Chapter 3

Andrew's car was parked in front of the Cooper family estate.

I got out and took a look at the grand front gate.

Andrew asked, "Scared?"

I grinned and replied, "I'm just worried they won't be much of a challenge for me."

As soon as the door opened, Shawn's mom, Sophie Cooper, came charging over.

"You must be Annie?" she said, giving me a once-over. "Dressed like that, which family are you from?"

I ignored her and turned to Andrew's father, Mike Cooper, who was sitting on the couch. I said, "Hello, Mr. Cooper."

Mike didn't say a word, his face dark and stormy.

Shawn lounged on the couch, legs crossed. He said, "Mom, she dumped me and went after Andrew right away."

Sophie exploded, saying, "Gold-digger. Are you that desperate for money?"

I smiled and said, "Mrs. Cooper, that Chanel you're wearing? It's a fake."

Her face went pale, and she said, "What are you talking about?"

"The real deal from this year's early spring line has matte buttons," I said, pointing at her chest. "Yours are so shiny, they're practically mirrors."

Shawn jumped up, saying, "Annie, what the hell?"

"Am I late to the party?" someone said.

Lily walked in, dressed like she was auditioning for angel of the year, and went straight to Andrew's side.

"Andrew, long time no see," she said, voice dripping with sweetness.

Andrew edged a little closer to me.

Lily's smile froze, and she shot me a look, asking, "This lady, aren't you a little old to be throwing tantrums like this?"

Before I could clap back, Mike cut in. He said, "Ms. Rowe, care to explain what's going on between Shawn and you?"

I arched an eyebrow, asking, "We broke up. Not much else to say, is there?"

"If you want in on this family, you need to guarantee you'll cut Shawn off for good," Mike said, eyes fixed on me.

Andrew took my hand, holding it tight.

"Dad," Andrew said, his voice cold as ice. "I've already decided; Annie is the one I'm marrying."

He pulled out our official marriage certificates and slapped them onto the table.

"We're already married," Andrew said.

Sophie was the first to react. She said, "Are you out of your mind?. Have you completely lost it?"

Mike shot to his feet, shouting, "Andrew."

Lily went pale as a sheet.

Shawn smirked and whipped out his phone.

"Dad. Take a good look at what kind of trash she really is," he yelled.

He hit play on a video.

It was footage of me pouring a drink all over Lily at the bar.

The angle was sneaky, making me look like a raging lunatic.

"Look at her. She hasn't even set foot in this family yet, and she's already causing a scene," Sophie shouted.

Every eye in the room was locked on me. Andrew squeezed my hand tighter.

I flashed a smug grin and whipped out my phone.

"Well, what do you know, I've got a video, too," I said.

I tapped play.

On screen, Shawn had his arm around Lily, saying, "That woman Annie? I'm bored with her already."

Shawn's face went ghostly pale.

I shot him a look, asking, "Want me to keep going? It gets even better."

"Turn it off," Shawn said and lunged for the phone.

Andrew caught him and held him back.

"Keep playing," Mike said suddenly.

Shawn said in the video, "My mom told me that all the Cooper family's assets are going to be mine."

Sophie shouted, "That's fake. This is all made up."

I paused the video and said, "Need me to have an expert verify it?"

Shawn's face went ghostly pale.

Mike stared him down, asking, "Do you have anything else to say?"

"Dad. She's setting me up," Shawn said, pointing at me. "She's just after the money."

I let out a laugh, saying, "Shawn, that T-shirt you've got on? I'm the one who bought it for you.

"And those sneakers you're wearing? I got those for you, too.

"Last year's hospital bills? I covered those."

Each time I spoke, Shawn's face lost a little more color.

Mike stood up, saying, "That's enough, Shawn. Get out."

Sophie panicked, saying, "Please, Mike, Shawn's still just a kid."

Mike turned to me, saying, "Ms. Rowe, sorry you had to witness this mess."

I nodded and replied, "No worries. I've seen it all before."

Andrew gave my hand a gentle squeeze. He said, "Dad, the wedding's next week."

Mike sighed and said, "Fine, have it your way."

Andrew grabbed my hand and said, "Let's get out of here."

As we walked out, I heard things crashing behind us.

Sophie was sobbing and screaming in the background.