Chapter 3
This weekend was meant to be Melvin's and my engagement party. I'd been looking forward to it for so long, imagining that once he proved himself, we'd have a grand wedding for everyone to see.
I went to the restaurant myself to cancel the reservation. But when I got there, I saw Melvin with Jenny and Finn.
Finn spotted me and crowed, "Dad, Willow's here to beg you to take her back!"
For a moment, I thought I'd misheard him.
Then he added, "Willow, Dad's about to propose to Ms. Jacobson. Too late for regrets now!"
He burst out laughing.
Jenny rushed over. "Willow, it's not what you think. I didn't mean anything by it. I've always dreamed of being proposed to, so I asked Mel to help me out."
My hand itched to slap her.
Melvin stepped forward as well. "Not mad anymore, are you? Jen's had it rough. She's not like you—some pampered heiress coasting on family money. She earned everything she has without a handout.
"I know you're jealous, so here's the deal—hand over that limited-edition bag, and buy her a penthouse in the city. It doesn't have to be huge—3,500 to 4,000 square feet will do. You've got the money. Do that, and I'll walk away from her."
For a second, I thought my ears were playing tricks on me. He spoke with such certainty, like he had every right.
"Don't worry, I'll only see her twice a month, for no more than two hours each time. We'll still be a family, though. Finn still needs you. Besides, I can't even do laundry or cook. Who's going to handle all of this if you leave?"
I was so furious that I couldn't help but laugh. "Melvin, have you completely lost it? You think I, Willow Wolpert, am dying to be your maid? I came here to call off the engagement party.
"If you want to propose to her, then go ahead and book the venue yourself. But first, give back every bag and piece of jewelry you stole from me."
Melvin thrust his chin out defiantly. "What jewelry? You're the one who called it all fake, remember? So I just gave them to someone else."
My words got stuck in my throat. Years ago, I lied about my identity, claiming my designer bags were cheap knockoffs for show. I never thought he'd throw it back in my face.
Jenny nodded along. I noticed the blue diamond earrings in her ears. Those were Grandma's earrings!
Rage burned in my eyes as I lunged for them. "Those are mine! Give them back!"
Jenny flinched, jerking back, while Melvin shoved me so hard I stumbled.
I glared at him. "That's the thing Grandma left me after she died! How could you give it to her?"
Jenny wrinkled her nose in disgust. "Ugh, these belonged to a dead person? No wonder I've been feeling dizzy!"
She ripped the earrings off. "Oh my goodness, that's disgusting."
With a careless flick of her wrist, she tossed them away. The earrings flew out of the restaurant and clattered into a drain.
Forgetting all dignity, I bolted outside, dropped to my knees, and clawed frantically at the grate. The earrings glinted just out of reach.
Melvin's mocking voice sliced through the air behind me. "Well, look at this. An heiress on her knees, picking up trash. Who are you trying to fool? Acting poor so I won't touch your money?
"Too bad. I'm spending every last cent, and you can do nothing about it. Everyone knows you're just my lapdog. Who do you think you're even threatening?
"You want to know why I'm with you? That mole on your backside—it reminds me of Jen. She was too precious to touch. But you? You threw yourself at me."
I whipped around to face him, my mind reeling. I'd been so naïve. I'd been Jenny's stand-in for five years.
I kept my identity hidden, hoping to prove to my family that he loved me for who I truly was. But to him, I was nothing more than a disposable replacement!
Melvin was, without a doubt, poor. He couldn't even grasp what it meant for me to be the heiress of the Wolperts. He had no idea that I could make him lose his arm, his leg, or even half his life if I chose to.
I pulled out my phone. "Ralph, bring the bodyguards and get here in ten minutes. There's someone I need to handle."
I glanced at the three smug faces before me and reworded what I said.
"Actually," I clarified, "it's not just one person; it's the three of them."
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