My Sister-in-Law Cheats, and I Become the Scapegoat

Holding a cup of juice, I glanced towards the photo studio across the street.

"Mom, Aunt Linda's photoshoot looked fabulous, and you'd definitely outshine her. The studio's right across. How about we get you a session after lunch? My treat."

Mom paused with her fork in the air, glanced at the studio, then self-consciously patted her belly, her face showing a flicker of annoyance.

"Why on earth didn't you say so sooner? If I'd known we were doing photos today, I wouldn't have pigged out!"

"And stop comparing me to that blimp, Linda. Do those photos even look like her? She's built like a tank but looks like a princess in them. Modern tech is just too much."

Mom had been harboring resentment over Linda's glamorous photos for some time now.

She would have gone for a shoot herself if Jason hadn't banned Laura from going, fearing Laura would use it as an excuse to create drama.

"Waiter, we haven't touched these two steaks. Please take them back and refund the cash directly to me."

Normally, you can't return food once served, but Mom's not your typical diner. Two decades ago, she could hustle her way through anything.

Arguments were a daily routine for her; a restaurant that didn't comply would seriously regret it.

Recognizing they were dealing with a formidable character, the staff reluctantly refunded the money.

Mom pocketed the cash, a look of triumph spreading across her face.

It wasn't just about scaring off the restaurant; it was about prying a few extra dollars from my wallet.

Entering the studio, I made a beeline for the restroom, using it as an excuse to sneak upstairs.

I intended to quietly check on Laura's activities, but right as I reached the third floor, I bumped into two makeup artists coming down.

"Can you believe it? Openly flirting right in front of us, and with three of them? How's he managing that?"

"He's playing with fire; we'd better be careful not to get dragged down with him."

They clammed up when they saw me on the stairs.

I overheard their whispers as they continued down—salacious and thrilling.

It seemed Laura and her friend had ramped up the stakes this time around.

I sneaked into a nearby room, aiming to secretly record them.

But when I pulled back the curtain, I was gobsmacked.