My mom's new husband's son turned out to be my ex-boyfriend.

*****

At the dinner table, I was so awkward I could only fiddle with my fingers and keep my head down, sticking to the two dishes in front of me.

"Why don't you say hello?"

I gave an awkward laugh. "Mr. Mitchell, hi, I'm Stephanie Harrison."

Frank Mitchell was a gentle and refined man.

He smiled warmly. "This is my son, Zachary Mitchell. He's a year younger than you and studies right next to you at Aurumisia University. Just call him Zachary."

I thought, "Zachary?

Oh no! Back when we started dating, I was so enchanted by Zachary that I used to call him Zakky."

I quickly changed the subject and raised my glass. "Mr. Mitchell, we're gathered here today to celebrate the first anniversary of your lovely relationship with my mom, who was the most beautiful and gentle woman. Soon, you'll be stepping into marriage. I wholeheartedly wish you both a harmonious, joyful, and healthy life together."

I downed my drink in one go, moved by my own words, and hugged my mother, Lauren Phillips, inhaling the sweet scent of her hair.

I thought to myself, "Oh, it's so hard to let go when mom remarries, but what can I do since I'm such a mama's girl."

Frank was touched, "Look at how eloquent Stephanie is. Daughters are indeed more affectionate."

I sneakily glanced at the tall figure across from me, feeling his intense gaze.

"I have no objections," he said slowly, clearly directed at me.

I avoided his eyes as embarrassment washed over me again.

I was the one who had broken up with him, finding him too dull and unenthusiastic after the initial attraction wore off.

Who would have thought that he would become my stepbrother six months later, living under the same roof?

My phone vibrated. It was a message from my current boyfriend, Thomas Sullivan, inviting me out for a LARP session.

I quickly agreed, seizing the chance to escape.

But then Lauren suggested, "Why don't you take Zachary with you? They just moved here. It'd be good for you young folks to get to know each other better."

I thought, "Oh, my goodness!"

Mom didn't know about my new relationship. She thought I was just hanging out with friends.

Caught off guard, I signaled Zachary with my eyes, hoping he would decline.

To my surprise, he stood up. "I've never tried LARP before. Stephanie, I'd appreciate it if you could show me."

I thought, "Oh, no!"

Zachary just casually called me by my name, sending a shiver down my spine.

*****

In the taxi, we both sat with our heads turned away, silent, overwhelmed by too many unspoken words.

He played with his phone for a while, then suddenly leaned over. "Add me back?"

A proper ex should be cleanly cut off, which was why we had mutually deleted each other after he agreed to break up.

I nodded, unlocked my phone, and a message popped up: [Baby, I'm here. Hurry up.]

I was speechless.

After one social embarrassment after another, I had become numb. I hastily dismissed the message and smoothly added him back.

Then I explained, "My boyfriend."

He replied indifferently, "Oh."

Feeling oddly guilty, I blurted out, "We just made it official last week."

He turned to look at me, his handsome features still striking. "And?"

I thought to myself, "He never changed at all."

I chuckled. "My mom doesn't know yet, so don't tell her, okay?"

*****

When we reached the escape room, I immediately went to find Thomas, who had brought several friends, some familiar, some not.

One of the girls whom I met for the first time caught my attention. "And who is this beauty?"

"Oh, she's a kid from my neighbor's. She just got into university, like a little sister to me. I brought her along as she's bored over the summer."

Thomas wrapped his arm around my waist, and I awkwardly pulled away.

Noticing Zachary behind me, Thomas was slightly unpleasant. "Babe, who's this?"

I kept it brief. "My brother."

Relieved, Thomas brightened up again, his sunny smile revealing a set of white teeth.

I felt a mix of emotions.

He brought his sister, and I brought my brother, and the expressions of our mutual friends were oddly peculiar.

I thought to myself, "So many people here."

It wasn't too complicated. It was just a bit spooky. We needed to run around in secret passages, dodging NPCs that acted as ghosts and ghouls.

After two rounds, I was pretty sure one of the culprits was Emily Smith, the little sister Thomas brought along.

Just as I was about to speak, a scream came from the end of the secret room. "Thomas, it's so dark here!"

I was about to suggest calling the staff to turn on the lights when I saw Thomas, anxious. "Honey, wait here for me. I'm going to check on her. Don't want her first outing to end in tears, or my mom will scold me."

I was a bit upset, but I could only say, "Go ahead. I'll find the last clue and then come find you."

Now, it was just Zachary and me, who were quietly flipping through a prop book.

I glanced over out of curiosity.

He suddenly said, "Your boyfriend sure is caring."

I thought to myself, "And there he goes, being sarcastic."

I turned back to continue searching for clues. "After all, he brought her here. He's just very responsible."

"So, leaving his girlfriend behind to prioritize someone else, that's your ideal romantic partner?"

Even though his voice was pleasant, it was somehow irritating.

At that moment, not wanting to be outdone, I said, "Well, we have friends here too. Privately, he's very romantic. Wall-pin, head-pat, forehead-kiss, he's got all the moves."

