Theater: NovelMaster | Language: English
Synopsis
My cousin Carter loved testing my girlfriends.
No matter how many times I told him to back off, he never stopped.
Once he hooked them, he’d dump them and announce in the family group chat that my girl wasn't worth keeping.
Now, he was at it again. Little did he know, this time, the trap was tailor-made just for him.
And he had no way out.
Carter had been divorced for three years, coasting through life on his ex-wife’s massive alimony checks.
One day it was an Instagram model, the next a college girl. He lived for the thrill.
Lately, he set his sights on a new target: Stella, my girlfriend of six months.
I wasn’t surprised he found out about her. My mom had bumped into Stella when she stopped by my apartment to pick up some things.
My mom’s biggest flaw was her toxic envy. She was obsessed with keeping up appearances.
Carter had married rich, and even after the divorce, he had endless alimony. Plus, Aunt Claire never missed a chance to rub it in my mom’s face.
Finding a girl richer than Carter’s ex had become my mom’s life mission.
And the fact that I hadn't settled down was eating her alive.
I met Stella at a club. She stood out in the crowd, and it took me over six months of chasing to finally win her over.
She was younger, prettier, and far wealthier than Carter’s ex.
Naturally, my mom was ecstatic.
She immediately blasted the news in the family SnapChat group, even sending gift cards to celebrate my "upcoming wedding."
I sighed and dropped a waving emoji in the chat:
"It’s not that serious, everyone. Chill."
Mom instantly fired back with a photo.
"With a face like that and a Birkin on her arm, you’re telling me it’s not serious?"
Carter chimed in:
"Wow, Logan, where’d you find such a smoke show? Want me to test her loyalty for you?"
I didn't reply. Whether I liked it or not, I knew he was going to try.
Only this time, I was ready.
On day one of our relationship, I warned Stella: I have a gorgeous cousin who loves hitting on my girlfriends. If he adds you, ignore him.
Stella teased, "Afraid I’ll fall for him?"
I gave a faint smile. "Afraid he’ll ruin your life. Every girl I’ve dated ended up wrecked because of him."
She cuddled into my arms. "Not a chance. I’m only marrying you, Logan."
Thanks to my heads-up, Stella rejected Carter’s friend requests.
She even complained to me several times:
"Your cousin Carter is relentless. He’s made ten burner accounts just to add me."
I planted a soft kiss on her cheek.
"Keep holding the line. Don’t fall for his flashy games."
Her thumb swiped, declining yet another request. Then she turned to me:
"My parents want to have dinner with you.
We’ve been together for six months and you still haven't met them. They already love everything I tell them about you."
I paused, gently stroking her hair.
"Let’s wait a bit. Work is insane this quarter. Once things wrap up, I’ll take them out."
"You don't need to treat them! The second you show up, they’ll be thrilled. We can just dine at my family’s hotel restaurant!"
Running out of patience because he couldn't reach Stella, Carter insisted on crashing at my rental for a while.
Of course I refused. But my mom, dying to show off the luxury high-rise Stella had upgraded me to, couldn't wait to give him my address.
So when I got home from work, Stella and Carter were already sitting on opposite ends of the couch, scrolling through their phones.
Stella dragged me into the bedroom, annoyed. "I ignored him, but how did he even get in here?"
I acted nonchalant. "My mom probably gave him the keys. He’s always like this. Just pay him no mind."
She swore she wouldn't. Still, a knot tightened in my gut. I couldn't stop picturing them side by side on that couch.
Could Stella really be that shallow? It took me six months of effort to win her heart. Could Carter really break her down in a single night?
I felt uneasy. Part of it was self-doubt; the other was wondering just how long Stella could hold out.Stella didn’t stay the night. She owned another condo in the adjacent tower, so she went back there.
The next morning, she came over with breakfast.
The table was spread with half a dozen gourmet pastries and specialty takeout. Carter smirked smugly.
"Did you order all this because you knew I was here?"
"Oh, wow, I love this bakery! They never do delivery. Did you line up at dawn for these?"
Stella glanced at him coldly.
"No. I forgot you were here, actually. I only bought extra because Logan doesn't have much of an appetite in the morning, so I wanted him to have options."
Carter gave a drawn-out "Oh," his fingers tapping rhythmically on his coffee cup. That was his thinking face.
If he’d only been mildly curious before, he was determined to conquer her now.
My grip on Stella’s hand tightened instinctively.
Feeling the squeeze, Stella looked up at me. I mumbled a quick apology and left the table.
That evening, they were on the couch again. When I walked in, Stella jumped up to greet me.
She whispered:
"Doesn't your cousin have a job? Why is he always here? Doesn't he have his own place? Why is he crashing with us every single day?"
I looked at her. "Maybe if you accept his friend request, he’ll leave."
Her expression froze. After a beat, she said:
"I just added him. He promised he'd pack up and leave tomorrow if I did."
