Chapter 0361

For a couple reasons," I admitted, nibbling on my lower lip. "Your father didn't want me to say anything to you."

She snapped a look at me, her eyes large as she obtained that new information. "My father knew too?" She asked. "Did everybody know??"

"I'm not sure, I told her softly. "But your father was worried that you'd try to hurt yourself if you found out, or if you thought we were lying. He kind of just let it happen, despite knowing that Ethan wasn't good for you."

She swallowed as reality sunk in. Realization flickered through her eyes, and she let out a shaky breath as she nodded slowly, understanding clearly in her eyes.

"What was the other reason?" She asked.

I was quiet for a moment as I tried to put together the words; there was really no way around it, I had to tell her the entire truth for her to better understand the situation and for her to be grateful she got out of that situation when she did.noveldrama

"Ethan was blackmailing me..."

Her eyes grew wide as she snapped a look at me, her mouth nearly dropping to the ground.

"What do you mean he was blackmailing you?" She asked, her eyes narrowed. "How?"

"You know his family are the Betas of the Redmoon pack?" I asked. "They have a lot of power. They are the richest family right now and they hold a lot of influence. Even more so my family, the Deltas."

She listened thoughtfully and nodded, waiting for me to continue as I gathered my thoughts.

"My father owned a business, and we don't come from a lot of money, so when he opened the business, he took out a pretty large loan. They racked up interest on the loan, though without telling him, so he owed twice as much as he borrowed. Ethan used his

influence to triple the interest, so my father owed triple as much and then he got the loan pulled, so the loan sharks came demanding the funds. It was money that my father just didn't have yet. Despite the business being successful and money coming in quickly,

he didn't have enough to pay off the entire loan yet. He had to give the sharks every penny he's made, including the business, and it still wasn't enough........”

"Oh Judy..." Irene whispered, tears clear in her eyes.

I was quiet for a moment as I thought about my family, the weight of their reality resting on my shoulders. This was the first time I was telling this story out loud, and it was to someone kind of unexpected.

Taking a deep breath, I continued.

"Because my father couldn't pay back the rest of the loan, he was put in jail. Ethan is the reason my father is in jail, and he could get him out if he wanted, but he's holding him against me. Getting him beaten on a daily. My father is being tortured in prison, and

Ethan is the reason it's happening. He wanted me to live in a home that he purchased and be his mistress while he was married to you, Irene."

She sucked in a sharp breath as she stared at me. I knew this was new information too and I hated being the one to tell her the reality of the situation, but she deserved to know everything.

"I refused and it's been driving him crazy. He's the reason I started to work with your father as your brother's tutor. I needed the money so I can help out my family and try to pay off the rest of my father's debt so I can get him out of jail," I told her.

She shook her head, tears spilling out of my eyes.

"Why hasn't my father done something? He can easily pay off that debt for your father so you can get him out of prison and then he can do something about Ethan..."

I shook my head as tears filled my eyes.

"I didn't tell him what Ethan was doing to me," I admitted. "This is my problem... I don't want to involve your father. Plus, my father has a lot of pride and would never accept help from anyone, especially a Lycan. But mostly, I'm just ashamed and embarrassed..."

"That's ridiculous, Judy," Irene said, a flicker of anger crossing her eyes. "Your father is in danger. You should have told my dad so he can help you. You have to get him out of jail."

I nibbled on my lower lip, knowing she's right.

"I also don't think your father would help me if I tried," I admitted softly. "Wrong," a deep and furious voice said from the doorway, making us both flinch. "Give me 20 minutes," Gavin said through his teeth as he pulled out his phone. "Afterwards..." he added,

now turning his eyes at me, making my entire body heat under his scrutiny. "We are having a serious conversation."