I quickly created a private group chat, pulling in my entire team.

Not having a family of my own had always made me cling tighter to the people I trusted. My team wasn't just colleagues—they called themselves my "work family."

I fired off a message:

[@Everyone, if Logan contacts any of you, here's the story—no big deal was signed, and I've been fired.]

I stared at my phone, every second dragging out painfully. Logan could not get a straight answer from anyone before I got to them.

A reply finally came through—from my assistant.

[You planning a surprise for your husband? He just asked me about it! I almost spilled the beans—don't worry, I'll play along. I'll make it sound worse. Got it!]

I exhaled in relief, then sent another message:

[My marriage is in serious trouble. I'll explain everything when I can, but for now, if Logan reaches out, make sure everyone sticks to the same story!]

The responses rolled in fast. No questions. No hesitation.

[Got it.]

[Got it.]

[Understood.]

Once I confirmed everyone was on board, I deleted the group chat.

I switched back to the baby monitor feed just in time to see Logan glaring at his phone.

"Julie really screwed it up. She lost the deal and got fired."

Pauline was frustrated as well. "Yana's due any day now! And I already promised her that $50k-a-month maternity center!"

When I first got pregnant, I'd suggested booking a postpartum care center too. Something to help with recovery, ease the transition into motherhood. I'd even found a great one at $15k a month.

But Pauline? She shot it down immediately. "Why waste money on strangers? No one will take care of you better than family!"

But now she was happily dropping fifty grand a month—for Yana?

That name hit me like a slap.

Yana.

Suddenly, a memory surfaced.

One afternoon, I'd forgotten some documents at home and doubled back to grab them. Pauline had been in the living room, laughing with a young, pregnant woman. The table was covered with the expensive fruits I'd bought—peels and cores littering the floor.

"She's my distant niece," Pauline had said. "She's here for a prenatal checkup."

And that woman's name?

Yana Twain.

At the time, Yana had looked at me with barely concealed hostility, her words sharp and laced with sarcasm.

Later, I vented to Logan.

His response?

"You're too sensitive."

Right. Sensitive.

Turns out, they'd been parading his mistress in front of me.

***

In the baby monitor feed, Logan said something before leaving the nursery.

Pauline rolled her eyes and muttered, "I've given her so much of that stuff. Why hasn't she lost the baby yet? Could the meds be fake? No way... I paid a fortune to Dr. Brophy back in my hometown for those."

A chill ran through me.

Pauline had been poisoning me.

My hands trembled.

Suddenly, the bedroom door swung open.

Logan.

I scrambled to close the baby monitor app, my heart racing.

Just moments ago, I'd heard him on the monitor. "The house is in her name. It's a premarital asset. We'll wait until we switch to a new house.

"If she behaves, fine. But if not? Well, an eight-month pregnant woman with no family—who's going to care if something happens to her?

"As long as we don't press charges, no one will bother investigating her death."

***

A while back, Logan said the house would feel too small once the baby came. We should sell it, upgrade to something bigger.

Two hours ago, I was all in on that future—thinking my bonus could help with a new place. Maybe even send Logan and Pauline on some fancy trip after the baby was born.

Turns out, that dream wasn't mine. It was their plan to kill me.

I looked at Logan. That face I used to think was charming? Now, all I saw was pure, cold-blooded cruelty.

And suddenly, everything clicked.

Of course he'd pursued me so hard once he found out I had no family.

He'd been planning this from the start.

"Julie, you actually got fired?" Logan said. "You're pregnant—they can't just kick you out. That's illegal. I'll talk to your boss."

I grabbed his arm. "No! Don't."

His eyes narrowed, pinning me in place. I kept my voice even. "It's on me. I blew a huge deal. If they weren't cutting me slack for my years there—and the pregnancy—they'd be suing us for damages.

"The damages would've been in the millions. Even if we emptied our accounts, we'd barely cover it."

Logan's frown deepened. Then, without a word, he snatched my phone and started dialing.

"I'm not letting you go down for this, " he said. "I'll get the truth from your boss."

As the phone rang, my chest felt tight.

The second my boss answered, her voice was sharp and impatient.

"Julie Kane! I made myself clear—you're lucky we're not pressing charges. Don't expect anything more from us."

Logan hung up, his jaw tight.

I let out a quiet breath of relief. Thank God. I'd given my boss a heads-up when I was gathering footage from the baby monitor. She was a fierce, no-BS kind of woman—and she hated men like Logan. She promised to have my back.

Logan stared at my pale face, brushing my sweaty hair off my forehead. "Honey, why are you so nervous?"

I didn't answer, but he kept going.

"Look, it's just a job. I'll take care of you. Mom's only upset because it's all on me now. She's going through menopause—her emotions are out of whack. For my sake, don't hold a grudge against her."

He added, "Since you're free now, let's go sign the contract for that new house. The agent's been calling nonstop. No point waiting. Let's get it done and move on from all this bad luck."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the car before I could even argue—and Pauline came too.

***

At the real estate office, I froze.

Yana was already there.

Pauline climbed out of the car and immediately linked arms with her, beaming. "I asked Yana to join us. She has a great eye for detail. We need her opinion."

