Chapter 11
“When are we signing those papers?” Nadia yelled, hot on Jason’s heels as he stormed toward the exit.
A white shopping bag came flying at her, nearly smacking her in the face. She snagged it just in time.
By the time she realized it was that necklace, Jason’s annoyed voice was already fading down the stairs. “When I damn well feel
like it.”
Ray, holding the Maybach’s door open, leaned in and muttered to Jason, “You hear about those single women getting into shady rideshares lately?”
Jason flicked his eyes up to the third–floor window, then slid into the car with a shrug. “She gets herself in a mess, that’s her funeral.”
Nadia stepped onto the sidewalk, bag in hand, but the car was long gone. Jason had some serious nerve–chucking this necklace at her after she’d told him to keep it.
She wasn’t exactly dying to hold onto his crap, but leaving it in the dirt? Not her style.
She stood there, waiting for a ride, when a black Volkswagen rolled up.
Austin hopped out, all smiles. “Mrs. Black, I was just around the corner. Want a ride?”
‘Real convenient timing, buddy. Nadia wasn’t buying it, but the sun was scorching, and she wasn’t about to sweat through her clothes just to prove a point. She climbed in.
Back home, Kate spotted the ruby necklace and froze for a solid three seconds before losing it completely.
“Oh my God!” She collapsed onto the couch, laughing so hard she nearly slid to the floor, clutching Nadia’s leg. “This is Jason’s idea of taste? It’s like a bedazzled nightmare!”
“Quit cackling before you choke,” Nadia said, snapping the jewelry box shut.
Kate wiped tears from her eyes, still giggling. “Okay, but real talk—a nine–figure necklace? That’s some serious keepsake vibes.” She yanked it out, dangling it near Nadia’s neck. “Come on, try it on for kicks. I’ll snap a pic, and we’ll clown on it later.”
“You wanna play dress–up, go for it. Take a million shots–I’ll use you as my stand–in, Nadia fired back, tossing the box at her. “What, you posting this on your story?” Kate rolled her eyes. Every time Jason “gifted” Nadia something, she’d flex it online- close friends only, of course.
As her best friend, Kate thought it was a total waste of vibes.
“I saw this coming,” Kate said, flopping onto the couch. “Clive’s got you playing Abby’s shadow IRL and on set. It’s straight–up degrading. You don’t need their measly paycheck.”
Over dinner, Clive hit her with another curveball. The production was offering double pay for Nadia to keep being Abby’s uncredited stunt double.
Meanwhile, Abby was out there soaking up the spotlight, selling herself as the “dedicated, multitalented star” while Nadia did the dirty work in the dark. No one would ever know.
Classic good–cop, bad–cop routine. They played it like a well–oiled machine.
“I’ve got a genius plan!” Kate’s eyes lit up with that troublemaker glint.
‘Don’t go stirring up some hot mess,” Nadia warned, shooting her a wary look.
“Just wait for my signal, babe!” Kate grinned, bolting to her room and slamming the door with a dramatic flourish
Later, as Nadia was brushing her teeth and winding down for bed, her phone buzzed. Hubert.
“Hey, she answered.
Chapier II
“Your brother doing alright?“Hubert asked.
“He’s good. She kept it vague.
Hubert took a slow sip–probably coffee. “You and Jason should swing by. I know an old herbalist with a remedy that might do wonders for your mother–in–law.”
The Blacks had more connections than a mafia don; they’d tried every miracle cure in the book. This was just a flimsy excuse to yank her chain.
“He’s got a work thing tonight. Maybe tomorrow,“Nadia replied.
“Alright, just roll through my office then,” he said.
The next morning, Hubert’s godson Doran was posted up outside Woodward’s Sugar Nest, flashing a grin.
“Yo, Nadia! Grab some breakfast yet?” He swung the car door open, peeking inside. “Where’s Jason?”
J’He’s tied up in a meeting,” Nadia said, brushing past him.
Doran’s smile dropped a tad. “Oh, for real?”
“What, he’s not here, so I’m not worth the time?” Nadia threw him a sharp side–eye and kept moving.
