Mia's POVPerhaps I should call her Sophie Field now.Your day is completely ruined. This bitch is like a haunting ghost. Just when you think she's gone for good, she shows up again.Her smile has become incredibly venomous as she stands on that stage, basking in the applause and attention. Taylor deliberately looks directly at me, as if to provoke me. Her eyes find mine in the crowd with laser precision, and that familiar cruel satisfaction spreads across her face."Thank you all so much for this warm welcome," Sophie—Taylor—says into the microphone, her voice carrying that same honey-sweet tone that used to make my skin crawl in high school. "But I have another announcement to make tonight."The crowd erupted into excited whispers. People were leaning forward in their seats, phones coming out to capture whatever bombshell was about to drop.Everyone was excited. Victoria was looking at me with that knowing smile, the one that said she'd been waiting for this moment."I'm thrilled to
Mia's POVMadison lifted her head from her seat and her eyes lit up when she saw the twins."Alexander! Ethan!" she whispered."Hello, Madison," Alexander said."Are you feeling better?" Ethan asked. "Mom said you had an allergy."Madison's eyes darted toward her mother before returning to the two boys. "I'm fine."Thomas helped me sit down, his hand lingering on my shoulder for a moment.The salon was getting more crowded by the minute.Waiters moved through the rows of chairs, offering champagne and canapés to the seated guests. The lighting had been dimmed to create a more theatrical atmosphere.I didn't want to ruin the dinner party, but if I saw Morton or Maxwell again, I thought I might lose control and confront them.But I didn't see those two damn men anywhere in the crowd.Victoria had an odd smile on her face.It was the kind of smile that suggested something I didn't know.I didn't bother to analyze it. She had chosen to sit next to me instead of Thomas, which struck me as
Mia's POV"Mama!" Alexander's voice seemed to come from far away. "Are you okay?"I couldn't speak."Mama's hands are shaking," Ethan's voice said.Their two small hands gripped mine, warm and solid and real.My eyes were fixed on Morton and Maxwell in the distance, who were still talking.I couldn't make out what they were saying from here. But I could see their body language.Like they knew each other well.My mind was spinning with implications I didn't want to face.Morton was Kyle's best friend. His brother in every way that mattered.His natural conversation with Maxwell only made me sink deeper into the doubt I had been trying to escape for weeks.Morton, don't tell me you just think they look alike. That's all this is.I couldn't understand it at all."Mia?" Thomas's voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. "What's wrong?"I felt his hand on my shoulder, steadying me."I..." I started to speak but stopped.I wanted to rush over and confront Morton and Maxwell right here in fro
Mia's POVIs that Morton?Damn it.Thank goodness Scarlett isn't here tonight.I squinted through the crowd, trying to get a better look. The man standing near the champagne fountain was definitely Morton.Thomas led the twins toward the upper deck, pointing out the city lights reflected on the water. The boys pressed their faces against the glass railings, chattering excitedly about the boats in the harbor."Mama, look!" Alexander called out. "There's a helicopter landing on that building!""Where?" Ethan immediately joined his brother, straining to see.I followed them, but kept glancing back toward where I'd spotted Morton.There was a woman beside him who seemed to be trying to strike up a conversation. She was tall, elegant, with dark hair swept into a sophisticated chignon. Everything about her screamed old money and social connections.I hesitated, wondering whether to take a photo and send it to Scarlett.The woman leaned closer to Morton, placing her manicured hand on his arm
Mia's POVMaxwell's fiancée. Miss Field.She was the woman I saw in his office that day.The boys had already eaten their fill and were now eagerly eyeing the dessert table."One dessert each," I said quickly. "Choose wisely."They approached the selection with the seriousness of judges at a baking competition. Alexander gravitated toward anything chocolate, while Ethan studied each option like he was conducting scientific research.I wasn't particularly interested in Maxwell or his wealthy fiancée's drama.But I was definitely interested in finding Victoria and Madison tonight.I scanned the crowd, looking for that distinctive blonde hair."Miss Williams?"I turned to see a man in his fifties approaching me."Yes?""Robert Marshall, Marshall Development Group." He extended his hand with a practiced smile. "I hear you're the architect in charge of the Maxwell Health Resort project?""That's correct," I said, shaking his outstretched hand."Impressive work. I've been following that pro
Mia's POVThe children were bouncing with excitement the moment we stepped onto the cruise ship."Mama, look how big it is!" Alexander grabbed my hand, pulling me toward the massive windows that overlooked the harbor."It's like a floating palace," Ethan added.I held both children's hands tightly until they started wiggling in protest."Mama, you're squeezing too hard," Alexander complained, flexing his fingers."Sorry, babies," I said, loosening my grip slightly.This was new territory for all of us.The ship was massive, with multiple decks stretching as far as I could see. Everything gleamed with the kind of polished luxury that screamed serious money.Our high school graduation party had been held on a cruise ship too. But I hadn't paid attention to anything that night except Kyle dancing with Taylor while I stood alone by the punch bowl.I remembered spending most of that evening hiding in the bathroom, crying over mascara that had cost me three weeks of allowance money.What a