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“A phone might be able to film it, but it needs to be done right. I don’t know anything about lighting, camera angle, or editing. Don’t even get me started on sound.”

“Oh, so you need editing now too?”

Her glare came roaring back. “Do this for me and I’ll never contact you again.”

Did I want her out of my life for good? I took a second to truly consider that. If Everett and I got married, she wouldn’t be there. If we had kids one day, she’d never meet them. They’d never know her abandonment or suffer from her selfishness.

This was a fantastic deal. But I had to make sure it stuck. “I’ll draw up a contract.”

She blinked. “You’ll do it?”

“I’ll do it. But know my lawyers are very good. It will be airtight.”

She actually hesitated, then nodded once. “Deal.”

“As far as I’m concerned, this is a job. We can have a professional relationship from beginning to end. At no point do I want to hear you call me your daughter, do you understand me?” My voice had turned to ice. It was as cold as my feelings for this woman.

Beth blinked, then nodded. “Of course.”

“You know how to contact me?”

Another nod.

“Email me the dates and specifics. My editor will have it done a few days later. And then…you’re nothing to me.”

She stuck out her hand. I shook it once, then yanked her so close our noses almost touched. “If I ever hear from you or see you again, I will bury you.” Then I released her with a little push and walked away.

I didn’t care if I shocked her or pleased her. I didn’t care about her at all.

As soon as I slid into bed Everett pulled me onto his chest. “I’m dying, babe. What happened?”

After I walked away from Beth I went straight up to the suite where they were holding a birthday party for Olivia. I needed the joy. By the time we took our seats for the game I had an email in my inbox with all the details.

“She wants me to film a soap opera.”

“A what now?” Everett laughed.

I’d read the email three times because I didn’t believe it either. “Apparently she’s shifting away from reality television and marrying sugar daddies. She and a partner want to shoot an old-fashioned soap opera for the modern streaming age. She’s the star of course.”

“Of course.”

“This is the pilot. It’s being filmed in her condo.” I could make suggestions for better locations, but I decided that was dumb. This was Beth’s brainchild and all she asked me to do was film and edit.

“Wait, what if someone actually buys it? You won’t be⁠—”

“Nope. This is a one-and-done.” I explained my terms, which made Everett much happier.

“Thank god.” His hand roamed my back. “How are you?”

“Good. Numb, but good. Having her here at all has been a shock. I honestly never thought I’d see her again. But there’s a bright side.” I pushed up onto my elbow so I could see his face. “It was a good chance to come to terms with my past and how it’s affected me. And us. I’d have gotten there eventually but this sped up the process.”

His hand landed on my hip. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“It’s something I’ve never asked you before and I’m not sure why. Maybe I was afraid of the answer.”

He had my curiosity piqued. “What’s the question?”