he horrifying realization that her stepfather was the man from her one-night stand. It f

ore he quickly replaced it with a polite, somewhat strained, smile. "Ginny, it's so ni

"Y...You're Raymond," She stammered, her voice barely above a

tly. "Yes, I am. And you must be Ginny. Y

her with a delighted expression. "I'll leave you two to get acquainted.

re. "Of course, darling, it will be my pleasure," He

as a struggle, the tension between them palpable. The house seemed to grow qui

nd led her down a hallway to a door on the lef

om," he said, his voi

ly made bed and the soft, welcoming decor. She nodded

but hesitated, his eyes darting to her fac

y said, her

curt nod and

racing. The last thing she wanted was to be alone with her thoughts, but sh

in the kitchen. He forced himself to focus on small talk, but his mind kept drifting

oticing Raymond's distracted demean

" Raymond replied, forcing a

t's a lot to take in. Ginny's been through

with Ginny had left him feeling unsettled. There was something about her tha

ur off her hands. She grabbed a bowl and dished out all the

r voice echoed through the house, ca

She forced a smile and descended the stairs

seated at the table, his eyes b

is voice warm but edged with some

" She replied, trying t

ustled around, serving dishes with a flourish. The aw

age in the conversation, but she couldn't ignor

roject," Lucy said, clearly trying to bridge

lingered on her. Each time their eyes met, her breath hitched, and

on anything other than the way Raymond's eyes seemed to see straight through h

od up, adjusting t

Lucy asked, drinking s

inny replied, pressing her lips together; all

you think I'd let you lift a finger?" Lucy wriggled her br

hing her chance to escape t

to know your new father even more," She flashed them both a

The room was suddenly filled with silence. Both had s

his voice breaking the sil

replied, her tone gua

fortably in his seat. "I'm sur

ftening slightly. "It has been. I didn'

ment, the world outside seemed to fad

her breath catching in her throat. She wanted to look away but found herself

, standing up abruptly. "It's be

es following her movements. "

toward the stairs. Her hand was on the b

oice low and urgent. "C