I Married My Ex To Save My Family

In the entertainment industry, secrets had been currency—and Hazel Wilson had had a treasure chest full of them.

"Laylah Vasquez flaunts a revolving door of boyfriends behind the scenes while playing all sweet and innocent. Her burner Instagram is packed with racy selfies, and now she’s dragging Emiliano Mason’s name through the mud. It’s a train wreck waiting to happen."

"Amaris, you came to the right girl today. I’ve got some piping hot tea on Laylah."

Amaris had clinked her glass with a grin. “Thanks to you, I made a real splash on my first day as executive secretary at Mason Group. Dinner’s on me tonight."

Hazel had jumped at the opening. "Well, don’t mind if I do. How about we tack on another order of roast beef?"

Amaris had paused, a flicker of hesitation crossing her face, before nodding with a tight smile.

The three women had buzzed with chatter, their words flowing in a lively mix of gossip and celebration, while Cal Jordan had played the loyal audience, watching with a warm smile and soft eyes, quiet but present.

Across the city, Emiliano Mason’s patience had frayed in his sprawling penthouse with its killer river views. As the clock had ticked toward eleven, his irritation had simmered. He had snatched up his phone and called his assistant.

"She’s still not back?"

Even through the line, Noah could feel the bite in his boss’s tone. "Mrs. Mason and her friends are still in the private room at Starlight Lounge. They haven’t left yet."

Emiliano had ended the call without another word and immediately dialed Martin Rose. "Martin, shut Starlight down."

Martin had been baffled. "What’s gotten into you?"

"Today. Now. I want it closed."

"Come on, Emiliano, my little bar isn’t exactly a threat to your empire."

"It’s messing with my mood."

The friendship between Martin Rose and Emiliano Mason had run deep. Both heirs to their family fortunes, they had understood each other inside and out, leaving little room for secrets. Martin had been one of the first to know about Emiliano and Amaris’s hushed-up romance back in the day—back when Amaris was barely seventeen, he had teased Emiliano for robbing the cradle.

Now, spotting Noah lingering outside Starlight Lounge to keep tabs on Amaris, Martin couldn’t resist a playful dig when Emiliano called.

"You swear you’re over your ex, but your actions scream otherwise. It’s just your words that haven’t caught up yet."