Publicly Mine, Legally Hers
On Valentine's Day, Mason Hamilton turned our wedding into a spectacle. He bought up every major screen in the city and put my name on all of them.
I cried when I saw it. I turned down a guaranteed spot in a top graduate program overseas without a second thought.
That was before the address verification today.
The staff member couldn't hide the sympathy in her eyes.
"According to our system, the registered owner of this unit is Stella Wallace. She's also listed as Mr. Hamilton's legal wife. You're recorded here as a temporary occupant."
I pushed open the door to Mason's office and found him bent over Stella's hand, pressing a kiss to her ring finger.
When I confronted him, he frowned, impatience already showing on his face.
"Stella didn't have parents growing up, so she's always felt insecure. It's just a property title and a marriage certificate. I gave her the title to make her feel better. You had the wedding every woman wanted. I made sure the whole world knew you were my wife. What more do you want?"
Stella rested against him, her smile light and easy. "Come on, Paige. Don't be mad. I only care about the title. He still goes home to you every night."
I looked down at the ring on my finger. It felt wrong all of a sudden, like it didn't belong there.
I took it off and placed it on his desk.
Then I left, sending my dad a message as I walked out.
[I'm coming home.]