Three.

When I finally got home, I was vibrating with anger. I slammed the front door shut so hard the small framed pictures on the wall rattled. I threw my purse onto the couch and began to pace across the worn carpet.

My boyfriend, Sam, was sitting on the sofa. The television was blaring a sports game, and his eyes were glued to his phone screen. His thumbs moved rapidly, tapping away. He didn’t even look up when I walked in. He was scratching his chin, completely lost in his own world. He was probably checking his sports bets again.

"Sam, you won't believe the day I had," I burst out, my voice cracking with emotion. "Derick Stone stole my promotion. The one I worked myself to the bone for! I stayed late every night, and he took it just because of his last name. Then he had the nerve to smirk right in my face."

Sam just muttered under his breath, still tapping his phone. "Yeah? That sucks, babe."

"Are you even listening to me?" I cried out. I stepped right in front of the television, blocking his view. "I am talking about my career! My life! And then the absolute worst thing happened. My mother showed up at my building. She is dating Leo Stone. Derick's father! They are getting serious, Sam. It is a total nightmare."

Finally, Sam looked up from his phone. But he wasn't looking at me with sympathy or comfort. His eyes were wide with a completely different kind of interest.

"Wait," Sam said, leaning forward on his knees. "Leo Stone? The billionaire? If your mom is pulling in a guy with that kind of cash, you must be getting a bonus or some family money soon, right? Actually, speaking of money, when do you get your paycheck? I really need some cash by tonight."

I felt a cold shock go through my entire body. I stared at him in disbelief. "My paycheck? Sam, I have told you three times this week. My father’s medical bills are due. Every single dollar of my salary is going straight to the hospital. The doctors said they will stop his treatments if I don’t pay the balance by Friday."

Sam groaned loudly and threw his phone onto the cushions. "Are you serious, Ava? Again with your dad? He's been lying in that hospital bed for months. You are wasting all our money on a hopeless case! I have a sure thing tonight. A big game. If you just give me half your check, I can double it. I can fix our whole budget!"

"It's a gambling addiction, Sam! It is never a sure thing!" I screamed. Tears of frustration finally stung my eyes. "I am trying to save my father's life, and you only care about your stupid bets! We are supposed to be partners!"

Before Sam could yell back, the front door flew open without a knock.

My mother walked into the apartment like she owned the place. She looked around our small living room with a look of pure disgust. Then she took one look at my tear stained face and clicked her tongue loudly.

"Oh, stop crying, Ava. Wipe your face and fix your hair. We have to go right now. The car is waiting downstairs."

"Go where?" I wiped my eyes quickly with the back of my hand, feeling completely exhausted.

"To dinner," Lucy smiled. A triumphant, wicked glint shone in her eyes. "Leo invited us to a private dining room downtown. And he is bringing his son. We are having an intimate family dinner."

"I am not going," I said, backing away from her. "I refuse to sit at a table with those people."

"You are going," my mother hissed. She stepped forward and grabbed my arm with a grip like steel. Her perfect nails dug into my skin. She leaned close so Sam couldn't hear. "You will not ruin this for me, Ava. If you don't come and play nice, I will sign the papers to move your father to a state facility tomorrow. I still have the legal medical rights, not you."

My blood ran completely cold. She was using my dying father as a weapon against me. I had no choice. I had to protect him.

Thirty minutes later, we were sitting in a lavish, private room at a five star restaurant. The table was filled with expensive silver, crystal glasses, and white roses. Leo Stone sat at the head of the table. He looked older, powerful, and very strict.

Next to him sat Derick.

Derick had changed out of his sharp work suit into a casual but incredibly expensive black button down shirt. The top buttons were undone, and he looked like a dark prince. When I sat down directly across from him, his dark eyes locked onto mine. The corner of his mouth twitched upward into a slow smirk. He looked deeply amused to see me trapped.

The tension in the room was suffocating. I could barely breathe.

My mother poured compliments on Leo. She laughed loudly at every little thing he said. She leaned her body against his, acting like a young girl madly in love. Leo smiled back at her, patting her hand. It made my stomach turn with pure irritation. They were actually serious about each other. This wasn't just a short fling.

"So, Ava," Leo said. His deep, booming voice echoed in the quiet room. "Lucy tells me you are a very talented junior designer at my firm. It is wonderful to have you in the company."

"Thank you, Mr. Stone," I said. I kept my voice as polite as possible, forcing a fake smile. I didn't look at Derick, but I could feel his gaze burning holes through my face.

"Please, call me Leo," he replied warmly. He turned to look at my mother with genuine affection. "After all, your mother and I have made a very big decision. We don't want to hide our relationship anymore. We are getting married next month."

The words hit me like a physical blow to the stomach. Next month. My mother was actually going to marry the billionaire.

"That's wonderful, Father," Derick's voice cut through the air. It was smooth, slow, and dripping with hidden malice. He lifted his wine glass toward me in a fake toast. "That means Ava and I are going to be family. We will be step siblings. We will have to spend a lot of quality time together. Isn't that right, Ava?"