Chapter 2

That was when I truly realized that my parents had sold me off for fifteen million dollars. To Brandon, I was nothing more than an expendable accessory.

He chose me precisely because my family was beneath his, which meant he could walk all over me without consequence.

That way, no matter how much he whored around, I wouldn't have the leverage to stop him.

I put up a vicious fight once. The result? Brandon gave me the silent treatment for a month and launched an aggressive corporate squeeze on my family's business.

My mother called me in tears, begging me to back down. Left with no choice, I swallowed my pride. Brandon sneered at my surrender. That was the exact moment I realized I was utterly worthless in his eyes.

Later, I had an epiphany: Why bother?

When Brandon trampled all over my dignity, did he ever stop to think this day would come?

Once my mind cleared, I stopped crying, stopped picking fights, and completely shut down any emotional connection to him.

If he came home, I played the polite host. If he stayed out, I enjoyed the peace and quiet.

When he fooled around with rising starlets and club promoters, I stepped in and wiped his slate clean.

Over the years, I became tight with the paparazzi. Every time a scandal broke, I bargained hard, pocketing a hefty finder's fee and skimming off the top. Turning my cheating husband into a personal cash cow—I was probably the first woman to pull that off.

It was the only way I could keep my head held high despite the humiliation Brandon heaped onto me.

I wasn’t a glutton for punishment, and I had no desire to be tied to him any longer.

Now that his true love was back, walking away was the easiest decision of my life.

After leaving my lawyer’s office, I took a deep breath and drove toward the Hayes estate.

A black Porsche was parked right out front. It was Brandon’s car. He actually showed up?

I was surprised. The second I pushed the front door open, an enraged voice boomed through the foyer!

"Get on your knees right now!"

I looked over and saw Brandon standing in the living room, facing a furious Victoria.

Brandon had his trademark smirk on, utterly unfazed by his mother's rage. "What's the issue now?"

"Brandon Hayes, did I not make myself crystal clear? As long as I'm breathing, that woman is never setting foot back here! She took my check and fled the country, and now she has the nerve to crawl back?!"

Brandon’s face darkened instantly. "So you "did" force her out back then, didn't you?"

"So what if I did?! A cheap girl like that isn't fit to step into this family! And you—plastering this scandal all over the internet! I turned a blind eye to your flings with little actresses, but this woman? Never!"

Brandon let out a scoff, lit a cigarette, and crossed his legs casually. "Mom, you're crossing the line. Who I see is my business. She’s the new executive assistant at my firm. I’m just bringing in real talent."

Victoria was trembling with fury. I stepped forward quickly. "Mom."

"Chloe, you are completely useless!"

I kept my head down and stayed quiet. Brandon glanced over at me with cold eyes. "Drop the act, both of you. What’s with the good-cop, bad-cop routine? She’s back, and I went to pick her up. Why turn this into a massive circus?"

He tossed a glare my way. "And certain people can stop worrying their pretty little heads off."

I gave an agreeable nod. "He's right. I won't be cleaning up your mess this time. After all, she’s not some random escort; she’s special."

Brandon’s expression instantly soured. He glared at me, his gaze icy, but I didn't flinch.

Victoria threw her hands up. "Both of you think your wings are fully grown now! Fine, ruin yourselves, see if I care! But you are going to finish this photoshoot with me today!"

Right on cue, the butler stepped in. "Ma'am, the photographer is ready."

Victoria nodded stiffly. "Once we take the photo, go fool around however you want. But if the press catches you with her again, just you wait!"