From Ex to His Stepmom

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My boyfriend texted me in the middle of the night.

My dad doesn't approve of you. We're done.

Drunk and desperate, I went begging for him back. We ended up having a passionate night.

When I woke up, I found his father lying beside me.

The man opened his eyes, looking at me with a hint of amusement.

A case of 'like father, like son'?

I was woken up by a ringing phone.

Emily, are you insane? You called me 108 times last night! The familiar voice crackled through the speaker.

Tears welled up the moment I spoke. Ryan, you finally called me back.

Emily, we're broken up. My dad doesn't like you. Stop harassing me. I'm not coming back.

What's wrong with me? I can change! I'll change until your dad approves! You know I can't live without you!

Uh well, but I just don't like you anymore.

Don't like me anymore.

How do I make someone like me again?

I couldn't help but bury my face in my hands and sob only to feel rock-hard abs beneath my fingers.

A low, rumbling voice came from beneath me. If you want him back, getting off me first might be more convincing.

That's when I realized I was sprawled on top of a ridiculously handsome man.

My brain short-circuited.

Before I could even process who this man was, Ryan's voice came through the phone again.

Dad?

Dad?

The man beneath me was his dad?

Sobered up in a nanosecond.

I slammed my finger down on the end call' button.

Still not getting down? The man gave me a pointed look.

Yes. Sir. At least it was my first time meeting my boyfriend's father. I wanted to seem well-behaved.

But remembering we were both stark naked kind of killed the vibe.

He never mentioned having a dad this young and hot.

Sir? Playing the good girl now? He raised an eyebrow. You weren't so well-behaved last night when you were biting me.

Ah!

I froze in sheer terror. I scrambled off him and started frantically grabbing my clothes.

He watched the entire chaotic process, waiting patiently until I was dressed.

Then he asked, You're Ryan's girlfriend?

Ex ex-girlfriend, I corrected.

Remember what happened last night?

Nope. I lied, standing by the bed like a scolded child.

Hmm. So, how do you plan to handle this?

No idea.

My world had just imploded.

Yesterday, hearing Ryan's dad was sick. I thought I'd try to win points by visiting him, maybe get him to talk Ryan out of the breakup.

I'd had a little to drink.

How was I supposed to know I'd screw up this monumentally?

Um, Sir, you rest up and get better. I'll come see you another day.

He glanced at me and summed it up neatly. Got it. Hit it and quit it..

No! I mean I hung my head. I'm sorry.

He stood up and started dressing slowly, deliberately. Even though his back was turned, the lines of his muscles made my face burn.

I'll have the driver take you home. My flight leaves in an hour, I'm a bit pressed for time

No need! I quickly averted my gaze.

Just as I was about to leave, my eyes caught the torn condom wrappers in the trash can. Horrifying evidence.

To destroy it, I grabbed the trash bag and bolted.

I yanked the door open and slammed straight into Ryan.

Emily? What are you doing in my dad's room?

When he barged in, my face was crimson, and his dad was buckling his belt.

I instantly felt icy cold, sweat breaking out on my back.

So this is what it feels like to be caught in the act.

My brain went into overdrive.

I heard your dad was sick. I came to see him.

Ryan turned to his dad. Dad, was she really here to see you? Or just bothering you?

Hmm. Seen and bothered. His dad was actually smiling.

Ryan was furious. Emily, I know this has been rough for you, but showing up at someone's house after a breakup is just pathetic.

Got it!

If there's nothing else, I'm leaving. All I wanted was to escape.

Just as I was about to bolt, he stopped me again.

Wait, what's that in your hand?

Trash bag. I tried to hide it behind my back.

Ryan looked exasperated again. Emily, you don't need to visit my dad and take out his trash, trying so hard to please him.

It's useless, really.

I don't want to hurt you, but honestly if only you were prettier.

Me?

We'd dated for three years. He'd always been gentle, saying I was cute. Now he thought I wasn't pretty enough?

White-hot rage surged through me.

I lifted the trash bag and dumped it right over his head.

Even the trash isn't as full of crap as you are.

I came here to break up with you. The reason is you're bad in bed.

Ryan exploded. Who's bad in bed?! Explain yourself!

The dog is! I wasn't sticking around to hear it. I turned and walked away.

Wait, there are condoms in this trash three of them?!

