Chapter 3: Engaged by Order, Trained by Stepmom

Stepmom pulled me aside and whispered,

“Sweetie, don’t panic. No matter how tough a man is, as long as you’re gentle enough, you can get through to him.”

That got my attention—the words ‘make him listen’ made my eyes light up.

I immediately rolled up my sleeves.

“Stepmom, hurry and teach me how to handle him!”

The place smelled like fabric and lavender. In stepmom’s craft room, only a table lamp was on.

She sneakily took out a little book wrapped in a scarf from her purse.

I thought to myself: “A self-defense manual?”

Stepmom looked gentle and delicate.

She had a wild side—who would’ve thought—

Who knew? So unassuming, yet she’s a master.

I looked at stepmom with awe.

Until she opened the first page, her cheeks turning pink.

“Uh, these are… romance guides.”

“Shh! Keep your voice down!”

This couldn’t be happening. My heart instantly sank, and I grabbed stepmom to protest.

“You’re new to our family, so let me explain... I’ve fought with Colton a hundred times since we were kids—”

“Enough, stop counting! Just listen to me, you can’t go wrong!”

She was serious. Stepmom said that when I marry into the Blake family, given the grudge between Mr. Blake and my dad,

I definitely won’t have an easy time.

But as long as I win over Colton, no one else will be a problem.

Apparently, that’s all it takes—once I’m pregnant, things will get even better. I’ll be walking on air!

I understood what she meant.

The Blakes have few kids; Mrs. Blake has only one son, Colton.

If I give Colton a child,

my place in the family will be solid.

But.

Me, Colton.

The two of us having a child.

Yeah, right. Like in this book, rolling around naked.

Who would die first?

While at home, stepmom sewed my wedding dress for me.

I got bored and wandered around Main Street.

By chance—

Of course. Enemies always run into each other; I bumped into Colton.

He was flanked by two buddies, busy collecting phone numbers from giggling girls.

Colton himself was twirling his car keys, strolling along like he owned the place.

Stepmom had told me over and over that if I saw Colton in the future, I had to act like a proper lady, smiling sweetly, acting all polite.

So he’d gradually change his opinion of me.

Stepmom truly meant well for me.

I knew she meant well. I wasn’t ungrateful either.

Dad and Mr. Blake both sit on the city council.

If I marry into their family and get bullied by the Blakes, dad will feel humiliated too.

Since I was little, I’ve always made dad proud.

Even after marrying, I have to make him proud.

There were only two ways off this block.

Now he was coming from the west, and I had nowhere to hide.

I could only brace myself and walk forward.

I forced a smile and softened my voice to greet him.