Marry Your Dad $ Become Your Stepmom

Eloise POV “The rumors aren't true. I am single.” Ethan, my fiancé, and the people’s favorite hockey player, bluffs in the mini microphones pushed in his face as he grants endless interviews. I’ve heard it a million times - the betrayal, the denial - but this one hits differently. Maybe it's how he looks me dead in the eyes and denies our relationship before his crazed fans… Maybe it's because we’re getting married in three freaking days! “Mr. Ety…” A lady half moans into her mic, sucks the bottom of her thin lips, and thrusts the seemingly wet microphone an inch close to his lips. “What's your type in a woman?” “Hmmm,” he smirks, his pushed lips passively grant her seduction. His eyes admire the horny petite blonde. “Fashionable.” My heart drops at his response. While she’s dressed like a $2 w***e, my chubby body is swallowed up in my baggy jeans and big vest bearing his name! I’m wearing a pair of Adidas, uncomfortable in heels. “Pretty… and small.” He continues, stabbing my heart over and over again. “I love to roll my gurl like my puck.” The crowd cheers and moans and goes wild over their fave’s madness, while my fat frame is stumped to the side. “Miss Eloise,” one unexpectedly comes for me, saying my name with the faintest respect just to earn Ethan’s attention. “As his manager, you know him better. Is it true?” Riled up, I grab her hair and slam her fragile ribs to the side while she whines and writhes for help! “Eloise?” She snaps me out of my daydream. I blink back tears and wear the fake smile my cheeks are weary of. “Hmmm.” I grin harder to cover the awkwardness. When they flood him again for autographs and selfies and hugs, I escape to his private bathroom and no one gives a s**t. “Oh, god…” I grab the sink and cry. I dare not blink at my reflection, at my excess cheeks and full neck, and big forehead… My fingers tightly grab the bowl, crumpling the paper that has been in my sweaty palm for ages. Feeling sick, I had excused myself to the hospital, only to be shocked with the news of my pregnancy. My trembling fingers stretch out the result and I blink back tears as I stare at the positive remark. I wanted to tell him so badly, but right now… I hate him! “I’m sucha fool.” I let fresh tears pour. “Eloise?” The door opens and Ethan’s voice gets louder. I hastily wipe my tears and suck up the rest of my misery. I hurriedly sneak the result back in my bag when the bathroom door opens. He pauses by the door, and I can feel his eyes bore into me. “What’s that?” “Are you okay, would have been better. Thanks.” I sniffle and push the last of the results into my bag. “Just some brand’s T&Cs—” He sighs. “Babe, you’re making a scene again.” “A scene?” My voice breaks off. I look around and shrug in surrender. “Really?” My lips quiver. “We’re getting married in seventy-two hours and you do this—” “Hey, hey…” He comes over and cups my face. “It's our privacy.” His whispers fan my face and his cool. “I don't want you to be booed by the public.” I sniffle. “Do you really love me?” He frowns, disappointed. “You’ll be glad I protected you.” Somehow, he knows how to ease me up. When he leans in to kiss me, my eyes involuntarily shut, mouth waters to feel his lips… but he pecks my forehead instead, leaving me disappointed. “What next?” He leaves my side and starts his self-care routine. “Uh… a podcast with Anna.” I choke on my words. His vicious ex! Somehow, he found a way to convince me that it's just business. “Okay, clear the rest of my day, I need to rest.” He slips in for a quick shower and leaves me hanging… horny… watching through the glassy door with jealousy as the water strokes his nakedness. *** *** “So… are you this smooth off-camera too, or should we stop rolling to find out?” Anna teases and the crew burst into laughter. “How about later?” Ethan smirks, tilting the top right of his lips. It's supposed to be a sports podcast, not a flirting show! Not her reaching to adjust his cardigan and stylishly smudging her red lipstick on his sleeves! I’m being ragebaited… and sadly, I’m falling for it. I press on my toes, angry, desperate to run in there and rip her off him, but I can't. It'll ruin his career. Gosh! I’m done! I barely mumble a few words to the crew who only care about the stars in front of them, and slip my big yet invisible size out of the studio. Tears roll down as I walk down the cool street, not sure what I’m searching for. It's dark so no one gets to see my face. Even if they do, I bet they’ll rather fish out Ethan than worry about some sad manager. My hand subconsciously rests on my still flat stomach. I’ll run away and never look back. Growing up in an orphanage, I’d never raise my child in an unhealthy home. The classy club at the end of the street beckons. Coffee won't clear my head. I need a few shots. I find my way to the bar and take a stool. “Five shots of vodka… Ten!” I yell my order. What's the need to be half drunk and bitter? The bartender raises an eyebrow but shrugs it off. Business before advice. When she comes to my side, it's with my order. “Thank you,” I pull the platter closer and take the first shot. I groan, feeling the angry liquor bite into my empty stomach. I sniffle and grab the second mugshot and the third… I’m not certain which shot has my head spinning, but my vision serves me well enough to see I’m grabbing the last glass. “Your bill…” The attendant comes over again, impatient. I blink at the teller, my eyes mixing the numbers. “Five… five dollars…” I stutter and carelessly find my card. “$5k!” She snaps. “What?!” I gasp and wave it off. It's ridiculously expensive but the deal is already done… except that I can't find my card. “My card… I can't… uhmm—” “Except you want first-hand embarrassment, don't pay in ten seconds.” I stammer, senses become less fogged. “I am Eth—” I catch myself before I ruin what’s left of our relationship. “Can I—” “Pay your f*****g money, b***h!” Her angry fist pounds the counter. Shit! Shit!!! I can't breathe… I can't think… my drunken frame fall towards her without a fight. “Here.” A strange voice interrupts us. The angry attendant pushes me back, almost knocking me off my seat, then reaches for the black card in front of her. I’m still in shock, my breathing ragged. “Thank your stars.” She sighs and swipes his card. Ashamed, I bend my head. “I’m sorry—” “The boss wants you.” He interrupts me. When no one speaks, I look at the hefty man in a black suit and stammer. “Huh?” “Now.” He groans. I look from him to the attendant. If I decline then I’ll have to die by strangulation. Choosing a better death, I stagger behind him to the VVIP lounge. It's empty, serene… and just a single man lords the place! He’s not as sophisticated as I imagined. He’s bare-chested in a simple leather jacket that runs to his ankle, slim-fit black pants that clad his firm thighs. He’s effortlessly perfect. My mouth hangs open, eyes greedily crawl up his sexiness… “Stop going for things above you, Signora.” His polished Italian accent yanks me out of my mind. I swallow, not sure if I’m more embarrassed that he saved my life or that he caught me gawking. “I’ll… I’ll pay you back.” I mumble. “Hmmm, let’s see.” He scoffs. “It's not $5, darling.” Wait… he heard me? I raise my head in spy only to see him stand up, broad frame taller than I pictured. He’s comfortably a 6’2, towering over me like cloud. “I…” My words dry up in my mouth when he closes in, barely leaving an inch for me to breathe. Slowly, he circles me, holding my breath, his cologne is strong on me. Each glance at his bare hairy chest has me dreaming, sinning with my mind. “Leave.” He stops and groans a command. Tensed, I hurriedly step backward and unexpectedly smack against his solid body! Shit! I freeze, my lazy legs stagger only for his firm hand to slide over my belly and press me against his stoic build! I gasp. I’m not supposed to feel the bulge pressed against my back… but I do. And my body responds before I can condemn it, stroking around his bulge and feeling heat explode beneath my skin. “Kneel.”