My ex, Jason Buckley—the guy I dumped five years ago—still sent tiny cash transfers to check if I existed. I never responded. This time, I tapped accept by accident.

A second later, he lost it. "Wow, quick reflexes. What guy's been keeping you busy these past five years? Made you this cheap? Knew you couldn't get over me.

"You took my 'let's fix this' gift, so we're signing marriage papers tomorrow.

"My new dad's loaded—the richest in Seavora—and he can't wait to see me married."

I just stared at the one-dollar payment on my screen and left him on read.

The next day, he showed up at my place in Seavora City with his mom, parked right in the doorway.

"This is gonna be our house, right? If you're not just after my family's money, transfer it into my name first."

Yeah. He'd officially lost it.

We broke up five years ago. My son's three.

And if he's the heir to the richest man... what does that make my husband?

Jason and Margo stretched their necks, peeking inside like they were touring the place, running their mouths nonstop.

"Lighting's kinda dim. Living room's too small. Renovation's okay, but this furniture? Trash. Still—big house. Plenty of room for all of us."

I shut the door in their faces. "How'd you find me?"

Jason let out this gross little laugh. "Finding you's easy. Babe, quit being stubborn. I know you're mad, but don't play hard to get. Let me and Mom in."

He reached for the door, trying to push past me.

I snapped, smacking his hand away. "Jason Buckley, we broke up five years ago. Get lost."

They both froze.

Then Margo jabbed a finger at me, yelling, "How dare you talk to your man like that? So disrespectful! If you didn't want him back, why take his gift? I didn't even call you a gold digger, and you're still acting ungrateful!"

Jason dragged her back, then faced me. "Tessa, I'll be real. My new dad's the richest man in Seavora. Why else would I send you money every day for years? You never blocked me because you wanted to marry me."

I just stared at him. The ego on this guy was unreal.

Truth is, I never blocked him because I hadn't touched that account in years. I logged in on a whim yesterday and found out he'd been spamming me the whole time. My son started crying, everything got chaotic, and I accidentally tapped accept.

And somehow that turned into me wanting to marry him?

I stepped back, grossed out. "Send me your details. I'll pay you back."

Jason's face dropped. "Tessa Thomson, you were quick to take it, and now you're ditching me? A materialistic girl like you—who else would want you?"

Margo spat into my flower bed like she owned the place. "Jason came back because of old feelings. Otherwise, you think a family like ours would even look at you? You should feel lucky. Now hurry up and let us in!"

I opened my mouth to snap back—

Jason shoved me aside and walked straight in, pushing the door open.

He glanced around, then his eyes landed on the stroller in the corner.

'This should finally wake him up,' I thought.

Instead, he went, "From now on, don't let the maid bring the kid home without my permission. Got it?"

Margo nodded like that made total sense. "Exactly. Only family can be trusted these days. Honestly, fire all the help. The money you waste on them should go to me."

I laughed. "Wow. The delusion is strong. First, I never said I'd marry you. Second, this is my house. Leave now, or I'm calling the cops."

Jason's face shifted. He stepped in and grabbed my shoulders, grip tight. "Stop making a scene. You took my gift, so don't act all above it. The house is nice, but since we're getting married, put it in my name first. Consider it a test."

Margo jumped in right on cue. "Exactly. Jason's the heir to the richest family. What if you're just after his money? Transfer the house so we can feel secure."

I just stared at them. The audacity was unreal.

I turned and called my husband. "Mr. Harding, since when did you have a grown son out there?"

The second I hit call, Jason snatched my phone. He stared at the contact name. "Mr. Harding? How do you know my dad?"

Margo dropped onto my couch, looking way too pleased with herself. "I'm about to marry Arthur Harding, the richest man in Seavora. That makes my son his son. Got it? As my future daughter-in-law, you should transfer this house to Jason. It'll look good when I marry into the family."

Oh.

So that's the angle.

She must be the "new partner" my father-in-law mentioned a few days ago.

