Chapter 5 The Scheming Son–in–Law and the Crushed Rival
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“I’ll go start cooking, then.” Rose headed toward the kitchen, throwing anxious glances back at her parents, who were clearly being overly warm to Houston. She felt a pang of worry for him.
She took pork ribs, fish, and shrimp out of the fridge… but as she weighed the ingredients, a sharp clarity hit her like a splash
of cold water.
Baby back ribs, Cajun blackened fish, garlic butter shrimp–those were all Ethan’s favorites.
But this meal wasn’t for Ethan. It was for her new husband, Houston.
Rose put everything back and instead prepared a bowl of homemade chicken noodle soup with a few simple farmer’s market sides–roasted carrots, sautéed greens, nothing fancy, but comforting and nourishing.
Meanwhile, in the living room, Sam and Linda sat across from Houston, all four eyes sharply inspecting him.
They’d always believed that any man who came to their house looking for Rose was just trying to make a move on her.
Now that Rose was supposedly engaged, their default approach to male visitors was simple: block, dismantle, and destroy.
“Houston,” Linda began, “Rose and Ethan are getting married on New Year’s Day. You must come to the wedding.”
Houston’s smile curved upward. His wife marrying another man? And he was expected to attend as a guest? Sorry–he wasn’t that open–minded.
New Year’s Day?” he repeated. “What a coincidence. I’m getting married that day too.”
Of course he’d be at the wedding. He was the groom.
Linda glanced at Houston’s bare finger and a flicker of suspicion crossed her face.
“Well, what are the odds? Houston, be sure to send me an invitation. I’d love to attend your wedding.”
Houston smiled and shot back, “Then I’ll take one of Rose’s invitations too.”
“Sam, the invites.” Linda said quickly.
Sam opened the drawer of the coffee table and handed him a pre–printed wedding invitation.
Houston accepted it with both hands. His eyes narrowed as they landed on the names: Ethan and Rose, surrounded by a little heart with the words Forever Together.
His smile vanished.
So it really had gotten that far between her and Ethan?
Houston was fiercely competitive. Ethan was part of Rose’s past–but there was no way he’d allow himself to lose to that man.
“Well, looks like Ethan finally came to his senses. Congrats to Rose. She finally got what she wanted.” He deliberately emphasized finally, highlighting how long Ethan had dragged her through the mud.
Sam and Linda’s expressions darkened. Their resentment toward Ethan flared again.
“Where’s the wedding being held?” Houston pressed.
Their faces fell even further. The truth was, the Marshalls were footing the entire bill. If word got out, it’d make Rose look desperate.
“Rosewood Estate,” Sam muttered. He’d picked the venue himself–a budget–friendly place with a classic touch.
Houston frowned. “Rosewood? That place is leftover colonial architecture from the last century. Only hosts budget weddings. Nothing special except the low price, Rose deserves better than that.”
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9:48 AM
Chapter 5 The Scheming Son–in–Law and the Crushed Rival
Sam and Linda lowered their heads, guilt setting in.
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Houston had just dragged Ethan’s name through the dirt, and his smug, cold gaze sparkled with calculated triumph.
When Rose came out with the food, she found her parents looking defeated and Houston sitting there like he’d just won a
war.
She blinked in confusion. Her parents–usually iron–willed interrogators had lost to the quiet Houston?
Linda looked at the table and frowned. “Rose, didn’t I tell you to make the seafood? How could you serve this to a guest?”
Calling him a guest–there was distance in that word.
Rose explained, “Houston has severe stomach issues. He can’t handle rich food.”
Linda fell quiet.
Houston looked at the chicken noodle soup on the table–perfectly balanced for digestive support. The colorful vegetables, the careful seasoning–it was simple, but obviously prepared with thoughtful care.
His heart warmed. He had only casually mentioned his stomach problems during a clinic visit, but Rose had remembered. She really was a gentle, thoughtful woman.
He pulled out a chair and sat down naturally.
When Rose joined him, she also sat beside him–just as naturally.
Linda and Sam exchanged a glance. A silent question hung between them.
“Rose, how do you know Houston has stomach problems?” Linda asked, her voice laced with suspicion.
Rose nearly choked. “He… he’s one of my patients.”
“You’re in psych, aren’t you? Since when does a psych doctor treat stomach problems?” Linda pushed.
Rose explained, “A lot of psychiatric patients have gastrointestinal issues. It’s common.”
Linda finally let it go, giving Houston a sympathetic look.
“Don’t worry, Houston. My daughter might be young, but she’s very skilled. I’m sure she’ll cure you in no time.” She emphasized the doctor–patient relationship.
Houston looked at Rose and nodded. “I believe in her.”
Dinner was tense. Sam and Linda kept circling back to the idea that Rose was marrying Ethan—not Houston. Meanwhile, Houston took every opportunity to throw shade at the so–called groom–to–be.
When the meal was finally over, Rose exhaled heavily. While her parents washed the dishes, she leaned over to Houston and quietly said, “Time for you to go.”
Houston blinked. “And what about you?”
Rose whispered, “You saw how hard they’re guarding me. There’s no way I’m getting out tonight.”
“So when are you coming home?” Houston frowned.
She hesitated.
He leaned in, lips brushing her ear, and murmured, “Don’t forget, I’m a normal man. I didn’t marry you to sleep alone.”
Her ears flushed red. Embarrassed, she nodded. “I’ll come back soon.”
Houston stood, turned to her parents, and said politely, “Mr. Sam, Madam Linda, I’m heading out. Thank you for dinner.”
Sam called out cheerfully, “Take care now!”
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9:48 AM
Chapter 5 The Scheming Son–in–Law and the Crushed Rival
“I’ll walk him out,” Rose added quickly.
Her parents froze.
Outside, the two of them walked side–by–side through the dim little path behind the complex.
Suddenly, Houston stopped and held out his hand.
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Rose flinched. Physical intimacy always made her nervous. Even with Ethan, their relationship had been practically platonici in the beginning. The first time he tried to kiss her, she’d slapped him on reflex–left him stunned and sulking. Ever since then, Ethan never touched her without asking first.
When she didn’t move, Houston just grabbed her hand and pulled it into his.
They walked like that–quiet, hand–in–hand.
Rose felt like she was someone’s pet, following obediently behind.
At the parking lot, Houston turned and wrapped his arms around her narrow shoulders. His sharp eyes glowed with a rare softness.
“Darling, let me hold you.”
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