My Stepson Found the Remote... and Knew Exactly What It Was Controlling

the minute he clicked the button I felt an obvious shock and by the way Lucas's eyes expanded I knew he understood precisely what it controlled it was intended to be my secret enjoyment a chance to break free from the oppressive repetition of my days in this place Philip was always traveling on business leaving me alone with my thoughts and the deafening Stillness of a too large home but now standing in the living room with Lucas looking at me in shocked awareness my secret was revealed what the hell he mumbled staring down at the little remote

in his palm before returning his eyes to me I tried to recover to pretend that wasn't what he expected but my body betrayed me the burning in my cheeks the inability to meet his gaze it all told him the reality I so wanted to ignore his voice fell low and incredulous this is yours right Lucas don't I said quietly stepping back but he wouldn't let this go he moved closer holding the remote up as evidence in court so what happens when I press it again Lucas click I gasped my breath catching as the item in

question did precisely what it was supposed to accomplish my knees felt weak so I grasped the Couch's Edge for balance his countenance transformed from a taunting smile to something deeper and more serious and that was when everything changed Philip had always been a man with ambition something I previously respected however he was now resentful our marriage began with Promises of collaboration and a life shared equally but somewhere along the road I became an ornament a piece of Decor in his well-managed life he worked ceaselessly his mind always on the next business merger or flight to

someplace far away at first I attempted to fill the emptiness I immersed myself in refurbishing our enormous house throwing dinner parties and volunteering for local charity but the freshness had worn off and loneliness set in a silent anguish that intensified with each passing year the appearance of Lucas had not helped Lucas was Philip's first marital son and I had little contact with him until he moved in with us at age 23 he was everything Philip wasn't impulsive passionate and unflinchingly honest he had the ability to fill a room with his magnetic presence making it difficult

to ignore him he had returned from college a few months before after a disagreement with his mother mother regarding his future Phillip ever the fixer gave him a place to stay while he thought things through I suspected it was about control rather than kindness Philip never liked to leave things unresolved and he couldn't ignore Lucas's Independence I didn't expect to feel anything for Lucas other than the courteous disinterest of a stepmother but from the minute he came there was an unsaid unrecognized tension between us that persisted the day everything changed began as any other Philip

had departed early for a week-long business trip leaving the home strangely quiet I spent the morning tidying up attempting to alleviate the uneasiness that had been seeping in for weeks I was in the living room changing the throw cushions on the couch when Lucas walked in he was barefoot his hair still moist from the shower and holding a coffee mug with the words world's okayest son written on the side morning he mumbled slumping onto the couch morning I said with a forced smile he grabbed the TV remote and flipped mindlessly through the channels you don't

mind right of course not I said despite the fact that his casual presence had already worried me as he leaned back his palm touched something between the couch cushions frowning he reached down and took it out what is this he asked handing out a little black remote my stomach sank I recognized it right away the Sleek inconspicuous controller I thought I had stashed away carefully nothing I answered hastily my tone rougher than I intended he lifted an eyebrow a smile pulling at the corner of his mouth nothing eh so why do you look like you've

seen a ghost I stepped up and said Lucas give it to me he drew it back his smile broadening relax I am just wondering what is it for some type of audio system I grabbed for the remote but he avoided me and kept it Out Of Reach Lucas I'm serious return it and then he pressed the button the expression on his face changed changed instantaneously as the knowledge hit his sneer disappeared replaced by something altogether else curiosity amusement and a hint of something evil this is yours he inquired his tone mild yet deliberate I didn't

respond my cheeks burning with embarrassment oh it is he said resting back against the couch interesting please Lucas just give it to me and forget about about this he cocked his head looking at me as if he were seeing me for the first time I do not believe I can forget this I swallowed forcefully my hands twitching as I grabbed for the remote again but he didn't move his gaze fixed on me what more are you concealing Evelyn is this Evelyn longer I begged Lucas stop but even my words sounded feeble he leaned forward and

held the remote just Out Of Reach why are you frightened I'll discover who you truly are something inside me cracked the weight of years of trying to be someone I wasn't Came Crashing Down at once you don't know anything about me I said my voice quivering with rage then tell me he replied his voice quiet but urgent we both remained still for an extended period of time the tension between us was excruciating and the air was charged with what we didn't say and then without thinking I ripped the remote from his grasp and walked out

