Pampered By My Brother-In-Law

Chapter 4: Out of your league

Elise backed out of the garden slowly, one careful step after another, hot tears slipping from the corners of her eyes and tracing salty paths down her cheeks.

No. No, this can’t be real.

She ducked into a shadowed corner of the yard, bent at the waist, and let the sobs tear out of her. How could he choose her? How could Timothy look at Jade that way?

The truth she had buried for so long clawed its way up her throat. Elise had been in love with Timothy for years. She’d hidden it behind easy laughter, late-night texts, and the safe label of “just friends.” She had dropped every green flag she could think of—subtle touches, lingering glances, always being there when he needed someone. She’d convinced herself he would see it eventually.

But tonight the truth slapped her in the face. She wasn’t his choice. She would always be the friend. Nothing more.

“It’s just a fling, right?” she whispered to the empty air, trying desperately to convince herself. “He’s not in love with her. He’s just having fun. That’s all it is.”

The more she repeated the words, the tighter the knot of jealousy twisted in her chest until she could barely breathe.

---

In the garden, Jade was still breathless when Timothy finally pulled back. Their eyes opened slowly, heavy-lidded and dazed.

Heat flooded Jade’s cheeks. She couldn’t bring herself to meet his gaze, staring instead at the collar of his shirt like it held all the answers. Timothy’s mouth curved into a soft, knowing smile at how shy she suddenly looked.

“Your lips taste so damn good,” he murmured, voice low and rough. “So f*****g intoxicating.”

“W-we shouldn’t be doing this,” Jade whispered, her voice barely there.

“Why?” Timothy smirked, that dangerous glint back in his eyes.

“B-because you’re my brother-in-law,” she stuttered.

“Ex-brother-in-law,” he corrected smoothly. His fingertip traced slow, invisible lines along the sensitive skin of her arm, raising goosebumps in its wake. He leaned in closer and pressed soft, open-mouthed kisses along the delicate column of her neck.

Jade shuddered hard, a tiny helpless sound escaping her. “Still… we shouldn’t.”

“Then stop me,” Timothy breathed against her ear, his warm breath sending another shiver racing down her spine. “Tell me you don’t want this, and I’ll stop right now.”

Jade couldn’t say a single word. The truth sat heavy and obvious between them.

She wanted this. Badly.

After a long beat of charged silence, Timothy asked, “So… what next?”

“I… I don’t know,” Jade admitted, her voice small. “I don’t know what to do next.”

“Well, I think you should throw a party,” he teased, lips twitching.

“A party?” Her brows pulled together in genuine confusion.

“Yeah. To celebrate your divorce,” Timothy said. “To celebrate your freedom from that jerk who never deserved you in the first place.”

Jade found herself smiling despite everything. “Your idea sounds crazy… but I think I love it.”

She stared up at his face, eyes shining with open admiration. Timothy was nothing like Justin. He was energetic, warm, optimistic—full of life in a way that made her feel alive again.

“So when do you want to throw this party?” he asked.

“Tonight,” Jade answered with sudden, surprising confidence.

“Wow,” Timothy’s lips stretched into an amused grin. “That fast?”

“Yeah. No point wasting any more time,” she said, lifting her chin. “Besides, I’ve got a big day tomorrow.”

Timothy didn’t understand what she meant by that, but he nodded anyway, trusting her.

“Let’s go invite my enemies,” Jade added with a wicked little smile.

---

“Oh baby, put it in real good,” Shanell purred, straddling Justin on the bed, her hips already rolling with anticipation. They were seconds away from sinking into each other when a sharp knock echoed through the room.

“Who the hell is that?” Shanell pouted, irritation flashing across her pretty face.

“I’ll get it,” Justin muttered, climbing off the bed. He yanked on his shorts and stalked toward the door, a deep frown already carving itself into his expression.

The moment he opened it and saw Jade standing there with a bottle of wine in her lap, his scowl deepened.

“What do you want, Jade?” he smirked, eyes flicking over her with clear disdain. “I was about to make love to my darling Shanell before you showed up and ruined the mood.”

