1: Homecoming

Olivia tried to corral Hazel before the child could disappear entirely into the sea of moving bodies and rolling suitcases that filled the arrivals terminal.

“Hazel, slow down,” she called, breathless, already knowing it was useless.

Hazel, five years old and powered by pure mischief, only lifted her arms wider and made a louder whirring sound as she ran ahead of her, weaving dangerously close to strangers’ legs. “I’m an airplane, Mommy! Look! I’m landing!”

“Hazel Wicks,” Olivia warned, the edge in her voice dulled by exhaustion, “airplanes do not land in airports without permission.”

Hazel laughed, a bright, delighted peal that turned a few heads, and took off again.

Olivia groaned under her breath and tightened her grip on Poppy’s small hand. Poppy, quieter and softer by nature, walked obediently beside her, clutching her well loved stuffed octopus in her other hand. Noticing Poppy’s footsteps were slower than before, Olivia turned to look at her daughter and noticed the little girl staring at her left, directly at a small family at their left. While the mother rummaged through her bag for something, the father held their daughter, a girl about three years, in his arms. His hands cradled her head.

Olivia’s heart gave a pang at the way Poppy was staring at them, her grip on Olivia’s fingers loose.

“Come on Poppy,” Olivia said, gently tugging her daughter closer to her.

“Mama,” Poppy looked up at her with her big doe eyes. “Where’s my daddy?”

Olivia’s mouth was suddenly dry. She looked at the little family, who were moving along now, then back to her daughter. “Some families have a mom and a dad, and some families, just like ours, are complete with just us girls. We're a team."

Even as her daughter nodded and held her octopus tighter, Olivia couldn’t push down the guilt welling up in her. With her free hand, she wrestled with the handles of two large suitcases and a carry-on that kept bumping into her ankle. She could already feel a headache blooming behind her eyes.

She had been back in this city for less than ten minutes, and already she felt harried and so, so unready to be here, in the same place she had fled five years ago with a broken heart, a single suitcase, and a secret that had changed her life forever.

She forced herself not to think about that now. The only reason she was here today was because she had landed the deal of a lifetime with Saint Liman, the powerhouse of luxury jewelry and prestige perfume. It was a brand whispered about in fashion circles with reverence and hunger. It stunk of old money. Becoming the face of Saint Liman was more than a career milestone, it was her ticket to everything she ever wanted.

The contracts were already signed and the numbers were staggering, entering millions upon millions. Enough that Olivia could retire early if she wanted. Enough that she could open her own fashion house years ahead of schedule.

The thought gave her strength even as Hazel zigzagged dangerously close to a security barrier.

If she could just get out of the airport with both children intact and make it to the Saint Liman offices for the introductory meeting their team had arranged, everything would be fine. She wanted to make a good first impression, even if technically she had already been chosen. Reputation and professionalism mattered in this line of business, after all. And right now, she looked like a woman one minor inconvenience away from breaking down in public.

A young woman caught her eye and Olivia immediately turned her face away. She hadn’t been recognized so far, which was great. Her professional life was kept separate from her private life and no one, not even her new employers she was rushing to meet, knew of her daughters. Just the way she wanted it. If she was recognized here with them now, she wouldn’t be able to stop the cameras.

Oh, if only their flight hadn’t been delayed. Hazel had slept through nearly the entire delay and most of the flight, which ended up in her from the plane bright-eyed and vibrating with excess energy. Olivia, on the other hand, felt like someone had scooped out her insides and replaced them with airport coffee. She blew out a tired sigh, bracing herself to whisper-yell Hazel’s name for the fifth time in as many minutes.

“Haz—”

A sudden movement cut her off as a figure swooped in from the side and lifted Hazel clean off the ground.

Panic slammed into Olivia’s chest. She dropped the suitcase handles without thinking, the bags thudding to the floor as she yanked Poppy closer, positioning herself instinctively between her remaining child and the stranger. Her mouth opened, ready to scream, and then she saw who it was.

“Flora,” Olivia breathed. Relief flooded her so quickly her knees nearly buckled.

Hazel shrieked with delight, all fear nonexistent as she wrapped her arms around her captor’s neck. “Auntie Flora!”

Flora Hayes, formerly Flora Wicks, laughed warmly as she bounced Hazel slightly and hugged her back. “There you are, my little airplane! You look so much bigger in real life than on our video calls.”

Hazel pulled back just long enough to squint at her aunt’s face with exaggerated seriousness. “You look a lot taller.”

Flora laughed again, her head tipping back. Olivia felt her heart soften despite the fearful way it was still beating.

Poppy tugged free from her hand and trotted forward, her octopus dangling. She wrapped her arms around Flora’s leg and tilted her head back. “Auntie Flora,” she murmured sleepily. “I’m tired.”

Flora’s expression melted as she ruffled Poppy’s curls gently. “That’s okay, sweetheart. You can take a nice long nap when we get home.”