of the room I spent the remainder of the day avoiding him the meeting's weight was pressing down on me like a physical Force however no matter how hard I tried the memory of his voice his eyes and the way he stared at me as if he could see through every mask I had ever worn persisted that night while I lay awake in bed I heard a faint knock on the door Evelyn his speech was soft and tentative I did not respond my heart beating as I heard him unlock the door and step inside we need

to talk he added his voice lower now go back to bed Lucas I replied my voice quivering he did not move not until you reveal the truth I turned to face him my breath caught as I noticed the passion in his gaze what truth I whispered his stare did not waver the truth about you about us his words hung in the darkness Like An Open Door tempting me to walk through the reality about us the room seemed stifling and my thoughts collided as I tried to locate a firm foundation there is no us Lucas I

murmured my voice quivering he moved closer his figure highlighted by The Faint gleam of moonlight seeping through the curtains you do not believe that not after today I sat up and pulled the blanket tightly about me as if it might protect me from the weight of his stare what happened today was a mistake or misunderstanding you keep telling yourself that he continued his tone calm but firm but we know it's more than that that I tried to deny it and push him away but the truth was already coming out the days that followed were a

jumble of anxiety and averted looks Lucas appeared pleased to wait allowing me to fight with my own ideas while he continued on as if nothing had happened but it did every time we passed each other in the home the air felt thicker full of unsaid words and stolen glances it was a peaceful afternoon when the dam eventually broke Philip was still gone leaving the home peaceful except for the gentle hum of the dishwasher in the kitchen I was folding clothes in the living room when Lucas entered his countenance inscrutable we need to talk he continued

his voice steady but Stern I did not glance up there is nothing to talk about stop lying to yourself Evelyn he murmured moving Clos you aren't terrified of this because it is incorrect you are terrified because it seems right I slipped the Garment into my Palms I muttered don't don't what he inquired his voice gentler now don't reveal the truth or remind yourself of something you already know I turned to face him and my chest tightened as I caught his what you do not comprehend what you are saying he looked into my eyes and replied

I understand more than you think I've been watching you Evelyn I've noticed how lonely you are and how hard you try to disguise it tears wed up at the corners of my eyes and I glanced away unable to hold his stare any longer this is not about me it is he replied drawing closer it's about me too I not a kid Evelyn I know how I feel and I believe you do too his words hovered between us challenging me to reject them but I could not the first time it happened it was nearly an accident

we were in the library a space Philip seldom visited but that I had designated as my refuge I was standing by the window gazing out at the Garden when Lucas strolled in I didn't intend to terrify you he replied quietly you didn't I said my hands trembling as I put down the book I hadn't been reading he closed the door behind him his footfall gentle on the carpet as he moved across the room I have been thinking about you Lucas he cut me off saying I can't stop no matter how hard I try I can't

keep you out of my thoughts I turned to face him my heart pounded as he came to a halt only inches away this needs to end he shook his head his gaze locked on me you do not want it to stop neither do I his remarks acted as a spark breaking down the last of my resistance before I could think or stop myself I reached for him brushing my fingers across his as he closed the gap between us the days that followed were exciting and terrible we were Vigilant looking for evidence of inquisitive eyes or

suspicious stares the Mansion became a Minefield of secrets with each room presenting its own set of dangers and rewards in the kitchen we brushed hands as we walked by the sink in the corridor a little touch on my arm sent shivers down my spine in the library under the cover of Darkness we murmured confessions that seemed more hazardous than any physical act however the pleasure of concealment came with a price every snatched moment served as a reminder of the Border we had crossed the regulations we had broken and the lives we were putting in danger

the first significant threat to our secret came from Victor Lucas's childhood pal he had dropped in unannounced one evening his smooth charm concealing a biting wit that made me uncomfortable Victor said his attention drawn to the family portraits on the mantle Lucas always felt his father married well I managed a pleasant grin as Lucas tensed next to me we like it I stated simply Victor grinned his gaze shifting between the two of us you seem close he said his tone tinged with something I couldn't quite identify Victor Lucas spoke with a threatening tone let us

not make things difficult Victor raised his hands in Fain surrender but the sight in his eyes told me he was still digging later that night Lucas approached me in the kitchen his countenance Stern he knows something he explained his voice low Victor I inquired my stomach churning heun not stupid Lucas responded and he has always been jealous of me if he figures it out I don't need him to finish the phrase the stakes were already high enough without having another player in the game what do we do I inquired my voice wavering Lucas grabbed from

