"My mom probably gave her our address," I said casually. "That's just how Erin is. You can just ignore her."

Although Dean kept swearing that he really hadn't given Erin the time of day, I still couldn't shake the discomfort. It didn't help that the image of them sitting together on the same couch kept replaying in my head.

Dean wouldn't betray me like that, would he?

I'd tried so hard just to win him over. I spent six whole months on that endeavor before he finally agreed to date me.

He wouldn't fall straight into Erin's embrace after spending just one night with her, would he?

I couldn't help but feel uneasy, no matter how hard I tried to think otherwise. Part of it was due to my insecurity, while the other part was that I wasn't sure just how long Dean could keep Erin at arm's length.

…

Dean didn't stay over that night. He had another apartment in the next building over, so he slept there instead.

However, he still came over to bring me breakfast the next morning.

He had brought over a spread of eight dishes, placing them on the table. When Erin saw them, her lips immediately curled into a smug smile.

"Did you bring so much food over because you knew I'd be here, Dean?" she asked. "Oh, you even got me the mini pot pies from the store I like. It's a shame they don't do deliveries. You must've gotten up early to pick them up, didn't you?"

Dean shot her a glance. "No, I actually forgot you'd be here, so now I'm two dishes short. Cassie doesn't have much of an appetite in the mornings, so I bought extra dishes so she could pick and choose."

Erin hummed in understanding, but her hands kept picking at her freshly done manicure. This was her habit when she was plotting. I knew right then that whatever mild interest she'd had in Dead had turned into a determination to make him hers.

I couldn't help but tighten my grip on his hand. Perhaps my grip had hurt him, and he looked at me in confusion. I muttered a hasty apology as I left the table.

That evening, I found them sitting together on the couch again when I returned home from work. When Dean saw me, he rose to his feet to welcome me home.

Then, he lowered his voice and bombarded me with question after question. "Is Erin unemployed? Why is she here every day? Doesn't she have her own place? What is she even doing coming over every day?"

I looked up at him and said, "She'll probably stop after you stop ignoring her."

He stiffened upon hearing my answer. After a beat, he said, "I already promised it. She said she'll leave tomorrow if I do."

I hummed and walked into the bedroom. Dean followed me and hugged me, asking if I was upset.

"I just don't want to see her here all the time. Besides, I can just mute her," he said, then he showed me his screen in order to prove his innocence. "Look, I've already muted her."

I said nothing, but my disappointment must've shown somehow because he continued to coax me for a long time after that.

He kept it up through dinner, trying to make me laugh as he piled food onto my plate.

Across the table, Erin merely smiled and said, "You're so thoughtful, Dean."

Dean didn't pay her any mind.

Instead, he kept his attention solely on me as he told me about the problems he'd been facing regarding the DTC retail he'd started.

Erin deliberately clattered her utensils at his dismissal. When we turned to look at her, she smiled and said, "Sorry. I just got a little excited when you brought that up. After all, that's right up my alley."

When she saw the look of confusion on his face, she said, "My ex-husband runs a pretty successful retail brand. He's been very generous with me regarding his connections. I can help you out, for Cassie's sake."

She even went on to describe that particular brand in detail.

I could tell that Dean was tempted to take her up on her offer. He looked at me awkwardly before turning to Erin. "Wouldn't that be inconvenient? After all, those connections are tied to your ex-husband."

"Oh, please," she replied lightly. "One night together and it'll all work out in my favor. Just wait for my good news."

Dean didn't turn her down this time. I knew right then he was going to unmute her.

As I expected, when he followed me into the bedroom later, he said, "Erin's a good person. She seems honest."

I merely shot him a look, my eyes already red.

He immediately started cajoling me, saying gently, "I didn't mean anything by it. Besides, do you think I'd be interested in a woman who's still in contact with her ex?"

…

Erin left my apartment the next day. Coincidentally, Dean didn't come over to my place for several days after that.

