Cole stared at her for a few long seconds.Bella swallowed. He wasn’t listening. He never listened when he entered this “mission mode.” She was already crying inside, but she stepped out of the car anyway because fighting Cole was like arguing with a brick wall that paid taxes.As they walked toward the store, her soul left her body. Her clothes suddenly felt two dollars. The tiny bag she wore felt like it came free with noodles. Everything in this place screamed money—loud money.The men at the door opened the entrance for them, bowing with smiles that somehow still managed to feel judgmental. Their eyes flicked from Cole to her like, Wow. Charity work today? Nice.Cole didn’t care. Not even a blink. He walked like the CEO of the building.“Let’s go back, please,” she whispered, tugging at his sleeve.Cole did not answer. Of course he didn’t.Inside, one of the workers gave them a warm, practiced smile. “How can we help

Bella was still in shock.Ten thousand dollars… on shopping?For one outfit, some makeup, and whatever else they put in the bag?Who even did that? Presidents? People who printed dollars in their bedroom?And now—She stared at the menu in the restaurant Cole had brought her into.This place was insane.The cheapest thing on the list… was a bottle of water.For one thousand dollars.A thousand dollars?Would she never be thirsty again after drinking it? Would it forgive her sins?Bella slowly looked up at Cole.His expression made it very clear: Don’t even try to object.She squeezed her eyes shut and just picked a meal. Twenty thousand dollars. She didn’t even need the waiter to bring it—she had already calculated it in advance, her soul quietly leaving her body.“Cole… where are you going to get all this money?” she whispered as they waited.“That’s not something you worry about on a date, Bella.”“Cole—”“Listen.” He leaned forward. “Your value is not tied to money. I could’ve driv

Amanda had been waiting for Cole to show up. Finally, around 8:32, he appeared. She rushed toward the door—then paused.He didn’t come in his car.Why?She moved to the window and peeked outside. Cole stood there with a dark, furious expression. Like something ugly had just happened. She’d never seen him look that angry.She quietly returned to the door and opened it just as he pressed the bell.“So sorry, Amanda. I had to stop somewhere,” he said.“Oh, it’s nothing,” she smiled quickly. “Honestly, it’s even good that we make them wait a little. They’ll take us more seriously that way.”He smiled back, but it was forced—so forced she almost asked him what was wrong. But fear held her tongue. She didn’t want to pry.“I picked these for you,” she said as she led him to his room. “You can shower and change while I finish what I was doing.”He nodded.She lingered one second too long. He lifted his shirt—revealing those abs—and she caught her own reflection in the mirror. She was blushing

Amanda swallowed hard. “I’m not ready to have kids now.”“I’ll do it then,” Tyler said, his tone calm but firm. “Anything that helps the family grow, I’ll sacrifice for it. It wasn’t in my plans to have kids this year, but…” He glanced at the projector with a faux humility. “I’ll do it for the family.”The matriarch’s eyes flicked toward him. Her plan to sway Amanda had failed; she’d only managed to move one piece on the board instead of two. Better than nothing, she thought.“Alright, Tyler. Make us proud once again,” the matriarch said, her voice steady.“I’ll share my full plan tomorrow,” Tyler added.Murmurs of admiration spread across the room. “He’s the savior of this family,” someone whispered.As the celebration started and the music swelled, Tyler slipped quietly out of the hall. He ducked into the restroom and dialed his baby mama.“Babe,” he said, a grin spreading across his face, “I’ll be introducing you to grandma tomorrow.”“Really?” Her voice buzzed with excitement.“Ye

Cole shot her a sideways glance and let out a low sigh.Always so dramatic.“Or… if you’re not interested in that deal,” Amanda said, softer now, “you can just tell me what you want. Anything.”A beat passed. Maybe she was being inconsiderate. His mother was lying unconscious in a hospital somewhere, fighting for her life. Cole had to be holding back more than he let on.“Cole, you can really talk to me,” Amanda added quietly. “If you’re not okay… you can talk to me.”“I’m good. You don’t have to do anything for me.”“Actually, Cole…” She cleared her throat. “Your mom isn’t really in Hawaii, right?”“Yeah.” He turned into the compound. “I don’t want Bella knowing what’s actually happening.”“Is something happening?”She tried not to look like someone who already knew everything.He glanced at her again—this time like he was weighing how much trust she deserved