Chapter 15 Sweet–Talking Jeremy in Bed
The moment Jeremy walked away, Martha let out a sigh of relief. “Good thing he didn’t see your face. Now, get lost. Don’t you dare throw up again!”
Stella was just as worried about slipping up. Thankfully, the nausea had passed,
She didn’t bother responding. She covered the lower half of her face and quickly walked out.
Leaning against the kitchen counter, Martha still couldn’t tight the wave of nausea churning in her stomach. She poured herself a glass of water and chugged it.
just as she started to feel better, her phone rang from the living room table, the shrill tone cutting through the quiet like an alarm bell. Martha set down her glass and answered.
“Martha, I really love you. I’ve been losing my mind not hearing from you these past few weeks.” The man’s voice on the line made her freeze, eyes wide with panic.
She darted a glance around to make sure no one was nearby, then lowered her voice. “What are you doing calling me again? I told you that night was a mistake. There’s nothing between us!”
She was married now. The Parker family would be furious if anyone found out she was still in touch with Frank.
Frank’s tone turned desperate. “I mean it, I want to be with you. After what we shared that night-
“Shut up!” she snapped. “You think a nobody like you has any chance of marrying into the Parker family? Let’s be real, you’re not even close to my league. I’m warning you, don’t call me again. Unless you want the Livingston Group’s stock to plummet.”
She was about to hang up when his voice dropped cold. “Really? And what about the fact that you’re carrying my child? You’re not worried the Parkers might find out?”
Martha froze, the blood draining, from her face. “You’re talking nonsense!
“You and I both know I’m not. Let’s meet. If you don’t, I’m not above telling Jeremy everything,” Frank threatened.
Martha hated being threatened, but she couldn’t afford to ignore him either.
Frank chuckled. “Take your time, Ms. Nord. I’ll give you one night to think about what happens if you say no.”
Her fingers tightened around the phone until her knuckles turned white. “Send the address.”
She hung up and squeezed her eyes shut, heart racing. Was she really going to let herself be cornered like this?
No. She wouldn’t. This could never reach the Parkers. Ever.
She slumped on the couch, stunned, before finally grabbing her phone again
“Mom! Frank–he knows I’m pregnant with his baby…” Her voice cracked, her eyes welling up in frustration and fear.
Bernice hadn’t expected that secret to leak Her expression turned grim.
“And worse, I think Jeremy’s starting to suspect me,” Martha added.
She replayed everything that had happened earlier. She’d been in his office for a long time, and he never mentioned her hand. Yet, after she left, he had someone send her ointment. He was clearly testing her.
Then, when she forced Stella to drink that medicine, Jeremy saw her gagging. Too many things weren’t adding up.
She told Bernice all of it in a rush.
Bernice clutched her phone tightly. “If Jeremy hasn’t said anything, it means he hasn’t figured it out completely, or he doesn’t have proof. Just be careful for now.”
Martha nodded, “What about Frank?”
Her phone buzzed. Frank had just sent the address.
Martha’s expression turned uglier. Bernice, however, remained composed.
“Don’t worry. I’ll handle Frank,” Bernice sald.
After hashing out both problems, they hung up.
Martha stood up, still jittery, and pulled an unopened box from her closet. Inside was a set of risqué lingerie.
la had just finished washing up when the door swung open
Martha tossed the box onto her bed. “Wear this tonight. Go see Jeremy.”
Η
Stella picked up the item and opened the pink packaging. A few leather straps slipped out. Her face turned red as she took in the contents. It was a barely there outfit made of nothing but belts, fishnet stockings, and a tiny whip.
She shoved it back into the box and pushed it away. “You call this clothing? If you like it so much, wear it yourself. I’m not putting that
Martha slammed the door shut. “If it weren’t for you, Jeremy wouldn’t even be suspicious of me in the first place. You’re going to fix that tonight. Get in bed, explain away the ‘misunderstanding“, and make sure he stops asking questions.”
She added, “And just so we’re clear, I’m telling you–not asking.”
Stella looked down, ears burning. “I get it.”
That stupid to cooperate.
uld caused more trouble than she ever imagined. To avoid things spiraling, shake
Martha added begrudgingly, “Don’t worry. Do this properly, and if you get pregnant, I’ll pay you a million dollars up front.”
At the mention of money, Stella’s expression shifted. A million dollars was enough to keep Alison’s treatment going throughout the pregnancy.
Later that night, the master bedroom door creaked open, Jeremy got up from bed and answered it.
The hallway lights were off. At the sound of the door, the woman outside flinched. “Jeremy… did you miss me?
Stella stood there in a robe, loosely tied. The plunging neckline exposed a generous curve of cleavage.
Jeremy frowned at the familiar voice, then pulled her into the room. “Are you not cold?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she untied the robe at her waist.
The robe dropped to the floor, and Jeremy’s breath hitched. Her figure was flawless; it was curvy, sculpted.
Around her neck was a slim collar with a tiny bell in the center. Thin black straps barely covered her body. Her long legs were hugged by fishnet stockings that dug slightly into her skin, enhancing the soft flesh.
Stella could feel her heart thundering. She lifted Jeremy’s chin, her other hand pressed to his chest, slowly backing him toward the bed. “Do you like it?” she whispered, barely hiding the tremble in her voice.
Jeremy gave a low laugh, tilting his head as he raised both arms. “This ‘gift‘ is a little intense.”
Her hand moved downward, fingers curling around his belt. The gesture was suggestive, inviting
But she forgot that he wasn’t exactly the passive type. In one swift motion, Jeremy grabbed her wrist, and the next second, they tumbled onto the bed.
The bell around her neck jingled softly.
Stella didn’t back down. She straddled him and narrowed her eyes. “That’s cheating.”
Jeremy smirked, running his fingers slowly across her skin. The moment he touched her shoulder, her body flinched, and she let out a sharp cry.
He froze. The heat in his eyes faded slightly as he stared at her. “Are you hurt?”
