She Used Me for a Dare… Now I Own Her Mother

Nina's eyes opened wider as she focused on the unfamiliar face, her small hand instinctively reaching for Linda's.

"Hi there, sweetheart," Lila said, her voice taking on an exaggerated sweetness as she moved closer to the bed.

She crouched down to Nina's eye level, her smile bright and practiced. "I'm Lila, and I'm your big brother Mike's girlfriend."

Nina blinked slowly, processing this information while studying Lila with the unguarded curiosity of a child.

"You're so pretty," Lila continued, her tone warm but slightly performative. "And you're being such a brave little girl. Your big brother Mike has told me so much about his wonderful little sister."

Mike shifted uncomfortably behind her, clearly unused to seeing Lila interact with children.

"You can call me big sister too, if you want," Lila offered hopefully, reaching out as if to smooth Nina's hair.

Nina's response was immediate and matter-of-fact. "No. Big sister Sarah is my big sister."

The simple refusal hung in the air. Lila's smile faltered for just a fraction of a second, her hand freezing mid-reach.

Alex caught the brief flash of surprise, maybe even irritation, that crossed her features before she recovered.

But her recovery was masterful. The stumble lasted barely a heartbeat before she laughed softly, as if Nina's response had been exactly what she'd expected.

"Of course she is," Lila said smoothly, her voice warm and unthreatening. "Sarah seems absolutely wonderful."

She leaned in slightly, lowering her tone to something more playful. "But you know what? You don't have to stop at just one big sister."

"How about this," she suggested gently, her smile widening, "Sarah stays your first big sister, and I'll be your second one. That way you keep her at number one, but I still get to be part of your family too."

Nina considered this proposition seriously, her young mind working through the logic of sisterhood hierarchies.

"Okay," she said finally, though without the enthusiasm Lila had probably hoped for. "Second big sister."

"Perfect," Lila beamed, clearly pleased with her diplomatic solution. "Now, how are you feeling, sweetheart? Mike told me you've been in the hospital, and I've been so worried about you."

Nina's expression grew more animated as she launched into her explanation. "I was really sick because my kidneys weren't working right. But now I have this special machine that helps clean my blood, and the doctors here are really nice, and they don't make my tummy hurt like the other place did."

She gestured toward the dialysis equipment with the casual familiarity of a child who had quickly adapted to her new reality.

"And look," Nina continued, holding up a small stuffed animal Alex hadn't noticed before. "One of the nurses gave me this bunny. His name is Hopper."

Lila's smile seemed more genuine now as she listened to Nina's matter-of-fact recounting of her medical situation.

"That's wonderful, Nina. Hopper looks like a very good bunny to have with you."

From his position beside Linda, Alex observed the interaction carefully.

Lila had handled Nina's rejection with impressive grace, showing a level of emotional intelligence that suggested she was more than just another college student.

The way she'd pivoted from the rebuff to finding middle ground spoke to someone accustomed to managing delicate social situations.

Linda watched the exchange with growing unease.

Something about the young woman's overly familiar approach to her daughter set her maternal instincts on edge.

"So, Lila," Linda said, her voice polite but with an undertone of protective assessment, "how long have you and Mike been together?"

The question was casual enough, but Alex recognized the subtext. Linda was probing, trying to understand why this was the first time she was meeting someone who claimed to be dating Danny's friend.

Lila smiled, tilting her head slightly. "Oh… not too long," she said, her tone light but sincere.

"I'd had a crush on him for a long time, and… well, I was hoping he would make the first move. But no…" She glanced at Mike, eyes narrowing ever so slightly, as if silently blaming him.

"So… I finally took the first step."

Then she shifted back to the family, her expression softening. "We were keeping it a secret, but when I heard about Nina… and how much Mike cares about her, I just… I couldn't stop myself from coming to meet you all."

Alex's gaze shifted first to Danny, then to Mike. He could see it clearly in their eyes... quiet approval, a mix of respect and appreciation for how flawlessly Lila was performing.

Lila's explanation sounded heartfelt, even thoughtful... Every word was designed to charm, to justify, and to make her presence seem inevitable.

David smiled warmly, clearly touched by her sentiment. "That's very kind of you," he said, his tone reflecting relief and appreciation. "It's been a difficult time."

Lila nodded, her smile unshaken, maintaining the balance between warmth and subtle persuasion. "Of course. I just… wanted to be here. I wanted to meet the family that means so much to him."

She turned to look at Alex directly for the first time since the introductions, her gaze holding just a beat longer than casual conversation warranted.

"And Alex, I have to say, the way Mike talks about you... you're like another son to them, aren't you?"

The question was innocent enough, but Alex detected the probing nature beneath it. She was fishing for information about his relationship with the family, his position, his influence.

"They've been very kind to me," Alex replied carefully, keeping his tone neutral.

"More than kind," Linda interjected, her voice warm. Her eyes flicked to Alex just a moment too long, a faint heat rising as she spoke. "Alex is family. He's been there for us through everything."

Lila's smile brightened, as if this confirmation was exactly what she'd been hoping to hear. "That's so beautiful. It's wonderful when people find family in unexpected places."

Danny, who had been watching the exchange with growing suspicion, finally spoke up. "So Lila, what's your major at college?"

"Psychology," she replied without hesitation. "With a focus on interpersonal relationships and social dynamics. I'm fascinated by how people connect, how they build trust, how they influence each other."

The irony of her chosen field wasn't lost on Alex. Working for Sophia, her academic background would give her every tool she needed to manipulate the situation perfectly.

"That's interesting," Sarah said, speaking for the first time since entering.

Her voice carried a subtle warmth, a hint of excitement that someone was finally here to converse. "What kind of career are you planning with that?"

"I'm still exploring options," Lila said, her answer deliberately vague. "Maybe counseling, maybe research. I'm particularly interested in how past relationships affect current behavior patterns."

Alex felt his muscles tense slightly at the pointed reference. Had he not known her true allegiance, he might have thought the comment was accidental... but he didn't.

Mike cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of the conversation. "Maybe we should let Nina rest. It's been a long day for everyone."

"Oh, of course," Lila said quickly, turning back to Nina with renewed warmth. "I don't want to tire you out, sweetheart. But I'm so glad I finally got to meet you."

She leaned closer to the bed, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper that everyone could still hear. "And between you and me, I think your big brother Alex is pretty amazing. No wonder your whole family loves him so much."

Nina nodded solemnly, as if this was simply a fact of life that needed no explanation. "Big brother Alex is the best!"

"I'm sure he is," Lila replied, her eyes flickering toward Alex with an expression that could have been admiration or calculation. "He seems like the kind of person who takes care of the people he loves.

The compliment hung in the air, loaded with implications that only Alex and Mike fully understood. This wasn't casual flirtation or innocent appreciation. This was reconnaissance disguised as friendliness.

David, oblivious to the undercurrents, smiled warmly at the exchange. "We're very lucky to have Alex in our lives."

"Yes," Lila agreed, her gaze once again finding Alex. "Very lucky indeed."