My Cousin's Father-in-Law

After my divorce, I moved into my cousin's house.

On my very first day there, I nearly had an intimate encounter with her father-in-law.

Later, my cousin actually suggested, "Why don't you become my mother-in-law?"

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My name is Jade Anderson. I just finalized my divorce.

My husband was all bark and no bite. During our three-year marriage, we shared a bed only a handful of times.

This emotional neglect made me question my own appeal. I have curves in all the right places, yet I ended up left alone in an empty bed.

My cousin Chloe Evans worried I might spiral, so she invited me to stay with her.

On my first day at her place, I found myself in a mortifying situation with her father-in-law.

The June heat was oppressive. After hauling my luggage, I felt sticky and uncomfortable.

Seizing the moment while the house was empty, I hurried to the bathroom for a shower.

Mid-shower, the water suddenly cut out.

I had just lathered myself with soap, my body still covered in foam. The timing couldn't have been worse.

How was I supposed to finish my shower?

I thought about calling Chloe, but realized I'd left my phone on the living room sofa in my haste.

After waiting with no water resuming, the heat became unbearable. I wrapped a towel around myself and decided to retrieve my phone.

I assumed Chloe and her husband Liam would still be at work, leaving the house empty.

So I draped the towel loosely, not bothering to secure it tightly.

The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, my eyes locked with those of a stranger.

Why was there a strange man in Chloe's house? How did he even get in?

Recovering from my shock, I screamed, "Ah! Who are you?"

I stumbled backward while shouting, not noticing the robotic vacuum behind me. My foot caught on the device.

The sudden slip sent my already loose towel tumbling to the floor. I lost my balance, twisting my ankle and nearly falling.

I could feel the man's gaze traveling downward, seeing everything.

"Don't look! Turn around right now!"

He seemed to snap back to reality, quickly turning away. "My apologies. I didn't realize anyone was home. I'm Benjamin Lowell, Liam's father. I came by to drop some things off."

Liam's father? That would be Chloe's father-in-law. I think I saw him once at their wedding.

This was a major social embarrassment. I'd been completely exposed in front of my cousin's father-in-law.

His gaze had been unmistakably direct, lingering where it shouldn't.

I... I wanted to disappear...

Overwhelmed with shame, I tried to get up myself. But my ankle refused to bear weight, shooting sharp pains with every movement.