"I won the lottery." I kept my voice light, almost bored. "A scratch-off ticket. Fifty million dollars."
The living room went deathly still.
A few seconds later, Elijah lunged toward me. "Are you serious?! Where's the ticket? Let me see it!"
I didn't show him the original. I only let him see the photo on my phone.
His eyes practically pressed against the screen, his breathing growing ragged.
Caroline crowded in beside him, and for the first time, something resembling a smile cracked across her pinched face.
When I mentioned I'd be claiming the prize alone, Elijah's panic was immediate.
"That's out of the question! A sum that large—I'm coming with you."
His eyes gleamed with naked greed. "Besides, I've been thinking about upgrading to a G-Wagon..."
I cut him off.
"No need. Our prenuptial agreement is very clear—we keep separate finances. This prize money is my personal property. It has nothing to do with you."
Elijah's expression curdled.
That agreement? He was the one who'd insisted on signing it.
He'd said that since we were equals, going fifty-fifty was only fair—it would prevent money disputes down the road.
Now I understood. He'd only been protecting his assets from me.