“If You Can’t Bear My Mistress, We Can Swap Newtons”- So I Married His Worst Rival At the Wedding Chapter 04

“If You Can’t Bear My Mistress, We Can Swap Newtons”- So I Married His Worst Rival At the Wedding Chapter 04

Rain had soaked through my clothes. Cold wind cut into my bones.

And Preston actually put his arm across the door.

He pushed the umbrella into my hand. Looked at my swollen eyes. His voice softened.

“See how much Tessa cares about you? Can’t you meet her halfway? She’s not trying to take your place as Mrs. Hale.”

“I’ve got the Southside land now. You’re not going to find a better match in all of Ashford. You’re not stupid, Sloane.”

“So stop this. The wedding is still on tomorrow. I don’t trust anyone else to treat Tessa right.”

Preston got in the car.

The heat from inside hit my face as he closed the door. Like a slap.

Didn’t hurt. But it woke me up.

What Preston forgot—I’m not stupid, and I don’t tolerate disrespect.

So I posted on Instagram.

[That’s it. I’m done with Preston Hale. Congrats to him and his ex—who also happens to be my ex-best friend, Tessa Vane—on getting back together.]

The photo was them kissing in the lounge.

Ten seconds later, Preston called.

I didn’t pick up. Turned my phone off.

When I got back to the Ashford house, my dad was sitting on the couch in the living room.

His mistress, Loretta Hayes, sat next to him feeding him grapes.

Their affair kid, who was just in middle school, was drawing all over the rug my mom bought with markers.

I slowly clenched my fists. The place where I had all my best memories with her.

Was finally ruined.

When Loretta saw me, she looked uncomfortable for a second, then came over all warm.

“Sloane, you’re back. Are you hungry? I’ll have the maid make something.”

The woman who stole my mother’s husband, who drove her into depression until she jumped.

Standing in her house, playing hostess.

I pushed her away coldly. “Who the hell are you? Get your bastard kid and get out.”

Loretta stumbled back, then gave my dad a pathetic look.

My dad stormed over and slapped me across the face. Hard.

“You ungrateful little brat. You’re the one who lost the Southside rights. Who was it that swore up and down she’d win it? Now you screw it up and come home acting like you’re in charge?”

“And who said you could break up with Preston? That marriage is the only way we get any of this loss back.”

“What successful guy doesn’t have other women? Why do you always have to be such a pain? Just like your dead mother.”

“Delete that post right now. Go find Preston. Get on your knees if you have to. Beg him to take you back.”

Look at that. My own father.

Cold. Calculating. No wife, no daughter. Just profit.

I pushed my tongue against the spot where he hit me. Laughed.

“My mother only had me. That mouthy little bastard is nobody’s brother to me.”

“You want to suck up to the Hales so bad? Send your mistress over. Or go yourself. You’re good at sleeping around anyway. Gender doesn’t seem to matter to you.”

My dad’s face went purple. He raised his hand again.

Someone grabbed his wrist.

Preston looked at my red cheek. His expression was tight. “Mr. Ashford, I asked you to talk to her. Not hit her.”

“Relax. I know Sloane’s post was just her being mad. I’m still marrying her tomorrow. Your family will get their cut. No need to pressure her.”

My dad finally smiled. Took Loretta and the kid upstairs.