The Degradation of Shelby Ann by Emma Cole

Chapter Thirteen

Shelby

True to Dirk's word, as soon as everything was signed and filed, putting me firmly under the thumb of the Hamilton family, I was let out of the house. My first foray back into the real world was straight to the doctor for a full physical and enough blood draws and other samples to leave me feeling queasy. Apparently, they were serious about health and any future issues that might crop up, which I really felt stupid complaining about, so I didn't, but I didn't like that all of my information was readily available to so many people.

Regardless, that wasn't even the worst of it. The birth control hurt far worse. Taking a daily pill, or even an injection every few months, wasn't reliable enough to meet the requirements. But I agreed with Dirk that I wasn't interested in the excessive menstrual bleeding and scarring on my arm that could come from the implant, so an IUD it was. Which hurt like a dirty little bitch going in. I told the doctor so, and that she was a liar since she’d said it would only be a small pinch. Maybe the needle used to deliver the numbing medication was only supposed to pinch, which really wasn't all that slight. But she either didn't use enough, or it wasn't fully effective when she began because I about kicked her for what followed next. First, she poked some metal torture stick nearly to my tonsils, then she did it again with the larger injector that held the IUD itself after she widened the speculum to ridiculous proportions and clamped my cervix to hold it still so she could get everything in place.

Seriously, screw that noise. I wasn't even sure I'd get the damned thing back out after the traumatic experience of it going in. Okay, I knew that wasn't realistic since it had to come out at some point, but there would never be a repeat happening. I'd off the old tyrant myself if I had to, or better yet let him get the same treatment first to see how badly it sucked. There really should be more than condoms or vasectomies as male birth control options, but women were the only ones that had to go through hell to avoid accidental pregnancy.

The whole thing put me in a crappy mood and left me sore, which really ruined my day and the outing, but it seemed to delight Nina, the hag. I still managed to suck it up and at least get my banking done… and then I had to go along with the rest or “Nina could handle it if I needed to go home early.” I had a sneaky suspicion that she'd orchestrated the appointment first so she could do as she pleased with my wedding arrangements, but that wasn't about to happen.

So I popped a couple Tylenol, and bared my teeth in a mockery of a smile as I told her to carry on. I swore Carter quirked a grin as I gingerly climbed into the back of the chauffeured town car, but when I looked a second time, his expression was neutral… and he shut the door in my face. I didn't know who had peed in his Cheerios, but he was being a grumpy ass, and even more so after we were done with hiring an event coordinator and wedding planner to handle the engagement party and wedding details. Thankfully, they were super nice and promised to check everything with me personally for final approval... after a pointed glance at Nina when she tried to bully her way into my business and take over. But Carter's issue wasn't with them, but with our final destination of the day.

Trousseau shopping.

* * *

"Are you sure I need all of this? And will it even hold up?" I used a finger to hook the hanger that a scrap of delicate lace hung from. It was reminiscent of what I had back in my dressing room, but somehow finer, looking like a fart would break the threads, let alone any movement, like bending enough to sit down.

"You don't have to act so gauche. Unwrinkle that lip, young lady. The saleswoman is going to be back any moment," Nina hissed at me. But she kept her damn hands to herself, and Carter kept a watchful eye on her as soon as she'd opened her mouth. Either Dirk had had a word, or he knew what she'd been up to behind closed doors. But I didn't have time to dwell on it since the store attendant came back with her arms loaded.

"If you'll step into the dressing room, I can help you try some of this on?" The woman, who was maybe a few years older than me, was polite, but she had greeted Nina on sight, and something about that irked me.

Maybe you should try getting that jealousy under control, girly. She was a fixture of that household before you were even born. Or ya know, prove that she's a sadistic, manipulative bitch and get rid of her uppity, wide-mouthed ass.

I wondered when you'd pop up. You've been kinda quiet today. Did I accidentally slip an antipsychotic? A 'hmph' was all I got in return, which was a win in my book, but now the nice lady was staring at me, and I realized I'd never answered her.

Nina took her chance and beat me to it. I really should have answered because of course the horrid chaperone had to embarrass me.

"Oh, that won't be necessary." Then she lowered her voice, but her whisper was definitely still audible. "She had some lady procedures, and we wouldn't want to ruin the underwear. I have her measurements here, and we'll just take the lot of it."

