Suddenly Acceptable Chapter 22 Roger's POV I knew Elizabeth had lost weight and changed her wardrobe . But it's impossible for the woman who was standing in front of me now to be Elizabeth . This woman was gorgeous . If she didn't have the same color eyes , I wouldn't have believed it was her . But when she spoke , I knew it was her , as impossible as it seemed . How has she changed so quickly ? Have I really missed all her recent changes ? I'm usually pretty observant . Have I ignored her in favor of Sasha so much that I missed her transformation ? I watched her walk away , and I knew at that moment that I had messed up . Sasha wasn't better than Elizabeth . A spark of fear raced up my spine . Dixon had been correct about one thing . Elizabeth had changed completely . Sasha discreetly hit me in my ribs with her elbow and said , " Let's go , Roger , you're embarrassing me . Don't forget , I'm the one you married ." My mother power - walked behind Elizabeth , trailing after her as if she intended to confront her again . Dad managed to stop her , but we all heard her shrill voice cry out , " How did Elizabeth even get an invitation to this event ? How is she allowed to enter the event , but not us ? There were three of them , yet you allowed them entry . Don't try to tell me that she belongs here , because I simply won't believe it , " my mother scoffed . " Mrs. Cook , their invitation included three guests . It is not our fault that the RSVP for Cook Custom Jewelry was not followed . We're not to blame for the confusion . As stated before , this has been an ongoing policy for the last three years . We do it this way so we have seating available for all our guests , " the man at the door replied . " Well , that's a stupid rule . You should have extra chairs available for emergencies like this , " my mother replied . Again , Mrs. Cook . My apologies , but nothing can be done about it tonight . Maybe next year you'll RSVP " he replied calmly . " Please step to the side , you're blocking our Guests from entering the venue ." My mother whirled around to face me , " Roger , as your mother , I demand to enter the auction with you tonight . Sasha was standing in line , glaring at me , motioning me to come over to her. She heard what my mother just said , and she was pissed . I hadn't even done anything to make her mad , but she was very angry with me . I wasn't in any hurry to arrive at the door with her and my mother . It was clear to me that Sasha wanted to enter to confront Elizabeth again . Most likely because she sold the villa . Sasha was furious about that and spoiling for a fight . I still remember the shame I felt when we went to the house and couldn't get past the gate . It had been the most humiliating experience of my life . I found out from the new owner that it had been sold in less than a week . Elizabeth demonstrated her efficiency in selling the house out from under us . It was a power move to be able to make something like that happen . Was she so angry with me that she was willing to lose money on the deal just to get back at me ? I'm realizing the depth of my mistakes now . I'm now bound to a woman who has proven over and over again this week that she makes bad decisions and refuses to listen to what I need her to do . I had already told Sasha that we need to handle Elizabeth with kid gloves . That we needed to play nice until 1/4 Suddenly Acceptable could legally get the upper hand . Yet , Sasha prevented me from returning a day early after I heard about the legal warning . She continues to spend money as if she's the one who earned it . Worst of all , she just got in Elizabeth's face . It's only a matter of time before Sasha blurts out in anger that I married her , and she's pregnant with my child . At that point , I'll lose everything . Elizabeth is one of the most intelligent women I know . She won't just calmly step back . She is going to destroy me , and she knows how to do it . I might not have mentioned just how much she's done to get my company up and running to my family . But I was fully aware I wouldn't be where I am now without her . She created the designs , provided the capital , and secured our investors . I felt a little guilty knowing that I'm doing this to her . She has done nothing but help and support me through the years . That's why I couldn't deny her when she asked me to marry her . I had to play along , or lose everything . But the way she looks now , I see just how big a mistake I made . I traded in a kind and intelligent woman for Sasha . What in the hell was I thinking at the time ? I knew I was intoxicated when Sasha and I finally got together . But I was sober when I married her . Sasha knew we needed to leave Elizabeth alone until I got her copyrights under my name . I can tell now that Sasha isn't going to make it through the two weeks before she confronts Elizabeth . I have to keep them separated . " You messed up so bad , big brother , but don't worry . I'm going to swoop in and take care of Elizabeth for you . I'll help heal her broken heart . I've always found her attractive , even when you didn't . Maybe I'll manage to take your spot at the wedding ? I mean , you're already married , you can't legally marry her . You didn't deserve her anyway , you never have . I'm glad I got a