Chapter 1

Four years after our divorce, my ex-husband, Dylan Moore, cheated again and got divorced, making headlines online.

Meanwhile, as the founder of Sentinel Capital and DyNat Studios, I was the center of attention at the investment summit, fielding questions from reporters.

Just as we reached the final question, my half-sister, Joy Baker, suddenly pushed her way to the front, snatched the microphone from the reporter, and began openly challenging me, knowing the whole thing was being live-streamed.

She asked, "Ms. Jennings, what do you think about being your ex-husband's mistress and causing his second divorce?"

I flashed her a careless smile and said, "I see it for what it is.

"Once a dog gets a taste for crap, it's hard to keep it from going back for seconds.

"You almost look like a decent person with your clothes on. Honestly, I barely recognized you as the side chick I caught in his bed back then.

"Me? Dylan's side chick? He wishes."

Joy's face went ghostly pale.

Our exchange instantly shot to the top of the trending list.

Dylan, who was also at the summit seeking investors, came running over like he'd lost his mind.

He locked his gaze on me, his eyes swirling with joy, hurt, and resentment all tangled together. His hand shook as he grabbed mine. "Natalie, I'll be anything you want me to be.

"You used to say I was your only treasure. Please don't abandon me."

On instinct, I jerked my hand away, grabbed a wet wipe, and wiped my palm as if scrubbing off something nasty. Disgust welled up inside me.

Dylan was jolted by my obvious disgust, his eyes widening in shock as he staggered backward.

Joy clenched her fists, stood frozen, watching the man who looked right through her as if she were invisible. Her lips quivered, hatred flooding her gaze.

The investors at the scene lingered with amused looks, clearly enjoying the drama.

Friends from our circle recognized Joy and, worried we would make a scene right there, gathered around to defuse the situation.

"Natalie, where have you been all these years? Dylan's been losing his mind trying to find you."

"Dylan and Joy, his father's unacknowledged daughter, filed for divorce the same day they got their marriage certificate. She paid for those trending topics to spite you."

I glanced at Joy, giving her a smile that was half amusement, half mockery.

Joy and Dylan didn't split up the day they got their marriage certificate. It happened two months before I came back home.

Dylan seemed oblivious to everyone else, his whole focus locked on me. He kept reaching out, but always pulled back, like he was terrified I'd find him dirty. His voice was shaky, almost breaking. "Natalie, I know I messed up.

"Please don't go. I'll be anything you want me to be."

I stepped back, flashing a polite but distant smile. "Forget it. Cheaters make me sick to my stomach.

"Besides, you're too dirty for me. I've got a thing about cleanliness."

Dylan's face went ghostly pale, his tears splashing onto the floor. "Natalie, can't you forgive me?"

I glanced at Joy, her face twisted with resentment, and scoffed. "Forgiving you? That's saint-level stuff, not my job."

Joy snapped, "Dylan, are you really this shameless?

"Natalie doesn't love you anymore. Even if you dropped dead right in front of her, she wouldn't spare you a second glance.

"Everyone in Beacon business circles knows you betrayed your wife and have no conscience. It serves you right that your company's on the verge of bankruptcy.

"Anyone unlucky enough to be loved by a scumbag like you is doomed."

Joy's eyes were red and wild. She completely lost it.

She never managed to hold onto the title of Mrs. Moore. If she had, she'd be blasting her so-called true love with Dylan all over the place.

I still had every screenshot of her old social media posts and alt accounts. Every lovey-dovey flex she posted was preserved.

*****

The summit drew a crowd from the investment world.

Dylan had hoped to use the event to find investors for the Moore Group, but Joy ruined it by digging up old scandals from four years ago.

My track record in the investment world was on record for all to see. In the past four years, Sentinel Capital hadn't lost a single project.

Once investors realized Dylan was my ex, most of them instantly lost interest in investing in the Moore Group.

I was more than satisfied with how things turned out.

Dylan's fake remorse was worthless to me. Cutting off his wealth and power was the only way to make him truly suffer.

As I walked out of the venue, my boyfriend, Zack Harmon, hurried after me and thoughtfully draped his coat over my shoulders.

Turning to him, I rose on my tiptoes and planted a kiss on his cheek, grinning playfully. "Jealous?"

Zack was Dylan's college roommate, but he graduated two years ahead of us, even though he was actually two years younger. "Natalie, have you really moved on?

"So, when do I get my status? I'm tired of being your little secret. I want to be in your family book."

Zack slipped his arm around my waist, resting his chin on my shoulder as he whined playfully, "Natalie, you can't go back on your word."

His warm breath swept across my neck, making me shiver. I laughed and muttered, "Just the book, hmm? Is that all?"

"You. Just you," Zack said, pulling me even closer.