My face burned with mortification as the attendant fixed a curious gaze in the vicinity of my crotch. Exactly where the soiled panty liner was. It wasn't much of a mess, but the doctor had given it to me for spotting with a warning to come back if it didn't stop in half an hour. Unfortunately, Nina was correct, if over the line, that I couldn't try on the underwear at least. But I could have tried the bras and other lingerie and kept my panties on too. Yet more certainty accumulated that she was deliberately being a bitch, but to what end, I didn't know.

After assuring me not to worry a bit about it, the poor woman who was helping me bobbed her head and fled to the checkout counter without a word. It was quite sweet, but the damage was done, and I just wanted to go home.

For whatever reason, Carter stepped in to reprimand Nina when I failed to do so. "Ms. Gray, that was inappropriate and a direct violation of your confidentiality agreement. I'll be informing Mr. Hamilton of your conduct."

As soon as the words cleared his lips, Nina huffed and hurried to follow the saleswoman, leaving me standing there, shocked that he'd deigned to stick up for me.

"If you don't put her in her place, you're asking for trouble. She'll just continue to undermine you." At my blatant confusion and silence, he sighed and explained, "She had aspirations when she was employed before. This is her second chance, not that I'm sure what she could possibly get out of it now. And that's all I'm saying before I get accused of running off at the mouth."

I understood his insinuation, and I agreed with him, but he was vastly overestimating my power in this situation. I had little to none, and the gag order regarding the majority of the prenup made it safer to keep my mouth shut. So I just nodded and followed after Nina, only to find her with an armload of items herself.

"Add these to the house account too, please, and have it all delivered. Make sure they're in separate and marked boxes." As soon as she spotted me she made her next demand. "Miss Tamblin, I'll leave you to sign for the purchases while I ring for the car to come around. We're bound for home, yes?"

I nodded, yet again speechless at the woman's audacity and being put on the spot. I didn't have any idea of what she'd added to the bill, but there weren't price tags on anything, and my stomach sank at the thought of getting in trouble for overspending. Really, all she had to say was I approved it, and then what would I do?

Rather than embarrass myself or the clerk again, I decided to go along with it, vowing to tell Dirk the moment we arrived home so he could deal with her. I could not wait until we were married; firing her ass would be the first thing I’d do. Well, after the guests left, at least. It wouldn't do to make a scene. I could nearly feel my voice rolling her eyes, but she kept quiet.

* * *

Dirk greeted me with a kiss to the cheek as I entered our suite. "Darling, how was your outing? Everything go alright?" For the third time that day, the attention was on my crotch. I was about to start charging for tickets if it kept up.

"It went, but yes, everything was completed as ordered." If my voice was sharp or accusatory, there just wasn't any helping it. He already knew how I felt about it all. "But Nina did something that I didn't know how to fix. She—"

"Carter already informed me from the car, and I'll handle her tomorrow. I have to meet a client for dinner." I wasn't happy that he was ditching me, but the extra purchases took precedence.

"He told you that she made me charge almost as much to the account as what she insisted I get? And after embarrassing me in front of the saleswoman? Thank goodness the place was empty." An odd thing, but the more I thought about it, maybe we’d had an appointment and they didn’t do walk-ins. I crossed my arms over my chest, refusing to move until he absolved me of any wrongdoing. "What could she possibly be needing that much lingerie for? And it wasn't all one size."

He sighed, which was becoming more and more common when he spoke to me, as if I were the problem. "She should have made a separate trip or charged it herself, but it was likely for her to wear to the wedding. She's attending, by the way, and the rest was probably something Rafe asked for to give to his conquests. He likes to dress them up and take them out, but I'll remind her to keep it on her own time."

I didn't quite believe him, especially the bit about Rafe dressing women up. But...it was exactly what he'd done for me, so maybe it was a quirk the brothers shared. Yet having Nina at my wedding was just as bad in my mind, besides the fact that she'd used me. I wasn't surprised on either count, but I had looked forward to, and hoped, that she wouldn't attend since her services would no longer be required. On top of everything else from today, this whole thing had emotionally worn me out, and I was plain done with it.

"Whatever. Enjoy your evening. I think I'm going to take a bath and go to bed. It's been a long day."

Of course Dirk couldn't let my grumpiness go. "Don't be a shrew, darling. This household takes money to run, and that requires working. I'll have your dinner sent up. See you tomorrow when you'll hopefully be in a better mood.”

The urge to throw something at the door after it closed behind him railed at me, but I'd end up breaking something. No matter how satisfying it might be then, I didn't want to deal with the dressing down I'd get later.

At least you'd get some attention then… Maybe you should break something, see how it goes. Might be what you need to realize it's time to throw in the towel and escape while you can, you ninny!