Chapter 4

Morning light filled the house.

I finished breakfast as usual and stopped Sean before he left for work.

"I need to talk business with you."

Catching his puzzled look, I gave a smile. "I want to buy a new shop to open a second location. I need to keep my cash for operations, so I'm thinking of mortgaging the house. Since we have time this morning, let's update the deed to just my name. It'll make the loan process easier."

Sean's brow furrowed slightly. "Didn't we say we'd try for a kid this year? You forgot what happened last year? Opening another shop will just make you busier."

He had the nerve to bring it up.

Swallowing my irritation, I explained, "Business is booming. Customers keep asking for a new location. Once I save enough, I'll sell the shops. Then I'll stay home and focus on raising our kid. How's that?"

After a few seconds of hesitation, Sean nodded.

Once the paperwork was done, I transferred the money from our joint account to my own, right in front of him.

He froze, his face darkening. "Do you need that much?"

I looped my arm through his, teasing with a half-smile. "What, don't you trust me? Or are you worried I'll spend it on someone else?"

Maybe it was guilt, but Sean opened his mouth and said nothing.

Hiding the coldness in my eyes, I smiled and sent him off to work.

After watching him leave, I turned and headed to Hailee's coffee shop.

Stepping inside, I took a good look around for the first time.

The decor and furnishings screamed money, but the place was nearly empty.

Hailee sashayed out, her heels clacking loudly on the wooden floor.

I smiled, pretending to be troubled. "Hailee, I came to ask if you can pay back the two hundred thousand you owe me soon."

Hailee pursed her red lips. "Are you short on cash?"

Glancing at my outfit, worth less than a hundred bucks combined, I gave a self-deprecating laugh.

Of that twenty grand, ten was a loan for her shop's opening.

Over the past year, she'd borrowed another ten, claiming her business was struggling.

I used to be happy to help her, letting a lot slide.

But now, I feigned hesitation. "I'm planning to open a new shop, so I'm a bit strapped."

Noticing her perfectly styled curls, I added pointedly, "That hairdo looks expensive. Must've cost a pretty penny, huh?"

Before she could respond, I pressed on. "If you can't pay, should I call your parents?"

We both knew that would only take one phone call.

Hailee forced a laugh, quick to respond. "Give me a little time. I'll borrow from another friend to cover it."

She looked down, her fingers flying across her phone screen.

Within minutes, my phone lit up with a call from Sean.

I flipped my silenced phone face-down on the table.

Hailee bit her lip, her eyelashes fluttering rapidly.

I sipped my water slowly, watching her grow anxious.

A bead of sweat formed on her smooth forehead.

Satisfied, I casually toyed with my phone and answered Sean's call.

In front of Hailee, I hit the speaker button. "Honey, guess what I'm doing right now?"