Watching her sister behave so affectionately with her daughters sent a familiar pang of happiness through Olivia. “Mrs. Hayes,” Olivia teased, managing a smile as she stepped closer. “You’re positively glowing.”

Flora grinned at her. “Well, if a whole supermodel is saying it, then it must be true.” She immediately pulled Olivia into a tight hug. “It’s really good to see you,” she said softly. “It’s been a long time.”

Olivia laughed into her sister’s shoulder. “You flew out to see us four months ago.”

Flora shrugged lightly, adjusting Hazel on her hip as if wrangling energetic children in an airport was an everyday affair. “So,” she said casually, “how did the meeting schedule shake out?”

Olivia let out a long, weary sigh. “It’s in thirty minutes,” she admitted, rubbing her forehead. “And I honestly don’t know how I’m supposed to make it there on time. I slept in my clothes, I look like I’ve been dragged across three continents, which I have, and this is not exactly the first impression I want to make.”

Flora’s eyes narrowed slightly, assessing her the way with the ruthless honesty only a sister could. “Absolutely not,” she said decisively. “We are not having you make a bad impression today.”

Before Olivia could protest, Flora shrugged out of her coat, a stunning, tailored thing in deep ivory wool, and draped it over Olivia’s shoulders. It fit perfectly, instantly elevating her appearance from exhausted traveler to composed powerhouse.

“Flora—” Olivia began.

“No arguments,” Flora cut in, already gesturing sharply over Olivia’s shoulder.

As if summoned by the motion, two men stepped forward from the periphery of the terminal. They were tall and dressed in dark suits that blended into the background. Without a word, they took hold of the luggage Olivia had been struggling with moments earlier.

Olivia blinked. “You have handlers now?”

Flora smirked. “Benefits of marrying well.”

Taking Hazel’s hand with one hand and Poppy’s with the other, Flora nodded for Olivia to follow and began striding toward the exit. Olivia had to jog slightly to keep up.

Outside, two sleek black SUVs waited at the curb, the engines humming softly. The men loaded the luggage into the larger vehicle easily.

As Flora lifted Hazel into one of the back seats and helped Poppy climb in beside her, she glanced over her shoulder at Olivia. “You’ll take the other car,” she said briskly. “If you leave now, you’ll make it with time to spare. I’ve got the girls.”

Olivia hesitated, heart tugging painfully in two directions. “Are you sure?”

Flora gave her a look. “Go. Be brilliant. I’ll handle everything else.”

Emotion swelled in Olivia’s chest. She leaned in and kissed Flora’s cheek. “Thank you,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”

Flora smiled softly. “Break a leg.”

Olivia turned and jogged toward the second car, slipping inside just as the driver pulled away from the curb. She waved through the tinted window as the car sped off, watching Flora and her daughters grow smaller in the distance.

On the way downtown, Olivia made quick, practiced adjustments. She loosened her hair, shook it free, and rearranged it so it fell in glossy blond waves around her face. From her bag, she retrieved a compact and touched up her makeup. By the time the car slowed, she looked every inch the supermodel Saint Liman had signed a contract with: the composed and radiant Livienne.

The Saint Liman headquarters rose before her in a set of towering buildings. The SUV stopped, and Olivia stepped out, handing the driver a quick smile as she thanked him before heading inside. She approached the reception desk just as the woman behind it looked up.

The receptionist’s eyes widened. “Oh my God! Livienne?”

Olivia smiled automatically. “That’s me.”

“I’m such a huge fan,” the woman gushed. “I’ve followed your career for years.”

“Thank you,” Olivia said graciously. “I’m here for a meeting. Could you tell me where I need to go?”

“Of course! They’re expecting you. Conference Room Two on the first floor,” the receptionist replied. “I can have someone take you—”

“That’s alright,” Olivia said quickly, already moving toward the elevators. “I’ve got it.”

She wasn’t keen on waiting. As it was, she was already a minute late.

She stepped into the elevator alone and pressed the button. As the doors slid shut, she drew in a slow breath, steadying herself. This was just another meeting and another powerful man eager to attach her image to his empire. She had done it before. Easy-peasy

The doors opened and Olivia stepped out, her heels clicking against the marble floor. Conference Room Two was easy enough to find. She paused outside the door, smoothed down the coat Flora had given her, grateful again for how luxurious it was and lifted her chin. The team of Saint Liman would leave this room stunned and grateful the Livienne had agreed to their terms.

Satisfied, Olivia reached for the handle and pushed the door open. The room was already occupied and at the head of the table sat a man she had not seen in five years. A man she had loved, a man who had broken her heart like it was nothing. A man she had run away from.

Cyprus Blackwell looked up, and the world tilted.

Olivia froze, shock slamming into her so hard she thought she might actually faint.

Dressed in a sharp suit, he was just as devastatingly handsome as the last time she had seen him, his dark hair slicked back. That familiar arrogance was written into every line of his posture.

Her breath caught painfully in her chest.

Oh no.

No, no, no, no.