Chapter 1

815words2026-02-09 09:51

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 better than Eric.
As a result, the lack of romance in my life had become one of her biggest worries.
I first met Dean at a bar. He had caught my eye in the crowd, and I'd spent more than six months pursuing him.

He was younger than Eric and far better-looking. If that wasn't enough to seal the deal, Dean was also richer than him.
Therefore, he practically ticked all Mom's boxes as a potential future son-in-law.
She wasted no time bragging about it in the family group chat. In fact, she'd even claimed I'd be getting married soon.
I grimaced in resignation when I saw what she'd done. So, I immediately sent an emoji and typed, "Our relationship isn't that serious. Don't read too much into it, guys."

Mom immediately sent a picture over and retorted, "You're not serious about him? You're not serious about a man that handsome and rich?"
Erin immediately chimed in, "Wow, Cassie. Where did you find such a hunk? Do you want me to put him to the test?"
I didn't bother replying, knowing that she was going to do whatever she wanted, whether I liked it or not.
Fortunately, I was prepared for her this time around.
…
I had warned Dean about Erin on the first day we started dating. I told him that she was gorgeous and wise to the ways of the world. I also told him how she had the habit of contacting my boyfriend behind my back.
Dean teased, "Are you afraid I'll fall for her?"
I merely chuckled softly and replied, "No, I'm just worried she'll eat you alive. After all, every one of my exes ended up with their hearts broken."
He pulled me into his arms and soothed me, saying, "I promise you that that's not going to happen this time around. You're the only one I want, Cassie."
He had kept my warnings in mind. When Erin sent a message the first time, he ignored her.
He even repeatedly complained about her, saying, "Your cousin Erin is being like gum on a shoe. She's been trying to chat with me using ten different accounts."
I kissed his cheek and praised him. "Then, you have to hold your ground, soldier. Don't you dare reply to her because she's 'experienced.'"
He didn't think twice in ignoring yet another one of Erin's alternate accounts before looking me in the eye and saying, "My parents want to meet you. They've heard me sing your praises, so they're really eager to meet you.
"They've been saying that we've been dating for six months, yet they don't even know what you look like."
I stiffened slightly before ruffling his hair and replying, "Give me a little more time, okay? Work's been crazy recently. I promise I'll treat your parents to dinner once I've gotten this busy season out of the way."
"You don't have to treat them to a meal. Trust me, my parents would be thrilled as long as you show up. We'll just have dinner at one of the hotels my family owns."
Perhaps Erin was starting to get impatient when she saw how Dean kept ignoring her, as she suddenly said she wanted to stay over at my place for a bit.
I refused her outright.
Unfortunately, Mom was eager to brag about the new apartment Dean had gotten me. She just couldn't wait to send Erin my address.
As a result, I was greeted with the sight of Erin and Dean sitting next to each other on the couch when I got home from work. They seemed to be scrolling through their phones.
The moment Dean saw me, he dragged me into the bedroom. "I swear I never spared her a glance," he grumbled in slight annoyance. "How did she end up coming over to our place?"