Mia's POVThe bar Scarlett had chosen was exactly the kind of place she gravitated toward when she was feeling triumphant—dimly lit, expensive, and filled with the kind of men who wore watches that cost more than most people's cars.I spotted her immediately at the far end of the bar, leaning against the polished marble counter with one elegant hip cocked, her red hair catching the amber light from the overhead fixtures. She was wearing a black dress and she was absolutely radiant.The old Scarlett was back.Gone was the broken, drunk woman I'd helped to the bathroom just days ago. This version of Scarlett was vibrant, animated, flirting shamelessly with the bartender—a guy who looked like he'd stepped out of a men's cologne advertisement."And then," she was saying as I approached, her voice carrying that musical laugh I'd missed, "I told him that if he wanted to impress me, he'd have to do better than that. '"The bartender was hanging on her every word, his eyes tracking the moveme
Mia's POV"The boys are with your mom," Thomas said. "I picked them up earlier. Thought you might need some extra sleep.""What time is it?""Almost noon."I blinked in surprise. I never slept that late, not even on weekends."Thomas, " I said, moving toward the kitchen. "I can't think when I'm hungry."He followed me, his footsteps soft on the hardwood floor. In the kitchen, I went through the motions of making coffee and toast, grateful for the familiar routine. Thomas sat at the counter, watching me move around the space.My phone buzzed with notifications. I'd been ignoring it since last night, but curiosity finally got the better of me.Several missed calls from Scarlett. A string of text messages."WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK HAPPENED LAST NIGHT???""That BITCH is back???""Mia, call me RIGHT NOW.""Why aren't you answering???""If you don't call me back in ten minutes I'm calling the police to do a wellness check."The messages continued, getting progressively more worried and creativ
Mia's POVI woke up because I had to pee.My bladder felt like it was about to burst, a consequence of drinking too much wine at that goddamn cruise party. The taste in my mouth was stale and metallic.Thomas and I had fallen asleep on the sofa. We were both exhausted. His arm still wrapped around me.I tried to move carefully, not wanting to wake him, but the moment I shifted my weight, every muscle in my body protested. The expensive dress I was still wearing had twisted around my legs, the fabric wrinkled and uncomfortable against my skin.As I stood up slowly, I caught a whiff of myself and nearly gagged.I smelled really bad.Like a combination of spilled wine, expensive perfume that had gone rancid, and the lingering scent of cigarette smoke from the cruise ship. My hair felt greasy and flat against my scalp, and I could feel the sticky residue of makeup caked on my face.Thomas was still sound asleep, his dark hair falling across his forehead. His tie hung loosely around his ne
Mia's POVWe walked silently to the car.The cool night air hit my face like a slap, cutting through the fog of adrenaline.Thomas drove without asking for directions. I needed the silence. His hands gripped the steering wheel.I sat in the passenger seat, staring out the window at the flickering city lights. The familiar streets of Manhattan blurred past, but I felt disconnected from it all, like I was watching someone else's life through glass.The twins chatted softly in the backseat, processing their first cruise experience."Mama, why did that lady say mean things about us?" Alexander's voice was small, confused."Some people say mean things when they're unhappy with their own lives," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. "It doesn't mean what they say is true.""Did we do something wrong?" Alexander asked."No, sweetheart. You two were perfect tonight. I'm proud of how brave you both were."In the rearview mirror, I saw Thomas's eyes meet mine briefly. TAfter returning home
Kyle's POVLooking at Mia staring at me with that intense green gaze, I couldn't say a word.The sound of her fist connecting with my jaw still echoed in my ears. The sharp pain radiating through my face was nothing compared to the hollow ache spreading through my chest as I watched her walk away with our sons.I could have responded better. I had done so before. I could have made her believe that Maxwell was an outsider, just another wealthy client with an unfortunate resemblance to her ex-husband. I'd practiced the denial in mirrors, rehearsed the confusion and offense I should display when accused of being someone else.But I failed.Standing there, watching Alexander's small hand slip into hers with complete trust, seeing Ethan press closer to her side for protection, I couldn't form the words. Couldn't maintain the lie when faced with the raw devastation in her eyes.Ethan and Alexander were well taken care of by her. One was more mischievous, the other more quiet. Both brilliant
Mia's POVI raised an eyebrow. This little girl was the most honest person in this entire group of adults.Victoria didn't deserve her daughter."Madison, be quiet," Victoria hissed again. Her fingers gripped Madison's thin shoulder tightly."I didn't lie, Mommy. The lady pushed Alexander first. I saw it."Victoria's voice dropped. "Stop talking right now."Madison's tears began streaming down her cheeks."I didn't lie," her small voice breaking. "I didn't lie."Victoria raised her hand slightly, and Madison flinched instinctively, her small body curling in.That was enough."Victoria," I said sharply, my voice cutting through the murmur of the gathered crowd. "Thomas is on his way over here. Do you really want him to see you threatening a six-year-old?"Victoria's hand froze mid-air. Her eyes darted toward the crowd, searching for Thomas's familiar figure.And that's when I saw them approaching.Not just Thomas and Nate, who were making their way through the crowd with Alexander and