Chapter 2

When my people dragged Jason out, he looked like he couldn't believe it.

I flopped onto the couch, totally wiped.

Three years with that guy—what a joke.

That night, a text popped up from some random number:

[So what if you and Jason got married?]

[He loves ME. He gave ME your honeymoon house. All you've got is a sad little marriage certificate.]

Nina.

Didn't even bother answering. Blocked. Deleted.

There was no love—just money. If Jason hadn't been kinda hot with a smooth mouth, I wouldn't have picked him.

A few minutes later, Jason updated his status.

There he was, all smug, with Nina cuddled up on his shoulder, trying to look sweet. She had on a diamond bracelet that caught the light just right.

I knew that bracelet. Gave it to him for his birthday—eighty grand.

So he used my gift to play Prince Charming? Cute.

The caption? Gag-worthy: [Every day is filled with sunshine when you're with the right person.]

No reaction. Just snapped a screenshot, added Nina's nasty texts, and shot it over to my dad.

[Dad, cancel the wedding party. I'm already filing for divorce.]

Dad called right away, voice blazing. "Wynne, that scum! I'll have someone snap his legs and dump him—and that side chick—straight into the river!"

A warmth hit me.

"Dad, it's fine. I just want a quiet divorce. No drama. No headlines."

He sighed hard. "Alright, whatever you need. If it all goes to hell, I'll be the one holding it together for you."

***

The next morning, I dragged myself out of bed, dark circles screaming I hadn't slept. I was ready to call Jason and start the divorce.

But the second I stepped into the living room—bam. Couch packed. Jason, his parents, and Nina. All here. All smug.

Margot's face twisted the moment she saw me. "Finally! Look at the time. We've been waiting for breakfast! Jason didn't marry you so you could play princess. Show some respect!"

Christopher jumped in, loud and smug. "Exactly. Get in the kitchen. I need my fresh-ground coffee."

I stared at this circus of fakes, so mad I almost laughed.

Before the marriage license? Margot was sugar-sweet—holding my hand, calling me a "good girl," acting like I was wasting away, dropping off homemade casseroles and vitamins like it was her job.

Christopher? Grinning like he was president of my fan club, dumping gifts on me like he had stock in a department store.

All of it? Fake.

Now that they've got the certificate? This is the real them.

I let out a cold laugh and pointed at the door. "Out. All of you. Or I'm calling the cops for trespassing."

Margot's smile twitched, but she slapped on her fake charm and grabbed my hand.

"Oh, sweetheart, don't be like that. We're family! How can that be trespassing?"

She flashed that sugary grin. "You're just upset. Christopher and I were only joking.

"Jason said you two had a little fight—don't take it out on him. And don't sink to Nina's level, okay? She's had it rough.

"But she's super helpful, hardworking. If she stays, she can help around the house. Isn't that nice?"

I nearly gagged. Yanked my hand back. "I don't need help. I've got money. I can hire maids."

Margot's smile cracked.

When the sweet talk flopped, she spun on Jason and smacked him hard. "You useless idiot! I'll beat you to death!"

She kept swinging, screeching the whole time. "This is all your fault! Look what you've done! How could you treat Wynne like that?"

Jason just stood there, clutching his face, totally shell-shocked.

When she finally ran out of steam, she turned back to me, dabbing at fake tears. "Wynne, honey, I'm so sorry. It's all Jason's fault. Last month, he got drunk with some friends and... something happened with Nina. Just once. She ended up pregnant. He didn't tell you 'cause he didn't wanna hurt you."