Hudson made sure to tilt his screen toward me before answering the call.
“Huddy, where’d you go? I’m craving that viral cake shop on the west side of town. Can you pick some up for me?”
Just like he’d said before, Samantha’s voice was so syrupy-sweet it almost dripped honey.
But that didn’t excuse his cheating.
The west side was over twenty-five miles from here. Yet Hudson agreed without a second thought.
Funny. When I was sick from drinking once and begged him to grab me some aspirin from the pharmacy downstairs, he told me to tough it out.
Watching him walk away, I didn’t even bother going inside. Instead, I put the house up for rent online and drove straight to my family’s old estate.
The next morning, I was jolted awake by a phone call.
On the other end, one of the young clerks at my flower shop was practically crying.
“Boss, the shop’s surrounded! A whole group showed up—smashing things, saying you’re just a gold-digger trying to latch onto someone rich, like you’re way out of your league.”
The sound of shattering porcelain cracked through the line.
I hung up and rushed over.
The moment I arrived, I saw Samantha herself lounging in a chair, blowing on her freshly painted nails, while her crew tore the shop apart.
“Stop! All of you, stop!”
At the sound of my voice, everyone froze.
“Well, look who finally showed,” Samantha rose slowly, a smug smile tugging at her lips. “I asked for a bouquet and your clerk sold me wilted flowers. How do you explain that?”
The girl beside me shook her head through red, tear-streaked cheeks. I knew the truth instantly and shielded her behind me.
“Miss Brooks, our shop never sells old stock. Our reputation speaks for itself.”
“Is that so?” Her eyes swept over me, sharp and mocking. “Then why is someone like you shamelessly trying to steal my man? Have you even looked at your face? You’re practically covered in wrinkles.”
I’d never been insecure about my looks and I wasn’t about to start now. Her words bounced right off me. Pulling out my calculator, I tallied up the damages in seconds and held the screen up for her to see.
“Miss Brooks, I don’t know what game you’re playing, but you’re responsible for the damage. Either pay up, or I’ll call the police.”
Her eyes bulged at the figure. Well, they’re over a hundred grand.
“Are you insane? There’s no way all this junk box worth that much. I haven’t even demanded back the half-million and now you’re trying to scam me?”
So that was it. Today’s stunt was just her way of clawing back the money. I plastered on a polite smile.
“I never touched the money. You can confirm that with Hudson. As for these vases—each one’s a master’s work. I’ve already given you the discounted price.” I tilted my head. “Or is it that you simply can’t afford it, Miss Brooks?”
Her face flushed crimson. She whipped out her phone and called Hudson. Minutes later, he stormed in. Without a single question, his hand shot up—ready to slap me.
I caught his wrist just in time, but he shoved me instead. I crashed to the floor, shards of porcelain slicing into my hands.
“Madeline Seymour, will you ever quit? If you’ve got a problem, take it out on me. Why are you picking on Samantha?”
He didn’t give me a chance to respond. Instead, he barked at the mob to keep wrecking my shop. The young clerk tried to stop them, only to be shoved to the ground herself, bruises blooming instantly across her skin.
Hudson’s designer shoes crushed the flowers at my feet as he looked down at me with contempt.
“This is about money, isn’t it? I’ll give you money. But now this shop—this shop is mine now.”
Then, pulling Samantha close, he kissed her cheek.
“Don’t worry, baby. It’s just a bit of pocket change. Break whatever you want—your man’s got the bill covered.”
Then, right there in front of me, Hudson kissed her cheek and strutted out with her on his arm.
