Chapter 8

Jason frowned as he looked at her, his face hard, his voice sharp. "Don't be such a cheap woman, Heather."

Heather shook the water from her hands, her lips curling into a mocking sneer. "What does it matter to you? Even if I'm a cheap woman, it's none of your business. Even if you begged for it, I wouldn't be interested anymore."

She turned to leave, but his voice followed her, cold and steady. "Don't even think about it. I won't let you shame the Vanders."

"Are you crazy?" she spat, turning on him, anger flashing in her eyes. "Your girlfriend cheats on you, and you don't care. But when it's about me and your brother, you lose your mind? Who the hell do you think you are?"

Jason didn't flinch, his eyes hard as steel. "Stay away from Tyler. Everything he has comes from the Vanders. He won't dare defy us."

She laughed bitterly, throwing him a contemptuous look. "What about you? You've been in my bed more times than I can count."

Her eyes narrowed in defiance. "And I will chase after Tyler. What are you going to do about it?" She raised her chin, taunting him. "Your cousin has a reputation. Strong where it counts. Not like you or your brother..."

She wasn't finished. The words, sharp and biting, were still on her tongue when Jason moved. His hand shot out, fingers clamping around her throat, pressing her back against the wall.

He wasn't gentle. His grip tightened, his eyes dark, a dangerous shadow flickering in them. "Heather, this is the last time I'll warn you. Don't disgrace the Vanders, or I won't forgive you."

Pinned against the wall, Heather saw the cold fury in his eyes, a ruthless edge she hadn't expected. For a moment, fear gripped her, but it was quickly replaced by a crushing sadness. Tears welled up, spilling over, falling onto his hand.

"Kill me, then," she choked, her voice thick with emotion. "Go on, kill me! Everyone bullies me, and now you're doing it too!"

The tears seemed to startle him. His grip loosened as he stepped back, disgust flickering in his expression as if her tears had dirtied his skin. His brow furrowed, and he retreated, giving her space.

Heather clutched her throat, sobbing uncontrollably. "You men, you let Chrishell toy with both of you, and none of you care. But with me, it's all threats and violence!"

As Jason withdrew, she moved closer, desperation lacing her words. "Go ahead, kill me! Jason, kill me! I've been with your brother for years. If the marriage is called off, the whole world will laugh at me. I'd be better off dead!"

Jason shoved her away coldly, his voice laced with irritation. "So you can't live without him? Is not marrying him the end of the world?"

Heather sobbed, her voice desperate. "Everyone out there knows I'm the future Mrs. Vander! If I don't marry your brother, who else would want me?"

He turned his face away, but the indifference in his expression only fueled her anger.

She stormed over, fists pounding against him in frustration. "It's all your fault! Why did you bring Chrishell back? Your brother is obsessed with her. What am I supposed to do? Jason, you ruined my wedding, you took away my title as Mrs. Vander! Give them back to me"

His patience frayed, Jason grabbed her arm, his grip firm and unyielding. "Pathetic. You think Brett is the only man in the world?"

Heather cried out, defiant. "And what if he is? You're a man too, aren't you? If I don't marry your brother, will you take me? Will you marry me?"

It was as if she had struck a nerve. Jason recoiled, jerking his hand back as though he had touched something repulsive. His voice was ice. "Dream on."

Before she could catch his expression, he turned and walked away, leaving her standing there, rubbing her neck where his hand had been moments earlier.

Damn him. He actually used force. And for what? She hadn't betrayed him.

She wiped the tears from her face, bitter thoughts flooding her mind. Chrishell and Brett were practically inseparable, yet Jason never seemed to want to do anything about it. Why was it different with Heather?

Turning to the mirror, Heather touched up her makeup, her face still alluring, her body flawless. She might not be able to easily snare those two obtuse Vander brothers, but men like Tyler—he was in a whole different league, and she could toy with him whenever she pleased.

Pulling out her phone, she sent a voice message to Tyler, her tone delicate, with just the right amount of a tearful quiver. "Tyler, I hope I didn't cause you any trouble earlier."

His response came almost instantly. "No trouble at all, Heather. You dropped your hairpin. When are you free? I'll return it to you."

Heather smiled coyly at her reflection in the mirror.

See? It's that easy to reel them in.

Jason could rot for all she cared. What did she need with his cold, condescending attitude?

By the next day, she had all but forgotten his warnings. After carefully dressing up, she eagerly set off to meet Tyler, excited for their rendezvous.