Although Thomas and I had just held hands since we confirmed our relationship, I didn't mind bragging a bit. After all, it would happen sooner or later.

After a fruitless search, I decided to go find Thomas. The system speaker announced there was just one minute left.

I had barely taken a few steps when the wall lamp flickered off.

It went pitch black. "A power outage?"

Then, a tall figure pressed me against the corner, his pleasant voice echoing in my ear.

"Like this?"

As I looked up, my hair was tousled roughly.

Then, I was enveloped in the delightful scent of pine, with a warm kiss landing on my lip. He even pressed down a few times.

In that instant, I was nervous.

I thought, "What is he doing!"

When the lights came back on, I couldn't bear to look at anyone, so I pushed Zachary away as I ran out.

*****

During the recap phase, I argued vehemently. Although we missed the last clue, I managed to reveal Emily's identity.

Everyone applauded. "True to your reputation as a debating champion!"

But the system voice still announced our mission had failed.

I frowned, and a bit annoyed. "Impossible. Could there be another culprit?"

Suddenly, it dawned on me, and I turned to look at the impassive Zachary, "Is it you...?"

The system voice timely revealed. "The mastermind is a vampire, holding all the clues. Thus, his score doubled, turning defeat into victory. The vampire clan wins."

Emily smiled sweetly beside him. "Zachary, thanks to you for carrying me through."

I touched my lip, got up angrily, and left.

Thomas came over to pull me back. "It's just a game, honey. You're taking it too seriously."

Always diplomatic, I felt more aggrieved the more I thought about it, shook off his hand, and said, "I have other things to do. You guys have fun," then ran off.

Thomas didn't follow, and neither did anyone else.

Feeling down, I received a call from Lauren, "Steffi, are you having fun?"

Instead of answering her, I wiped away a tear and asked, "Mom, are you and Mr. Mitchell really happy together?"

"Yes," she replied, "He really understands me. I haven't felt this peaceful in a long time."

I nodded. "Mom, your happiness is my greatest wish. Be sure to be happy."

For Lauren's happiness, I could bear losing just a first kiss.

My first love dates back to middle school. I had a great rapport with the boy who sat next to me. We had a vague crush on each other, but after graduation, we went to different schools and lost touch.

Given the academic pressure, I focused solely on my studies to make Lauren happy in high school.

At university, I was struck by how impressive Zachary was at video games when I ran into him at an arcade. I learned he was a year younger but in the same grade through a friend. I took the opportunity to visit his school, checking in on him and finding creative ways to cheer him up. After giving him many thoughtful little gifts, I confessed my feelings, and we started dating. I didn't care what others said behind my back.

My mother taught me to love openly and honestly.

But soon, I felt like he was an iceberg that wouldn't melt. I decisively ended the drain on my emotions the following semester.

Thomas, from the department next door, pursued me fervently. He liked physical contact, which I approached cautiously, preferring gradual progress.

I always imagined my first kiss would be during a festive holiday with a beloved who understood me, just like in fairy tales.

Yet, it was taken in a reckless manner by that jerk, Zachary.

I didn't know how to face Thomas or Zachary.

My phone beeped. It was Carol Bennett, my friend.

She was a mutual friend of Thomas and me, also present at yesterday's LARP.

"Honey, you need to keep an eye on Thomas. His sister seems a bit too fond of him."

I was somewhat reassured. "If Thomas had liked her, he would have long ago, not just now. I trust him."

Carol sent a picture of Emily clinging tightly to Thomas, almost hiding in his embrace.

"Look. Thomas is a great guy, but that's exactly why he's too relaxed with other women."

I felt uneasy, but remembering that kiss, I felt lost for words.

Another text popped up: [Sorry.]

It was from Zachary.

I typed furiously: [Please stop fooling me. I stopped liking you long ago, and we ended things cleanly.]

[I didn't agree.]

I thought, "What?" I was shocked.

[What joke is this? Why did we delete each other if we didn't agree to break up?]

[You said you were unhappy and needed some time to yourself.]

[Yes, that's what breaking up means!]

[I thought you'd come back after cooling off. I didn't expect you to just leave and get a boyfriend six months later.]

I was speechless.

Holding my phone, I finally replied: [Well, now let me make it clear. We are broken up, okay?]

[I don't agree.]

When I saw those words, it felt like my brain was spinning out of control.

I thought, "Is he crazy or something?"

*****

I went out with Thomas twice this summer, but he was called away both times, dampening my spirits.

I ignored Zachary completely until Lauren's wedding day. He said nothing more.

Dressed in a champagne pink gown and a beautiful makeup look, I was busy from dawn till dusk.

The wedding was a success, and the ballroom dance began. My mom and Frank shared a dance and a smile, and I was moved to tears.

My dad had passed early, and it was my mom's attentive care that allowed me to grow up happily. Seeing her find happiness and fulfill the emotional needs I couldn't was incredibly comforting.

"Wow, that young man is incredibly handsome!"

At my aunt Evelyn Phillips' exclamation, I turned and saw Zachary, late, in a crisp white suit.