Husband Away, Father-in-Law Stays - Chapter 21: Chapter 21

The next morning, I woke to an empty bed—Richard had already left. My body ached as I dragged myself up, my legs still shaky from last night. Twice, I'd taken what I wanted from him, and now every step felt unsteady.
Leaning against the wall for support, I shuffled out of the bedroom. Breakfast was waiting—Richard's doing—but he was nowhere in sight.
After forcing down a few bites, I slipped into my work suit, but the moment I stepped outside, dread coiled in my chest.
Alexander's face flashed in my mind—his grip, his smirk, the way he'd treated me like nothing more than a toy. I'd sold myself for this promotion, and now I had to face him every day. The shame burned hotter than ever.
No way was I risking another subway encounter. I flagged down a cab instead.
The second I walked into the office, employees shot up from their seats, bowing in unison. "Good morning, Manager Evans."
My stomach dropped. Alexander had said the announcement would take two days—so why did everyone already know?
I gave a stiff nod and bolted for my office, terrified they'd see right through me, that they'd know exactly how I'd earned this title.
Just as my fingers brushed the door handle, an arm blocked my path.
I looked up—straight into Alexander's smirking face, his eyes glinting with amusement.
My throat went dry. "Sir—"
His fingers tilted my chin up, but I caught his wrist, glancing frantically over my shoulder. "We're at work. Please."
He scoffed. "Who cares? This is my company. Anyone who talks is fired before lunch."
"They won't dare say anything to you," I whispered. "But they'll talk about me."
Alexander cocked his head, grinning. "Ah. So you'd prefer my office?"
That wasn't what I meant—but before I could argue, he yanked me the other way.
I dug my heels in. "What are you doing?"
"You're a manager now," he said smoothly. "You can't work in a supervisor's office. I had yours set up first thing this morning."
Against my will, warmth flickered in my chest. Even Ethan had never been this thoughtful.
The new office was sleek, luxurious—everything my old one wasn't. The second the door closed, Alexander rubbed his hands together. "Now that you've got your promotion… shouldn't you show some gratitude?"
I eyed him warily. Last night had been my choice, but I wasn't naive. To him, I was just a plaything. If I wanted to survive, I had to push back.
He arched a brow. "Don't play dumb."
"I'm not," I lied.
In two strides, he closed the distance between us, unzipping his pants and forcing my hand inside. "Now do you?"
My pulse skyrocketed. His towering frame, the ice in his stare—it sent a tremor through me.
Even through the fabric, I felt him—hardening slowly at first, then swelling like a serpent stirring beneath my fingers.
I sucked in a sharp breath, trying to pull back, but his grip only tightened.