Sleeping With My Step Daddy
Chapter 73: “Is that… Sebastian Vaughn?”

Chapter 73: “Is that... Sebastian Vaughn?”

Eden unlocked the apartment door, and they stepped inside. Reiji walked in slowly, still a little dizzy, while Eden gently closed the door behind him.

Eden: "Come on, let’s go to the room. The doctor said you need more rest."

Reiji let out a long sigh, clearly still annoyed.

Reiji: "I was seriously wondering if you brought me here just to have sex."

Eden chuckled and reached for his hand.

Eden: "It’s not like that, Reiji. I really care about your health."

Without waiting for a response, he led Reiji to the bedroom.

Reiji: "First, I need a shower. I smell like whiskey."

Eden (slipping an arm around his waist): "Sure."

—

The warm water filled the bathtub as steam curled into the air. They ended up sitting together in the tub, surrounded by the calm splash of water and the soft scent of soap.

Eden held Reiji’s back gently, his touch slow and intimate.

Reiji (sighing): "I said I wanted a shower. Alone. Not with you."

Eden: "Don’t you think it feels better to bathe together?"

Reiji didn’t respond. Eden leaned in and kissed his back softly. Reiji stared ahead, his expression unreadable.

Reiji: "When did you put the ring on my finger?"

Eden: "When you fell asleep at the hospital."

Reiji slowly lifted his hand, staring at the silver band on his finger.

Eden: "I wanted to propose properly, you know. But you got sick... and I couldn’t wait. So, I slipped it on while you were sleeping."

Reiji kept staring at the ring, his voice low and steady.

Reiji: "I don’t love you, Eden."

Eden stayed quiet for a second, his arms still around him.

Eden (softly): "I know."

Reiji turned sharply to look at his face, eyes narrowing.

Reiji: "Then why are you wasting your time on me?"

Eden smiled at him, completely calm.

Eden: "Because I know one day you’ll fall for me."

Reiji turned his back again, trying to hide the blush that crept up his cheeks.

Eden (wrapping his arms around him tighter): "Let’s get married, Reiji."

Reiji’s eyes widened. His body froze at those unexpected words, the warmth of the bath now overtaken by the pounding of his heart.

Reiji (in disbelief): "What...?"

Eden: "I’m serious, Reiji. Let’s get married next month. My mom’s coming to visit me in Japan, and I want to introduce you to her... and tell her we’re getting married."

Reiji froze for a second, then furiously turned to look at him.

Reiji (shouting): "What the hell?! How can you decide everything by yourself?!"

His voice echoed through the bathroom. In a frustrated burst of anger, Reiji stood up, water splashing around him, and stormed out of the tub.

Eden: "Reiji—!"

Reiji ignored him, yanking on his pants with quick, jerky movements. He grabbed his phone and called his guards.

Reiji: "Come pick me up. Now."

Before he could finish the call, Eden rushed forward, snatched the phone from his hand, and tossed it onto the bed.

Reiji (yelling): "What the hell are you doing?!"

Eden grabbed his hand tightly, not letting go.

Eden: "Reiji, can you just listen to me for a second?"

Reiji (frustrated): "Wha...?"

Eden took a deep breath, his voice shaking.

Eden: "I’m sorry if the decision felt sudden. I thought... I thought you liked me. I didn’t think you hated it this much."

Reiji looked at him, his expression softening a little as he heard the vulnerability in Eden’s voice.

Eden (quietly): "I just... I just didn’t want to lose you. Not like I lost Miles..."

Eden’s voice cracked as his eyes filled with tears.

Reiji’s eyes widened.

Reiji (thinking): Miles? Who’s Miles? Was he someone Eden loved...?

Reiji didn’t say anything, too stunned and unsure of what to feel. Before he could respond, Eden stepped closer and pulled him into a tight hug.

Eden (softly, trembling): "Please... don’t go...

Reiji’s eyes softened as he looked into Eden’s tearful gaze. The anger slowly melted into something quieter—something gentler. He sighed and finally pulled Eden into a proper hug.

Reiji (softly): "You should’ve asked me once... before deciding everything."

Eden didn’t respond. He just held onto Reiji tightly. The room went quiet, filled only with the soft rhythm of their breathing. Neither of them wanted to let go.

The morning sun peeked through the curtains, bathing the room in a warm glow. Reiji was still sleeping, his head resting on Eden’s chest. His brows were relaxed, his face finally at peace.