my hand his touch solid and comforting we stick to the plan and no one finds out I nodded but the knot in my gut just became tighter the tenuous equilibrium we had maintained began to shift and it wasn't long before cracks appeared in our carefully crafted veneer the first issue was from Philip's business colleague Emma was a clever and ambitious lady who had a habit of intruding where she wasn't wanted Emma had always been a part of Philip's work life attending his dinners supervising his projects and becoming involved in his personal problems whenever possible she

was Charming in a way that fooled most people but I never trusted her it started innocently enough Emma popped over one day when Philip was gone equipped with a bottle of wine and a false sense of companionship I thought you'd appreciate some company she continued offering me the bottle with an overly bright smile I mustered a grin and ushered her into the kitchen Emma it is really sweet of you I was not expecting anyone she Shrugged her gaze roaming the room with the accuracy of someone documenting every aspect Philip stated that you've been spending more

time at home recently I thought I would check in her statements were nonchalant but they had an edge to them that made me uncomfortable I said just keeping things in order while he's away with a casual tone Emma's attention shifted to the open door leading to Lucas in the corridor and Lucas how is he adjusting I froze for for a half second it was hardly apparent yet it caused my heart to beat heun okay why are you asking Emma cocked her head A sly smile forming on her lips oh there's no reason he's grown up

a lot since I last saw him don't you think her words lingered in the air full of meaning later that evening I found Lucas in the study his face strained as he looked out the window Emma was here I announced gently closing the door behind me he turned to face me his jaw clenched what did she want to make herself feel better I said the hatred in my voice clear Lucas moved forward his brow furrowing she suspects something doesn't she I don't know I acknowledged settling into one of the seats but she is watching us

I can feel it Lucas kneed in front of me hands resting on the chair's arms we'll manage her he replied quietly and steadily Lucas no he interrupted his gaze fixed on mine I will not let her spoil this I refuse to let anyone destroy this Victor caused the second problem his visit was unexpected and unwanted he arrived late one night smirking like he owned the house with all of his typical confidence and might I thought I'd crash here for a while he declared he dropped his duffel bag in the entryway Lucas tensed next to me

his stance quickly protective you could have phoned he replied with a tight tone Victor grinned and clapped Lucas on the shoulder where's the pleasure in that he turned to face me his smile expanding Evelyn don't you mind of course not I replied lied my stomach churning at the thought of him staying beneath our house Victor's presence was an ongoing source of friction he had a knack of insinuating himself into every discussion and encounter his biting humor constantly teetering on the verge of becoming nasty Victor reclined back in his chair one evening as we were sitting

in the living room his eyes shifting between Lucas and me you two have gotten close he said his tone light but penetrating Lucas tensed and his jaw tightened Victor we reside in the same house what are you expecting Victor chuckled and swirled his tumbler of whiskey fair point but still you appear to spend an inordinate amount of time together I faked a giggle wanting to ease the tension Lucas has been assisting me with various household work which has been a welcome distraction Victor's smile did not change I will bet one afternoon Victor and Emma crossed

paths at the home marking a pivotal moment Emma had come by unexpectedly again her interest was certainly peaked Victor ever the opportunist wasted little time ingratiating himself to her Beck's discussion was full of carefully veiled Jabs and veiled looks in my direction Emma said her attention drawn to the family portraits on the mantle Victor smiled as he leaned against the arm of the couch oh you must see the Dynamics it's intriguing Emma's smile was harsh and her eyes narrowed slightly i' bet it is that evening as I walked around the kitchen Lucas rushed in his

Fury palpable Victor is going to wreck everything he snarled slamming a glass on the counter I understand I said my voice quivering he's already sniffing about and Emma has joined in it won't take long for one of them to put the components together what do we do I inquired the weight of the situation bearing down on me Lucas slumped against the counter head in his hands we need to get ahead of this before others do the atmosphere in the house was excruciating and each moment was a cautious dance around reality but no matter how hard

we tried the walls kept closing in the first break came when Emma confronted me in the corridor her tone calm but her words sharp you've been quiet lately Evelyn she replied her grin harsh is there anything you would want to share I faked a giggle and shook my head not at all I'm just busy with the house Emma cocked her head her gaze narrowing slightly funny that was what Philip said the last time we spoke so what precisely did he say Emma smiled wider just that everything seems different around here that night Lucas and I

