Sleeping With My Step Daddy-Chapter 45: "Drunk on Pain, Not Liquor"

Eden (grinning): "Kai, now that you’re engaged, what about throwing a party?"

Miles (excited): "Hey, great idea! It’s been a while since we went to a club."

Kai (smiling): "Okay then, but no overdrinking."

Miles (teasingly): "Okay, done!"

Kai glanced at Miles, his expression softening. He couldn’t help but think how adorable Miles looked when he smiled so heartfully. The image of last night still lingered in his mind.

Eden (standing up): "Alright, see you both at the club."

Miles: "Okay, done!"

Eden grabbed his bag and walked away.

Miles (turning to Kai): "Let’s go, Ethan and Bast must be waiting for us."

Kai shook his head.

Kai: "Oh... Bast didn’t come to pick me up today. He had some urgent work."

Miles: "Then I’ll drop you."

Kai nodded and stood up. The two walked toward the school gate—only to freeze when they saw Victor standing there. Miles’ smile immediately faded.

Kai (under his breath): "What the hell is that bastard doing here..."

Miles stood frozen. He quickly pulled out his phone and called Ethan. No answer. He tried again. Still nothing.

Victor casually walked up to them.

Victor: "Ethan’s busy today. He told me to pick you up, and we’re having dinner together."

Miles’ heart started racing.

Kai stepped forward without hesitation.

Kai (firmly): "We have plans today. Miles is going out with me."

Victor turned his gaze toward Kai and smirked.

Victor: "Oh... Japanese kid. You’ve grown up." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Kai’s expression tightened with fury. He grabbed Miles’ hand.

Kai (coldly): "Uncle, I think there’s no need for you to waste your time here. We already have plans. I’ll take Miles. Tell Ethan from me."

Without another word, Kai dragged Miles away.

Victor stood there watching them go, a twisted smile playing on his lips.

Victor (to himself): "What a wise kid..."

He walked to his car, got in, and his face darkened instantly.

Victor (to his secretary, seated in the front): "Have you arranged the meeting with the model for Ethan?"

Secretary: "Yes, sir."

Victor picked up his phone and dialed Ethan.

At the office...

Ethan sat at his desk, buried in a mountain of paperwork. His eyes were heavy with exhaustion, his mind running in a hundred directions. Amidst the chaos, his phone buzzed. He glanced down. Victor calling.

He sighed and answered the call.

Ethan: "Yes, Dad?"

Victor (voice calm, almost too calm): "I’ve been trying hard to get close to Miles, but I think he doesn’t like me, son."

Ethan: "No, Dad. Miles isn’t like that. He’s just scared you might not like him."

Victor let out a quiet chuckle, his smile sharp through the phone.

Victor: "No, Ethan. I like him. And now, I’m really trying. I’m even ready for your wedding."

Ethan (tiredly): "Don’t worry, Dad. I’ll talk to Miles."

Victor: "Good. And by the way, you’re having dinner with that model tonight—Tiara. She’s quite famous. I think it would be great if she works with our product ads. What do you think?"

Ethan, already overwhelmed, rubbed his forehead.

Ethan: "Okay, Dad."

Victor: "Good."

He ended the call.

Ethan glanced at his phone. Several missed calls from Miles flashed across the screen. Just as he was about to call back, his secretary stepped into the room.

Secretary: "Mr. Ethan, the files are ready. Please take a look. It’s urgent."

Ethan hesitated, then lowered his phone and reached for the documents. His mind lingered on the call with his father and the mixed feelings it stirred.

---

"Earlier that day, during lunch..."

Ethan sat across from Victor in a quiet, upscale restaurant. The clinking of cutlery and the low hum of conversation surrounded them.

Victor: "Ethan, what did you want to talk to me about?"

Ethan looked up, voice steady.

Ethan: "Dad, I’m getting married to Miles."

Victor paused, his expression unreadable.

Victor: "You made a huge decision in your life without me. After your mother’s death, I gave you everything you wanted. I even allowed you to keep Miles by your side. But now... it feels like I mean nothing to you."

Ethan (softly): "No, Dad. It’s not like that. I was just scared... scared that you wouldn’t accept our relationship."

Victor reached across the table and took Ethan’s hand.

Victor: "Ethan, you’re my only son. Why would you think that about me? I accept your marriage. But you must take full responsibility for both companies."

Ethan, without a moment of hesitation: "I’m ready."

Victor smiled.

Victor: "Good. Then today, I’ll pick Miles up from college and have dinner with him. I think he was hurt by my words that day."

Ethan smiled in relief.

Ethan: "Thanks, Dad."

Back in the present...

Ethan sat at his desk, trying to drown himself in work, forcing his mind to stay focused. But the weight of his father’s words and Miles’ missed calls still lingered like a shadow.

