Chosen By My Mate's Father-in-law novel Chapter 95

[Jasmine's POV]

Suzie clapped her hands, and an excited grin crossed her face.

"That dress was made for you, Jasmine." She echoed my inner thoughts. "Come on, let's show Isabella."

I nodded, still in awe of how this dress transformed me. It wasn't just a physical change either. My posture was straighter, my chin had slightly raised, and there was a new confident look in my eyes.

Suzie helped me out of the dressing room. Isabella was waiting with an expectant smile. When she caught sight of me, she gasped and placed her hands in front of her mouth.

"Oh, Jasmine. You look breathtakingly beautiful."

My response was caught in my throat when I noticed her eyes narrow just slightly as she studied me. Was that…jealousy in her gaze? But when I looked closer, the flicker of envy was gone. All I could see in Isabella's expression was pure happiness. And it was directed at me.

I wanted to shake myself for overthinking the tiniest shift in Isabella's expression. Why would she ever be jealous of me when she was regarded as one of the most beautiful women in the world? All of the tabloids always commented on the Lycan King's daughter's classic beauty.

If I didn't imagine that flicker of jealousy—which was highly possible—it was probably because she wished that this gown had fit her instead. But Isabella hadn't thrown a fit when it didn't fit her small frame. She had offered it to me. That was just the kind of person she was.

"Now, I need to find the perfect dress for me." Isabella grinned.

"Let me help you," Suzie offered.

When the two women left, I waited, secretly glad that Suzie hadn't suggested helping me out of the dress. I wanted to stay in this gown as long as I could. Carefully, I walked to the full-length mirror and studied my reflection. The way the diamonds on the bodice reflected the light was mesmerizing. Usually, I wasn't one to focus on vanity—there just wasn't time in my busy schedule for me to be self-absorbed—but I could stare at myself wearing this dress all day long.

After a while, though, I wanted to see the dresses that Isabella had picked out for herself. I walked out of the dressing room area and headed toward the gown section. But my feet got caught in the bottom of the dress, and I tripped slightly. Wildly, I threw out my hands to grab something so I wouldn't fall on my face.

My hands gripped someone's forearm, and I pulled myself up. A hot blush spread across my face as I raised my head.

"I'm so sorry," I muttered quickly. "I tripped on my dress and…"

I trailed off as I got a better look at the woman who'd broken my fall. My stomach dropped as I took in her perfect blonde hair, curvy body, and superior expression. The woman in front of me was Delilah—the cousin of Gareth's former mate. Hot jealousy burned through me when I remembered Delilah attempting to seduce Gareth at the restaurant.

But I could tell that she didn't recognize me as she scanned my dress with an envious expression.

"Suzie!" Delilah snapped her fingers at the saleswoman who was looking through a rack of gowns. "I've changed my mind. I want this dress." She pointed a red fingernail at me as if I were nothing more than a store mannequin. "Go get me one in my size."

My eyes narrowed at the way Delilah spoke to Suzie. The saleswoman rushed over with an awkward expression.

"Ms. Meadows, I'm very sorry, but that is a one-of-a-kind dress." Suzie gestured to me apologetically. "And as you can see, the gown has already been spoken for."

Delilah's body went rigid, and she reminded me of a pot that was about to boil over.

"Have you forgotten who I am?" she hissed. "I'm the heiress of the respected Meadows family. Nobody denies me what I want. Especially not a little shop girl like you." Delilah strode to Suzie and got in her face. "I could close down your little boutique with a snap of my fingers. Now, let's try this again. Give me that dress." Delilah pointed at me without even glancing back.

She gave me a cold look and raised her eyebrows. "Sweetheart, that dress deserves to be worn by someone with class. Not a poor, low-status girl like you." Delilah scanned my face, and her eyes narrowed as she finally recognized where she'd seen me before. "You're the whore who kept Gareth's bed warm that one night!"

I blushed and whipped my head around, hoping Isabella hadn't heard Delilah's loud voice.

"Are you breaking the bank to buy that dress with the hope that Gareth will notice you again?" Delilah put her hands on her hips. "Because you're just a one-night stand to him, honey. You don't mean anything to him. Gareth hasn't had a committed relationship since my cousin passed away." Then, a superior smile bloomed across her face. "But I plan on changing that when I attend the gala…wearing that dress." She pointed at me.

My heart lowered. Of course I already knew that Gareth would eventually end up in a serious relationship with someone like Delilah. But just the thought of him kissing another woman made bile rise to my mouth.

"Now, take that dress off this instant!" Delilah commanded.

I looked to Suzie for help, but instead saw Isabella striding toward us with an angry expression.

My stomach stiffened in fear. Had she heard Delilah say that Gareth and I had a one-night stand? Because Delilah wasn't correct about when Gareth and I slept together, but it was true that we did.

Delilah paled when she caught sight of Isabella. "Oh…hello, sweetie. What are you doing here?" She tried to rearrange her tight features in the semblance of a smile.

Isabella didn't return her smile. She crossed her arms and glared at Delilah.

"I'm helping my friend," she gestured to me, "pick out a dress for the gala." Isabella's eyes narrowed even further. "Delilah, are you trying to seduce my father?"