Chapter 1

I got back from a three-month business trip.

The moment I stepped inside, a girl I'd never met shoved me back out.

She yelled, "Get out! What makes a delivery girl think she can just walk into someone else's house?

"You've ruined my wool rug. I'm reporting you. You'll lose your job."

For a second, I honestly wondered if I had the wrong apartment and backed away, confused.

But that wool rug was the one I'd bought overseas.

And the pajamas she was wearing were the custom set I'd made for myself.

I checked the door number again. This was definitely my place.

Who was she? And what was she doing in my home?

"Babe, is that the cake I ordered for you?" My boyfriend, Chris Reed, called from inside.

I hadn't told him I was coming back early. I wanted to surprise him.

Turned out, he was the one full of surprises.

I pushed the door open.

The girl's face darkened, her voice dripping with annoyance. "Why are you still here? This is trespassing. I'll call the cops and have you thrown in jail."

I laughed, dropped my suitcase inside, and stared her down.

"Perfect. Call them. Let's see who really gets taken away," I said.

I pulled out my phone to dial the police.

She lifted her chin, all attitude. "Go ahead. Like I'm scared of you."

Just then, Chris peeked out from the kitchen, holding a pot. "Babe, how many tomatoes do you want in the beef stew?"

She pouted, clearly irritated. "All of them. How many times do I have to tell you? Do you even listen?"

Chris wiped his forehead, trying to calm her.

"My bad," he said. "You can punish me however you want tonight, okay?"

I never thought that the boyfriend who wouldn't even bring me some water when I was ill in bed could somehow manage to cook for another girl.

"Chris," I said coldly.

He finally noticed me. Our eyes met. Panic was written all over his face.

"Bella, you're back so early. Why didn't you tell me you were coming home?" he said.

"This is my home. Do I have to ask your permission?" I shot back.

Chris froze for a second, then rushed over to hug me. "Babe, that's not what I meant. I just thought you'd be tired from your trip, and I wanted to pick you up at the airport."

He cupped my face to kiss me.

Suddenly, this guy I'd spent three years with felt like someone I barely knew.

I quietly turned my head away, slipping out of his arms.

"Who is she?" I demanded, pointing straight at the girl.

"That's Mandy, my younger cousin. Mandy Sloan," Chris replied.

He smiled. "Babe, she brought Aunt Carly to Oakridge for some medical stuff, so they're staying with us for now. Come in and help me in the kitchen. Aunt Carly is still sleeping, so keep it down."

Once Mandy realized I was actually the lady of the house, she got even more full of herself. "So, you're Bella, Chris's girlfriend, right? Doesn't seem like much to me.

"I've got a bunch of stuff I want to eat. Hurry up and cook for me."

They teamed up, taking turns to boss me around.

I just found it hilarious. "This is my house, so you'd better know your place."

Chris's expression instantly soured. He just turned his back on me, heading straight for the kitchen without saying anything.

When I went to put on my slippers, I realized Mandy was already wearing them.

I tried to talk to Chris, but he just threw a pair of disposable slippers at me, clearly annoyed. "Here, wear these. Aunt Carly prepared them for you."

They acted like a real family at the dining table, each using their own fork and knife.

However, as the actual lady of the house, all I got was the shitty, beat-up silverware Mandy couldn't be bothered to touch.

Seeing that I hadn't touched any food, Mandy rolled her eyes and sneered. "Bella, do you think you're somehow above us just because we're from a small town?

"You people are just so picky."

"Mandy, how can you talk to Bella like that?" Carly scolded, tapping Mandy's hand with her fork. "Apologize to Bella right now."

Mandy rubbed her hand, jutted her chin out, stubborn as ever; she wasn't about to apologize.

Carly just sighed and said Mandy was spoiled. She told me not to mind her.

I thought Carly wasn't the type to make a scene, and with her being sick, I figured it wasn't worth fighting over.

Unexpectedly, she grabbed my hand and said in a sweet tone, "Bella, you city girls always look so radiant. Sometimes I really wish Mandy were a bit more like you. What skincare products do you usually use?"

"Mom, just take whatever you want from her table. She's got tons of fancy brands. Chris calls the shots in this house, so why even bother asking her?" Mandy said.

She shot me a defiant look, then tore open one of my pricey masks and slapped it right onto her face.

Carly just grinned, nodded, and helped herself to one, too.

Well, like mother, like daughter. They had no shame at all, always taking what they wanted like it was theirs.