Chapter 3

Carter left my place the next day, and Stella vanished for several days too.

She claimed she was traveling across states inspecting sites for upcoming store openings.

During a few FaceTime calls, I caught glimpses of Carter in the background. She hurried to explain:

"Carter called to check on progress. When he heard I was in the next state, he flew out to help. Honestly, without him, things would've taken twice as long. Even my dad praised me."

Trust-fund babies spend their whole lives trying to escape their parents' shadows.

Stella was no different, especially as a daughter.

Her father and grandfather were titan entrepreneurs. She was capable, but constantly overshadowed. She was desperate to prove herself.

Rolling out prime locations across multiple cities so quickly earned her rave reviews at family dinners.

Stella wired me thirty thousand dollars, telling me to buy Carter a gift in my name.

"I know he only helped because of you. It looks better coming from you. I know where the boundary is."

Then she added, "Pick something he likes. If thirty grand isn't enough, let me know."

I dialed my cousin's number. As soon as it connected, I said:

"Thanks for helping my girlfriend. She wants to give you a thirty-thousand-dollar gift. Anything specific you want, or should I just wire it?"

Silence on the line. Then a slightly raspy female voice spoke up.

"Logan? Why is your girlfriend buying Carter gifts?"

Shit. Carter and his ex-wife, Fiona, were saved right next to each other in my contacts. I’d dialed Fiona by mistake.

Fiona, Carter, and I had all gone to the same college. Fiona was a year ahead of us, and we crossed paths in student clubs.

I’d mentioned once how thoughtful Fiona was. The very next day, Carter started aggressively courting her.

Two weeks later, they were dating. After countless breakups and makeups, they married right after graduation.

Three years later, they divorced.

Not wanting to upset the sugar mommy funding Carter’s lavish lifestyle, I hurried to explain:

"No, no, he just helped Stella with a massive business favor. Though really, I should be thanking you, Fiona. Her retail rollout relied entirely on your network."

"I thought he was turning over a new leaf to start his own business. Turns out he was doing it for your girlfriend. He’s more devoted to her than he ever was to me."

Before I could answer, she added:

"Fine. I’ll buy his gift. Keep the money."

I sent the money back to Stella, telling her Carter’s ex said not to bother.

Stella frowned.

"Isn't she his ex? Why is she still controlling him?"

"She holds the purse strings. Where do you think Carter gets his designer clothes and luxury lifestyle?"

Stella looked uncomfortable. Noticing my gaze, she mumbled, "Right. Makes sense."

That night, Carter barged into my apartment reeking of alcohol. His face flushed, he crashed onto my couch and picked a fight.

With cold, sharp articulation, he tore into me from head to toe. Finally, pointing at Stella, he sneered:

"You? Trying to bag a rich heiress?

Keep dreaming, Logan. You’ll never live the life I live."

"Snitching to Fiona that I’m hitting on your girl so she’d cut my allowance? Watch me find a new sugar mommy tomorrow, you little punk."

Stella’s eyes flickered with a sudden, strange intensity.

A wave of exhaustion washed over me. Leaving them in the living room, I shut myself in my bedroom.

After that night, Stella worked late and traveled even more.

When I mentioned my schedule had cleared up and I could meet her parents, she politely declined, saying the timing wasn't right.

I didn't need to ask. Carter had succeeded once again.