front row seat to see what happened tonight . This has been the only time in my life that I've been happy to look like you . Only I'm the better version because I'm not a cheating jerk , " my younger brother told me , before smirking and walking back to where our limo was parked . No , it's impossible , he wouldn't do that to me ? Would he ? Deep in my heart , I knew he would . He liked her from the moment they met . If the wedding proceeds , I wouldn't put it past him to stand up and interrupt . He would tell Elizabeth what I've been doing to her . He looks just like me . So if she found me attractive , she would find him attractive , too . The most significant difference between us was that he was much nicer than . me . He wasn't a self - starter like I was , but he was a good guy . He hasn't been a jerk to her , despite our mother instructing him to do just that . Clearly , he saw what I missed . " I'm going to tell Mom what he just said . She won't allow him to do that . She , unlike Sasha , knows precisely what's at stake here . I quickly walked to the door and handed the invitation to the man standing there . Tonight , my mother would be the better choice of the two of them . Sasha isn't going to pass up the opportunity to confront Elizabeth . It would only cause my relationship with Elizabeth to become even more fractured . " Sasha , I've changed my mind . My mother needs to accompany me tonight . Although you are the new Director of Design at my company , it would be inappropriate to escort you alone . I'm getting married in less than two weeks . It just wouldn't look right , sorry , " I called back over my shoulder in a loud voice . I wanted my voice to carry over to Elizabeth . Sasha was stunned for a minute before opening her mouth to argue with me . I gave her a pointed look and said , " Just go back home with my family . Mom and I will find a ride home . We will discuss it tonight when I return . " Suddenly Acceptable Sasha's anger was palpable . Elizabeth turned to look back to look at me , when the man at the door said , " Wait , didn't you both admit that you two are married . I remember it clearly , it was only a few minutes ago . Are you trying to scam the lady who just entered ? " I leaned down and said , " You didn't hear anything . Just let us through . " He stepped back , and I almost ran towards Elizabeth . My mother headed off to try to make friends with the socialites here . I released the breath that I was holding . I had made the best decision , as my mother would avoid Elizabeth . I needed time to try to calm her down and get her to agree to sign my document . As I approached Elizabeth , I saw two men speaking with her . I hated seeing how close one of them was to her . I stepped forward and pulled her into my side . "Why didn't you wait for me , love ? " I asked . She pulled away from me and asked , " Are you being serious right now , Roger ? I'm having some serious doubts about our engagement . Especially after you acted like it was fine to use my designs after the contract had expired . I don't care what you say ; you were sent the renewals before the contracts expired . You've had seven months , and you still refuse to sign them . I'm not going to let you off . We were engaged , but now is just as good a time as any to end it . " I watched in horror as she pulled the engagement ring off her finger . She was b being serious . The finality of it was causing me to have chest pains . This wasn't how it was supposed to go down . " Take it , Roger , and don't come to me again . We're done . It seems a new woman had caught you're eye , " Elizabeth said as she held her engagement ring out to me . She glanced pointedly towards the door , where Sasha was glaring over at us . "Your new Director of Design seems to be upset . Maybe you should skip the event and comfort her . She seems to have caught feelings for you in the last week . You should just reassure her . She might get angry and fly back to Paris , refusing to work for you . That would be bad for the company because I've already put in my notice . I won't be coming back ," Elizabeth told me . " Don't misunderstand her, Elizabeth . She doesn't know anyone , so I brought her here to introduce her to some of our investors and clients . You usually don't come to this type of event , but she and I are not together , " I managed to say . My heart was beating out of my chest in anxiety . " You know my heart only belongs to you ." It was easier to say that to her tonight . I was attracted to her now , and couldn't wait to marry her and then sweep her off to Paris , I was excited to get her pregnant now , to keep her by my side . It wouldn't be the tough assignment that I previously thought it would be . I studied her face . How did I not notice how beautiful she was before ? I should have been paying more attention . " Do you want to sit with me at the auction tonight ? " I asked . " She'll be sitting with me , Roger . I'll thank you to keep your dirty hands off of her from now on , " one of the men next to her spoke . " She's my fiancé , you need to keep your nose out of our business , " I snapped back . I didn't care which one of them said it . I'm not just going to stand here and be disrespected . I won't be handing Elizabeth over , not without a fight .