No sooner had the words left my lips than Samantha Brooks gasped theatrically.

“Just? This woman’s unbelievable. Some people work their whole lives and never scrape together half a million. You own a flower shop, right? Even if you sold every stem in that place, it wouldn’t add up to this.” She clung to Hudson’s arm, her tone turning sugary-sweet. “Hudson, I don’t want her ruining our engagement party.”

In a heartbeat, Hudson ordered a team of guards to throw me out.

“Don’t touch me. I’ll see myself out. ” I yanked free from their grip and turned back to look at Hudson one last time.

“You’ll regret this,” I warned him.

“Regret?” His voice dripped with scorn. “The only regret I have is ever being forced by you into playing this farce!” Then, with his chin tilted arrogantly, he added, “I’m Hudson Grant—respected, admired, the top of the business world. I’ve got the woman I love on my side. Who the hell are you to think you could ever make me regret anything?”

He waved his hand and the guards shoved me toward the exit. When I stepped out of the hotel, the giant screen across the street was broadcasting the moment Hudson slipped a ring onto Samantha’s finger.

That ring was my design—one I’d spent countless sleepless nights perfecting. Hudson had once sneered at the sketches, calling them ugly.

Yet here he was, using it to propose to his mistress.

Before I could even process the sting of betrayal, a crowd swarmed me. They hurled whatever they had in their hands—cups, bags, trash—straight at me.

“You’re that manipulative bitch who tried to guilt-trip Hudson into marrying you, aren’t you?” One girl spat.

“Mr. Grant has found the love of his life. If you dare crawl back to him again, we’ll destroy you!” Another shouted.

Back when I first tried to build up Hudson’s reputation, I used his good looks to market him online. It worked. Too well, in fact—now it had all backfired on me.

I thought of pulling out old photos to defend myself, but then remembered Hudson had already set the stage to smear me first.

Smart of him, I supposed. Everything I had taught him, he learned well. I always knew he was sharp, calculating. But of all the things he could’ve used his cunning for, he used it against me.

Just then, a limited-edition sports car cut through the crowd. Under envious stares, I slipped inside.

I was still brushing dirt off my clothes when my phone rang. Hudson.

“Don’t blame me for being cruel, Madeline. If I didn’t do this, you’d never let me go. Samantha—she’s different from you. She’s sweet, obedient. I knew she was the one the second I saw her.

“As for you…” his voice dropped to a sleazy drawl. “If you insist on sticking around, I don’t mind keeping you as my mistress. But the rule is—you stay out of Samantha’s sight.”

If not for the driver’s expression twisting in shock, I might’ve thought I’d misheard out of sheer fury. How could he stab me in the back and then have the nerve to offer me the role of his mistress?

“Are you out of your damn mind?” I snapped. “That shiny chair you’re so proud of isn’t even warm yet and you already dare to talk like this?”

I didn’t give him a chance to answer—I hung up.

But when I got home, he was already there, blocking my way inside. The cheap scent of gardenias clung to him.

“Stop being difficult, Madison. Half a million is more than enough. I’ll even add another hundred grand.” 

He spoke as if he was doing me a huge favor. Meanwhile, the last deal I’d secured for him had brought in far more than that.

He caught the fire in my eyes and completely misunderstood. Grabbing my hand, his voice dropped into a husky whisper.

“What, you actually want to be my mistress? Fine, let’s call today my mistake. I should’ve warned you first. Let me make it up to you,” he murmured, his fingers trailing over my waist, slipping under my clothes without shame.

“You’re disgusting you know that?” My hand flew before I even realized it. The crack of the slap echoed sharp and merciless.

His head snapped to the side, eyes blazing with fury as he reeled from the blow.

“Madeline Seymour! Do you know how many people would kill for the chance I’m giving you? You should be grateful I even bothered with you. You’re always so damn overbearing. If it weren’t for the fact you once helped me, I’d never have tolerated being with you. Samantha, at least, is gentle. Sweet. Nothing like you.”

And as if the devil had staged it, right then his phone rang. Samantha Brooks.

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.

For years, Hudson had played the part of a frugal, hardworking man in front of me. Even when I bought him flowers on Valentine’s Day, he called it wasteful. Said money wasn’t easy to earn and it should be spent wisely. Turns out, it wasn’t that he didn’t like spending—it was that he didn’t like spending on me.

Watching him flaunt his money for Samantha, I couldn’t help but laugh bitterly to myself.

“Smash it all,” I thought. “Let’s see if you can actually pay for the damage later.”

No sooner had he left than Bradley Langford rushed in. He helped me up, worry etched across his face. Only after making sure I wasn’t seriously hurt did he breathe again.

“I thought you’d changed your mind about marrying me. Didn’t expect someone came to trash your store instead. Was it Hudson? I’ll make him pay,” he growled.

I grabbed his arm before he could storm off.

“Has Hudson been trying to negotiate a big contract with you lately?” 

Bradley blinked, confused, but nodded anyway, his hands still gently bandaging mine. Pulling out my phone, I checked the calendar. A plan was already forming in my head. 

Later, when we arrived at a bridal boutique, Bradley stepped aside to take a call. I went in alone—only to run straight into Hudson and Samantha.

Hudson was still processing why I was there when Samantha piped up. “No matter how much you love Huddy, you can’t just stalk us everywhere we go, Madeline.” 

The words clicked everything into place for him.

“Madeline, have you no shame?” he shouted. “Following me around like some pathetic shadow won’t do you nothing. You’ll never catch my eye again.”

What a bunch of lunatics. I tried to walk past, but Samantha blocked my way.  She waved over a clerk.

“Everything in this store’s expensive, right? You shouldn’t be letting strays wander in.” Her gaze cut right at me.

Hudson, ever eager to echo her, chimed in. “She’s right. People without money shouldn’t touch things they can’t afford. One mistake and you’ll owe more than your net worth.”

I almost laughed. The man who once couldn’t even lift his head to walk into luxury stores now dared to say I wasn’t worthy. I’d been the one who taught him how to carry himself.

The clerk, nervous not to offend Hudson, motioned for me to leave. Anger burned in my chest. “You’re right. Any store that lets the two of you in clearly doesn’t sell quality goods.” I sneered. I spun on my heel, leaving Hudson red-faced, shouting after me.

“Madeline, don’t flatter yourself thinking I owe you everything I have! Mr. Langford himself invited me to his wedding!”

Outside the boutique, Bradley was waiting, looking puzzled when I stepped out empty-handed.

“Didn’t find anything good?” he asked.

“I’m just gonna wear limited-edition couture. You still up for it?”

Then, a hefty transfer hit my account. I lifted my eyes and caught Bradley smiling warmly at me. The fire in my chest eased. Even with little time, Bradley managed to give me a grand wedding. Every detail was tailored to my tastes.

As I walked down the aisle to the music, a familiar voice suddenly rang out.

“Madeline! What the hell are you doing here?”

Hudson shot to his feet, disbelief written all over his face, striding straight toward me.