Dean claimed he had been out of town overseeing the operations as he would be opening several stores at once.

Still, I saw Erin behind him in a few of our video calls. When that happened, he hurried to explain, "Erin called me to ask how things were doing. She dropped by when she heard I was in the neighbouring city.

"I can't thank her enough for what she's done. She's really saved me a ton of trouble. My dad's been praising me for my success too."

Ambitious scions born with a silver spoon in their mouths had the tendency to strive to surpass their parents. Dean was no exception.

His father and grandfather were both formidable entrepreneurs. Dean had also been blessed with a sharp business acumen. Unfortunately, he had always been overshadowed by their success. Because of that, he was desperate to prove himself.

He had opened several DTC stores across multiple cities. He had struck hard and fast, opening those stores at the best locations possible. As a result, his father and grandfather had been singing his praises at the dinner table, saying that he'd done well for himself.

Not long after, Dean transferred 20,000 dollars to me and told me to buy Erin a gift in my name. "I know she only helped me out because of you. So, it'd be best if you gave it to her. I still know my boundaries."

After a pause, he added, "Try to pick out something she likes. If the money isn't enough, I can send more."

So, I called Erin. When the call connected, I said, "Thanks for helping my boyfriend out. He wants to get you a bag, and the budget's around 20,000 dollars… Do you have a preference? Or would you like me to just send you the money?"

There was a brief silence. Then, I heard a man's voice coming through the phone, asking, "Is this… Cassandra? Why is your boyfriend getting Erin a gift?"

Oh, crap. Erin and Eric had such similar names that I'd accidentally ended up calling him instead of her.

Eric, Erin, and I all attended the same school. He had been a year ahead of us, and we'd occasionally run into each other during club activities.

I'd praised him for being considerate just once, and Erin immediately started pursuing him the very next day. He'd been easily won over, especially when she'd taken such obvious initiative.

They started dating two weeks later. Their relationship had its ups and downs, but they still ended up married after graduation.

Sadly, they ended up getting a divorce after three years of marriage.

Nevertheless, I didn't want Erin's prime moneybag to misunderstand what was happening. After all, Eric was still paying her alimony every month.

I hurried to explain, "No, it's nothing like that. She helped my boyfriend out with something major. And I should thank you too, Eric. My boyfriend's snack brand managed to become a success because of the connections you've provided."

Eric replied, "And here I thought she was finally doing something with her life. In the end, she'd done it all for your boyfriend? She definitely cares more about him than she ever did about me."

Before I could say anything to salvage the situation, he continued, "Alright, I understand now. I'll buy her the bag myself. You can just keep the money."

I returned the money to Dean and told him Eric said it wasn't necessary.

Dean looked confused. "Isn't he her ex-husband? Why is he still so up in her business?"

"He pretty much pays her bills," I replied. "How else do you think Erin could afford her luxurious lifestyle and branded goods?"

Dean's expression turned awkward. When he saw me looking at him, he said, "You have a point."

Erin came over to my apartment that night. She'd had a bit to drink, so her cheeks were flushed when she started screaming at me.

She might look drunk, but it was obvious that she still had her wits about her as she tore me a new one.

Toward the end, she pointed at Dean and said, "Do you really think you can land a rich husband like me? Don't kid yourself, Cassandra. You'll never live the life I have. You ran to Eric and told him that I stole your boyfriend just so he'd cut me off, didn't you?

Then, she added smugly, "Well, watch me get another walking ATM to bankroll my lifestyle tomorrow."

A flicker of realization crossed Dean's face upon hearing her words.

I couldn't help but find it all so tedious. So, I left them alone in the living room and returned to my bedroom.

…

Dean started working late and traveling more frequently after that day.

When I told him that I had the time to meet his parents and have dinner with them, he gently turned me down. He claimed that it wasn't the right time just yet.

I knew what was going on right then.

Erin had gotten her claws into him. She'd won yet again.