allard swallowed hard and nodded slightly. "Yes, she's very skilled in that area."
John frowned at Allard's remark. "What do you mean?"
Allard quickly realized his slip-up. "Uh, I mean, women at that age are usually at the peak of their charm. Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Allard." He forced a wry smile as he looked at Nora.
He never imagined that the woman he had been waiting for all these years would end up in his father's arms.
"You're going to be my mother," he said softly.
Nora gave a faint smile. "Yes. Nice to meet you, Allard. I'm Nora. It's a pleasure to meet you. I hope you'll feel the same about meeting me."
Allard smiled again-a fake smile, filled with the crushing disappointment in his heart.
How could the woman he had waited for so long become his stepmother? Should he give up? Should he abandon all the hopes that had now vanished because she was destined to become his stepmother, not his lover?
"Sorry, I need to take a call from a friend." John stepped away from them.
Allard stared intently at Nora's face, and she returned his gaze.
"Have you forgotten me?" Nora asked softly.
Allard smirked. "Never. Even now, I still remember how you touched me, driving my body wild and making me want you over and over again."
Nora gave a faint smile. "But I'm sorry. I have to marry your father, not you."
Allard let out a bitter laugh. "Where have you been all this time, huh? I looked for you, you know?"
"I'm sorry. After that night with you, my mother sold me to a wealthy man who made me his slave. When that old man died, your father bought me.
"I'm going to be your mother because your father desperately wants me to be his wife. You need to forget the past because I'm going to be your father's wife, Allard."
The man sighed deeply, his smile tinged with pain as he listened to Nora's words. Was his waiting over? Should he let Nora go and accept her as his father's wife?
Just as Allard was about to respond, John returned and sat down beside Nora.
"Our wedding will take place in two weeks, and we'll be living here with you, Allard."
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