Nine C-Section, Nine Dead Sons, One Escape novel Chapter 13

Chapter 4

To keep up my “broke girl” persona in front of Seraphina, I’d been living the most chaotic double life.

I’d munch on plain toast and pickled cucumber in the dorm during the day, then sneak into the bathroom at night to order truffle lobster risotto.

Seraphina looked at me with more and more condescension, and she even started making calls to her new guys right in front of me.

“Babe, I really want that new designer bag, it’s only thirty thousand, and you won’t even buy it for me?” she whined over the phone.

After hanging up, she glanced at the plain water I was drinking and sighed in a fake sympathetic

way.

“Anya, I hate to say it, but if that backup boyfriend of yours is really that broke, you should just

block him. It’s a waste of your time.”

I shook my head quickly and put on a sincere look. “I can’t, Seraphina. He’s not well–off, but he’s so sweet to me, checking in on me every single day. I’ve always felt starved for love; that’s exactly

what I need.”

Seraphina rolled her eyes. “Pathetic.”

The comments started flooding in again.

[This side character’s acting is Oscar–worthy; she totally deserves a trophy!]

[Seraphina, wake up! This girl’s playing dumb to outsmart you!]

[Calm down, guys, Easton’s flying back any minute now. Let’s see how she digs herself out of this when they meet in person!]

Flying back?

My heart skipped a beat.

I pulled out my phone, and sure enough, there was a message from Easton.

[Babe, the project wrapped up early. I booked a flight for tomorrow, I’ll be there the day after! Send me your location, I’ll pick you up at school!]

Chapter 4

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[Zelle transfer received: $2,000,000.]

Note attached: [A little gift for our first meeting, buy some nice clothes, dress up pretty for me.]

My hands shook a little as I stared at the two million.

This wasn’t a gift for our meeting; this was “set for life and living my best life” money right here.

If he found out that the girl who’d been calling him sweetie nonstop, shooting him all those flirty lines, wasn’t the icy goddess Seraphina he’d imagined, but a greedy, bold lunatic, would he tear me apart on the spot?

The comments were brimming with schadenfreude.

[Hahaha! Her time’s up!]

[Easton hates being lied to more than anything. This girl’s a goner!]

[Grab your popcorn, folks–the crash is coming!]

I gritted my teeth, accepted the money, and shot back a reply: [You’re the best, sweetie! Can’t wait to see you!]

Then I pulled up an online shopping app and ordered a sexy outfit in a flash.

Crash?

If I played my cards right, this wouldn’t be a fail at all–it’d be a smooth escape!

Worst case? We meet, I take the money, and we break up on the spot. Already got the excuse ready: “You’re just too rich for me. The pressure’s overwhelming. I don’t deserve you…”

Flawless script.

Chapter 4

Harbor