Chase Sterling always felt like furniture. The kind you don't notice, the kind that's easy to shove in a corner and forget. He was used to it: people looked right through him, brushed him off like lint. But it only takes one phone call to erase a lifetime of being overlooked. When his estranged family meets a tragic end, Chase suddenly finds himself in charge of the sprawling Sterling fortune. Turns out, riches aren't the only thing the family left him. There's a curse running through his blood, warping love into something hungry and dangerous, impossible to escape.

Vivian Ashford never set out to blow Chase's life to smithereens. Just one decision (a sharp, ruthless move at graduation) was all it took to set their worlds spinning out of control. While Vivian soaks up the Hollywood limelight and collects red-carpet headlines, Chase slips into his new role as Manhattan's most intimidating heir. But no matter how far they run, something keeps yanking them back together, like a stitch in an old wound that refuses to heal.

The casting announcement arrives via email from Philippe's production company exactly five weeks into the arrangement with Chase, exactly when I've almost convinced myself that compartmentalization is working, that the rules are holding, that maintaining affair while engaged to Jackson is sustainable if I just keep lying effectively enough.


"Jackson Crane confirmed as male lead opposite Vivian Ashford in Philippe Laurent's latest project. Production begins next month. On-screen reunion of real-life couple expected to generate significant audience interest."


I stare at the email. At the words "real-life couple" describing relationship that's complete fiction covering affair I'm conducting with my ex. At the announcement that Jackson will be my co-star for next three months of filming. At the reality that my past and present are about to collide in ways that make compartmentalization impossible.


Chapter 211 - Jackson Returns