My heart plummeted just as I reached the door.

Was the jig finally up?

Dad, you brought a woman home? And used the condoms I bought?!

His dad finished buttoning the last button on his shirt and glanced at him.

And?

You deal with your own mess first.

Another scene like this, and I won't be able to handle it.

Handle it?

My heart skipped a beat. I slammed the door shut and fled.

Back at my rented apartment, the first thing I did was delete everything related to Ryan.

Then I packed up everything he'd ever given me and shipped it back to him via same-day delivery.

After finishing, I felt a dull ache in my lower abdomen.

I asked my best friend, Hannah, to go with me to the ER.

The exam showed minor tearing and a slight luteal cyst rupture.

Hannah stood by the hospital bed, stunned. Holy crap, that intense? You two made up?

No.

No? Emily, I hate to say it. It's not worth being so pathetic over a guy!!

He blocked you on socials, right? He went official with that bitch last night. Hannah pulled out her phone, showing me a picture of Ryan and another girl, chests pressed together, forming a heart.

I was shocked.

That girl had taken couple photos for Ryan and me before.

We'd added each other as friends and occasionally played games together.

I had no idea they were still in contact, let alone that she was the new girlfriend Ryan went official with barely days after dumping me.

Realizing how pathetically I'd been blaming myself and begging him back felt like a cruel joke.

So, why were you even chasing after him?

Hannah looked at me like I was hopeless.

It wasn't him last night.

Wasn't him?! Her eyes nearly popped out. Good for you!

Well, that's a relief.

So who was the hottie? That wild?

His dad.

Her smile froze. It took her a full minute to process.

Emily, you're playing in the major leagues now?

Just then, the ER doctor walked in.

He adjusted his glasses at the doorway, looking like he'd overheard something shocking.

No dietary restrictions. Keep the area clean. No sexual activity for one month..

I understand young people have strong urges, but you can't go overboard with your boyfriend just for thrills.

Overboard.

My face burned crimson.

I genuinely couldn't remember how I'd been overboard' last night.

After the doctor left, Hannah grilled me for details.

So you went to beg your ex back and ended up having sex with his dad?

I was drunk. I blacked out.

Emily, I strongly suspect you weren't drunk. You were fucked stupid. What kind of older man uses three in one night?!

Damn!!

Shut up, Hannah.

One question though, where's his mom? Does this make you the mistress now?

Oh god.

I was terrified.

I really shouldn't drink.

After getting IV fluids at the hospital, I headed back to my apartment. From a distance, I saw Ryan smoking by the building entrance.

He frowned. Emily, do you really like me that much? Sending gifts even after we broke up? Stop it. My girlfriend won't like it.

Then give the gifts to your girlfriend. She'll be happy.

You

He was seriously deranged. Who was sending him gifts? I'd sent back the junk he gave me.

I felt awful and didn't want to deal with him. I started to walk away.

Wait, what did you mean this morning?

Which part?

He lowered his voice, seeing Hannah beside me. You said I was bad in bed.

Hannah burst out laughing beside him. Bad in bed! I heard it!

He instantly flew into a rage. Emily, look at the trashy friends you hang out with!

My taste is indeed terrible, that's how I ended up with a bastard like you.

He looked stunned.

Furious, he threw a paper bag at me. My dad told me to give you this. Said you dropped it at our place. Always losing things! No wonder my dad dislikes you even more!

I didn't want to say another word.

He noticed the hospital pharmacy bag in my hand and smirked. You sick?

Had to go to the hospital because you were so heartbroken over our breakup?

Emily, for old times' sake, tell me. What do you want? I can compensate you.

I wished I had a knife in my hand.

Why hadn't I stabbed him?

I want you to go home and take a good look at yourself in the mirror.

After cursing him out, Hannah and I went upstairs.

Opening the paper bag, I found a cat tail prop and a bank card.

The card had $200,000 in it!

Utter humiliation.

Last night, to win Ryan back, I'd worn sexy stockings and brought the cat tail, planning to seduce him after seeing his dad.

In moments of desperation, you really lose all shame.

$200,000!! His dad either wants you locked up or has the hots for you.

God, I hope not.

Why else would he give you money? $200,000 right off the bat?

Maybe it's compensation from his son for dumping me?

And how much did his son give you?