“I came to invite you to my party,” Jade said, her voice calm and steady.

“What party?” Justin sneered. “Since when does an unhappy woman like you throw parties?”

So that’s what you want, Jade thought, a cold smirk blooming inside her chest. You want to see me broken and sulking. Well, you’re never getting that satisfaction from me.

“Actually, I’m celebrating my freedom from our little charade of a marriage,” she replied, confidence ringing clear in every word.

Justin blinked, caught completely off guard. “What?”

“Yeah, you’re invited. And you can bring your b***h too,” Jade said smoothly before wheeling herself away without another glance.

Justin stood frozen in the doorway, utterly speechless.

---

The party was in full swing by the time the night deepened. Booze flowed freely, music pulsed through the house, and laughter mixed with the clink of glasses. Jade sat at the center of it all, surrounded by a small circle of friends toasting her fresh start.

Timothy waited until the energy peaked—champagne bottles popping, bodies moving to the beat—before he leaned down close to her ear.

“Let me borrow you for a minute,” he murmured, already wheeling her chair toward a quiet corner away from the noise.

“Alright,” Jade smiled, taking another generous sip of her wine. She twisted in her seat and shouted back to the crowd with bright, tipsy excitement, “Drink up, guys! Drink as much as you want! It’s my f*****g divorce party!”

“I think you’re getting a little tipsy,” Timothy said gently, slipping the wine glass from her fingers.

“I’m having fun, Tim,” she laughed, eyes sparkling. “I haven’t felt this happy in such a long time.”

“I’m glad you’re happy,” he said, his own smile warm and genuine.

Then he handed her a sleek black gift box tied with a bold blood-red ribbon.

“What’s in here?” Jade asked, curiosity lighting up her face.

“Open it.”

She undid the ribbon slowly. When she lifted the lid, her breath caught in her throat. Inside lay a beautiful Italian leather collar, rich and new, the scent of fine leather filling the air. Her fingers brushed over the engraved tag, and beneath it she found the second gift—a thick, realistic dildo attached to a powerful vibrator.

Timothy leaned in close, his voice dropping to a low, rough growl right beside her ear.

“Justin gave you a black card like you were some charity case. I’m giving you something that actually fits what you deserve now—something that says you belong to someone who wants to worship every inch of you… and ruin you at the same time.”

Jade’s eyes filled with unshed tears. “I love it,” she whispered, voice thick with emotion.

“I’m glad you love it,” Timothy murmured, pressing a tender kiss to her forehead.

---

The next day arrived with crisp California sunshine pouring through the tall windows of the upscale event hall. Starline Construction was announcing its major new partnership with the Williams family, and the room was packed wall-to-wall with Los Angeles elites in tailored suits and designer dresses.

Justin strolled in with Shanell on his arm, both of them wearing proud, self-satisfied smiles. Today was supposed to mark another milestone for his family’s company.

The host stepped onto the stage and tapped the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, today we celebrate a major milestone for Starline Construction. Seven years of outstanding service under our exceptional CEO—who, until now, has preferred to remain anonymous.”

The room fell into an expectant hush.

“But today, we’re excited to finally introduce you to our remarkable leader.”

The heavy curtain behind the stage parted smoothly. Jade was wheeled onto the platform, poised and radiant.

“Everyone, please welcome our outstanding CEO, Jade Williams.”

Applause erupted across the hall. But Justin’s jaw dropped, his face draining of color. No f*****g way.

“Point of correction,” Jade said smoothly, taking the microphone with steady hands. “I’m no longer a Williams. I’m now Jade Oscar.”

Sweat beaded on Justin’s forehead. He couldn’t process it. All these years, the secret CEO behind Starline had been Jade?

He pushed through the crowd and rushed toward the stage. “I’m sorry about the divorce,” he blurted, voice cracking with desperation. “It was a mistake. Please take me back. Let’s get married again.”

Jade’s lips curved into a slow, satisfied smile.

“Too late, ex-husband,” she said, her voice carrying clearly through the microphone. “I’m way out of your league now.”