Play Poor? Be One

Mason kept spamming my phone, but I killed the call every time before it even hit a second.Mom pushed herself up in bed, voice weak. "You used to be crazy about him. That's the only reason his grandpa even thought about making him heir. You think a guy like him could've scored all this on his own?"I wrapped my hand around her frail arm, chest tight. "Not anymore. I'm divorcing him. Everything he's got came from me, and I'm taking it back."The phone lit up again. He just wouldn't quit.I answered.His breathing was slow, like he was forcing down rage. "I already paid for Judy's mom's treatment. Told her it was from you. If she asks, you know the script. Can't handle that? We're done.""Play poor without me. I've been done for a long time.""Say that again." His voice was all teeth and fury.Bitterness burned my throat, but I kept it even. "I said I'm done. We're getting a divorce."He snapped. "Divorce? You think that scares me? If you hadn't clung to me, I wouldn't have mar

My temper spiked. I wanted nothing more than to rip that smug smile right off Judy's face.But Mom's surgery came first. I swallowed the rage. "Let go!"I shoved her aside—only for someone to yank my arm hard from behind."Shiloh, don't be mad! Don't blame Mason. He picked up bottles for me, worked four part-time jobs, even knelt to the hospital director to beg him to give my mom the heart first. You're not jealous of how much he loves me, are you?"She was stalling on purpose, eating up precious minutes of Mom's rescue. I yanked my arm free. "Love? You seriously have no clue, do you? Do you even know who he really is?"A flicker of doubt crossed her smug face before she stumbled back, landing on the floor."Shiloh, stop talking nonsense! Shut up!"At his voice, I turned to see Mason coming toward me, glare sharp as a blade. Then he turned to Judy, all concern, fussing over her.I hopped into the ambulance and shot him a look. "You really don't know? Or just playing dumb?"His

Mason froze, staring at the decree on the floor."You think I'm buying some fake doc you whipped up?" His voice cracked halfway through.Judy snatched it up, eyes wide. "Mason... this looks real.""I-Impossible. We never even signed divorce papers!"I smirked. "A month ago, when you tried shoving unqualified, no-experience Judy into the company, I told you it wasn't appropriate. You called me petty and said you wanted a divorce."I pulled the signed papers from my bag and slapped it in his face. "And you tossed this—already signed—right at me.""That was heat-of-the-moment! No way we're actually divorced!"Judy's smile slipped. Clutching his arm, she murmured, "If there's no love, divorce isn't bad for either of you."He shoved her off and lunged for my hand.I stepped back fast, like dodging something nasty.He froze."Shiloh, let's get remarried. Right now. I was wrong—I wasn't thinking."I gave him a look full of disgust. "The marriage isn't the problem. The problem is y

I tilted my head and brushed a quick kiss against Xavier's cheek.His lashes gave the tiniest shake.And then—boom—his whole face went tomato red.I grinned and poked his cheek. "Xavier, your face is burning up!"His voice dropped low, smooth. "Honey, you're playing with fire. You'll have to take responsibility."Before I could blink, he scooped me up and carried me into the car.The heat inside was suffocating. My own cheeks caught fire.He caught my hand, pulling me closer. My heart pounded so hard it hurt, his breath brushing hot against my skin.I shut my eyes, bracing for a kiss——but instead came a low chuckle and the click of my seatbelt.I opened my eyes to see him smirking. "Shy now?"My face went nuclear. His fingers tapped my cheek."Your face is so hot. What's going on?"Before I could dodge, his warm lips claimed mine.The AC blew cold, but we only burned hotter.He didn't let go until I was breathless, lungs aching.***We rolled up to the Leonhart estate

My heart lurched.It had only been a night, but Mason was wrecked—filthy, hair matted, cuts everywhere, face so swollen he was barely recognizable.I crouched beside him. He didn't move, and a cold unease crept in."Mason... Mason."Nothing.I was starting to wonder if he was dead when his eyes flew open and his hand clamped around my arm."Shiloh, I was wrong. Give me another chance—let's start over, okay?"Tears streaked his face, thick with regret and desperation.I almost fell on my butt. Snapping out of it, I yanked my hand free and shot to my feet. "Wow. Have some shame. I'm already doing you a favor by not calling the cops, and you've got the nerve to show up?"You were never on my level. When I actually cared, you blew it. Now? The gap between us isn't just big—it's, like, a whole galaxy."Go cry to Judy. You can drop the broke act now—you two are a total match made in trash heaven."At her name, his face iced over, voice rough."Don't talk about her. The second I l