Becoming My Ex’s Mother in Law by Aurora Starling

Chapter 28 

I knew how badly Lisa could destroy the reputation of Ever After Weddings, even if she didn’t have any evidence to back up her claims. She was the daughter of the Alpha King and a very influential socialite. Everyone believed her word like the gospel. 

I didn’t care what other people thought of me, but I couldn’t let her destroy all of Lily’s hard work. Lily deserved better than that, especially after everything that she had done for me. She was a good person, as were all the people who worked at Every After Weddings, and none of them deserved to have their reputations dragged through mud along with mine. 

As much as it made my heart ache, I knew what I had to do. 

“All right, I’ll do it,” I said, 

“Do what?” she asked. 

“I’ll stay away from your father.” 

“Then swear it.” 

“I swear on the Moon Goddess that I will stay away from Andrew Dubois.” 

Lisa’s eyes narrowed at me. Susan growled inside my head at her, but I maintained my self–control and did not pass on the message. 

“You better make sure that you keep that promise,” Lisa said, sizing me up. Against my better judgment, I did 

the same. 

She turned on her heel and marched out of the bridal shop. Bob eyed me one last time and winked before he followed her. My stomach churned. 

As soon as I saw their car drive away, I collapsed into the nearest chair and wept. 

Ten minutes later, I heard another car pull up. I couldn’t bring myself to pull it together and face another client, so I continued to cry without any regard as to how this person would find me. Even when the door opened, I couldn’t compose myself. 

“Crystal?” I heard Noah say. “Are you okay?” 

In the heat of the exchange with Lisa and Bob, I had completely forgotten about my date with Noah. I was in no condition to go out with anyone–physically or emotionally. 

I wiped my eyes with the back of my hand, but I couldn’t slow the fears. Yet even through my watery eyes, I could still see that Noah had gone all–out for our date: a new suit, freshly shined shoes, a bouquet of roses. I wished that I could enjoy him spoiling me. 

“I-…no, I’m not,” I finally managed to reply. 

“What happened? Did someone hit you?” Noah asked as he examined my face. 

“I can’t…Lisa and Bob…” 

“Bob? Did he do this to you?” He gestured to the red mark on my face. 

I shook my head. 

“Lisa?” he asked, astonished. 

I didn’t acknowledge nor deny it, but I didn’t need to. 

“Do you…do you want to talk about it?” 

I 

He seemed hesitant to talk about my problems and feelings, but I appreciated the offer. Still, I didn’t want to take him up on it. 

“No,” I said through my tears. “If you don’t mind, I’d rather be alone right now.” 

Noah looked down at the flowers in his hand. He appeared absolutely crestfallen. My heart broke for breaking his, but I just added it to the long list of negative emotions I was feeling at the moment. 

“Sure,” he replied. “We can go out on another night.” 

I tried to smile, but I’m sure that it came across more like a cringe.. 

“Thank you, Noah.” 

“No problem,” he said, although I knew it was a very big deal to him. 

As soon as Noah left, I allowed myself to cry freely again. I knew that Terri and the others would be back from their errands soon, but I didn’t care. I cried and cried, knowing that no amount of crying would take away the pain that Lisa and Bob had caused me. 

The next day, I stayed at the shop during lunch, as was my habit, while Terri and my other coworkers went out to nearby restaurants. I was in the employee lounge in the back, enjoying a sub sandwich, when I heard a loud knocking at the door. Sighing, I walked to the front, prepared to tell whoever it was that we were closed for the hour. 

Then I saw him standing there. Bob. 

Anger boiled within me. How dare he show up here, alone? Did he really expect me to open the door for him? 

He knocked again. 

“Come on, Crystal, open up,” he said. 

Images of his attempted rape flashed through my mind. I wanted to turn in on myself, to curl up in a ball and hide from him–from everyone–forever, but I forced myself to stand tall against him, even as my legs shook with fear. Susan growled, and I could feel my nails elongated into claws. 

He wouldn’t catch me defenseless this time. 

“Why should I?” I demanded, my chin lifted defiantly. 

“I have a proposal for you, and I think you’d rather we talk about it in private.” 

A chill ran down my spine at the tone in Bob’s voice. I contemplated calling the police, but I knew that between the two of us, they would be more likely to believe the Alpha King’s future son–in–law than the ex–con. Besides, I didn’t want to drag Andrew into any of this. 

“You’re not going to leave until I hear out, are you?” I said, my voice resigned. 

Bob shook his head. 

I sighed and unlocked the door to let him in. However, behind my back, I took out my phone and pulled up the recording app. 

“What do you want, Bob?” I asked. 

“The same thing I wanted before.” 

Bob stepped close to me and ran his hand along my side. I cringed and stepped away from him. My breathing started to race, but I made myself stay as calm as possible, to not let him think that he had the upper hand. By the predatory look in his eyes, I doubted that it was working. 

“I told you, I don’t sleep with men who have no dignity.” 

Bob’s eye twitched momentarily, but the movement quickly disappeared. 

“I saw how horribly Lisa treated you,” he sneered. 

I know you did, I thought. I bet you instigated it, too. 

“I have a proposal for you so that you won’t have to stoop to serving clients meekly.” He bent over and whispered in my ear, “It’s so beneath you.” 

Bob reached behind me and squeezed my ass. I gasped in surprise and barely restrained myself from slapping him. Instead, I ripped his hand off my butt and pushed him away one–handed. 

Susan snarled. 

“Rip him apart,” she commanded me. 

As much as I wanted to obey her, I had Ever After Weddings‘ reputation to think about–and Lily. I pushed back my lupine instincts, even retracting my claw–like nails, and tried to calm myself. 

“Just name your proposal, Bob,” I said. 

He huffed. 

“Fine. You’re no fun.” 

He placed his hand on the side of my n*eck. I flinched, but I did not back down. I glared at him straight in the eyes, and he only smirked in return. 

With a deceptively soft voice, Bob said, “I will pay you $50,000 a month, and in exchange, all you have to do is be my lover.”