The $800 Mistake: Becoming My Ex's Mother-in-Law

o her body, the fabric clinging uncomfortably, a constant reminder of how out of place she was. She shivered, but it wasn't just from the

oked like it was bleeding, pulled up to the curb. The tires hissed through a puddle, se

ate's logo printed in stark white. He wouldn't look at her. His eyes darted everywhere else-at t

, her voice thin against the d

e, Gwen," he said, his tone flat an

draped casually over the steering wheel. A Cartier bracelet, blinding with diamond

pping with amusement. "Like a pathetic lit

is new world, he reached into his pocket. He pulled out the simple silver ba

he rain-slicked air, a tiny glint of silver, before it cla

st in the city's noise, but fo

h nothing but the stench of exhaust and a gaping hole where her heart us

lute piece

ver her head like a makeshift umbrella. She wrapped it around Gwendo

ce fierce. She grabbed Gwendolyn's arm, her grip surp

to the deafening chaos of 1 OAK. The bass vibrated through the floor, a relentl

he bar. "Three shots of tequila,"

nk. The first one burned, a trail of fire down her throat. The second was easier. By the th

nging to her eyelashes. "What does she have that I

evated VIP section, shrouded in shadow. "Who cares? Look. You want to forget him? Go

flashing lights of the club streaking like neon pain

od like statues, their expressions grim, their presence a silent, menac

peccably tailored shirt, the top buttons undone. He wasn't drinking. He was just

e look

hers. They were sharp, predatory, the color of dark w

nsing the dangerous aura even from across the ro

to a toxic, reckless cocktail in Gwendolyn's ve

weating bodies, her focus narrowe

forward, blocking her path. They were mountains of muscle, thei

yn's rain-soaked dress, her defiant, tear-stained face. He lifte

guards stepped back, melting into th

ven more intimidating up close. Clean-shaven, with a jawline that looked like it was carved from granite and a subtle scent o

urd and alcohol-

ingers. She reached inside and pulled out every dollar she had

ac

The guards tensed. She could feel their eyes on her, a dozen points of pres

world had shrunk to the spa

chin lifted in a wobbly attempt at defiance.

of money to her clavicle, where a drop of rain was tracing a path down he

, a wave of pure, masculine power. His voice was a l

any idea what

it. She reached out, her hand shaking

and came to rest on the small of her back, a firm, possessive heat that burned thro

ea