Doran, trailing behind, hollered before they even reached the office. “Dad, Nadia’s here! Jason’s caught up with something!”
It was like he was giving Hubert a heads–up. When Nadia walked in, Hubert was just sliding a drawer shut–probably stashing some blueprints for the Skyline Trade Plaza shops.
He’d been counting on Jason to sign off on the deal, but it was a no–go.
Hubert’s face was thunderous as he tossed his pen into the holder. “So, what’s Jason been up to lately?” he asked, his tone sharp as a knife.
Nadia wove a seamless story, not letting a single thread unravel. No way she’d let either family get a whiff of the divorce simmering–not yet.
Ever since she said “I do,” Hubert had been using “needing help” as an excuse to keep his so–called godson, Doran, practically living at his side. Now Doran was a regular at the bakery, always kicking back like he owned the place.
He and Hubert got along like two peas in a pod, Hubert’s eyes lighting up whenever they chewed the fat.
“Dad, all my college buddies are out there launching startups. I wanna take a swing at it too,” Doran said, piling on the charm before dropping the big ask. “I’ve done my homework–this thing’s a slam dunk.”
Hubert leaned back, hooked. “Might be worth a try. How much dough do you need?”
“Not a crazy amount to start. We can go bigger once the cash starts flowing.” Doran kept sneaking looks at Nadia, who was sprawled against the armrest, eyes half–closed like she was running on empty. Finally, he just laid it out. “Nadia, can you spot me 350 thousand dollars?”
Dead silence.
Doran flashed a cocky grin. “C’mon, you’re just playing trophy wife to Jason, not out sipping martinis with the socialites. If Pat’s health tanks, you can hit Jason up for hospital bills. It’s only 350 grand, Nadia. You’re not gonna leave me high and dry, are ya?”
Nadia cracked one eye open. “Money’s money. Jason doesn’t care what I drop, but I stick to gold and sparkles–stuff that doesn’t tank in value. Why would I bet on a long shot that’s bound to crash?”
Doran bolted to brew some coffee, sidestepping the awkward vibe. Hubert, though, was seeing red. “Why can’t you back him up? 850 grand’s nothing to you! Your earrings cost more than that!”
Nadia didn’t even flinch. “How many kids fresh out of college score 350 grand to play CEO Jason was banking his first mil
2/3
12:56 PM
Chapter II
coding apps in his dorm. If Doran had that kind of fire, he’d already be a big shot.”
“There’s only one Jason in this world!” Hubert roared, pounding the desk. “You’re worse than Doran! At least he’s out there trying. All you do is trail after your man, ignoring everything I’ve told you–no networking, no power moves!”
Nadia flicked her bangs, a sly smile curling her lips. “Funny, I seem to recall you saying school was a waste, that my real gig was keeping the Black family eating out of my hand.”
Crash-
Hubert grabbed the cup Pat had just set down and smashed it on the floor. His eyes blazed with fury. “Three hundred fifty grand, and this is who you really are? Raising an ungrateful daughter like you is the Woodward family’s worst shame!”
“Dad, take a breath!” Doran jumped in, patting Hubert’s back to cool him off. “My fault, alright? I’m the one who’s gotta step up. If Nadia’s strapped, I’ll figure it out. Once my project’s printing money, she’ll come around–might even beg to invest.” The more he talked, the more Hubert’s blood boiled. Nadia’s nonstop pushback on his remarriage plans was like gasoline on the fire. And the money funneled into Pat? That could’ve turned the bakery into an empire by now.
J
“Get that plaza deal done, yesterday!” he barked.
Nadia was done with the dutiful–daughter charade. She snatched her bag and sauntered out.
Doran hustled after her, slipping her a prescription. “Nadia, those plaza shops–Jason’s not ‘mulling it over,’ is he? You didn’t even bring it up, did you?”
Nadia unfolded the paper, gave it a quick once–over–same old script–then tucked it back in her bag. “What’re you driving
at?”
Doran’s grin turned slick. “Just didn’t peg Jason as the loyal, one–gal type, that’s all.”
He spun around and headed back inside before she could even slip into her car.
