Hate The One You’re With (Happily Ever Mishaps #4)

Chapter 25

Chapter Twenty-Five

Caleb

Twenty-year-old Caleb . . .

After a year of being married to Emmersyn, I can safely say that I’m at my happiest. I had no idea what to expect when we started this journey, but now, I’m head over heels in love with her. She’s everything to me, and the thought of her transferring to a school in San Diego so we can be closer is what keeps me going. Not seeing her often feels like being deprived of oxygen.

She does her best to visit me as much as possible, and she’s even arranged her schedule to give us long weekends together. It worries me how much she’s on the go, but I’m grateful she’s making the effort.

One day soon, I’ll be the one traveling to her, making sure I’m there for her, and we’ll have a permanent place together. That’s the plan—assuming her grandmother doesn’t keep trying to mess with us like she has since the moment she found out we were married.

I’m not what Mrs. Langley wanted for her granddaughter. I’m not sure what exactly she did want, but thanks to Emmersyn’s sacrifice, the trust fund is helping my parents, paying for Emmersyn’s college, and keeping Mrs. Langley in the lifestyle she’s accustomed to.

“Honey, I’m home,” I call out as I step into our apartment in Brooklyn. I decided to surprise Emmersyn this time. She couldn’t travel this weekend—something about a charity gala and the company needing her.

Honestly, I still don’t fully understand what it means to be part of a vast conglomerate or wield the kind of power she does—even when she downplays it, claiming she’s currently no one, just a girl who helps in the mailroom but has to attend functions to represent her family.

She doesn’t see herself the way I do. To me, she’s so much more than just Emmersyn Langley. Until she fully realizes her worth, all I can do is show her she’s everything to me by loving her, with everything I’ve got. Nothing else matters .

But instead of Emmersyn, I find Gertrude Langley sitting on the couch, her lips pinched, nose lifted like she’s smelling something rancid, and dressed as if she’s about to close a major business deal.

“Mrs. Langley,” I greet her with a curt nod, reminding myself to keep it polite. As much as I’d love to ask her what the hell she’s doing here, I know better than to greet her like that. “This is a surprise. Is Em okay?”

“Emmersyn is fine. She’s at a function,” she states.

“I thought that was tomorrow,” I say.

“We made a last minute change.” She gestures with her hand as if it doesn’t matter.

“And you’re here waiting for her?” I ask, wondering if Logan is with her. He’s usually keeping an eye on Em, even comes to San Diego with her often because even when my girl thinks he’s a driver, the guy is her bodyguard. Her grandfather just didn’t want her to know that she is not normal.

Apparently, her mother made sure to raise her outside the Langley name and she was adamant on keeping her like that up until she died. Then, she moved to her grandparents’ place and they tried to assimilate her into their lifestyle. In fact, Trudy keeps trying to change her, molding her into what a Langley and the heir of everything should be. Which is why she keeps fighting it, because she hates it.

I guess that’s the part that gets under my skin—the difference between us. She’s not just a star; she’s the entire sun, illuminating everything around her. And while I’m lucky enough to know she loves me, I still don’t quite know how to handle the rest of it. How to be worthy of her or her love .

“No. I was waiting for you,” she responds, her voice cool and measured. “Logan mentioned you’d be here this weekend, and this saves me a trip.”

I arch an eyebrow. “A trip?”

“We have to talk,” she says, her tone leaving no room for debate.

“I’m listening,” I reply, crossing my arms and leaning against the door, trying to mask the unease building inside me.

“How much more does my granddaughter have to pay you?” she asks, her words slicing through the air.

“Excuse me?” I straighten up, looking at her, genuinely confused, as if I missed something vital.

“Listen, I don’t think your services are needed anymore.” Her tone dripping with condescension.

“My services?” I repeat, the confusion deepening.

“She paid you to get control of her assets. A way to get back at me, to show me that I won’t be able to mold her the way she should be molded—which, I assure you, I will,” she says, her arrogance palpable. “The last thing she needs is to be married to a man like you.”

“A man like me?” I repeat, still trying to grasp what the hell she’s talking about.

“You don’t have a career, aspirations, and . . . let’s be honest, you’ll never amount to anything. My granddaughter needs someone who’s on her level, someone with money and pedigree.”

“Obviously, I have no pedigree. I’m not a fucking dog,” I snap, unable to control the anger bubbling up inside me.

“She’s just playing with you, and the sooner you realize that, the better it’ll be for everyone,” she continues, her tone almost mocking as she touches her lips, as if savoring the impact of her words. “Aww, you thought she cared about you? Dear, you really don’t know my granddaughter the way I do. She’s good at using people, has done it since she was little. You’re just another pawn. Give me your price, and I’ll get you out of this deal before it’s over.”

“Does Em know you’re here?” I ask, my voice tight with barely restrained anger, my hands clenching into fists at my sides.

She snorts. “Of course not. I don’t think she’d be happy if she learned I’m trying to fix her mistakes.” She presses her lips together, giving me a look full of false pity. “She’ll never admit that she regrets her stupid decisions. I’m just trying to make sure you’re not yet another one of her little casualties,” she says, her voice dripping with contempt.

A tightness grips my chest, and I can’t tell what’s true anymore. Is she really regretting us? Lately, she’s been a bit distant, but she’s told me her grandmother’s been sick and school is kicking her ass. When I study Gertrude I can see she’s pretty healthy. Is Emmersyn lying to me? Regretting us?

I don’t know what to think.

I stand up straight, my jaw clenching as I point to the door. “You need to leave.”

“Don’t be a fool,” she says, her voice cold and calculated as she rises from the couch. “I’m offering you a way out. I’ll pay anything to make this go away.”

I open the door, my hand gripping the knob so hard my knuckles turn white. “Get out. Now. ”

She pauses for a moment, giving me one last pitying look. “You’re making a mistake. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Without another word, she steps through the door, her presence lingering like a dark cloud. As the door clicks shut behind her, the silence feels heavy, suffocating.

Is staying with Emmersyn a mistake?