Jason didn't even qualify as an illegitimate son, and he was already throwing his weight around like he owned the title.

And let's be real—the Harding family only became the richest in Seavora because of my husband, Hank Harding. Arthur had nothing to do with it.

Jason opened his mouth to talk into my phone—then the call cut. Fine. Hank was probably already on his way.

Margo snapped again when I didn't react. "Before Jason changes his mind, you'd better come with us to the county office and transfer the house. It's just a loyalty test. Once you give the Harding family a nice, chubby baby boy, you'll be taken care of."

They really thought I'd go along with that?

"Are you insane?" I pointed at the door. "Get out."

Jason dropped onto the couch, legs crossed. "No rush. Let's talk. I even brought my mom to discuss marriage—pretty sincere, right? Marry me, and you'll be a rich wife. Where else are you getting a deal like this?"

I let out a short laugh. "If you're such a catch now, why come back to me? Go find someone else."

Margo shot up and smacked my hip. "We were told you bring good luck! You'll boost Jason's fortune. And you'll have two boys—no need to worry about a girl! Just take the win! Don't act all high and mighty just because you've got a mansion."

My temper snapped.

"Bringing luck?" Yeah, right. They just wanted my house—for free—and a status upgrade.

I kept my voice steady. "I'm married. Now get out."

"Married?!" Jason grabbed my hand, panicked. "You really think that'll make me chase you harder? Or are you still mad about that gift?"

That "gift"? Please.

Valentine's Day—he sent me $1.43. I took it to save his ego. Then he asked for $143 back, said relationships shouldn't be one-sided. That's when I dumped him.

And somehow, he decided I was just being petty—and the real problem was he didn't give "enough."

I looked at him and sneered. "All this over a dollar? You're trying to scam a whole mansion. Not even a little embarrassed?"

I barely finished before Margo pointed at me and snapped, "There it is—your true colors! One dollar too little for you? Look at yourself! Jason taking you back is your luck! We're not treating you badly. After you marry, this house is still yours. You'll live here."

Voices came from outside—the maid and Leo.

The door opened, and Leo ran straight into me. "Mommy!"

Jason and Margo froze.

Margo's voice shook. "Th-This kid... whose is he?"

I pulled Leo close and met their eyes. "Mine."

"Yours?!" Jason shot up. "When did you have a kid? Who's the father?"

His face twisted, eyes blazing. "You had a child with another man behind my back? Tessa, I never agreed to break up! This is cheating! We were just on a five-year break—how do you already have a two- or three-year-old?"

Margo grabbed Leo's leg, shaking. "You cheated on Jason? Shameless! He treated you so well, and this is how you repay him? No wonder you wouldn't transfer the house—you were hiding this little bastard!"

I stared at them, stunned.

We broke up five years ago. Wasn't it normal for me to move on?

I shoved Margo back. "Stay away from my son! Touch him again, and you're done."

She glanced at the maid and let out this nasty laugh. "This brat kinda looks like her. Bet he's hers."

Jason's face lit up like he'd cracked the case.

He yanked Leo out of my arms and shoved him at the maid. "You're fired. Take your bastard and get out!"

Leo broke down, reaching for me. "Mommy! Hug me!"

Jason snapped. He slapped Leo across the face. "What 'Mommy'? Say it again and I'll throw you out on the street!"

My heart shot into my throat. I grabbed a vase and hurled it at him. "I said don't touch my son!"

It caught him off guard—he slammed into the wall.

I didn't hesitate. I shoved the maid toward the stairs. "Take Leo to the third-floor bedroom. Lock the door and call the cops! My husband's on his way!"

She nodded, panicked, and rushed off with Leo crying in her arms.

Margo helped Jason up, then swung at me. "Jason's the son of the richest man now! If anything happens to him, you couldn't afford it—even if you sold yourself!"

My head rang.

The second I steadied, I hit her back—twice. "You're not even related to the Hardings, and you're acting like this? If they find out how you're treating their heir, you're the ones who'll pay for it."