Chapter 3

The necklace was stunning, featuring a rare red diamond set in heart-shaped platinum—a symbol of a love that was meant to be unique and irreplaceable.

But that love wasn’t hers to claim.

“No, thank you,” Mia said, shaking her head with a polite smile. “This is a gift from Nick to you. How could I take something so precious away from someone else?”

If it wasn’t meant for her, she wouldn’t take it.

She wouldn’t accept the necklace and she wouldn’t accept the man who gave it either.

“What’s with the attitude?” Nick suddenly snapped, his frustration boiling over. “So I forgot your birthday because I was busy with work. Is it really such a big deal? Do you have to act like this?”

Mia was stunned. She didn’t understand what she had done wrong.

She hadn’t cried or caused a scene. She had smiled the entire time and spoken with perfect courtesy. So why wasn’t he satisfied?

“I wasn’t being sarcastic,” Mia said softly, lowering her gaze to hide the exhaustion in her eyes. “Nick, what do you want me to do? Do you want me to take the necklace? If that’s what you want, I’ll take it.”

With that, she took the necklace and genuinely thanked Xena. “Miss Quinn, thank you for the gift.”

As a stand-in, Mia felt she had already been as accommodating, cooperative, and respectful as she could possibly be to save Nick’s pride.

But for some reason, after she accepted the necklace, Nick became even angrier.

“Mia, you’re unbelievable!” he spat before storming out, slamming the door behind him.

Whether she refused the necklace or accepted it, Nick was furious.

That was when Mia understood that it was never about the necklace. No matter what she did, he would never be satisfied.

“Those who are loved can get away with anything, while those who aren’t can never do anything right,” she concluded.

The birthday cake from Zoe was enormous, but no one joined Mia to eat it. Not wanting to waste Zoe’s thoughtful gesture, she forced herself to eat the entire five-tier cake on her own.

By the time she finished, she was so painfully full that she ended up in the bathroom, throwing up for what felt like forever.

“How absurd,” she thought, slumping onto the bathroom floor. Tears streamed down her face as she laughed silently.

When she was a child, they couldn’t afford birthday cakes. She used to stand outside the bakery, staring through the glass at cakes she could never have.

And now? Now she finally had more cake than she could ever eat, but it only left her sick—her stomach aching and her chest heavy with regret.

“Some things lose their meaning once they’re lost, even if you finally get them back,” she mused.

By evening, Mia had packed her belongings and moved out of the master bedroom.

The rightful owner of Nick’s heart—his “one true love”—was back. As a stand-in, she knew her place. She couldn’t stay in the same room as Nick anymore. It might upset Xena.

As she was moving her things, Xena stepped out of the adjacent room. She was wearing a skimpy camisole dress, so short that it barely covered anything, exposing her alluring shoulders and her long, slender legs.

“Mia, don’t misunderstand,” Xena said sweetly, her voice dripping with false sincerity. “Nicky isn’t staying out of the master bedroom to avoid you. He’s just still upset. Don’t worry, we didn’t do anything. We were just playing cards, that’s all.”

Mia smiled faintly. “There’s no need to explain to me.”

Even if they had done something, it didn’t matter. The divorce papers were already prepared. Tomorrow, she would find the right moment to have Nick sign them.

“Mia, you’re still misunderstanding.” Xena bit her lip, her face a picture of innocence and grievance. “Nicky and I…”

Before Xena could finish, Mia cut her off with a calm smile.

“I know. You and Nick grew up together—childhood sweethearts, deeply bonded. Now that you’ve finally returned after so many years apart, of course, you have plenty to catch up on.

“So go ahead and reminisce. I won’t get in your way.”

With that, Mia turned and walked away without looking back.

Xena stood rooted to the spot, watching Mia intently for a long moment, her gaze heavy with unspoken meaning.