Page 42 of Dream Chaser

“You ungrateful brat!”

I stormed out of the room and all but ran from the house before she could call me more names. Another two-hour drive to my grandma’s was the last thing I wanted, but an ugly feeling in my gut told me I had to. Preston never did anything just because. He’d taken the keys for a reason.

My stomach growled by the time I made it to Fairview. I could’ve stopped to eat something, but rage had dulled my appetite.

Two trucks sat in the driveway. My gut churned—one of them was David’s. The other one had his construction company logo on the side.

I walked past them toward the house.

A gasp fell from my lips. The old porch was gone. So were the front windows.

Preston was renovating the house without my permission.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Nova

August

Iyanked the front door open and came face-to-face with David.

“Nova,” he said, his smile sheepish as he wiped his hands on his dust-covered blue overalls. “Preston didn’t say you were coming.”

I wrapped my arms around myself, shaking. “What the hell is all this?”

“Don’t you remember?” He scratched his head. “We talked about renovating this property at your anniversary. Preston—”

“At my anniversary? You sure as hell didn’t talk about it when I was there. This property”—I lifted my chin—“is mine. And I never asked you to touch it.”

“Wow.” David raised his hands. “Preston just wanted to surprise you. Cut him some slack, yeah? The house is gonna be amazing. Come, look.”

“This house is mine.” I planted my feet. “You don’t get to renovate anything unless I hire you, and I didn’t hire anyone. So please tell your crew to leave.”

David laughed. “Well, what kind of professional would that make me? Preston already paid. Damn, and here I thought all wives were like Katie. She adores surprises.”

I leaned against the front door, sweeping my gaze over the foyer. There must have been a blinking red camera light somewhere because it felt like I was being pranked. But more than that, I was being disrespected. Treated like my opinion regarding my own house didn’t matter.

“Show me the contract,” I said. “I want to know what Preston wants you to do, and when the work started.”

David patted his pockets, clearing his throat. “I don’t have it on me, but Preston has a copy. Why don’t you two come over tomorrow, and we’ll go over everything. He said you were out of town, but now that you’re back—”

“This house isn’t Preston’s. It’s mine, and mine alone. Send me the contract because you can’t do anything without the owner’s permission. Permission I didn’t give you.”

David sighed. “Listen, you’re being unreasonable. Didn’t you see the state this house was in? It was hardly livable. If you’d just let me show you all the changes we’re making, you’d see they’re all for the best. No need to get all worked up. Relax.”

He patted my shoulder with a condescending smile, like I was a kid and he knew better.

Screw this. Screw him. And especially screw Preston.

Anger flared hot in my veins. “I want the contract in my inbox this evening, David. Or I’m going to call the cops and tell them there’s unauthorized construction happening on my property.”

David smirked. “Well, I’m sure those guys are used to female tantrums. Why don’t you just calm down and talk to Preston about it? I’m sure you’ll love the changes he’s making.”

Helplessness clutched me in its grip. He wouldn’t listen. I needed to think. Do something.

“Leave my property,” I said, tipping my chin up. “I don’t care how much Preston paid. We’re getting divorced. He has no say in anything of mine anymore.”

“Right.” David sighed. “He does all of this for you, and you’re still abandoning him in the middle of his campaign? Guess it’s true what they say. Women aren’t what they used to be. Loyalty means nothing to them these days.”