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."

"Their heir?!" Margo stared at me. "What does your kid have to do with the Harding family?"

Then it clicked. She lunged, grabbed my hair, and yanked me back. "No wonder you have my fiancé's contact! Say it—is this his illegitimate kid? Did you seduce him?

"And this mansion—he bought it for you too, didn't he? If that's the case, give it back!"

Jason just gawked at me. "Tessa and my new dad?! No way. Impossible. Five years ago, she was obsessed with me. Why would she go for an old guy? She's gotta be desperate to marry me—just grabbed some random kid and claimed it's mine. Yeah, that's it."

Half-convinced, Margo called Arthur and put him on speaker. The second he picked up, her voice went syrup-sweet. "Babe, I ran into this shameless woman. She says her three-year-old is yours."

Arthur snapped. "What?! That's ridiculous! Where is she? How dare she slander me—I'll make her apologize. Margo, relax. I'd never betray you."

I cut in fast, "It's me, Tessa!"

He paused. "Tessa?"

Margo frowned. "Arthur, how do you—"

He cut her off. "She's my daughter-in-law. Of course I know her. Her child is my grandson. How could he be mine? Who's spreading this nonsense?!"

He was about to keep going when Margo blew a couple kisses into the phone. "Alright, don't get mad. Just a misunderstanding. Don't worry—I'll make sure our son marries her."

She hung up, looking pleased with herself.

Then she exhaled and turned to Jason. "You were right. She's lost it—trying to stick you with a kid so she can marry into money. Even Arthur's already calling her his daughter-in-law, so she must've planned this.

"Since you two clearly want each other, just sleep together today. I'm not accepting some random brat as my grandson. Once she's actually pregnant, Arthur might be so happy he hands you shares."

My stomach dropped. What was she even planning?

Before I could figure a way out, Jason grabbed my wrist and dragged me toward the bedroom. "You keep saying no, but your actions say otherwise. You've already gotten close to my dad—how do you explain that?

"My patience isn't endless. Drop the act. I'll give you what you want and make you a rich wife for real."

I fought back, panic hitting hard. "You're insane! My husband will be home any minute—let me go!"

Jason didn't even slow down. "Your husband? That's me."

He was too strong. I couldn't break free.

Margo jumped in, tugging at my clothes, grinning like a psycho. "Once Jason's done with you, transfer the house. Can't have him looking bad in front of Arthur.

"Just stick with Jason, and I guarantee you'll live it up in the Harding family."

The front door slammed open.

"Touch my wife and you're dead!"

Hank stormed in, Arthur right behind him, looking rattled.