At Kai’s House...

Miles sat silently on the couch, his gaze distant. Across the room, Kai was on a call with Bast. When the call ended, he turned to look at Miles, who seemed completely lost in thought.

Kai walked over and sat beside him.

Kai (softly): "Miles, are you okay?"

Miles didn’t respond right away. His eyes didn’t blink, just stared ahead. Then suddenly, tears rolled down his cheeks.

Miles (barely above a whisper): "I’m not okay, Kai. I’m tired of all this."

Without another word, Kai pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly.

Kai (gently): "Don’t worry. I’m with you, Miles."

Miles buried his face in Kai’s shoulder, crying harder now. Kai wiped his tears with a soft touch, then pulled out his phone. After a moment of hesitation, he dialed Rico’s number.

Rico (picking up with a grin): "Is this a dream? Kai Haruto is actually calling me?"

Kai (serious): "Are you free tonight?"

Rico (teasing): "For you, I’m always free, kid."

Kai (firmly): "Meet me at the club."

Rico’s voice turned curious.

Rico: "Alright. Send me the location."

Kai: "Okay."

He ended the call without saying more.

Kai’s expression was unreadable as he looked down at his phone. Then he turned his attention back to Miles, gently holding him again in his arms—strong, steady, and full of silent promise.

Kai and Miles arrived at the club where Eden was already waiting near their usual table.

Eden (cheerfully): "Hyy...!"

Miles kept his head down. Eden noticed the change right away.

Eden (concerned): "Miles, what happened?"

Miles forced a smile and shook his head.

Miles: "Nothing. I’m okay."

Kai glanced at the time, anxiously checking his phone. He was waiting for Rico, but there was no sign of him yet.

Eden (encouraging): "Let’s go enjoy the night."

They sat down and placed their drink orders. The music thumped through the club, and laughter buzzed in the air.

Suddenly, Miles’ phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen—and froze. It was a photo of Ethan having dinner with a girl.

His heart skipped a beat.

Across the table, Kai and Eden were laughing and sipping their drinks, but Miles silently set his phone down and started drinking. Glass after glass.

Kai (noticing): "Hyy, Miles—what are you doing? Slow down."

Miles (waving it off): "It’s okay. It’s just a little bit."

Kai’s phone rang.

Kai: "Guys, I’m stepping out. It’s Bast."

He got up and walked toward the entrance, answering the call. Meanwhile, Miles poured himself another drink.

Eden reached out and grabbed his wrist.

Eden: "Miles, stop."

Miles’ phone buzzed again. He looked.

Another message from Victor.

> "Now you understand, my son only plays with you. Soon he’s marrying that girl. Isn’t she pretty...?"

Miles’ grip tightened around his phone, his knuckles white. His face flushed deeper—not just from the alcohol now, but from anger and heartbreak.

Eden moved closer, worried.

Eden: "Miles, are you okay? You look tense—"

Before Eden could finish, Miles leaned toward him, close to his neck.

Miles (murmuring): "You smell good..."

Eden froze, caught off guard.

Eden (startled): "Miles... you’re drunk."

Just then, Kai returned. His eyes immediately landed on Miles, who was now sprawled back on the couch.

Kai (sharply): "Miles! Why are you drinking this much?"

Eden sat in stunned silence, still processing what just happened.

Then, from the corner of Kai’s eye, a tall figure appeared. Dressed sharply and oozing confidence—Rico. He looked like he was ready for a date.

Kai (to himself): "Why the hell is he dressed like that...?"

Rico walked over, flashing a charismatic smile.

Rico: "Hello, Kai."

He sat beside him casually, his presence immediately pulling attention.

Kai (eyeing Rico’s outfit): "Why are you dressed like you’re on a date?"

Rico flashed a smug smile.

Rico: "Because you invited me like this—sounded like you were my boyfriend and desperately wanted to meet me."

Kai rolled his eyes.

Kai: "Shut up."

Rico (grinning): "Ohh, kid, I always look charming. This isn’t anything special."

Kai sighed, clearly regretting the decision.

Kai: "Yeah... I know."

Rico noticed Eden and extended a hand politely.

Rico: "Well, who’s he?"

Eden smiled and introduced himself.

Eden: "Hello, I’m Eden."

Rico (smiling smoothly): "Hey, I’m Rico. Kai’s best best friend."

Kai gave him a look of pure frustration and muttered under his breath,

Kai (to himself): "Why did I even invite him...?"

Rico’s gaze shifted to Miles, who was still lying back on the couch, visibly drunk.

Rico (frowning): "What’s wrong with Miles? Why’s he drinking so much?"

Kai’s playful mood dropped. His voice lowered, serious.

Kai: "I have something important to talk to you about... it’s about Miles."

Rico’s smile faded instantly, his expression turning sharp and focused.