THE BILLIONAIRE IS OBSESSED WITH ME

Chapter Three

The Performance*

“I swear if it takes me, three moving companies, and every friend we have, I’ll get everything you want out of this house in the next 24 hours.” Frank gripped my hand. His eyes flicked to the wire confirmation on my phone. Half a million dollars.

“Take it and run,” he said quietly.

I looked at the lawyer Cedric sent. Sharp suit. No smile. “Where do I sign?”

Sixty minutes later the money hit my account. I stood in the middle of the foyer and let the silence settle. Floor-to-ceiling glass. Natural light. The house I’d called my dream five years ago.

Now it felt like a cage with good lighting.

I turned slowly, taking in the mess in the living room. Books off shelves. Cushions slashed. Drawer contents dumped. Whoever Cedric sent knew how to make it look real.

I cleared my throat. “Frank. I think someone was here.”

Guilt hit immediately. Frank and I didn’t lie to each other. But I couldn’t drag him into fraud charges for a false police report. He didn’t know I’d asked Cedric to do this. I hadn’t even told Jane or Lizzy. The decision was made at 2am, half-asleep, with Cedric’s voice still in my ear.

Frank scanned the room. “Couldn’t be Evan. He’s signing contracts and marrying your sister. And this isn’t his style.” He grimaced. “I can’t believe Mom expected us both to show up for Wendy’s bridal fitting.”

“She said Wendy’s pregnancy makes everything delicate.” I let my voice go flat. “You can go if you want.”

I shot him a look as I stepped over a shattered frame. Cedric’s people had done good work. “We need to call the police. Step outside. I don’t know what’s been touched.”

“Better than being anywhere near those two.” Frank dragged me toward the door, glancing back over his shoulder. “I hope no one’s still inside.” He dialed 911.

This neighborhood got priority response. Wealth bought speed.

As we waited on the porch, Frank frowned. “How strange is it that your buyer paid full asking, in cash?”

“Very.” I kept my face neutral and looked away. My mouth twitched.

“That grin. What aren’t you telling me?”

“I may have mentioned the listing to a developer who hates Evan’s family.”

Frank stopped walking. “Why?”

“Because Wendy wants this house.” I leaned against the porch rail. “For three weeks I’ve had texts and calls from her and Evan. He offered double market value. I deleted every message. Wendy said the house was ‘too much house for a simple artist’ when I bought it. She’s been jealous since day one. Now she wants to raise his child here. I won’t let that happen.”

“He offered a million?”

“He did.” I shrugged. “She wants it. He’s giving it to her. I want her to watch someone else tear it down instead.”

Frank stared at me. “You think the buyer will flip it back to them? He could make Evan pay triple.”

“He told me you get the bulldozer. But only when they say ‘I do’.”

Frank went still. “Why?”

“Because Evan will be standing there thinking he won. I want him to taste it before I take it away.” I met Frank’s eyes. “The buyer wants to livestream it. Make sure the Sampsons see who took their house.”

“Who is this guy?”

“Cedric Yates.”

Frank’s silence was louder than words.

“You know him?” I asked.

“Everyone in construction knows him.” Frank ran a hand through his hair. “He has more money than Evan will ever see. He’s notorious for taking what he wants without asking. My firm pitched for his new office complex last month. The week you called me about Evan.” He said ‘husband’ like it tasted bad. “I’ve never met Yates personally. But his reputation…”

“I didn’t realize he was that loaded.”

“He stays in New Hampshire instead of New York or LA. On purpose.” Frank shook his head. “It’s funny. Evan’s been ranting about Yates for months. And I was bidding on Yates’s project the same week Evan confessed. We never connected it.”

“Evan never asked about my work.” I laughed, but it hurt. “He thought interior design was a hobby. God, I can’t believe I stayed five years.”

“I loved him,” I whispered. The word felt strange now. “He made decisions. He took care of things. Jane said I gave him control because I didn’t know how to keep it. I thought he was pampering me like a princess. He was building a cage.”

Frank squeezed my shoulder. “She was right about that part.”

“We never fought,” I said quietly. “Not once in five years. I thought that meant we were perfect. Now I realize I just said yes every time to avoid his disappointment. I wanted his approval more than I wanted myself.”

My phone buzzed. Unknown number. I answered.

Wendy’s voice hit like glass. “Why are you trying to ruin my baby’s life? You and Frank refused to support me. Mom’s the only one showing up. Do you know how embarrassing this is? I want you to help with my dress and sign the house over. For my child’s sake.”

I hung up. My hands shook. Frank pressed his lips to my temple and pulled me close.

“Why is she like this?” I asked against his jacket.

“No idea. But I’m done with her and Mom. Dad would be ashamed.”

“I’m sorry you’re in this mess,” I said.

“I’m sorry I didn’t stop it sooner.” He sighed, then nodded toward the street. “Police are here. Let’s handle this, then dinner. My treat.”

I almost smiled. “Mine. I just made half a million.”

He huffed a laugh. “Fine. You pay. But I’m ordering dessert.”

I straightened my shoulders as the officer approached. Sweat on my palms. Heart pounding.

Everything rode on the next ten minutes. The lie. The performance. The start of Cedric’s plan.

I was ready.