Becoming My Ex’s Mother in Law by Aurora Starling

Chapter 10

I could not believe how much the man’s eyes looked like Andrew’s. I wondered, for a moment, if maybe there were other ways in which he might be like Andrew.

Then I shook myself out of that thought and returned the phone to Julia.

“No, thank you. I’m fine.”

Julia shrugged and took her phone back.

“All right. If you change your mind, just let us know.”

“I’m sure that Pete would love to go out with a girl like you,” Robert added.

I smiled, though it was a bit forced.

“Thanks, again, but no thanks.”

“I think you should give it a try,” Susan urged her.

“No!” I told her firmly. “I don’t need a substitute.”

That night, while I was at home relaxing and watching TV, I got a video call from Lily.

“Hi, Lily. How’re things going?” I asked, muting the TV and lying back on the arm of the couch.

“Great. How are things at the store?”

“Fantastic. Lisa and Bob’s wedding is really coming along.”

“That’s great. You haven’t killed anyone?”

I laughed.

“No, not yet. Fortunately, I’ve been dealing with Andrew more than anyone else, so I’ve had no reason to want to kill anyone.”

Lily arched a brow at me.

“Andrew?”

“Lisa’s father, Mr. Dubois. The Alpha King.”

I blushed, realizing that I had far overexplained myself.

“Uh-huh. Well, Andrew is actually the reason why I wanted to call you…part of the reason, at least.”

I tried to swallow, but my throat had gone dry.

“What do you mean? Have you gotten any complaints from him?”

Lily shook her head.

“No, no, none at all. If anything, he’s only praised your performance.”

I sighed in relief.

“Then what are you talking about? You about gave me a heart attack!”

“I’m sorry. I just heard from Julia and Robert that they had stopped by the store-”

“That’s weird. I told them that I’d tell you about their pregnancy.”

Lily shrugged.

“I don’t think any offense was meant. They were just really excited to share the news. Anyway, they told me that they had offered to set you up with Robert’s brother, and you had refused.”

This time, I shrugged.

“He didn’t seem like my type. Is that a problem?”

“No, of course not. They had just also mentioned how much more charming you seemed to be now-” again, I wasn’t sure whether or not to take that as a compliment-and that you were practically glowing.”

“So, I’m happier, and it’s rubbing off on how I treat the customers. Is there something wrong with that?”

Lily rolled her eyes.

“You know that it’s not just that.” She shifted the phone to look me as straight in the eyes as she could manage. “Crystal, have you fallen in love with someone while I’ve been away?”

I felt my cheeks heat up.

“No!”

“Have

you developed feelings for Andrew Dubois?”

My cheeks grew hotter.

“No, of course not! That would be completely unprofessional.”

“That doesn’t mean that it hasn’t happened.”

“Lily, I swear to goddess that I have not developed feelings for Andrew Dubois.”

Lily stared intently at me. Her gaze could be quite unnerving when she wanted it to be.

“Are you certain?”

I hesitated.

“Yes.”

I knew that she had seen enough falsehood in my hesitation alone. That did not mean that I was in love with Andrew, though. Fortunately, Lily seemed to accept- or at least be resigned to-my answer.

“All right,” she said. “So, what else is new?

Long after Lily and I hung up, I was still thinking about what she had said about me developing feelings for Andrew. It was true that Susan still longed for his b*dy, it was undeniable that he was very charming. However, he was the Alpha King and Bob’s future father-in-law.

There was no way that I could ever be with him.

Yes, I had tried to seduce him. Yes, he was more patient with me than others, but that didn’t mean anything.

“He’s such an enigmatic old man,” Susan complained.

“Why do

you see him as old?” I asked, tired of her calling him that.

“He’s 42, dear. We’re only 27,” Susan replied matter-of-factly.

“His face and physique make him look no older than 25,” I argued.

After a moment of silence, Susan said in a low voice, “Crystal, you’re in trouble.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Go look in the mirror.”

I flung myself off the couch and ran into the bathroom. What I saw in my reflection took me completely aback.

Julia and Robert were right; I was completely radiant. My cheeks were rosy, my hair appeared fuller and shinier, and my eyes sparkled. I was the image of a woman in love.

I had seen myself this way once before. I had been like this in the early stages of my relationship with Bob, except now…I was even more stunning than back then.

“Susan,” I said, my voice weak, “I’m in trouble.”

As though realizing I was falling in love with the Alpha King were not enough, the next day delivered an even greater blow to me.

Lisa was scheduled for a dress fitting. I had me ntally prepared myself to see her. What I had not prepared for was for Bob to come with her.

Normally, the grooms did not like to come with their fiancés for dress fitting. Sometimes, they used the tired excuse of it being bad luck in some cultures for the groom to see the bride in her dress before the wedding. Usually, they admitted that they just didn’t want to come, whether it upset their betrothed or not.

Unfortunately for me, Bob at least put up at the front of being a kind, caring man and had come to help Lisa with her fitting.

As soon as I saw them enter the bridal shop, I had to bury my anger and distrust, plaster on a smile, other customer.

and treat them just like a

“Welcome to Ever After Weddings. You’re here for a fitting, correct?” I said, directing my politeness mostly towards Lisa.

“Yes, we are,” Lisa replied, handing her purse to Bob. “May we see the dress?”

“Of course. Right this way.”

I motioned for them to follow me. As they walked close behind me to the dresses, I could have sworn that I felt Bob’s eyes on my a*s. I dismissed the feeling, telling myself that it was just paranoia.

“I think that you’ll be most pleased with the way the dress has turned out. I think it is our finest yet.”

“I would hope so,” Lisa said. As dismissive as the comment was, I could still hear the little girl-like excitement hiding beneath it. It made me smile.

I pulled the dress off the rack, unzipped the bag, and carefully took the dress out of the bag.

Lisa squealed in excitement and clapped her hands.

“Oh my goddess! It’s so beautiful!” she exclaimed.

She turned to Bob.

“Isn’t it beautiful, Bob?”

“Almost as beautiful as the woman who will be wearing it,” Bob said, then planted a k*ss on Lisa’s cheek.

I suppressed my vomit behind a broad smile.

“Terri!” I called out to one of our employees, who was immediately by my side. “Lisa, Terri will be helping you into your dress. From there, we will see what needs to be adjusted before the big day.”

I handed the dress to Terri. Terri gingerly accepted the custom-made masterpiece, then turned to Lisa.

“Ms. Lisa, if you will please follow me, will get you into your dress.”

Terri was barely able to get the sentence out before Lisa practically dragged her to the dressing room herself, leaving me alone with Bob.

With a deep breath, I turned to face him, prepared to make small talk until Terri and Lisa returned. Yet the way he looked at me when I turned to him sent chills

down my spine. Something seemed familiar about it, and I did not like it.

He wanted me.