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 magazine spread is Marcus's idea, of course. Or maybe Chase's. Or maybe they're conspiring together now, using publicity as mutual weapon, both of them benefiting from my continued humiliation.


"It's brilliant for the film," Marcus says when he calls with the concept. "Vanity Fair wants to do a feature on Hollywood's most talked-about couples. You and Jackson, Chase and Elise. Double date, exclusive restaurant, professional photographer. The publicity will be worth millions."


"It wasn't a request. Sterling Industries approved this as part of promotional obligations. You're attending or you're in breach of your new employment contract." His voice hardens. "Chase owns your set, Vivian. Which means he owns your publicity obligations. So you'll smile for cameras while having dinner with him and his fiancée and your co-star, or you'll be looking for new work."


Chapter 109 - Double Date Disaster