Secretary’s your New mom? Great—Here's Your New Family Package Deal - Chapter 100: Chapter 100

To get away from Dante's stalking, I volunteered for a business trip—one week out of state.
The deal was almost done, but during the client dinner, one of their executives kept staring at me in a way that made my skin crawl.
"So how old are you, sweetheart?" The balding, beer-gutted middle-aged creep wouldn't leave me alone.
I kept my voice steady. "Twenty-seven."
"Single? Too busy being a career woman?" He laughed like that was hilarious while sliding closer, trying to grab my hand to "read my palm." I dodged him as politely as possible.
I'd dealt with assholes like this before—guys who think young women will put up with anything to close a deal. My stomach turned, but this was a huge contract. I had to suck it up.
My phone buzzed. Amaury calling.
"At dinner?" He could hear the loud male voices. "Sounds like a shitshow. I texted Richard—if you're done, just get out of there."
I wanted nothing more than to bolt, but this piece of shit had zero alcohol tolerance. A few beers in and he started getting handsy, grabbing my arm and not letting go.
"Ambition's cute on a girl, but sometimes you gotta be smart about it, you know? I've got more projects coming up. Why don't you swing by my room later and we can... talk business."
He slid his hotel keycard across the table. The reek of cheap beer made me gag as I pushed it back.
"Mr. Wood, I'm just here for support. Any additional projects would need to go through my supervisor."
His face went red with rage. He yanked me up by the wrist.
"Just a manager and you think you're hot shit? What the fuck is this attitude?"
"Women only get promoted one way, and we all know what that is. You think you're too good for me? Think my money's not green enough, you stuck-up bitch—"
Drunk men are scary strong. It took three of my male colleagues to pry him off me. My heart was hammering, my wrist on fire where he'd grabbed me. I just stood there shaking.
Richard caught my eye and nodded toward the exit. I finally snapped out of it and ran.
Looking down at my phone, I realized the call was still connected.
When I picked up, Amaury didn't waste time on sympathy. Just said four words:
"I'm on my way."
It's only a three-hour drive, but Amaury's crazy busy. The branch office is barely off the ground—it needs him there. I figured he'd FaceTime me or send someone local to check in.
Back in my hotel room, I tried to sleep but couldn't.
Lying in the dark, staring at nothing.
Honestly, it wasn't that big a deal. I was used to this shit.
My family never had money to help me. College was all student loans and working three jobs just to eat.
Back then when my bosses got grabby, I had to take it. Smile and pretend it was fine.
At least now I could fight back.
Hours passed. No word from Amaury.
I rolled over, laughing bitterly at myself. Still hoping like an idiot. Maybe I really was my mother's daughter—genetically programmed to be pathetic.
Growing up, Dad was basically a ghost.
Every shitty trait you could think of, he had it all—gambling addiction, never home, constantly cheating. When he did show up, it was just to demand money.
If Mom didn't hand over cash, he'd beat the hell out of both of us.
From the time I could talk, I begged her to leave him. Everyone told her to divorce the bastard.
But she'd always cry about wanting to give me "a stable home" and refuse to go through with it.
I didn't get it at first—Dad treated us like garbage, so how was staying together good for me?
Later I figured out she was just using me as an excuse because she was too scared to leave.
Every time she caught him with another woman, she'd lose her mind—screaming, threatening him with kitchen knives, saying they should both just die.
But the second he actually tried to walk out, she'd collapse. Crying, crawling, begging him not to go.
She'd become this textbook abuse victim, totally broken. Hated him but couldn't survive without him.
I grew up watching that nightmare on repeat.
Learned early that men will screw you over, that you can only count on yourself.
I'll never get back with Dante because he'll never change. Doesn't matter what bullshit he says now—he's wired to cheat.
I won't be my mother.
But Amaury—do I actually have feelings for him?
Hell if I know. Maybe I just like his resume. Successful, seems decent, definitely an upgrade from Dante.
I've been playing him this whole time, manipulating him into wanting me. But none of it's real.
I'm so fucking lost.
Is this what I want? Living like this?
The doorbell rang.
I wrapped myself in the comforter and opened the door. Amaury stood there in a fresh suit, perfectly pressed, looking like he hadn't just driven through the night.
"I called their company and killed the partnership. The asshole who grabbed you got fired. I made some calls—he's blacklisted. Won't work in this industry again."
His voice was calm, matter-of-fact. No dramatic hugs or sweet words.
But just seeing him there felt like safety.
He checked his watch. "It's 3 AM. Canceled tomorrow's meetings. Sleep as long as you want."
Pause. "I'm next door if you need anything."
Then he turned to leave, like driving hours in the middle of the night was totally normal.
Something in my chest went quiet and still.
As he walked away, I grabbed his hand. Pulled him back by his tie and kissed him.
He tasted like mint and possibility.
When I pulled back, he looked stunned.
I smiled. "Amaury, let's do this. Let's be together."