Monica had a way with words-she could cut you down to size without ever needing to cuss.


    When I first started making a fuss, Monica actually felt sorry for her and handed over five grand. Pure kindness, nothing more.


    But now? I showed up every day, stirring up drama, throwing shade, and making Monica out to be the bad guy. Who wouldn''t lose their cool?


    Pretty soon, the whole neighborhood was buzzing. Everyone was whispering, wondering if Monica really had broken up someone else''s family.


    In I''s version of the story, Alisa and Jason were the perfect couple, living the dream, and Monica was the third wheel wrecking their happiness.


    Anastasia reached into the glovepartment, pulled out a bottle of water, and handed it over. "Take a drink. Don''t let her get to you."


    Monica twisted off the cap and took a big gulp.


    Anastasia started the car and asked, "Does Jason know what''s going on?"


    "I forgot to tell him," Monica said, staring out the window. "I was so angry, it just slipped my mind."


    Anastasia shot her a look. "Monica, you can''t lie to save your life. Whenever you try, you can''t even look someone in the eye. You didn''t forget-you just don''t want Jason to have to deal with it, do you?"


    Monica grumbled, "You know me too well."


    Anastasia grinned. "Of course I do. The Browns have been living off Jason for years, and you''re too soft-hearted to let them keep taking advantage. But don''t you see? That''s exactly why they keep pushing you they know you won''t fight back."


    Monica stayed quiet.


    Anastasia nudged her. "Come on, spill. Did something else happen between you and Jason? Are you two back together yet?"


    Monica was silent for a long moment before she finally said, "Ana, Jason''s mom came to talk to me. We''ve been having issues. I don''t like his job as a cop, and he was thinking about quitting. His mom found out and came to chat."


    Monica pulled over and looked at her. "Didn''t you say his mom liked you? Always said you were smart, pretty, and capable-hard to find someone like you?"


    "I''ve thought it over," Monica admitted. "It''s not that Jason has to change jobs. My dad''s stuff has had me down for months, and I haven''t been dealing with things well with Jason. His mom got the wrong idea.”


    She let out a shaky breath. “But in a weird way, it helped. I finally saw what she really thinks her daughter-inw is just for show. She can''t get in the way of her son''s future. Otherwise, she''s not good enough."


    Anastasia could see how much Monica had poured into this rtionship, and how tired she was.


    She squeezed Monica''s hand. "If you can''t hold onto the sand, maybe it''s time to let it go."


    She really didn''t want to see Monica dragged down or unhappy.


    Monica sniffled and nodded. "Yeah. Let it go."


    She wiped her eyes and forced a smile. "I want hot pot, Ana. Your treat."


    "Deal."


    Anastasia had nned to go home and cook for her kids, but now she''d have to skip it.


    She called her oldest daughter to let her know, but it turned out her daughter had ns of her own.


    Andrew had invited Justin and Paradise out for dinner.


    With their crowd, each kid had at least tens of thousands in pocket money-if not more.


    Not that it mattered; they could just sign for anything, and their families would settle upter.


    Andrew wanted to show off, so he booked a private room at the fanciest restaurant in Riverdale.


    Paradise arrived with her family''s driver, and Andrew, being the host, got there early and was busy telling the staff what to do. "Bring in more flowers-make it look nice.


    Justin was on his way too, riding with the Stranz family''s butler.


    Unfortunately, Layna was with him.


    She insisted on joining, and Justin just couldn''t shake her.


    He sat in the car, reading, while Layna tried


    ed to start a conversatione


    "What are you reading Justin want to see." Content belon


    She leaned in, but the book was in Russian-she couldn''t make heads or tails of it.


    Layna never saw the point of reading anyway. That was for kids who needed a way out, not for someone like her.


    She was the Stranz family''s princess-she''d never have to worry about money.


    Justin didn''t even look up. "Do you read Russian?”


    Layna froze, embarrassed, and shook her head. "...No."


    didn''t


    Justinook surprised. He kept


    his eyes


    the page and


    to himself "Paradise probered


    can.


    Thatnded right where it hurt for Layna.