The Stepdad affair

TARA

As soon as Kohen and I walked through the door, my mother was there.

"Kristina. You're home early." Kohen says, surprised.

"Yeah. I figured I'd come spend some time with you guys." She smiles.

I roll my eyes and make my way up the stairs as fast as I can. I hate her.

"Tara, wait."

I entered my room and closed the door behind me. Every time I see her face, it kills me a little more. I pace around d my room, trying to calm myself down.

Breathe Tara....

The door creaked open, breaking the stillness of my room. I turned my head and felt a surge of anger as I saw my mom standing there, her presence a painful reminder of the past. She hadn't asked if she could come in, just like she hadn't asked if she could leave all those years ago.

"What do you want?" I snapped, my voice

laced with bitterness.

"I... I wanted to talk, Tara," she stammered, her voice trembling. Her eyes were filled with regret, but it didn't erase the years of absence. "I want to make things right. I'm so sorry for everything."

I scoffed, my heart pounding with a mix of anger and hurt. "Sorry? Do you think a few words can erase all the pain?Do you think it's that easy?"

"No, I don't. I know I can't undo what I've done," she admitted, her voice shaking with emotion. "But I want to try. I want to be there for you now."

Tears welled up in my eyes, and my chest tightened. It felt like my whole world was collapsing in on itself.

"I don't need you now! I needed you then! I was a kid! You left your own kid!" I yelled.

"Tara, it wasn't easy.."

"NO. You know what wasn't easy? I asked myself every night why she left me. What was so wrong with me that she felt the need to run away." I was in tears and rumbling. "Dad got sick and I had to work two jobs plus school to take care of him!"

"I know. I was selfish." She says with tears streaming down her cheeks.

"No! You were heartless."

"Please. Let's give it a chance, Tara." She pleads. "I'm your mom..".

"No, you're not. You're the woman who abandoned her kid without a second thought."

The memories of abandonment surfaced, suffocating me. I couldn't breathe, but I couldn't think straight. Panic gripped me, squeezing tighter and tighter.

"Please, Tara."

"Get out! Get out of my room, get out!" I screamed, my voice strangled with pain and anger.

Just as I felt like I was about to crumble, another figure appeared in the doorway. It was Kohen. He stepped forward, his eyes filled with concern.

"What's going on?" He asked.

I was struggling to breathe. I clutched my chest and sank to my knees in panic.

"Tara." My mother tried to hold me, but Ipushed her away.

"Don't touch me! Don't.. you.. ever.. touch me." I managed to say.

Kohen whispered something to my mother, and she looked down at me with pity before leaving. Kohen gets down to my level with a worried expression.

"Breathe. You're safe," he said softly, his voice like a lifeline in the chaos. He moved closer, his hands extended in a comforting gesture. "Let me help you."

I clung to him, my body trembling, tears streaming down my face. His touch was grounding.

"It's okay, little one. Just breathe," Kohen whispered, his voice soothing.

Between sobs, I managed to choke out, "I.. she.. how could she leave me.."

Kohen held me tighter, his embrace a shield against the pain. "I've got you now. You're okay. You're okay."

He stays with me on the floor, holding me. I'm a mess. His shirt is soaked with my tears, which makes me cry even more.

I hate crying.

"I'm going to lift you now, okay?" He says.

"O..ookay." I sob.

Kohen gently lifted me up from the floor, cradling me in his arms. I clung to him, my body trembling with each sob that wracked through me. He carried me over to my bed and carefully laid me down, making sure I was comfortable.

"I'll be right back," he whispered, his voice filled with empathy and concern. "I'm going to get you some water and your medication, alright?"

I nodded weakly, my tears still flowing uncontrollably. He left the room briefly, returning with a glass of water and a small pill bottle.

Kohen sat down on the edge of the bed.

"Here," he said softly, holding the glass of water out to me. "Take a sip first."

I obeyed, taking small sips of water to soothe my parched throat. The cool liquid helped to calm my trembling body a little. Kohen then opened the pill bottle and carefully removed one of my Xanax tablets. He leaned closer, his eyes full of tenderness, as he held it out to me."Take this, Tara," he murmured gently. "It will help you."

With trembling hands, I reached out and took the pill from him. I swallowed it down, knowing that it would take some time before it kicked in. Kohen continued to hold me. It felt good.

It's good to be in his arms, at least.

"It's going to be alright," he whispered, his voice filled with reassurance. "You're safe here. I'm here for you."

The weight of his words sank into my heart, gradually soothing the storm that raged within me. With each passing moment, my sobs began to subside, replaced by a deep exhaustion. I clung to him, finding solace in his embrace.

As my breathing steadied, Kohen gently brushed his fingers through my hair, his touch gentle and soothing. He stayed with me, offering his presence as a silent support. I knew that I could lean on him, that he would be there for me.

"You don't have to do this." I whisper.

"I know." He says.

"You -"

"I want to." He says and plants a kiss on the top of my head.

In the quiet of my room, I finally surrendered to exhaustion, my tear-stained cheeks pressed against Kohen's chest.

"Kohen." I mumble with my eyes half closed.

"Yes, Tara?"

"I'm sleepy." I say softly.

He gives me a small chuckle. "Sleep, little one."

"Kohen." I whisper, struggling to stay conscious.

"Yes?"

I take a while before I'm able to answer.

"Thank you."

I feel him kiss my forehead. "You don't have to thank me."

~♡~