I ended things the day I met Mason. Rick would’ve kept going, kept cheating on me. Until when? Until he got his fat check and dumped me?
My eyes roll at his feigned innocence act. “I’m not sure why you’re here, but it’s been a very long day for us, so please, get whatever this is over with.”
“I need to speak with you,” Rick says. “You’re not taking my calls or answering my texts and it’s important.”
“I haven’t even bothered to read your texts, Rick. That’s how done I am.”
“Talk,” Mason clips from beside me. So close our arms are touching. He wraps an arm around me, making his point. “Talk, so we can get on with our evening.”
Carla looks at me like I’m something she’s just scraped off her shoe.
“I need your help, Amelia,” Rick states. “I’ll make it worth your while.”
“Must we have this conversation on the driveway?” Carla inquires.
“Yes,” I answer, giving Carla an unfiltered look, showing her precisely what I think of her. God, it feels good to hold nothing back since I no longer have respect for Rick. “And make it snappy.”
“I’d rather we talk alone.” Rick requests.
“No,” Mason replies before I can form an answer.
And his answer would’ve been my answer anyway.
Rick looks uncomfortable. His face has gone red.
He swallows before speaking and it looks like he’s doing it with difficulty, “My inheritance is tied up with me getting married before my thirtieth birthday next week.”
Mason barks out a surprised laugh.
Rick looks at me searchingly. I show him with my face that I’m not surprised.
“Marry me and I’ll write you a cashier’s check for a million dollars as soon as I get my inheritance. Should be no more than ten business days after we submit the marriage license to my grandfather’s lawyer. Then you can file for an annulment, divorce, whatever it’d be.”
Mason lets out a low growl. I put my arm around him and give him a reassuring squeeze.
“No thank you,” I say.
Rick blinks in surprise.
“A million dollars, Amelia. I’ll put it in writing. Revise our prenup.”
“Nope.”
He frowns and stares for a solid ten seconds before he chokes out, “You’re serious?”
“I’m serious,” I reply. “There are things in life that are so much more important than money.”
“Be smart,” Carla warns.
I ignore her. And it feels good.
“You’re a disgusting human being, Rick Bullock. Go. Find someone else,” I say.
“Amelia! That’s hardly…” Carla starts, but Rick interrupts her.
“I could. I could find someone for a fraction of that price. But we’ve got everything booked. Everything, Amelia. It’s all arranged. Just show up, stay for the reception and put on a good show. Then a couple weeks later, you’ll be a wealthy woman. Make my life easier. Just that. And it’ll be a cool million for you. Easy peasy.”
I scoff. “I know it has to be me. Gloria told me.”
I watch the shock register on his face.
“She told me about the practical joke your grandfather was playing that went wrong. Or that he went through with to have the last laugh. She also told me you’re having cashflow problems and that’s why you can’t wait for your inheritance. Clear to me now how you guys managed to get that venue booked on such short notice. You never loved me. I’m just a stand-in. For Tiara. Or Sheila. Or whatever… just a way to get your hands on your inheritance sooner.”
Carla pales and clutches her throat, looking horrified.
I scoff. “You used me. You lied. You talked me into whatever you talked me into because it was already booked and paid for. You’re a sick human being. I’d say, ‘have a nice life’ but instead I’ll say, ‘have the life you deserve’.” I turn to head to the door.
“Amelia, please. It’s not like that.”
He reaches for my hand.
Mason is instantly between us, staring down at him. “Do not fucking touch her.”
Rick backs up.
“It wasn’t like that,” he repeats.
“Oh, it wasn’t like that? Gloria didn’t design that ring for me. Your ex designed it. She wore it. You didn’t pay for it either, your sister gave you the stone because your ex wanted it. The stone with bad luck attached to it that wreaked havoc on your poor fiancée who you cheated on? The same woman you later cheated on me with? The audacity to cheat on me with Sheila while Sheila practically tortured me during the planning of this sham wedding. Do you secretly hate me?”
“No,” he chokes out. “Not at all.”
“I’m done dealing with you, your crap, and your… mother.”
Carla gasps.
“Carla, you’re mean. To everyone. I only tolerated it for Rick’s sake. I’d suggest you take a look at the way you treat people, but you probably won’t so I’m not gonna waste my breath.” I turn to Rick. “I’d like you to write me a check though, for the investment I made with the profit from my condo. You’re no longer my financial planner.”