After One Night with the Alpha (Brad and Elle) novel Chapter 188

Chapter 188

Elle’s POV

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I woke up from my nap feeling disoriented. The events of the past few days had taken their toll, and

exhaustion had finally caught up with me. The house was quiet, but I could hear muffled voices coming

from what sounded like Sophia and Abigail’s room.

Curious, I padded barefoot down the hallway toward their voices. The door was slightly ajar, and I caught

fragments of their conversation.

“Why do I feel like something’s not right about all this? Abigail was saying, her voice tinged with concern.

“I agree,” Sophia replied, and I could hear the tension in her tone.

I paused outside their door, not wanting to eavesdrop but unable to help myself from listening.

“I have to admit,” Abigail continued, “Raymond sent me here because he was worried about you being alone

with a pregnant human girl after your… well, after your heartbreak.”

“I wasn’t heartbroken!” Sophia protested immediately. never even had a relationship to begin with. How

can you lose something you never had?”

“Keep your voice down,” Abigail whispered urgently. “These walls aren’t exactly soundproof.”

There was a pause, and then Abigail spoke again, her voice more analytical. “But seriously, how

coincidental is it that Eleanor Blair suddenly shows up in Moonshade Bay, and then immediately after, all

this shit happens with the West family?”

“There’s no evidence connecting the two events,” Sophia said, though I could hear the uncertainty in her

voice.

“Someone’s deliberately pushing Elle back to the Blair family,” Abigail mused. “Though from what I can see,

it’s not necessarily bad for her.”

“I agree,” Sophia said. “It’s like someone’s helping Elle dean up the mess in her life.”

“And honestly?” Sophia continued.” Those Wests deserved what they got. That toxic family was like a

cancer – removing it is good for Elle.”

“Still,” Abigail said quietly, “I can’t shake this uneasy feeling. What if this is just the beginning, not the

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Chapter 188

end? Especially if the Blair family is involved.”

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“You remember what Eleanor Blair said so confidently that Elle would return to the Blair family. What if

the West family situation was just the opening move?”

I retreated to the living room, settling onto the couch.

Sophia showed up.

“Hey, you’re awake,” she said with a smile. “Get ready for dinner.”

Abigail appeared from the room as well. “You won’t believe this – there’s a cruise party coming up, and we can bring family members.”

I looked at them both, still processing what I’d overheard. “What cruise party?”

Before either could answer, a masculine voice called out from the kitchen: “The food’s almost ready. Susan

could use some more help in there.”

I froze. That definitely wasn’t Brad’s voice, and it certainly wasn’t any of our security detail.

A man in his fifties emerged from the kitchen, wearing an apron and carrying a casserole dish. He had kind

eyes and graying hair, and when he saw me, his face lit up with a warm smile.

Susan followed closely behind him, and I noticed something I’d rarely seen before she was blushing.

“Elle,” Susan said, fidgeting with her hands, “this is Malcolm… um, my friend. Malcolm, this is my daughter

Elle.”

I stared at Susan in shock. My quiet, reserved mother had a boyfriend? And she’d never mentioned him?

Malcolm set down the casserole and extended his hand to me. “It’s wonderful to finally meet you, Elle. Susan talks about you all the time.”

I shook his hand numbly, my eyes darting between Susan and Malcolm. “Finally? How long have you

two…?”

Susan’s blush deepened. “Malcolm, why don’t you go check on the bread in the oven?”

He seemed to sense the tension and retreated to the kitchen with a understanding nod.

“Mom,” I said slowly, “what the hell is going on?”

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Chapter 188

“Language, Elle,” Susan said automatically, then sighed I was going to tell you, I just… never found the

right moment.”

“The right moment?” I repeated. “How long has this been going on?”

Susan looked down at her hands. “About a month now. We met at the grocery store, and he’s been… very

kind to me.”

I sank back onto the couch, trying to process this revelation. In the span of a few days, I’d learned I was a

Blair family descendant, Tony’s death, and now discovered my mother had a secret boyfriend.

“Elle?” Susan asked tentatively. “Are you upset?”

Before I could answer, Malcolm’s voice called out cheerfully: “Ladies, dinner is served!”

Susan gestured toward the dining room. “Why don’t we eat first, and then we can talk?”

I followed her into the dining room, where Malcolm had set a beautiful table with more food than I’d seen Susan prepare in years. Many of the dishes looked unfamiliar – clearly Malcolm’s influence.

“This looks amazing,” Sophia said diplomatically, taking her seat.

Malcolm pulled out a chair for Susan before sitting beside her – a gesture that didn’t escape my notice. The familiarity between them suggested this relationship was more serious than Susan was letting on.

“So, Malcolm,” Abigail said, ever the conversation starter, “what do you do?”

“I’m a engineer, working for a cruise company,” he replied, serving salad onto Susan’s plate with practiced ease. “Actually, that’s how I got these tickets for the food festival cruise I mentioned.”

“A food festival cruise?” I asked, finally finding my voice

–

Malcolm’s eyes lit up. “Not just any festival we’re hosting chefs from France, Italy, Japan, and over a dozen other countries. It’s a ‘Global Culinary Experience’ cruise. I thought it might be fun for you young ladies.”

Sophia and Abigail exchanged excited glances. “Imaging tasting cuisines from dozens of countries while sailing on the ocean,” Abigail said enthusiastically.

Malcolm turned to Susan with gentle eyes. “Of course, In most hoping Susan will come. I’d love to have such a beautiful woman as my companion for the evening.”

Susan blushed again and looked down at her plate. I watched this interaction with mixed emotions –

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happiness for Susan, but also a sense of displacement. How had my quiet mother found romance while my own love life was falling apart?

The dinner continued with Malcolm trying to keep the conversation light, telling us about various cruise destinations and the food festival preparations. Susan remained mostly quiet, stealing glances at me as if trying to gauge my reaction.

As we finished eating, I found myself studying Malcolm He seemed genuinely kind, and the way he looked

at Susan suggested real affection..

“The cruise is in three days,” Malcolm said as we cleared the table. “I know it’s short notice, but I’d love for

all of you to join us.”

“That sounds wonderful,” Abigail said, looking at me hopefully.

I nodded slowly.

“Mom,” I said quietly as Malcolm returned to the kitchen, “are you happy?”

Susan’s face softened. “I am, Elle. Malcolm makes me laugh, and he treats me like I matter.”

I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Then I’m happy for you.”

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After One Night with the Alpha