33

Chapter 33

Brittany’s Pov

The message came in that I was on a lunch appointment with Darcy's mother. It came in faster than I expected. But of course who wouldn't want to see her future daughter-in-law.

Everything was working according to plan. Falling perfectly into the right place. Every move I make is in check and works just as I planned. Martin would run things according to the plan. Just have money and things work perfectly well. Soon I’d have everything I wanted. Darcy’s included.

I sat in the back of my car as it passed through the midtown traffic, checking my makeup one last time to know if it was on point.

Makeup flawless and glowing on my face. My hair was styled well. My blue Chanel suit screamed elegance and speaks future Mrs. Rodrigo. Exactly the image I needed.

Today’s lunch with Margaret Rodrigo was crucial. It wasn’t just an ordinary meeting or a social call. This is a strategic move. The more comfortable Darcy’s mother is around me, the closer and natural my presence would be when the engagement became public. I needed to close the distance between the mothers first because women get things done.

The restaurant was one of those elite places in the city. In this place you needed connections to get a reservation. The kind where fortunes were discussed quietly over caviar and champagne. It was a perfect place for this kind of meeting. No distractions.

Margaret Rodrigo was already seated when I arrived, looking composed as always in her understated designer dress. When you talk about Rodrigo’s, they know how to dress like power itself. When I got close,she stood to greet each other with air kisses before sitting down near the window.

“Brittany, darling, you look gorgeous,” she said, signaling the waiter to get the champagne.

“Thank you, Margaret. You’re too kind.” I smiled smoothly. “I appreciate you making time for lunch. I know how busy you are.”

“Nonsense. We’ll be family soon. This is the right time to get closer.”

Her words were what I needed to hear.

The conversation flowed without stress. Margaret wasn’t as rigid and traditional as I’d thought. I was thinking she'd intimidate me because this is our first meeting together. But she was humble.

Mid-fifties, graceful, and sharp-minded, she carried herself well as the woman who’d supported and built empires without breaking a sweat.

She talked about power the way most women talked about hobbies. And she understood ambition—something I respected deeply.

We talked about the wedding, venues, and guest list. She was giving ideas on everything, I just stayed calm and polite. Allow her to feel like she could control me, to be in charge, and subtly get my way.

“The merger will be a great move for both families,” Margaret said with a smile, lifting her glass. “But the truth is that, I believe you’re exactly what Darcy needs—someone from our world, who understands the weight that comes with the Rodrigo name.”

I smiled

"You're not like other women he entertains, you're different and hardworking," her tone was neutral.

“I’m grateful for trusting me,” I said, giving out a charming smile. “Darcy and I had our differences before, we settled and I’ve changed. I’m ready to be the woman he deserves.”

“And to give us grandchildren, I hope?” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Pink is wonderful, of course, but there’s nothing like seeing your own bloodline continue.”

There it was. The real reason for the rush. Margaret didn’t just want a merger—she wanted heirs. Pink was adopted, a sweet girl but not Rodrigo by blood. Margaret wanted biological proof of legacy.

“Of course,” I said smoothly. “I want nothing more than to build a family with Darcy.”

The lie slid out effortlessly. I had no plans to have children. They ruined your body, consumed your time, and turned powerful women into exhausted mothers. By the time Margaret figured that out, it would be far too late.

We spent another hour discussing investments and social obligations. I could tell she was grooming me—training me to be the perfect society wife. I let her.

Let her believe she's shapening me into her future daughter-in-law to be. It was easier to nod and smile than to argue. When I had that huge ring on my finger, I’d take control.

“This has been lovely,” Margaret said as we finished coffee. “We should do this more often. Monthly lunches, just us girls.”

“That'd be great,” I said,

Margaret was useful to my plans, and surprisingly I can tolerate her attitude. We understood each other more than she realized.

After she left for her personal training appointment, I lingered a bit to fix my lipstick. I studied my reflection and smiled. The meeting couldn’t have gone better.

Two weeks. That’s all I needed. Two weeks until the engagement announcement. Darcy wouldn’t dare back out once the families were involved. Soon, I had Rodrigo as my name and all the power that came with it.

Walking out feeling invisible. My heels tapping on the marble floor as I headed to the exit doors...

