Chapter 3

Eric's tone flipped fast. "Babe, what are you saying? We're married—what's mine is yours, what's yours is mine."

I smirked. "That card was for your parents. They're gone, so I shut it down. Problem?"

His eyes darted. "I... I was buying you a Valentine's gift. Picked the wrong card, that's all."

I leaned in, all fake surprise. "Aww, that's so thoughtful! But I already have that bag. I like this new one instead—buy me that."

He had no way out. Watching him wince as he paid? Priceless.

I grabbed his phone and changed the delivery to my office. "One of my coworkers said her husband wouldn't splurge on this. I'm gonna unbox it at work—rub it in a little."

His face? Darker than week-old gym socks.

That one bag nearly wiped him out. I wondered how long Gregory and Meredith could survive now.

Seeing me in a good mood, he tried to play sweet. "Hey, why not reopen the card for Luca? Think of it like he's inheriting my parents' money."

Whose money?

I rolled my eyes, then switched gears. Put on my best sad face. "With your parents' accident, I didn't get a chance to tell you—my mom's sick. Surgery's expensive. Can you lend me $20K?"

Captain Tightwad flinched. "We've got another mouth to feed now. Where am I supposed to find cash for your mom? Even in marriage, money's gotta be clear. She's your mom—you deal with it."

I'd already stopped romanticizing him, but that still hit cold.

So I used the "need to earn more" excuse, started dipping early, coming home late, tuning both him and Luca out.

Didn't take long for Eric's bank account to flatline.

***

One night, I got home and caught Eric whispering to Luca:

"When you see Dakota, smile and call her Mom. Then hit her with the 'I wanna be a child star' bit, got it? And if that flops—turn on the cute. She eats it up."

"I don't wanna suck up to that old witch!"

"Do it! She's your ticket to fame. Your mom and grandparents are counting on you to make life good for them."

Dream on. Eric had no idea what kind of kid he was raising.

As soon as I walked in, Luca bolted toward me, arms wide. "Mom! Mom! I missed you soooo much!"

He latched on. "Mom, I wanna be famous! I want nice clothes! Can you help me?"

Last time, that was the first time he'd ever called me Mom. I was so touched I nearly cried. Thought he finally saw me as family.

I dropped every other kid I was mentoring and poured everything into him.

And created the most spoiled little monster alive.

This time, I stopped him with my bag, gave him a full once-over. My voice hesitated, but my eyes? Pure disgust.

"Luca, being a child star's not easy. I'll think about it."

Eric took the bait. Had Luca glued to me every second after that.

That night, Luca even volunteered to walk with me to grab a package.

And that was when I saw her.

Eric's forever obsession.

Luca's real mom.

Tammy Page.

I pretended not to see her, but my mind was racing—what scam was she running now?

Tammy marched right up, eyes on Luca. "Oh my god! Your son is STUNNING! He looks just like a TV kid! You have to make him a star—he was born for it!"

I almost laughed out loud. Couldn't convince me? So they sent in Tammy as a "random stranger"?

These two clowns were dying to launch their little cash cow.

How could I possibly not... help?