He Mocked Me, I Made Him Say Sorry

Chapter 1 The Return

When James Harrison's socialite mother tracked me down, I was packing for graduate school abroad.

"Mia, I'm begging you. Go back to James and save that boy."

Judith Harrison got straight to the point the moment we sat down at the café, squeezing out a few crocodile tears for good measure.

"Ever since you two split three years ago, he's been spiraling. Total trust fund brat. All he does is drink, party, and burn money. We spoiled him rotten. He won't listen to us. If nobody reins him in, he'll end up worthless!"

I stirred my coffee, listened to every word, and smirked.

Three years ago, Judith had summoned me to this exact same café. She'd flung a check in my face and told me to disappear from James's life.

She'd called me trash. Said a broke nobody had no business controlling her son. Said men were born to stand above women. Said poverty was the original sin, and he'd be better off without me.

She'd conveniently forgotten that James only kept his temper in check, finished college, and prepared to take over the family business because I was there.

I met Judith's gaze. Gone was the terrified girl she'd seen three years ago. In her place sat a woman in full control.

"Sure. I'll do it."

Judith barely had time to smile before I finished my sentence.

"But it'll cost you. How long I stay depends on how much you pay. The moment the contract's up, I walk."

Judith's face went green.

"Mia, when did you become this shallow? You can't put a price tag on love! I'm truly disappointed in you!"

I didn't waste a single word. I stood up to leave. Judith's face flipped on a dime. She fell all over herself trying to keep me seated, promising to wire the money immediately.

I smiled. 'Kindness gets you eaten alive.' I learned that lesson three years ago.

That same night, five million dollars richer, I tracked down James's bar and pushed open the door to his VIP room.

The noise inside cut off like someone hit a mute button. Every head in the room swiveled toward me.