All Chapters of Built Like Karma: The Plus Size Girl's Guide to Comeuppance : Chapter 181 - Chapter 190

Aria’s POV By the time Wednesday rolled around, I was finally finished with everything related to the gala.Everything… except actually showing the fuck up.So, naturally, my mother and I ended up at Nordstroms for dress shopping. Why Nordstroms ask, because this wasn’t just any event, this was a big-time gala, and we had to dress accordingly.The moment we walked in, I let out a long sigh.Every dress I passed, I already owned some weirdo version of it.I looked over at my mom. “Mom… what were you thinking?”She shrugged. “I’m a normal woman who works at Chick-fil-A as a manager. I don’t usually shop in places like this.”I chuckled. “Sometimes you gotta step out of your comfort zone. Macy’s is good for cute dresses like for dinner parties and things like that, but every now and then you gotta bump it up to the next level.”She waved me off. “I already have three suits. You’re the one who needs something.”“I wish I had someone who could make me a dress in three days,” I muttered.

Jalen’s POVThe two hours flew by faster than I expected.I stood off to the side, watching my girl in her element with a clipboard in hand, voice calm but firm as she barked orders, checked lists, double checked details. Everything had to be perfect, and damn if she wasn’t making sure it was.I followed her back out front just in time for her to smile up at me.“Okay,” she said, exhaling, “people are starting to arrive.”I nodded. “I figured they’d show up at least five minutes early.”“The doors don’t open until seven exactly,” she said, already shifting into organizer mode. “We need to make sure all the children are here and in their designated spots.”I just shook my head as she directed the crew, hostesses lined up, instructions clear and precise. Anyone not dressed formally was to be discreetly adjusted. Nothing sloppy. Nothing out of place.When she finally stepped back into me, I pulled her into a hug. She rested her head on my shoulder and sighed.“I don’t want to get makeup

Third-Person POV Continued More desserts were brought out for those who wanted seconds, and the night continued beautifully.Hunter leaned over and quietly told Aria that his speech would be recorded. If anyone missed it, it would be replayed later.When Aria repeated the announcement, the crowd clapped again.She returned to her seat, and Jalen leaned toward her.“You did an awesome job, baby,” he said. “These kids are ecstatic.”“Thank you,” she replied with a smile.She glanced toward the Todds. “Hey, there are gifts for Parker, Patrick, and the babies. I need one of you to go grab them.”“I’ll go,” Jade offered.“No, honey,” Big Tuck said. “You sit down and relax. I’ll go.”“Dad, you go too,” Aria added. “Go and get Nia’s family’s gifts.”He sighed. “Whatever.”Big Tuck chuckled. “Come on, man. Let’s go get our kids’ gifts.”“Oh, and remember,” Aria called after them, “there’s an adult line and a children’s line.”“I got it, I got it, I got it,” he said, waving her off.Aria lau

Jalen’s POV I’m sitting here completely stunned while Aria, unfazed as ever, works on her second dessert like she’s watching a damn movie instead of real life unraveling in front of us.I just shake my head.Both my parents are frozen in shock. Aria’s parents aren’t much different, though I can clearly see where she gets it from. Her dad is leaned back, drink in hand, eyes locked on the stage like he’s watching premium television. Her mom? She’s whispering commentary under her breath, shaking her head every few seconds like, damn… damn… DAMN.I clear my throat.Hunter looks directly at me. “You have a question, son?”I glance at Aria, then back at him. “Yeah. I actually do. How did you find the cameo necklace, if it was stolen years ago?”Hunter lets out a low laugh and glances toward the police officers.“Well,” he starts, “I went back to the hospital for years. Repeatedly. I told them what happened. I knew my mother had that cameo necklace on in the hospital, because I had picture

Jalen’s POV As I look around the gala, I realize it’s getting late. Some of the kids are knocked out cold, curled up on their parents’ laps, heads resting on shoulders, fingers still clutching toys. Others are still wide awake, darting from table to table, grabbing toys that families didn’t take, stuffing Santa gift bags like it’s the last stop on Christmas morning.And I’m standing there… just stunned.Shocked in two completely different ways.First, this whole thing with Talia’s mother. The fact that she played a role in Hunter Schultz’s mother’s death? That’s massive. To have a hand in the tech, multi-billionaire mothers unalivement is massive. This isn’t something that stays quiet. I already know it’s blowing up online. Hell, I heard at least one person whispering about already uploading everything online up in here earlier. And if one person said and or did something, then the world already has it.Then there’s the second shock.The happiness.The pure, unfiltered joy on these f