Eden slowly opened his eyes. Careful not to wake Reiji, he gently moved out from under him and grabbed his phone from the nightstand. A few missed calls from Kai lit up the screen. He quietly stepped out onto the balcony and called him back.

The line connected.

Eden: "Hello, Kai."

Kai (suspiciously): "Hey... what’s with your voice?"

Eden (rubbing his neck): "Just woke up."

Kai: "Where’s Reiji? Is he okay?"

Eden: "Yeah, he’s fine. Still sleeping. No need to worry."

Kai: "Okay... then I’ll see you both at dinner tonight."

Eden (hesitating): "Okay. But... Kai."

Kai: "Yeah? What?"

Eden: "Are you really ready for this? I mean... Uncle Takeshi..."

There was a pause on the other end before Kai answered, his voice calm but firm.

Kai: "I know. I know it won’t be easy. But one day... Dad’s gonna find out the truth—that I love Bast. So why should I keep stressing about it?"

Eden smiled faintly as he looked out at the city skyline, the morning wind brushing against his hair.

Eden (softly): "You’ve grown stronger, Kai."

After the call ended, Eden turned back toward the bed—and found Reiji awake, watching him quietly.

Eden (smiling): "Good morning."

Reiji (softly): "Morning."

Eden walked over and sat beside him, gently brushing Reiji’s bangs away from his eyes.

Eden: "I’ll make something healthy for breakfast. Doctor’s orders."

Reiji gave a small nod. Just as Eden was about to stand up, Reiji reached out and grabbed his hand. Eden paused and looked back, eyes meeting Reiji’s.

Reiji (quietly): "Eden... I’m sorry about last night."

Eden (shaking his head): "It’s okay. I know it was my fault. I shouldn’t have brought up marriage so suddenly."

Reiji looked down, chewing on his lower lip. His ears were turning red. Then, in a voice barely above a whisper—

Reiji: "I’m... ready for marriage."

Eden froze. His eyes widened in disbelief.

Eden: "Wait... are you serious?"

Reiji nodded slowly, still not looking up.

Reiji: "Let’s get married."

The next second, Eden threw his arms around him, laughing with pure joy.

Eden: "Okay then! Tonight at dinner, let’s talk to your family. I’ll do it properly."

Reiji nodded again, trying to hide the blush creeping up his neck. Eden pulled back just enough to beam at him.

Eden: "I’m really looking forward to seeing you in a wedding dress."

Reiji (flustered): "I’m a boy, not a girl!" He pushed Eden’s shoulder, cheeks glowing red.

Eden (grinning): "Okay, okay. But you’ll always be my wifey."

Reiji (groaning internally): What the hell... why did I agree to marry this crazy American guy...

But despite the chaos in his mind, he didn’t push Eden away again. Eden, still giddy with happiness, pulled him close and held him like he never wanted to let go.

Finally, night fell, and the special dinner began. The long table was elegantly set, and the soft glow of the chandelier illuminated every smiling face. The entire family had gathered, the atmosphere warm and full of anticipation.

Reiji sat beside Eden, who was clearly in a good mood—smiling politely, responding to everyone’s questions with ease. The family seemed genuinely happy to meet him, their curiosity slowly turning into approval.

Across the table, Yuna leaned slightly toward Yuri, her voice lowered in curiosity as she watched the couple.

Yuna (softly): "I didn’t think my son would end up liking boys."

Yuri (calmly): "It’s normal now. And love... love has no gender."

Yuna kept her gaze on Reiji and Eden, the corners of her lips lifting as she nodded slowly.

Yuna: "You’re right. Love has no gender. And... they do look good together."

Yuri: " Yeah.. they look cute..."

Yuri (smiling): "I’m actually more excited to see Kai’s boyfriend."

Yuna (laughing softly): "Me too. He’s been so secretive about him."

Kai sat a few seats down, trying his best to stay composed. His legs bounced slightly under the table, but his face remained calm—at least on the surface. Takeshi, seated at the head of the table, looked stoic as ever. No emotion showed on his face, but the tension around him was unmistakable.

Servent: "The guest has arrived."

The room quieted, all heads turning toward the grand entrance.

The doors opened.

A tall, dangerously handsome man stepped into the room, the air shifting immediately with his presence. He wore a tailored black suit, sharp eyes scanning the table with confidence—and something deeper. Every breath in the room seemed to catch.

Yuna gasped. Yuri’s eyes widened.

And Yuna’s jaw dropped slightly as she whispered—

Yuna: "Is that... Sebastian Vaughn?"