Yana stood there, belly out, smirking at me like she'd won.

"Logan's upgrading to a bigger house," she said. "Aunt Pauline thought you might mess up the decorating, so she called me in. You don't mind, right?"

That tone hit me like a rewind button.

I remembered walking in on her at my own house. She had said, "Julie, don't use your pregnancy as an excuse to make my aunt do everything for you."

Or:

"Logan works hard. You should be more mindful of spending. All these deliveries... who are you dressing up for after getting married?"

And, of course:

"I'm just being real, Julie. Don't take it the wrong way—I'm only looking out for you guys."

At the time, I'd brushed her off, thinking she was just jealous.

I'd nailed the perfect-wife act, played the doting daughter-in-law to a tee. So well that even Logan forgot—orphans don't claw their way to the top just to end up anyone's punching bag.

The weight of every insult hit me at once. My face darkened.

"Mind? Of course I mind! But that's never stopped you from sticking to us like glue, has it?"

My sudden outburst stunned everyone.

Yana's lips wobbled, and she actually pouted. "Aunt Pauline..." she whined, stomping her foot.

Pauline shot me a glare. "How dare you talk to a family member like that? No upbringing whatsoever! Who do you think you are?!"

But this time? I didn't flinch.

"I'm buying a house, and an unrelated nobody is here giving her opinions. So tell me—who's the one with no manners?"

My voice rang out across the showroom, loud enough to draw stares and whispers.

Logan scowled and pulled me aside. "Can't you just let it go? It's not that big of a deal. Why do you have to make a scene? She's still my mom, and you shouldn't talk back to her."

I shook his hand off. "Then go listen to her, Logan. And while you're at it, have her pay for the house too."

Logan's scowl deepened. "What the hell are you saying? We agreed to sell the current house and use the money to upgrade! You've seen the contract!

"Besides, my mom's a housewife with no income. Where's she supposed to get the money?

"Fine, I get it. You're still holding a grudge over what happened earlier.

"But seriously, think about it. My mom's been taking care of you day and night. And just because she said a few things, you're making this a big deal?

"Okay, fine! I'll apologize on her behalf. Happy now?"

Noticing the growing whispers around us, Pauline launched into full drama mode. "I knew this would happen!" she wailed. "Getting old means being despised! It's all my fault—my big, stupid mouth! I just keep causing trouble for my poor son and his wife!"

She raised her hand like she was about to slap herself. "I should just slap myself—"

"Aunt Pauline! No!" Yana stopped her. "If anyone's to blame, it's me! I'm young and foolish. I said the wrong things and upset Julie."

She glanced at me. "Julie, I'll get down on my knees and apologize! Please, for my aunt's sake—she's getting older—don't keep bullying her!"

Yana dropped to her knees, but Logan grabbed her arm. "Yana! You're pregnant! Don't get emotional—it's bad for the baby."

Then he shot me a glare. "Julie! Is this what you wanted? To make everyone upset? We're here to buy a bigger house for our family. It was supposed to be a happy day, and you're ruining it."

Like he'd forgotten I was pregnant, too. Like my feelings didn't matter.

His arm stayed around Yana, soft and protective, while his tone toward me stayed cold. "Enough. Stop making a scene. Everyone's watching. Let's sign the contract and be done."

The sales manager shoved the papers at him. Logan took the pen without hesitation, ready to sign.

I snatched the contract from his hand. "Why's the contract only in your name?"

Pauline, who'd been all pitiful a minute ago, suddenly looked outraged. "What kind of question is that? Logan's the head of the household! Whose name should it be under if not his?"

Logan reached for the contract. "Once we're married, it's all marital property. What difference does it make whose name is on it?"

I pulled it out of his reach. "If it doesn't matter, then why not put MY name on it?"

He got irritated. "Julie! What's wrong with you today? Stop being unreasonable! Just because you lost your job doesn't mean you can take it out on everyone!"

I met his glare with a smirk. "'Everyone'? You mean you, your mom, your mistress and the illegitimate child she's carrying?"

My words echoed, sending shockwaves through the crowd.

Yana's face twisted in shock. She shrieked, "You're slandering me! You're ruining my reputation! If you don't clear this up, I'll end it—right here. Two lives gone. That'll prove my innocence!"

Pauline hit the floor, wailing. "Julie! If you're angry, take it out on me! I'm old—I can handle it. But don't destroy this family! These accusations are enough to push someone to their death!"

I stared at her. My voice cut through her sobs. " Oh, you mean like selling my house to buy a mansion for your son's mistress and her kid? Tell me—who's really pushing someone to their death?"

Logan went ghost-white, jaw tight, veins popping. "What the hell are you even talking about? Lost your job, so now you're blowing up on us? Fine. You win. No house. Happy? Let's go home and talk."

He grabbed my arm hard, yanking me toward the door.

I knew right then—if I got in that car, I wasn't coming back.

I yanked, but he was too strong. I screamed. "Help! Somebody—"

But Pauline shouted at the crowd. "It's a family matter! Stay out of it, unless you want trouble!"

We were steps from the exit when the doors flew open.

A figure burst in, breathing hard.

With one hard shove, the person knocked Logan back and stepped between us.

"Don't you DARE touch Julie!"