Mia's POV"Scarlett," I hissed.But she was grinning. That wicked grin that meant she was enjoying herself far too much.The string quartet had shifted into something more structured. Not the ceremony music yet. But getting close. That particular transition from background noise to actual performance.People were settling into their seats. The murmur of conversation was fading. Being replaced by that expectant hush.Sophie was still standing. Her red dress catching every possible ray of afternoon light. She turned in a slow circle. Taking in the venue. The roses. The silk. The chandeliers hanging from trees like someone had decided gravity was optional."This is magnificent," she announced to no one in particular. "Absolutely magnificent. Though I would have used more peonies. Roses are beautiful but predictable.""Nobody asked for your opinion on the florals," Thomas said."That's what makes it so valuable."Thomas opened his mouth. Closed it. Opened it again.Kyle's hand came up. To
Mia's POV"Nate!" I said again, because apparently my vocabulary had shrunk to one word.He smiled. That same gentle smile. "Hello, Mia." His voice was warm. Easy. "You look surprised.""I am surprised. I didn't know you'd be here.""Morton invited me. Well—technically Grace invited me.""Right. Of course." I was still processing. "You're back in Paris?""I am."Scarlett had turned around in her seat, her champagne glass paused halfway to her lips. Her eyes moved between us with that particular sharpness. Reading the room."Dr. Pierce," she said."Mrs. Morton." He smiled at her. "Or should I say Mrs. Morton-Wallace? I heard you and Morton reconciled.""Just Scarlett is fine." She took a sip of champagne. "And yes. We're giving it another try. Apparently, I'm a glutton for punishment."Morton made a sound beside her. Soft. Could have been laughter. Could have been protest."Glutton for love," Morton corrected."Same thing," Scarlett said cheerfully.I looked at Nate. The lines around
Mia's POVMadison stayed close to my side. Her hand found mine. Her palm was warm. Slightly damp."It's very fancy," she whispered."Very fancy," I agreed."Are we fancy enough to be here?"Are we fancy enough to be here?That's a question.The venue looked like someone had taken a page from Architectural Digest and decided money was no object whatsoever.No. Scratch that.It looked like someone had taken several pages from Architectural Digest, hired the ten most expensive wedding planners in Manhattan, and told them the budget was "yes."The gardens were geometric. Perfect. Like someone had taken a ruler to nature and told it to behave.White marble columns rose from the lawn like ancient Greek ruins that had been scrubbed clean and relocated to upstate New York.Crystal chandeliers hung from the trees. Each one caught the afternoon light and threw it back in a thousand directions. White silk draped between columns. The fabric moved in the breeze like it was breathing. Expensive bre
Mia's POVI set my bag down.Boys didn't finish. Alexander was too excited."We have the same name," Alexander said. "That makes us connected.""Having the same name doesn't make you connected. That's not how genetics work." Ethan said from the couch."Maybe it's how magic works.""There's no such thing as magic.""You don't know that.""I do know that. It's scientifically proven.""Where's my dress shirt?" Alexander asked me, abandoning the argument. He spun again. Slower this time. "I can't find it anywhere.""On your bed," my mother said without looking up from Madison's hair. Another pin went in. Madison's shoulders tensed. "Where I laid it out an hour ago.""I looked there.""Look again."He disappeared down the hallway. I could hear him opening drawers. Closing them. Opening them again.I crossed to Madison. Knelt down in front of her.Her eyes met mine. Watery."Does it hurt?" I asked quietly.She shook her head. Quick. "What if we do something simpler?" I suggested.Madison's
Mia's POVThe coffee had gone cold two hours ago. I picked up the cup anyway.Camille sat across from me at the conference table, her laptop open, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. Waiting."The structural engineer confirmed the foundation work?" I asked."Tuesday. He'll be on-site at seven.""And the permits?""Filed yesterday. Should clear by Friday."I nodded. Made a note on the blueprint spread across the table.The lines blurred.Just slightly. Like someone had smudged them.I blinked. Hard. Once. Twice.The lines came back into focus.My hand moved across the paper. The pencil felt wrong. Too light. Or maybe my hand was too heavy."Mia."I looked up. Camille's face had that soft edge around it. That halo you get when you've been staring at blueprints too long and your eyes don't remember how to see regular things anymore.I blinked again. The halo disappeared."What?" I asked.She was watching me. "How many hours did you work yesterday?""I don't know. Normal amount.""Mia
Mia's POVThe light came through the meditation room windows at an angle that made everything look softer.Warmer. Like someone had turned down the harshness of reality just a little.Kyle was still sitting on his heels, his hands resting on his thighs. The hospital-issue yoga pants were too big. The drawstring tied tight at his waist. His t-shirt hung loose.But in this light. In this particular slant of sun. He looked less like someone dying and more like someone just very tired.Maybe it was the light. But I let myself believe it anyway. Even just for a moment."Mama," Alexander said, tugging on my sleeve. "Did you know Kyle's medicine tastes like dead fish mixed with dirt?"I blinked. "What?""His medicine!" Alexander's face was earnest. "We tried it.""You tried his medicine?""Just a little bit!" He held up his thumb and forefinger, showing me the tiniest gap. "This much. Dr. Norbu said we could."I looked at Dr. Norbu.He smiled serenely. "Education is important. The children w