The Lingerie Thief Next Door - Chapter 3: Chapter 3
You are reading The Lingerie Thief Next Door, Chapter 3: Chapter 3. Read more chapters of The Lingerie Thief Next Door.
My husband showed up after my shift, flashing that tired smile of his as he tried to make small talk. I could see the exhaustion etched into his face, so I didn't pull away when he reached for my hand—just sighed and let him.
The drive home was quiet.
The second we stepped inside, I spotted my father-in-law standing in front of the bathroom mirror—my lipstick in his hand.
Yesterday's humiliation came rushing back.
All the anger I'd bottled up exploded.
I marched over, ripped the lipstick from his grip, and hissed, "Who told you you could go through my things? This isn't yours to touch!"
He flinched. "I—I was just curious—"
"Curious?" My voice cracked. "What kind of man rummages through a woman's makeup?"
His face went pale. He just stood there, hands limp at his sides, looking like a scolded child.
Then my husband was between us, his voice tight. "Mia, what the hell is wrong with you? If you're pissed, take it out on me. Don't scream at Dad—he cooks, cleans, watches Benny every damn day—"
I gaped at him. This was the man who swore he'd always have my back?
His father was the one who crossed the line. And now I was the villain?
"So he gets to invade my privacy, and I'm just supposed to shut up?" My voice shook. "You're all exhausted—what about me? All you ever do is blame me!"
Hot tears blurred my vision. Before I could stop myself, I hurled the lipstick straight into the trash.
That set him off. He grabbed my wrist, yanking me toward the bedroom—
His father lunged forward and smacked his shoulder. "Stop it! You'll hurt her!" Then, frantic, he turned to me. "Mia, I'm sorry—I'll buy you a new one tomorrow, okay? Please, we're family. If Benny wakes up and hears this—"
Right on cue, Benny's wails cut through the tension.
We both froze.
His father bolted for the bedroom, voice softening instantly. "Benny, sweetheart, Grandpa's here!"
My husband let go of me with a heavy sigh. "We need to talk."
I swallowed hard and nodded.
The drive home was quiet.
The second we stepped inside, I spotted my father-in-law standing in front of the bathroom mirror—my lipstick in his hand.
Yesterday's humiliation came rushing back.
All the anger I'd bottled up exploded.
I marched over, ripped the lipstick from his grip, and hissed, "Who told you you could go through my things? This isn't yours to touch!"
He flinched. "I—I was just curious—"
"Curious?" My voice cracked. "What kind of man rummages through a woman's makeup?"
His face went pale. He just stood there, hands limp at his sides, looking like a scolded child.
Then my husband was between us, his voice tight. "Mia, what the hell is wrong with you? If you're pissed, take it out on me. Don't scream at Dad—he cooks, cleans, watches Benny every damn day—"
I gaped at him. This was the man who swore he'd always have my back?
His father was the one who crossed the line. And now I was the villain?
"So he gets to invade my privacy, and I'm just supposed to shut up?" My voice shook. "You're all exhausted—what about me? All you ever do is blame me!"
Hot tears blurred my vision. Before I could stop myself, I hurled the lipstick straight into the trash.
That set him off. He grabbed my wrist, yanking me toward the bedroom—
His father lunged forward and smacked his shoulder. "Stop it! You'll hurt her!" Then, frantic, he turned to me. "Mia, I'm sorry—I'll buy you a new one tomorrow, okay? Please, we're family. If Benny wakes up and hears this—"
Right on cue, Benny's wails cut through the tension.
We both froze.
His father bolted for the bedroom, voice softening instantly. "Benny, sweetheart, Grandpa's here!"
My husband let go of me with a heavy sigh. "We need to talk."
I swallowed hard and nodded.
End of The Lingerie Thief Next Door Chapter 3. Continue reading Chapter 4 or return to The Lingerie Thief Next Door book page.