gathered in the library the weight of the day bearing down on us we're running out of time he replied quietly I know I muttered tears Welling in my eyes I'm not sure how much longer we can keep this up Lucas moved closer his hand brushing against mine we'll work this out together but even as he said it I could feel the walls closing in the unavoidable truth threatening to destroy all we'd constructed Victor's acute perception and Emma's inquisitive gaze made the encounter unavoidable the strands of our secret unraveled quicker than I could keep them together

every gaze and accidental phrase seemed like a trap a moment that may reveal the Truth The Tipping moment occurred on a rainy evening rain pelted the windows and thunder echoed through the house Philip had arrived abruptly infusing the room with a hushed anxiety I assumed he was in the study with Emma discussing business Lucas and I attempted to keep the appearance of normaly but everything came apart when Philip summoned me to the study I entered gingerly my Palms moist from smoothing the fabric of my blouse Emma sat on the edge of the desk her face

perfectly blank but there was a sparkle in her eyes that made my stomach churn Philip stood near the window with his back to me one hand grasping a glass of scotch close the door he murmured without looking around I obeyed my heart is beating what's happening I inquired attempting to keep my voice calm Philip turned his expression inscrutable I believe you know Philip stop he said sharply he motioned to Emma who passed a packet across the desk to me I snatched it up my hands quivering and flipped it open inside there were hay but incriminating

photographs of Lucas and Me In the Garden at the library even in the kitchen stray looks are recorded as pieces of evidence in a prosecution my breath froze and and I turned up to see Philip looking at me his face a mix of betrayal and rage what's this I inquired my tone barely above a whisper you tell me Philip responded his tone chilly Lucas stormed into the study his presence like a Thunderclap what's happening he demanded his gaze shifting between philli and myself Philip responded with piercing sarcasm perfect timing he held out one of the

photographs can you explain this Lucas's Jaws stiffened but he refused to back away have you been spying on us spying Philip laughed without humor do you believe I need to spy to recognize when anything is a Miss in my own home Phillip this is not what you believe I started but he cut me off do not disrespect me Evelyn you two have been lying to me for months Emma cleared her throat her words calm and measured perhaps we should all step back emotions are running High stay out of this Emma Lucas snapped his temper boiling

Emma lifted her hands in feain submission but the smile on her face revealed she was enjoying the show the debate became out of hand with accusations flying back and forth Philip charged Lucas with treachery of abusing my loneliness Lucas retaliated calling Philip a negligent spouse who only worried about his image Lucas said you were never there for her you left her alone in this house like a ghost and you opted to be the one to soothe her Philip answered his voice full of scorn I stood paralyzed my heart shattering as the two most important men

in my life ripped each other apart Emma's final Revelation proved to be the pivotal moment you know Philip she said her tone almost casual if you want loyalty you might want to look into your own concerns Philip froze his stare fixed on her what on Earth are you discussing Emma grinned knowing that her victory was complete oh come on did you honestly believe I didn't know what about all the late nights what about excursions with clients you've been playing this game far longer than Evelyn the room became quiet the weight of her words hung over

us like a smothering Cloud you're lying Philip muttered his voice low and menacing Emma Shrugged believe anything you want but think twice before you fling Stones Philip rushed out of the room his anger evident Emma followed her smirk still intact Lucas and I were left alone in the the aftermath the quiet thick with unspoken words this is my fault I muttered tears flowing down my cheeks number Lucas stepped closer this is his theirs and not your responsibility I shook my head my remorse threatening to overwhelm me I have damaged everything Lucas clasped my face in

his palms and maintained a steady look you have not damaged anything we'll go through this together I wanted to trust him but the storm we'd Unleashed seemed uncontrollable the photographs were leaked the next day I'm not sure how they got out Emma's interference Philip's Fury or Victor's jealousy but by Dawn our lives were Front Page News the headlines were Savage portraying us as villains in a controversy that gripped the community Philip released a cold and calculated statement portraying himself as the victimized person in an interview Philip asserted his voice heavy with fake sadness that betrayal

by those closest to you is the ultimate wound Lucas and I were demonized our reputations dragged through the gutter by newspapers looking for controversy The house's walls reminded me of a jail the voices and eyes from the outside world are closing in that that evening as the sun began to set Lucas packed a backpack we can't remain here he insisted his tone firm where should we go I inquired my tone barely above a whisper Anywhere But Here he said as long as we are together I gazed around the home my life disintegrating in front of

