---- Chapter 1: I Dreamed a Dog Bit Me It was late at night. Outside the car window, the world was swallowed by darkness. Inside the vehicle, the air was thick-tense, dangerous. "You've got guts, I'll give you that. Stealing from me?" The man's fingers, calloused and strong, gripped her chin. His eyes were icy, and his stare could freeze blood. Clara shrank into the seat, her eyes flickering with panic, doing everything she could to become invisible. "-I didn't... I swear I didn't..." Her voice trembled, whether from the sharp pain in her jaw or the sheer terror crawling up from her gut, she wasn't sure. The man let out a humorless chuckle, dark shadows gathering between his brows. His light violet eyes were sharp and deep-like a wolf on the hunt. His hand, all lean muscle and long fingers, slid from her chin to her delicate neck, as if he might snap it the very next second. "Looks like someone needs to be taught a lesson." His grip tightened. Air-vanishing. ---- Clara panicked. "Ah!" She raised her hand and slapped him across the face. Screw it! If she was going down, she'd take him with her! "Mommy, did you have another nightmare?" Clara's hand had landed on a fluffy little head. Leo. She pressed her hand to her forehead. Just a dream? That damn mutt of a man! All she'd done was borrow a little bit of his-you know, completely disposable genetic material-and now he was chasing her for "repayment in her dreams? Fine! When her son grew up, she'd pay him back with interest! Ugh. Petty, stingy man. "Mommy, were you fighting in your dream again?" Leo's sweet little voice brought her back. Clara sat up, took one look at his adorable little face-so much like that nightmare man's it was almost scary-and tried to shake off the dream. "Yeah... 1 dreamed a dog was trying to bite me." Leo sighed dramatically. "Mommy, if you don't get up ---- soon, Elsie's gonna be worried!" Right! They had a house tour today with Sierra! A whirlwind of clothes, brushes, and last-minute packing later, they finally arrived at the Riverbend Villas complex-forty minutes late. "This layout's one of our bestsellers at Riverbend Villas," the overly eager realtor gushed. "1,300 square feet, master bedroom facing the river-gorgeous view. The secondary bedrooms nice and square, perfect for akid's room!" She barely paused for breath as she sneaked admiring glances at the stunningly glamorous Sierra, while her eyes followed two kids running around. "The kindergarten's right in the community. The elementary school starts enrollment next year, so it's super convenient for young families..." "Yeah, yeah, I got it," Sierra interrupted, clearly over it. "We'll take a look around ourselves. Go prep the paperwork, I'll find you in thirty." "Of course, of course!" The realtor beamed like she'd just hit the jackpot. Looked like luck was on her side today. "Oh! One more thing," she added quickly. "There's a playground on the left side of the ---- garden-non-powered, super safe. Great for little ones. See you soon, Miss Blake!" Sierra gave a casual wave and headed toward her daughter. She crouched down and asked, "Elsie, do you like it here? How about we live here from now on?" "I love it, love it! I wanna live here with Leo!" Elsie said, clinging to Leo's hand with her big watery eyes twinkling. Sierra stood up and turned to Clara, grinning. "See that? Your Leo won't be single for long. My daughter's already picked her childhood sweetheart. Might as well buy a unit here too-we'll be neighbors!" "Easy for you to say, Miss Moneybags," Clara said, resting her chin on her hand. "I wish I had your divorced-lady luck. A daughter and a multi-million dollar settlement from the ex? Sign me up." Sierra Blake had just wrapped up a brutal divorce. Her husband cheated, left with nothing, and she walked away with full custody and a fat bank account. She wasted no time moving to Greystone, where Clara lived, to start fresh. The two had been best friends since high school, despite being total opposites. Sierra was. fire-passionate, impulsive, always chasing big moments. Clara? More like tepid tea-cautious, ---- by-the-book. At 25, she'd never done anything wild in her life. Well... except for that one thing. That earth-shattering, no-going-back thing. Sierra gave her head a little shake. Nope. Don't go there. Even thinking about it made her break out in cold sweat. After all, she had been an accomplice. She glanced at Clara again. The soft morning light danced on her porcelain skin, making her already delicate features even more striking. Her eyes were Clara's most beautiful trait-bright, clear, and sparkling with intelligence. She wore wide-legged beige pants and a pale blue button-down shirt. Not a single accessory on her, but somehow, she looked effortlessly put-together. So clean. So pure. She was exactly like she'd been back in school-the untouched campus belle. If Sierra hadn't watched her grow a belly and deliver a baby, she never would've guessed Clara had a four-year-old son. Time had barely touched her. No wonder she'd held the campus beauty title for four years straight in med school. So many guys had fallen for her. Honestly, who hadn't crushed on her? Sierra leaned closer. "Look, we're both single moms. ---- Wouldn't it be perfect if we lived next door? The kids would always have a playmate. We could eat dinner together every day. Just imagine-it'd be so fun!" "You know what my paycheck looks like," Clara said, clearly torn. She really did like the place. It was practical-kindergarten and elementary school on-site. Leo was about to start school, and this place made everything easier. Plus, if Sierra lived next door, she could help watch Leo when Clara had night shifts. But after her dad passed, every penny of their savings had gone to treating her mom's illness. And then her mom died. And then came Leo. She'd scrambled her way to Greystone, landed a job as a pediatrician at a private hospital, hired a nanny-and only now, two years later, had she finally stabilized enough to rent a tiny apartment. Savings? Practically zero. Sierra frowned and pointed a perfectly manicured finger at the coffee table. "There. That man on the magazine cover? He owes you a million. Delivery costs, nutrition, child support-at least a million. You're just gonna let him off the hook?" Clara glanced at the cover-and her blood pressure ---- spiked. She practically launched herself across the couch to slap her hand over Sierra's mouth. "Shut up! What the hell are you saying?!" She darted a look at the kids. Whew. They were too busy squealing over boats on the river to notice. She let out a breath and glared at Sierra. "Don't talk like that in front of them!" Sierra shrugged, completely unfazed, and turned to the kids. "Alright, let's go! Time to head downstairs and sign the contract. Leo, Elsie, playground time!" No one noticed little Leo casually swipe the magazine and slip it into his backpack. His light violet eyes sparkled with mischief and resolve. He owes Mommy a million? Alright then. Time to be a man and help out. Debt collection? I've got this. Downstairs, the playground was awesome. No engines, just good old-fashioned fun. The kids ran until their faces were flushed and their shirts were soaked in sweat. Today's workout? Checked off.