Chapter 2: His Parents Walked In

Gina rounded on me.

You'd drag this in front of his parents? Have you no shame?"

raised my hand and slapped her across the face.

So you *do* know that a couple's private time shouldn't be interrupted."

Then how did you have the nerve to hide under my bed?"

Gina clutched her cheek. Bastian immediately lunged forward and shoved me.

Meredith, you've gone too far."

Gina's blunt. She was just curious and was too embarrassed to ask."

So what if I let her listen?"

It's not like you got hurt. What's the big deal?"

Gina shrank into his arms, but her gaze was sharp as a knife.

I recorded the whole thing."

I'm sending it to the group chat right now. Let's let everyone hear what you're really like."

My mind went blank. I star I stared at Bastian. He just stared coldly back, as if he thought I deserved it.

Just then, Mr. and Mrs. Wilson burst in.

Mr. Wilson's fist connected with Bastian's jaw.

Mrs. Wilson raised a hand and slapped Gina so hard she stumbled and fell to the floor.

"What the hell is wrong with you two?" Mrs. Wilson's voice trembled with fury.

Gina scrambled to explain, but Mrs. Wilson grabbed her by the hair, dragged her to the door, and kicked her twice, sending her sprawling into the hallway.

Bastian started after her, but his father's second punch stopped him cold.

"I warned you."

"This Gina uses 'friendship' as an excuse to hang all over a group of men. She's never been up to any good."

"She humiliates Meredith like this, and you still want to run after her?"

Mr. Wilson roared, "Are you blind?"

Bastian wiped a smear of blood from the corner of his mouth, his voice defiant.

"It's my life. I can spend time with whoever I want."

"Dad, Mom, I'm an adult. Can you stop trying to control me?" Mr. Wilson slapped him again, this time with the back of his hand.

"Who wants to control you?"

"We're defending Meredith."

What Bastian didn't know was that years ago, when the Wilson family company was on the brink of collapse, it was my father who had saved them. He'd fronted a massive amount of cash and brought in the right investors, pulling their entire portfolio back from the edge.

In Mr. and Mrs. Wilson's eyes, I mattered far more than their disappointing son.

After a few more blows, Bastian finally lowered his head.

"Meredith, Gina was just trying to be funny."

"If she offended you, I'll apologize on her behalf, okay?"

"I've already been beaten half to death over this. Can you just drop it?"

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson both looked at me, waiting for my response.

I paused, then finally gave a slow nod.

The Wilson family had done very well over the years, their wealth growing steadily.

They were terrified Bastian would run the company into the ground, which was why they'd been pushing for our marriage, hoping I could finally make him settle down.

They had made it crystal clear to my parents from the beginning. No matter what Bastian did, they would never allow me to be mistreated.

It was a promise they had, at least, kept.

After that night, Bastian's credit cards were cut off.

He also broke off all contact with Gina.

Whether he was genuinely remorseful or just putting on a show for his parents, I couldn't bring myself to care.

Seeing him on his best behavior, I decided to let the matter drop and focus on our wedding preparations.

Our two families quickly set a date.

One afternoon, we were at the hotel finalizing the wedding arrangements.

As we were finishing up, Bastian pulled me aside, looking hesitant.

"Meredith, um ... my friends want to throw me a bachelor party."

"Can I go?"

A warning bell went off in my head.

"Will Gina be there?"