Beneath Her Bastard Boss

Blair had prepared for a battle, but not for war. She couldn’t believe aunt Viv had invited Dan without telling her.

As she stepped into her aunt and uncle’s grand dining room, the scent of roasted lamb and fresh bread filled the air, but it did nothing to soften the tension in the room. Aunt Viv and Uncle Peter sat at opposite ends of the long mahogany table, their expressions carefully neutral. Paula stood near the fireplace, quiet, her hands clasped tightly in front of her.

Dan was already seated, one arm draped lazily over the back of his chair like he had every right to be here. The look on his face said it all. He believed he was about to get his way. Fat fucking chance. Blair hated him.

Then the door creaked open behind them. She knew before she even turned. Laura. Just great.

So all the key players were here. This was going to be explosive.

Blair’s breath caught for half a second before she forced herself to exhale, slow and controlled. Laura stepped inside, scanning the room before settling on Dan. She didn’t say a word. Just moved to the table and sat down.

Had she told Dan she was pregnant yet?

Keira stiffened beside Blair. “Didn’t realize this was a full–on intervention,” she muttered.

Blair’s fingers curled into fists. Aunt Viv clasped her hands together like she had just solved some grand dilemma. “We’re all adults here. It’s time to sit down and work this out.”

Work this out? Blair nearly laughed. There was no working this out. Not after being with Roman and Dan’s cheating.

Sutton must have sensed the storm brewing, because she stepped in smoothly. “Why don’t we sit? Because being on my feet is killing me.”

Blair didn’t move right away. She wasn’t sure she could without saying something she’d regret. But then Paula caught her eye. She gave the smallest nod, a quiet show of support.

Blair took a seat next to Sutton. Keira didn’t sit. She stood behind them both, arms crossed.

The moment they were settled, Aunt Viv launched into her well–rehearsed speech.

“Blair, I know things have been strained between you and Dan, but you’ve been together for years. It would be foolish to throw that away over a misunderstanding.”

Blair scoffed. “Misunderstanding?”

Dan leaned forward, flashing the charming smile that had once made her heart race. Now it made her sick. “Babe…”

Keira held up a hand. “Nope. Absolutely not. You don’t get to ‘babe‘ her. That ship sank, hit the ocean floor, and was eaten by

sharks.”

on Blair. “You love

and unyielding. “No, Aunt Viv. My life is no longer

finally spoke. “You’re being stubborn. Marriage is about forgiveness. About building a life

“Is that what you told yourself every time

went deadly

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Chapter 28

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red creeping up his neck. He would hate her for confronting him like

Viv stiffened. “Blair, this is not the time.” She glanced at

back to Dan. Would he come clean, or was she going to have to do it for him? Uncle Peter would have

made a mistake, okay? But I love

made a disgusted noise. “That’s a

her. “We’re meant to be together. To get

at Laura as she felt Sutton squeeze her hand under

want stopped mattering the second

toward Laura, but

away.

them both closely. Dan didn’t even

in her chair. This was the first time she had moved since entering the room. She still didn’t speak. Just

tightened. “It wasn’t

“Oh? Then what was it

let out a long–suffering sigh, like this entire conversation exhausted her. “Blair, if

such an

4

who? You?

Dan had done. Because

together, it

exhaled through his nose. “For all of us. Your wedding was planned. The whole town knows.

Blair’s control snapped.