Chapter 4

"Julie, you actually got fired?" Logan said. "You're pregnant—they can't just kick you out. That's illegal. I'll talk to your boss."

I grabbed his arm. "No! Don't."

His eyes narrowed, pinning me in place. I kept my voice even. "It's on me. I blew a huge deal. If they weren't cutting me slack for my years there—and the pregnancy—they'd be suing us for damages.

"The damages would've been in the millions. Even if we emptied our accounts, we'd barely cover it."

Logan's frown deepened. Then, without a word, he snatched my phone and started dialing.

"I'm not letting you go down for this, " he said. "I'll get the truth from your boss."

As the phone rang, my chest felt tight.

The second my boss answered, her voice was sharp and impatient.

"Julie Kane! I made myself clear—you're lucky we're not pressing charges. Don't expect anything more from us."

Logan hung up, his jaw tight.

I let out a quiet breath of relief. Thank God. I'd given my boss a heads-up when I was gathering footage from the baby monitor. She was a fierce, no-BS kind of woman—and she hated men like Logan. She promised to have my back.

Logan stared at my pale face, brushing my sweaty hair off my forehead. "Honey, why are you so nervous?"

I didn't answer, but he kept going.

"Look, it's just a job. I'll take care of you. Mom's only upset because it's all on me now. She's going through menopause—her emotions are out of whack. For my sake, don't hold a grudge against her."

He added, "Since you're free now, let's go sign the contract for that new house. The agent's been calling nonstop. No point waiting. Let's get it done and move on from all this bad luck."

He grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the car before I could even argue—and Pauline came too.

***

At the real estate office, I froze.

Yana was already there.

Pauline climbed out of the car and immediately linked arms with her, beaming. "I asked Yana to join us. She has a great eye for detail. We need her opinion."

Yana stood there, belly out, smirking at me like she'd won.

"Logan's upgrading to a bigger house," she said. "Aunt Pauline thought you might mess up the decorating, so she called me in. You don't mind, right?"

That tone hit me like a rewind button.

I remembered walking in on her at my own house. She had said, "Julie, don't use your pregnancy as an excuse to make my aunt do everything for you."

Or:

"Logan works hard. You should be more mindful of spending. All these deliveries... who are you dressing up for after getting married?"

And, of course:

"I'm just being real, Julie. Don't take it the wrong way—I'm only looking out for you guys."

At the time, I'd brushed her off, thinking she was just jealous.

I'd nailed the perfect-wife act, played the doting daughter-in-law to a tee. So well that even Logan forgot—orphans don't claw their way to the top just to end up anyone's punching bag.

The weight of every insult hit me at once. My face darkened.

"Mind? Of course I mind! But that's never stopped you from sticking to us like glue, has it?"

My sudden outburst stunned everyone.

Yana's lips wobbled, and she actually pouted. "Aunt Pauline..." she whined, stomping her foot.

Pauline shot me a glare. "How dare you talk to a family member like that? No upbringing whatsoever! Who do you think you are?!"

But this time? I didn't flinch.

"I'm buying a house, and an unrelated nobody is here giving her opinions. So tell me—who's the one with no manners?"

My voice rang out across the showroom, loud enough to draw stares and whispers.

Logan scowled and pulled me aside. "Can't you just let it go? It's not that big of a deal. Why do you have to make a scene? She's still my mom, and you shouldn't talk back to her."

I shook his hand off. "Then go listen to her, Logan. And while you're at it, have her pay for the house too."