Charming: A Modern Day Sexy Cinderella Story Read Online Free

escape, the more impossible sneaking out is going to be.
    “Jeremy and I have been having an affair,” Jackie blurts. “We have been for quite some time.”
    My mouth falls open and my stomach twists painfully making me gag. Katie reaches out and grabs my arm, her fingernails painfully digging into my skin. I may be ready to walk out on Jeremy, but that doesn’t mean I’m not still shocked and hurt by the bomb that just dropped.
    Katie recovers first, “What the hell are you talking about? This is low. Even for you,” she snaps at Jackie.
    “It’s true,” she hisses. “Fact is Jeremy doesn’t love you. He only wants to gain access to the business. I wouldn’t even be telling you this if I didn’t have to. But, he’s hoping that by marrying you, he’ll get to eventually run your father’s company and push you out.”
    “He can’t push me out of my own company,” I state thinking about the marketing company I manage that’s become my pride and joy. I love what I do, love that my father loved it as well. No one is taking that away from me. No one. I’ll die first.
    “Maybe not, but you weren’t signing a prenup were you? He can certainly take you to court and make your life hell down the road. If it came to that. Or maybe you’d be so in love with him and his little act that you’d sign over controlling interest to him? Regardless, you can’t tell me that Jeremy wasn’t going to get a primo position within the company. He has it all planned out and he wants to leave you with nothing.”
    Jeremy’s been working at the company since I took it over. I love my job, love coming up with creative and innovative ways to help our clients promote and market their dreams. Playing a role in helping them share their dream with the world, to realize that dream, well that’s just an amazing experience. Plus, I’m damn good at it.
    “And what?” I ask her. “You’re doing me a kindness by telling me because you care about me? Because of our sisterly bond? Seems to me you both have more to gain by not telling me a thing.” I scoff while gripping Katie’s hand tighter in my own. Nausea washes over me at the thought of Jackie and Jeremy together and I do my best to cover it up. Jackie and Jeremy. Jeremy and Jackie. Isn’t that cute? Their names even go together. Gag.
    “No,” she snaps. “I don’t really care about how this makes you feel at all. I regret he let it get to this point, such a waste of time and money, but I have no choice now but to take matters into my own hands.”
    “Do you want me to say ‘thank you’? Because if that’s what you’re waiting for, feel free to hold your breath.”
    “Why should she even believe you? How do we know you’re even telling the truth and not just trying to be a bitch on her wedding day?” Katie asks.
    “Don’t believe me. I don’t care. Or I can show you the photos I have on my phone of us together. Just…don’t go through with this,” she says as her hands touch the front of her stomach and she caresses it. In that moment, her words register. She doesn’t have a choice but to tell me, and I know why. This isn’t just about her anymore.
    “Oh my god,” I state feeling sick. “You’re pregnant.” Katie gasps, and the look on Jackie’s face is a mixture of apprehension and triumph. Angelica’s face shows only glee and malice. Clearly, she’s only here for the view. I almost laugh. Does Jackie think having an affair with an almost married man and getting pregnant with his baby deserves some kind of reward? Does she think I’d be grateful to her? The smirk she sports on her lips makes me want to smack it off. With a toss of her long hair, she spins on her heel and stalks out of the room, my dear stepmother following. Both of them walking away from the damage Jackie’s actions have left behind.

 
    Katie and I remain frozen, staring at the door Jackie slammed behind her. Words lie on the tip of my tongue, but are unable to form completely. I