He Picked the Wrong Side

Then I saw it. The rose tattoo on her collarbone.

Same one Derrick had on his abs.

He said he got it because I loved roses.

What a freaking joke.

Back then, I was touched. Thought it meant something. Never realized it was a matching couple tattoo with his side chick.

If we hadn't crossed paths today, I'd still be clueless. Totally in the dark while he played house with someone else.

The madder I got, the colder I sounded. I sliced right through her smug little act. "What's your last name? 'Cause Derrick's wife? Her last name's Windsor.

"And surprise—she doesn't look like you. You're the side chick, babe. Yet here you are, loud and proud. No shame at all.

"Go ahead, call Derrick. I'm dying to see how he plans to 'make us pay.'"

Rosalie flinched at the words 'side chick' like I'd slapped her.

Her voice sharpened. "There's no such thing as first come, first served in love. The one he doesn't love? That's the real side chick. My husband's coming to see me today. I'll have him come right now. Just wait."

She dialed him up, voice flipping to syrupy sweet. "Derrick, when are you coming?

"I'm at the hotel pool and these two old women are picking on me. I'm so scared all alone. Come protect me, okay?

"And from now on, make sure the pool's just for me. I've got some fun new tricks to show you in the water—saving them just for you."

She hung up, glowing like she just won something. "He'll be here in thirty. You're done. He's got plenty of ways to handle trash like you."

Meanwhile, I was trying not to puke. Derrick had looked me in the eye, swearing he'd never hurt me—while sneaking around with this.

Georgina caught my face and knew. Her jaw tightened. "Derrick. Just like his father. Everything I gave him—I can take it all back."

She despised cheaters. Years ago, she dumped Derrick's dad after he ran off with some model. Built her empire while raising Derrick solo.

And now? The son she raised ended up just as low. A total disappointment.

Georgina still owned over a hundred hotels. Sure, she let Derrick manage a few, but the real power? Still hers.

As for me—I married into the Hart family because my background actually matched his. I wasn't some nobody.

I seriously couldn't wait to hear Derrick try to spin this.

Right then, I saw it—Georgina's face had gone pale. I grabbed her and guided her toward the ladder, trying to get her out.

But Rosalie lifted her hand.

Dmitry jumped onto the edge and kicked Georgina mid-climb.

She slammed back into the water. I scrambled to pull her up again.

Rosalie stood there laughing. "You two look like a pair of old ducks flapping around. Don't you LOVE swimming? Then stay put!"

She turned to Dmitry. "Don't let them out until my husband shows."

Dmitry nodded like some loyal puppy. "You got it, Rosalie. I'll keep 'em in. Just say something nice to Mr. Hart for me."

No matter how many times we tried to climb out, Dmitry kicked us right back in.

We were running out of steam. Georgina clutched her chest, gasping, too breathless to talk.

I held her up and shouted at the edge, panic ripping out of me. "Are you trying to kill someone? My mother-in-law has a heart condition! Let us out now, or when Derrick gets here, you'll regret this!"

Dmitry hesitated and glanced at Rosalie.

She laughed it off. "You old ladies love playing pretend. Heart condition? You were swimming just fine a second ago."

Then she waved at him. "Turn off the pool heat. Let's see how long she keeps faking."