Chapter 3
The Moment Everything Snapped
My blood ran cold.
Nathan really did have an uncle.
Six months ago, he begged me to find a job for his uncle. Since it didn't cost me anything, I found him a position at my father's mall.
And now, he was here as the mall manager, and he was looking at me as if I owed him something.
Philip grabbed my phone and smashed it against the counter.
Crack.
The screen was split in half.
He jabbed a finger in my face. "So, you're the little troublemaker picking on my niece-in-law? And you dare call the cops?"
The store manager tried to step in, but Philip swung an arm and slapped him hard. "Pathetic. You can't even recognize the boss' wife? What do they pay you for?"
I caught the store manager before he fell.
Philip's eyes flicked over me slowly and with a gross smirk. "Oh... now it makes sense. You're protecting your old boyfriend, huh? No wonder he won't fire you. You must've slept your way into his good graces."
Brittany immediately joined in. "I knew it! No wonder she's so arrogant. She's slept her way up to this cashier job like some homewrecker."
People around us started whispering.
"There is a big age gap between her and the manager... She must be desperate."
"Come on, just being close to the manager makes people act big. Don't you see that?"
"The girl's too young to know better. Throwing herself at a guy who makes barely a few thousand. Honestly, when is someone going to offer me that kind of deal?"
My face burned. "Watch your mouths!"
Philip laughed. "Look, she's mad."
He pointed at me. "Everyone, pay attention. She'll do whatever it takes to keep this job. Even an old man will work, as long as he's in charge."
"Why you!" I trembled with anger.
He spat, and it hit my cheek. "Shut it. You've got nothing—no degree, no background. Girls like you usually rely on... favors."
Brittany flipped her hair. "Exactly. Look in the mirror before calling yourself anything."
I grabbed his badge. "So, you're Philip Blake? Good. I'll remember you."
Just then, dread hit me immediately. Blake?! That's Nathan's last name.
Philip clapped slowly. "What? Going to complain? Go ahead. This whole mall belongs to my nephew."
I frowned. That makes no sense. My father never sold the mall.
He smirked and raised his phone. "Don't believe me? I'll call him right now."
My stomach dropped when I saw the familiar string of numbers. Everything I suspected was true.
He put the call on speaker. "Nathan, your staff is slacking and attacking Brittany. She almost miscarried."
Nathan's voice came through instantly. "What?! Fire them. No, keep them there. I'm coming."
Brittany grabbed the phone. "Baby, the new girl called me crazy. She said our baby was a mistake, and she hit me."
Nathan's tone went sickeningly soft. "Britt, breathe. I'll be there in ten minutes. It's our seventh anniversary. I've had everything set up, and I've even got you gifts. Don't stress the baby, okay?"
I smiled bitterly. Seventh anniversary? I'm only in the picture for two. So yeah… I'm the side piece. The backup. The fool.
…
Minutes later, Nathan burst into the dessert shop.
He hurried directly to Brittany without glancing at me. "Baby! Are you alright? Who did this to you?"
Brittany threw herself into his arms. "Baby, help me!"
He glared at me. "So, you're the one giving my wife trouble? Who do you think you are, acting like this?"
My mask and messy hair hid my face.
Just then, the head of mall operations passed by. "Mr. Blake, I didn't know you were here."
He'd worked under my father for three decades. I helped set everything up when Nathan wanted this shop last year.
That polite greeting made the crowd explode.
"So, the mall's really his? Wow… talk about an unfair comparison."
"He's so young and already this rich—his wife must feel lucky."
"Their baby is set for life."
Brittany fixed her posture but stepped away slightly. It was as if she knew they had a dirty secret to hide.
Nathan lifted his chin, soaking in the praise. "Mr. Quinn, it's alright. My staff disrespected a customer. I'm giving her a warning before I fire her."
She crossed her arms with an entitled look. "It's her! She wouldn't make my hot ice cream and called me crazy!"
He came at me fast as he said imperiously, "Customers order what they want. You don't get to decide. You're clearly not fit for this job. You're fired."
I sneered, my voice rough. "Fine. I'm a customer now. I want a hot ice cream. Go make it."
He stopped cold.
"You worthless trash," he snapped. "Are you now twisting my words and bossing me around? Seriously?
"Forget the ice cream—if she wants you burned, you burn."
He jabbed a finger at me. "Hold her down!"
Philip shoved me into the sink and pinned my arms.
Nathan yanked the steaming kettle off the counter. "I'll burn you myself. See if that fixes your attitude."
Brittany clapped like she was at a show. "Burn her face! See if she still flirts with other men! Pour it down her throat! That'll shut her up for good!"
The kettle lifted, releasing hot steam that brushed my skin.
I stared directly at the man I had loved for two years.
Then, I slid my mask down and asked, "Nathan, who exactly are you planning to burn?"
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