"Oh," I said quietly, retreating into the bedroom. Stella followed me inside, wrapping her arms around my waist, asking if I was mad at her.
"I just didn't want him bothering us every day. I accepted it, but I can mute him! Look, I already turned off notifications."
She shoved her phone in my face, eager to prove her innocence.
I didn't say a word, but the disappointment was written all over my face. Stella spent the next hour coaxing me.
During dinner, she kept chatting with me, piling food onto my plate.
Carter watched with an amused smirk. "Our fairy princess is quite attentive, isn't she?"
Stella ignored him.
She focused entirely on telling me about the luxury retail chain she was launching.
Carter deliberately clinked his glass to draw attention. Once we looked over, he grinned.
"My bad. Got excited because you're talking about my area of expertise."
Turning to a bewildered Stella, he added, "My ex-wife runs a massive retail chain. She has endless distribution connections she shares with me. For Logan’s sake, I wouldn't mind helping you out."
He laid out the brand details smoothly. I could see the spark in Stella’s eyes.
She gave me a hesitant look, then turned to Carter.
"Wouldn't that be awkward with your ex?"
"Awkward? Nothing a night in bed can't fix. Just wait for my good news."
This time, Stella didn't say no. I knew that muted notification wouldn't stay muted for long.
Sure enough, once we were back in the bedroom, she said:
"Carter is pretty straightforward, isn't he? Reliable, too."
I looked up at her, my eyes welling with hurt.
She rushed over to comfort me.
"I was just saying! Do you really think I’d fall for a guy still hung up on his ex?"Carter left my place the next day, and Stella vanished for several days too.
She claimed she was traveling across states inspecting sites for upcoming store openings.
During a few FaceTime calls, I caught glimpses of Carter in the background. She hurried to explain:
"Carter called to check on progress. When he heard I was in the next state, he flew out to help. Honestly, without him, things would've taken twice as long. Even my dad praised me."
Trust-fund babies spend their whole lives trying to escape their parents' shadows.
Stella was no different, especially as a daughter.
Her father and grandfather were titan entrepreneurs. She was capable, but constantly overshadowed. She was desperate to prove herself.
Rolling out prime locations across multiple cities so quickly earned her rave reviews at family dinners.
Stella wired me thirty thousand dollars, telling me to buy Carter a gift in my name.
"I know he only helped because of you. It looks better coming from you. I know where the boundary is."
Then she added, "Pick something he likes. If thirty grand isn't enough, let me know."
I dialed my cousin's number. As soon as it connected, I said:
"Thanks for helping my girlfriend. She wants to give you a thirty-thousand-dollar gift. Anything specific you want, or should I just wire it?"
Silence on the line. Then a slightly raspy female voice spoke up.
"Logan? Why is your girlfriend buying Carter gifts?"
Shit. Carter and his ex-wife, Fiona, were saved right next to each other in my contacts. I’d dialed Fiona by mistake.
Fiona, Carter, and I had all gone to the same college. Fiona was a year ahead of us, and we crossed paths in student clubs.
I’d mentioned once how thoughtful Fiona was. The very next day, Carter started aggressively courting her.
Two weeks later, they were dating. After countless breakups and makeups, they married right after graduation.
Three years later, they divorced.
Not wanting to upset the sugar mommy funding Carter’s lavish lifestyle, I hurried to explain:
"No, no, he just helped Stella with a massive business favor. Though really, I should be thanking you, Fiona. Her retail rollout relied entirely on your network."
"I thought he was turning over a new leaf to start his own business. Turns out he was doing it for your girlfriend. He’s more devoted to her than he ever was to me."
Before I could answer, she added:
"Fine. I’ll buy his gift. Keep the money."
I sent the money back to Stella, telling her Carter’s ex said not to bother.
Stella frowned.
"Isn't she his ex? Why is she still controlling him?"
"She holds the purse strings. Where do you think Carter gets his designer clothes and luxury lifestyle?"
Stella looked uncomfortable. Noticing my gaze, she mumbled, "Right. Makes sense."
That night, Carter barged into my apartment reeking of alcohol. His face flushed, he crashed onto my couch and picked a fight.
With cold, sharp articulation, he tore into me from head to toe. Finally, pointing at Stella, he sneered:
"You? Trying to bag a rich heiress?
Keep dreaming, Logan. You’ll never live the life I live."
"Snitching to Fiona that I’m hitting on your girl so she’d cut my allowance? Watch me find a new sugar mommy tomorrow, you little punk."
Stella’s eyes flickered with a sudden, strange intensity.
A wave of exhaustion washed over me. Leaving them in the living room, I shut myself in my bedroom.
After that night, Stella worked late and traveled even more.
When I mentioned my schedule had cleared up and I could meet her parents, she politely declined, saying the timing wasn't right.
I didn't need to ask. Carter had succeeded once again.
Chapters (3)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Watch & Promotions
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