All Chapters of Hook, Line, and Sinker: Chapter 1 - Chapter 10

My cousin, Erin Johnson, had been divorced for three years. However, she was still living comfortably on the alimony her ex-husband, Eric Banks, sent her every month.I would find her having one-night stands with models and bankrolling any pretty boy she got her eyes on. Suffice it to say, she was living the dream.Recently, she had found her next target—my boyfriend of six months, Dean Langdon.Honestly, I wasn't surprised that Erin learned about him so quickly. After all, my blabbermouth of a mother, Donna Whittaker, had bumped into him when she dropped by at my apartment to pick something up.If we were talking about fatal flaws, Mom had one called "envy". She loved comparing herself to others to the point of insanity.Erin had married well. So well that after the divorce, she was practically swimming in cash. My aunt, Abigail Whittaker, loved rubbing Erin's good fortune in Mom's face.Because of that, Mom had made it her personal mission for me to nab myself a husband who was

Dean claimed he had been out of town overseeing the operations as he would be opening several stores at once.Still, I saw Erin behind him in a few of our video calls. When that happened, he hurried to explain, "Erin called me to ask how things were doing. She dropped by when she heard I was in the neighbouring city. "I can't thank her enough for what she's done. She's really saved me a ton of trouble. My dad's been praising me for my success too."Ambitious scions born with a silver spoon in their mouths had the tendency to strive to surpass their parents. Dean was no exception.His father and grandfather were both formidable entrepreneurs. Dean had also been blessed with a sharp business acumen. Unfortunately, he had always been overshadowed by their success. Because of that, he was desperate to prove himself.He had opened several DTC stores across multiple cities. He had struck hard and fast, opening those stores at the best locations possible. As a result, his father and gra

Eric froze upon hearing my words. "She invested?" he asked. "How much did she put in?"I pursed my lips. "I'm not sure. I didn't ask for details, but I know my boyfriend has invested quite a sum. At least tens of millions. I figured you wouldn't mind. After all, you do have the money."Then, I looked up at him and said earnestly, "Sometimes, I really envy Erin. She will always be loved, no matter what she does. It's the same even after her divorce. Honestly, I feel like an ugly duckling next to a swan like her.""I think she feels inferior to you," Eric replied solemnly. "That's why she's afraid that you'll have something she doesn't. It's why she's always taking your stuff. It's actually rather childish. She's basically like a kid trying to snatch another kid's toy."Tears rolled down my cheeks as a bitter, self-deprecating laugh escaped my lips. "So, her constantly stealing my boyfriend is just mere childish behavior to you? You think that's just her acting like a kid?"Eric f

Around that time, I had gotten interested in romance. I quickly became infatuated with Louis, so much so that I wrote it all down in my diary.Unfortunately, Mom found my diary. She took a picture of it and tagged Aunt Abigail and Uncle Arthur. She angrily accused them of not keeping an eye on Louis.Erin had cursed me right then and there, calling me shameless for seducing Louis.As things exploded, Aunt Abigail and Uncle Arthur decided to send Louis abroad. He never returned to the country for years after that.Erin had written me off right after that.Ever since that day, I was never able to have a normal romantic relationship. Erin had sneered and said that this was my punishment for harboring "sinful thoughts" about Louis.I was 17 back then, and now, I was already 29. It had gone on for 12 whole years. I had been stuck living under her shadow for 12 years, all because I had a crush on a brother she wasn't even related to by blood.It sounded both hilarious and insane.I had apo

I calmly took in my current situation.I wouldn't be able to get out of the car anytime soon. It would be against my best interest to provoke Erin.So I said, "Erin, I really have no idea what you're talking about. Can't you give me a hint? Did something bad happen to you recently?"Erin immediately slapped me hard across the face. "How dare you try to lie to me!"She'd probably used all her strength. My right cheek burned immediately after, and soon, it began to swell."Don't think you've won," she hissed. "Do you know where we're heading? We're going to the pier. I already told Dean you're coming to the island with me."I said nothing and turned to look outside the window. We were getting closer and closer to the pier. My body started to tremble in fear.Erin sneered. "Didn't you say you had no idea what's going on? Then why are you so scared? I'm only bringing you to the island as my guest."Just then, I heard Dean's voice coming through the car's speaker. Only then did I re