HIS DOE, HIS DAMNATION (An Erotic Billionaire Romance) novel Chapter 86

Meadow’s POV:

“Excuse me?” I nearly sputtered out my coffee.

Ingrid and I were only separated by the counter, and now she tapped her manicured burgundy nails against the counter top, the sneer on her face permanent.

My gaze narrowed as I tried to wrap my head around the fact that she just asked if Alaric and I were trying for a child.

“You heard me,” she said coldly. “I had hoped that would be the next step after your… sudden marriage. And considering what I walked in on earlier, I suppose I’m not in the wrong for asking, am I?”

‘Yes,’ I wanted to say. ‘Yes, you are so wrong for asking. And also, you’re such a fucking bitch.‘

But I didn’t say that.

“Speaking of…” I trailed off, looking away from her as I felt heat creep up my neck. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

Whether I hated Alaric’s mother or not, she did walk in on us fucking. And I knew that must not have been pleasant to see. However, the smirk on Ingrid’s face when my gaze drifted back to her told a different story.

“Why apologize? I’m not sorry I saw it,” She drawled, leaning in and reducing her voice to a harsh whisper. “I’m only sorry I wasn’t here earlier, Would’ve been such a delight to interrupt your… copulation.”

I froze, my mouth dropping open as I stared at her in disbelief.

She knew. Of course, she did. Of course, she had to have heard the sounds while she ascended the stairs and then interrupted us on purpose. Had she even sent Alaric a text like she claimed?

I could tell that Ingrid was amused by my speechlessness. She let out a chuckle, her blue eyes shining with mischief. Her blond hair was pulled back into a knot like it was at the party. I suppose that was a normal look for her.

Definitely matched her bitchy attitude.

Ingrid lifted her mug and took a sip of the coffee. “You know, I used to walk in on Alaric and Clarissa when they were just teenagers. Not on purpose, of course.”

I went completely still. My chest tightened and my ears started to ring.

That was not my business. It wasn’t. It was their past. Clarissa’s and Alaric’s. But why did it make my heart feel like it was about to be ripped out of my chest?

Ingrid watched me over the rim of the mug, her eyebrows arched perfectly. “Alaric used to sneak Clary into the house a lot. And he would try to hide her. But I always knew. Always… heard them.”

I forced a smile and Ingrid took that as her cue to continue. “They were so in love with each other. I had never seen or experienced anything like that before–not even with his father. And there they were… teenagers, and they were already experiencing a love so strong, I thought it would never end.”

She sighed, shaking her head.

I didn’t realize how tight my grip was around the mug until Ingrid’s eyes dropped down. I exhaled, dropping the mug back on the counter.

“But then it did, didn’t it?” I didn’t know why, but all of a sudden, I was curious. I wanted to know why they broke up if things were so… good between them.

“Well…” she shrugged. “All good things must come to an end, as some people say. They broke up right after they were done with college because of a minor misunderstanding.”

My eyes narrowed. That was right around the same time that… tragedy befell my family. Our grandparents had died a few years earlier, so Clarissa agreed to step up before Juniper and I were placed in foster homes.

If Clarissa and Alaric loved each other like Ingrid said, then it would have taken a lot more than just a minor misunderstanding for them to end it. Especially considering the fact that he could feel her.

What really happened between them?

Whose mistake was it?

“Nothing that can’t be fixed with a little matchmaking,” Ingrid added.

“What?”

She heaved a sigh, shaking her head at me like she pitied me. “You poor girl. You are so young, so naive. I supposed I can’t blame you for being hopeful.”

I swallowed. “Concerning what?”

Ingrid dropped her mug onto the counter, walking around it until she was right in front of me. She was a tall woman. And when she was near me, she was even more tall and intimidating. When she raised her hand, I flinched on instinct. But she wasn’t about to slap me, she only placed her manicured hand on my shoulder.

“My son and Clarissa have at least ten years on you, Meadow. They were each other’s first loves.” She laughed. “You don’t think Alaric would ever love you the way he loved Clary, do you?”

My jaw clenched. “Funny. I thought you were convinced that he paid me to be his wife.”

“I was. But now, I see the light.” Ingrid stepped closer, leaning in until her lips were right by my ear. I should’ve pushed her away, walked away from all this, because I knew that what she was about to say would feel like a stab to the chest.

But I stayed anyway. Because I’m such a fucking idiot.

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