me I had no idea what the future contained but I knew I couldn't handle life without him taking his hand I plunged into the unknown leaving nothing but the hope of what we may become the trip was quiet save for the regular Buzz of the tires on the road Lucas gazed Straight Ahead his jaw stiff while I grasped the edge of my seat my fingers throbbing from the pressure I was applying every mile between us and the home seemed like a breath of fresh air after drowning yet it wasn't enough to lift the burden of

what we'd Left Behind the Hotel Lucas discovered was modest and nondescript nestled along the side of a deserted roadway the neon sign buzzed weakly throwing an eerie glow across the parking lot we'll remain here for the night he added taking our lugage from the back seat I nodded too worn out to argue inside the room I slid into the bed my hands quivering the news had already started to circulate my phone buzzed constant stantly with missed calls and messages each one binding me to the disaster we'd left behind I switched it off and dropped it

on the nightstand as if it burnt my flesh Lucas kneeled in front of me his hands delicately resting on my knees hey he whispered quietly his voice drawing me back into the present we'll get through this I looked into his eyes looking for the confidence I lacked how everything is coming apart allow it he said forcefully let everything fall apart we'll start aresh just you and me my eyes welled up with tears as I shook my head you do not comprehend this will be with us forever people will not forget then we'll make them forget

he whispered tightening his grasp on me we'll learn to live with it but I'm not going to let them take you away from me his comments provided me with a sense of stability when I was on the verge of losing control I wanted to believe him that we could get out of this mess together however the world was not so easily escaped by Dawn the controversy had reached its climax photos of Lucas and myself were splattered throughout every News Channel with scathing headlines according to One Source a step family Scandal has rocked arist ratic circles

another stated from housewife to headline the affair that shattered a family Lucas sat next to me browsing through his phone his expression inscrutable they're portraying us as monsters he whispered they're not incorrect I said quietly the guilt hanging on me he turned abruptly to me his voice angry do not mention that you are not a monster Evelyn you are human and you owe no one an apology for it the hotel phone abruptly rang its loud tone breaking through the silence Lucas and I shared a glance before he scooped up hello his look grew darker as

he listened we are not interested he stated before slamming the phone down who was it I inquired my stomach churning reporters he said bitterly they found us by the time we left the hotel the media had already gathered a dark vehicle was parked near the entrance its occupants pretending to look at a map while their cameras peered through the shattered Windows Lucas saw them first and tightened his grasp on my hand he murmured don't look at them and led me to the car I nodded and kept my head down as we slipped inside the engine

screamed to life and Lucas sped out of the parking lot the car following at at a distance where should we go now I inquired my voice wavering somewhere they won't find us he said his Gaze fixated on the rear view mirror we landed ourselves at a little beach Village many hours away a spot where the sea wind held the promise of anonymity the motel we visited was older but tidy with a damaged sign offering Seaside views that were barely visible in the fog I stood by the window of our room watching the waves smash against

the coast while Lucas paced behind me the tension between us was apparent with the weight of all we lost pushing down on us do you regret this he asked abruptly his voice breaking through the silence as I turned to face him my chest tightened what come with me he pleaded his voice tinged with sadness leaving everything behind I hesitated because the reality was too difficult to put into words I do not know I eventually admitted it I'm not sure how I feel anymore his look softened and he approached grasping my hands in his I understand

it's not simple but I meant it when I vowed I'll never let them take you from me we will find a way to go ahead together I wanted to believe him that the Tempest we had been through through was behind us but when I peered into his eyes I couldn't get rid of the uncertainty that lingered in the back of my mind the days went into weeks and we fell into a fragile pattern Lucas secured multiple jobs to maintain our financial stability while I maintained a low profile avoiding contact with the outside world whenever feasible

however The Echoes of our history were never far away every tap on the door and every unknown face felt like a danger or a reminder that the controversy we had left behind may find us at any time one evening as we sat on the beach watching the sunset Lucas grabbed for my hand do you believe we will ever be rid of this he inquired gently I glanced at him my heartbreaking at the tenderness in his voice I don't know I admitted honestly ly but I know I don't want to confront this alone I allowed myself

to believe as the sun fell below the Horizon painting the landscape in gold and pink we could finally find Serenity after a long time whatever happened next we'd face it together