And froze.

Thomas Wellington was standing by the hostess stand, still looking as attractive as ever. The attraction that tempted me into fucking him at the beach side where Darcy caught me and broke up our first engagement.

My stomach twisted. I was annoyed he was here at this time, what if someone sees us. Curious of what he wants, and some other feelings I didn’t care to name.

Our eyes met. His slow, knowing smile appeared, the same one that once made me reckless. He walked toward me, confident as ever.

“Brittany,” he said, his voice smooth and familiar. “Long time no see.”

“Thomas,” I smiled lightly, “I’m good, thank you.”

I tried to walk past him, but he stood in my way, calm to get my attention.

“You look beautiful,” he said softly.“Better than the last time I met you.”

“Thank you. Now, if you’ll excuse me...”

“Wait.” He touched my hand lightly. “Just give me a minute. I want us to talk, please.”

I paused. I hope this is reasonable, I sighed. “You have five minutes.”

We walked to a quiet place in the bar. He ordered a drink. I didn't accept it. I held my head high.

“Brittany ever since you left, I've not been myself. I think about you all the time,” he began. “About us. About how things ended.”

“Things ended because you lied,” I said flatly. “You told me you were wealthier than Darcy, that you could give me more. Then your business collapsed and took half my trust fund with it.”

Thomas winced. “I was young. I made mistakes. But I’ve learned, Brittany. I’ve rebuilt. I’m in a much better place now.”

“Good for you.” I stood. “I’m happy for your redemption arc. Goodbye.”

“I want another chance,” he said quickly, rising too. “We were good together. We could be together again.”

I looked at him. “You must be joking.”

“I'm not. I know I hurt you, but people change. I’ve changed.”

“What we had was a disaster,” I snapped. “You were a mistake, Thomas. I’ve moved on.”

“Have you, though?” His eyes searched mine. “Or are you just settling for what’s safe? I heard about Darcy. That your families are merging. Sounds... convenient.”

“My relationship with Darcy is none of your business.”

“But it is, when I still care about you.” His voice low “Any deal you have with Darcy, it’s not too late to let it go because I'm here for you”

“Never.” My tone went cold. “I won't go back to my vomit Thomas.”

Something changed in his eyes—hurt, then steel. “I always get what I want, Brittany. Eventually.”

“Not this time.”

He stepped closer, I perceived his cologne, old memories rushed in my mind. “You’re not built to play house for a man who doesn't love you and knows what you want. You like excitement. Parties. Sex. The rush. You’ll suffocate in Darcy’s world.”

His words stung because they weren’t entirely wrong. I wasn’t the domestic type. I hate PTA meetings but I want real power.

“Your words are true,” I said with a calm voice. “I love excitement. But I love security even more. I love knowing I’ll never have to beg, borrow, or lose everything again.”

“I can give you that…”

“No, you can’t.” My voice sharpened. “You gave me dreams and left me broke. Darcy gives me life stability, and that’s better than any passion in life.”

“So you’d rather marry a man you don't love for his money?" he challenged. "Live in a lie?"

“In this world,” I said evenly, “a rich surname lasts longer than love. Passion fades. But the Rodrigo name? That’s forever.”

Thomas looked at me for a long time, his face showed how disappointed he was.

Then he came closer to me and placed his lips on my cheek and said, “Think about it,” he murmured. “About what you really want. I’ll be waiting.”

My heart raced as he walked away.

I hated that my heart still reacted.

Hated that part of me remembered what it felt like to be wanted like that. But I pushed it down. Thomas was the past. A mistake. I had no room for nostalgia.

I left the restaurant, entered my car, and gave my driver one instruction. “Home.”

As the city street light blurred past, I looked out the window, my mind sharp again. I'd never told him I aborted his twins. But he was a distraction. Adrian Martinez and her sob story were another. None of them mattered.

Two weeks. Just two more weeks until the announcement.

Darcy would be mine. The Rodrigo name would be mine.

And anyone be it Thomas, Adrian, Martin or anyone else, who dared to stand in my way would regret it.

I’d made my way up from nothing before, thanks to my family's wealth and I'm not ready to lose everything now. I’d worked too hard. Sacrificed too much.

This time, I’d win. No matter the cost.