Chapter 3: The Marriage Scam Heartbeat

The first time I met Savannah was at a construction site. I’d just finished hauling bricks and was resting under a shed, drinking water. Savannah walked straight up to me in her high heels. She pointed at the bottle I’d just finished, her pale, delicate fingers curling around it. “I’m thirsty. Can I have some of your water?”

She stood out like a sore thumb—bright dress, perfect makeup, heels clicking on the dusty concrete. I remember thinking she looked like she’d wandered in from another world. Her voice was playful, but her eyes never left mine. I couldn’t look away.

She didn’t even wait for my answer—she just grabbed my bottle and took a drink. The water glistened on her red lips, and a few drops trickled down her chin, landing on my thigh. I was so flustered I couldn’t speak, my face burning.

She laughed—a low, throaty sound that made my heart race. I tried to stammer out a greeting, but the words got stuck in my throat. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, looking pleased with herself. I could only stare.

After she finished, she tossed the empty bottle on the ground and said, “I heard your name is Marcus Franklin. Since I just drank your water, you owe me dinner tonight.” She grinned, daring me to say no.

She said it like it was the most natural thing in the world, her confidence radiating. I felt my face flush, but I couldn’t say no. She had a way of making you feel like you were the only person in the room. The world faded out when she looked at you.

She looked so sure of herself, like she knew I wouldn’t refuse. I stammered, “Okay.” My voice barely made it out.

My voice came out shaky, but she just grinned. That was Savannah—she never doubted herself, not for a second. I felt my heart flip in my chest.

After that, Savannah often came to the construction site to see me. In less than a month, we were together. From the time we met to the day we married, it was only about six months. It all happened so fast.

The other guys on the crew teased me, calling me lucky. I didn’t care. Every time I saw her waiting for me at the gate, I felt like the luckiest man alive. Six months flew by in a blur of late-night talks and stolen kisses. I couldn’t get enough of her.

Back then, Mrs. Jenkins warned me that there might be something off about Savannah. I knew what she meant—a woman as beautiful as Savannah shouldn’t be interested in a lonely old bachelor like me. It didn’t add up.

She’d corner me in the hallway, lowering her voice. “Marcus, honey, just be careful, alright? Sometimes things that look too good to be true, well… you know.” I’d nod and thank her, but deep down I wanted to believe I’d finally caught a break. Who wouldn’t?

Just to be safe, I asked a buddy to look into her past. Sure enough, I found out she’d been married three times. All her previous husbands had one thing in common: they were all well-off. After marrying her, each of them lost most of their wealth to her. My stomach dropped when I read it.

I remember sitting in my truck, staring at the printouts, my hands shaking. It felt like I’d been punched in the gut. But I needed answers, so I went to her, the truth burning a hole in my pocket. My heart pounded in my ears.

I confronted Savannah about it. She just broke down. “I had no choice. My parents were drowning in debt. I couldn’t just watch the debt collectors push them over the edge.” Her voice broke, and the tears came hard.

Her tears felt real—messy, unguarded. She clung to me, voice trembling. I wanted to believe her, even as doubt gnawed at my insides. I held her, torn in two.

“Marcus, my parents’ debts are all paid off now. I won’t get involved with them anymore. I just want to live a good life with you. I really do love you.”

She looked up at me, eyes shining with hope and fear. The words hung between us, fragile and desperate. I wanted to believe her so badly it hurt.

“If I didn’t love you, why would I be with you?”

Her voice was barely above a whisper. I felt my resolve falter. She knew exactly how to get to me, every single time.

She had a point. I was just an old bachelor, no money, no car—what, she’d marry me for a run-down apartment? The idea seemed ridiculous.

I looked around our tiny kitchen, the peeling linoleum and mismatched chairs. It didn’t make sense. But love doesn’t always make sense, does it? Sometimes you just want to believe.

Savannah hugged me tight. “I love you. You have to believe me.” Her voice was muffled against my chest.

She buried her face in my chest, her body shaking with silent sobs. I wrapped my arms around her, telling myself it would all work out. It had to.

Yeah, who hasn’t made mistakes when they were young? If she hadn’t had those three marriages, would she have ever looked my way? Maybe I was just lucky.

I tried to push the doubts aside. We all have baggage. Maybe this was my second chance, and hers too. I wanted to believe in us.

After she found out, Mrs. Jenkins said, “Marcus, maybe this is a blessing. Everyone’s got a past.”

She patted my hand, her eyes warm. “Don’t let the gossips get to you, honey. Just take care of each other.” I tried to let her words sink in.

Doug Harris from upstairs sneered, “Pfft, used goods and you treat her like treasure?” He said it loud enough for the whole hallway to hear.

He spat the words out, bitterness in every syllable. I could see the envy in his eyes, and it made me stand a little taller. Let him stew.

I ignored him. I could see the jealousy burning in his eyes every time he looked at Savannah—he wished she’d chosen him instead of me. A woman as beautiful as Savannah Brooks, even if she’d had thirty marriages, neither of us would be good enough for her. Not in a million years.

Sometimes I’d catch him staring out his window, watching us walk hand in hand. I almost felt sorry for him. Almost. I’d squeeze Savannah’s hand a little tighter.