Lucy was angry, angrier than she’d ever been in her entire life. She’d been sitting at the house for the last couple hours, Ian already having gone to work, and had just been stewing in her own irritation. After he came home and told her what his family said she’d been hurt at first, but then that pain turned into disgust and rage.

Standing, she walked over and grabbed her purse, then made her way toward the phone to dial the driver’s number to let him know she needed him. She headed out the door and down to the basement where the garage was located. Once she was there the driver opened the back door for her and she climbed inside the car.

The scent of leather surrounded her, but it didn’t ease her nerves. She was anxious about what she was going to do, how she was going to Ian‘s parents’ house and confronting them. She was strong in her own right and she wouldn’t be bullied, wouldn’t be made to feel less than her worth.

And the fact they wanted her to get rid of her child, her unborn baby, frankly pissed her the fuck off.

Once the car was on the road she stared out the window as the city passed by. His family’s house was a good distance away, but Ian would be in meetings all day, so she had hours to get this taken care of and head back home. She really didn’t want him knowing she was going out to see his parents, at least not right now. He’d want her to stay home, or insist on going with her.

Lucy needed to do this herself, to confront his family and let them know that she wasn’t going anywhere, and that she wouldn’t put up with their shit.

Before she knew it, the car was slowing and they were pulling into Ian’s parents’ estate. Her heart started beating hard and fast, painfully. Once the car stopped, the driver opened the back passenger door to allow her to get out. The sound of the car door shutting couldn’t penetrate the thunder of her pulse beating in her ears.

She stared at the mansion, her throat tightening, her mouth dry. Of course she thought this might be a mistake, but she wouldn’t stop. She would let them know she was strong.

Straightening and pulling her shoulders back, she headed up the stone steps and knocked on the front door. It was only a second before a servant opened it and allowed her inside. Nothing was really said as he led her to the sitting room, as if he knew why she was here. Although no doubt they had seen her pull up from the many security cameras stationed on the property.

Once in the room all she did was stand there, so nervous but knowing she was doing the right thing, making the right call. It was only a few moments before she heard footsteps, several of them. She turned and made sure to keep her expression stoic.

She would not show these people emotion.

And then Ian’s father and mother came into the room, their icy demeanor aimed right at Lucy. For long moments nobody said anything. They just stared at each other, as if this was a war between them.

Perhaps there was.

His mother opened her mouth to say something, presumably, but Lucy just shook her head and cleared her throat, which had the mother staying quiet. Lucy took a step forward and stared right in their eyes, looking between them, making them know that this was serious, that she would not be stepped on.

“First, Ian doesn’t know I’m here, but I will tell him.” Lucy stared at the mother first. “You don’t know me, don’t even want to get to know me, yet you want to pass me off as some kind of home wrecker, as if I am a stain on your family’s name.” Lucy looked at the father then. “I love your son, and he loves me. And this baby growing inside of me is your grandchild whether you both like it or not.” She looked between the two of them. “The fact that you told him that I should get rid of it, that he should get rid of me, has me so hateful toward you that it took a lot for me to come here today. But I needed to stand up for myself, needed to make it known that I would not be pushed aside.” Her heart was thundering. “When it concerns this child growing inside of me I will do whatever it takes to ensure they are loved and protected.”

“How dare you—”

“I’m not finished,” Lucy said in a hard tone. She continued to look between the two of them and took another step forward. “Whether you’re in our lives or not is not an issue to me. I couldn’t care less. And although I should keep my child away from you, surely you’re not that heartless and cold that you would not want to know your own grandchild.” She didn’t phrase it like a question. “But if you can’t accept the life I have with Ian, that we love each other, and that we will have this child and many more, then you can just both…” She looked between them again, gritting her teeth, her back ramrod straight. “Then you both can just fuck off.” She heard the mother gasp, and watched as she lifted her hand and placed it on her chest, as if Lucy had just stabbed her in the heart.

The father stayed silent, his expression void of emotion.

And then Lucy smiled at both of them. “I hope both of you have a nice fucking day.” And then she turned and left, grinning all the way as she went down the steps and into the back of the car. The driver pulled out away from the house and she leaned back on the seat, so damn proud of herself, and so excited to tell Ian that she’d stood up for them, for their baby.

She had no doubts he’d done the same, would do the same. But she wanted him to know that she could hold her own, that she didn’t need him to fight her battles.

And the look on their face when she swore at them made her day. Hell, it made her whole damn year.