A cup of Dunkin' Donuts.

The day we broke up, Ryan ordered me a Dunkin' coffee. The note said:

Baby, I'm stepping back. Stepping back for good.

Ridiculous.

I still didn't know exactly what happened that night.

But clearly, his dad probably thought I was some kind of escort.

I'd served myself up on a platter, dressed like that. I'd asked for it.

Even though we used protection, I was worried about accidents.

I bought a box of emergency contraception pills.

Imagine having a kid who had to call my ex-boyfriend brother'. Horrifying.

That night, lying in bed, tossing and turning, I decided to return the money.

I added Ryan back on Facebook.

Ryan, can I get your dad's Facebook?

No way. My dad doesn't accept any sucking up. You won't convince him.

Ugh, are you really this hung up on me? What am I supposed to do? But I have a girlfriend now.

I deleted Ryan again.

If it weren't for the pill I'd taken, I'd have thought I was pregnant.

Why else did Ryan's messages make me sick?

Forget it. Time to sleep.

This workhorse still has to clock in tomorrow.

I'm a senior, interning at a company, earning minimum wage, doing the crappiest work.

Because I often worked late, Hannah and I rented an apartment together.

After falling asleep, I had a dream.

In the dream, the man asked if it was my first time.

I shook my head.

He laughed. Then why so tight?

Relax. It'll feel better.

Suddenly, Ryan's face appeared, twisted and angry, demanding answers.

What did you mean by useless?

I woke up terrified!

What kind of dream was that?

Even worse, my supervisor called asking why I wasn't at the office yet.

Crap!

I scrambled to the company. The meeting had already been going for half an hour.

The look my supervisor gave me could have vaporized me.

It was an important meeting.

My job was to serve coffee, print documents, fetch packages, order takeout, and be the punching bag.

The man sitting next to the boss asked me, Got any coffee?

Yes.

The voice sounded exactly like the one in my dream. I looked up and saw Ryanhis dad.

My hand jerked. Coffee spilled onto his pants.

What are you doing?!

My boss roared.

I snapped back to reality. Sorry!

I was petrified.

I quickly crouched down, using napkins to wipe it.

I looked up and saw him looking down at me.

Do you know it's inappropriate for a girl to crouch like that looking up at a man?

He pressed my hand to stop me from wiping.

Feeling the warmth of his fingers, my heart raced.

Emily! Get out! My supervisor hissed.

Dragged out by my supervisor, I got a scolding.

I learned he was a crucial investor my boss had worked hard to land. This important meeting was ruined because of me.

How could this happen?!

My boss was furious. After the meeting, he made me write a self-criticism and apologize in person in the office.

Trembling, I walked into the office with my self-criticism letter.

The boss was chatting and laughing with him.

So, things are going well with the young heiress your father introduced?

He shook his head with a smile.

"Don't lie to me. Your neck is covered in scratches. Did you sleep with her?"

Sleep with her? With her family's styly, you think you can just walk away?

Not her.

Not her?!

Then who? Alexander, you surprise me. Which wild little kitten did this?

He smiled, smoking, and didn't answer, then stared at me as I walked in.

Why was he staring at me?

So his name was Alexander.

He stubbed out his cigarette. Not talking business? I'm leaving.

Alright, alright, let's talk business. The boss glanced at me. Emily, right? Come here.

Got some grievance against me? Spit it out. Do you know who this is? The richest man in L.A. With one word,he could bankrupt our company. That coffee had eyes, huh? Dared to spill on Mr. Stone's pants?

Sorry.

Don't apologize to me. The man's right in front of you.

Alexander glanced at him. She's just a kid. Why yell at her?

A kid? These interns nowadays, one more troublesome than the next. She offended you, and you handle it. But for my sake, don't be too harsh.

I turned to Alexander and started reading my self-criticism.

Mr. Stone, I'm sorry. Today I shouldn't have

Alexander, sitting on the sofa, interrupted. Did your hand get scalded?

No. I hid my hand behind my back.

Good. You can go. It's fine.

My boss looked surprised but didn't argue. He told you to go. What are you waiting for?

Okay.

I placed the self-criticism respectfully in front of Alexander and ran.

The moment I closed the door, I heard the boss's voice from inside.

Alexander, what's the deal? You got the hots for our little intern?