Chapter 8: Declarations

“Did Daddy already go to work?” Mia asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes as she walked into the kitchen. It had been a day since that night with Lennox, and honestly, I was starting to think he was avoiding me.

I poured orange juice into her favorite unicorn cup and gave it to her. “Yeah, sweetie. He had an early meeting.” At least, I thought that’s what happened. Lennox hadn’t told me anything. He’d been acting distant since that night, and it was driving me nuts.

“He’s always working,” Mia pouted, climbing up on a stool. “Why can’t he just stay home with us?”

I sighed. Her sad little face made my heart twist a bit. “Your daddy runs a big company, remember? A lot of people need him.” I gently smoothed out her messy hair. “But hey, today’s our day! We’re gonna have so much fun.”

Her face lit up. “Can we play princess tea party? Please?”

“Of course!” I smiled and said in a silly British accent, “It would be my royal honor, Princess Mia.” She giggled.

After breakfast, we had a full-on tea party with her stuffed animals. Grace had even cut the sandwiches into cute little shapes. I tried not to think about Lennox or the mission—just listened to Mia chatting and laughing.

By the afternoon, she looked very tired. “I’m sleepy,” she mumbled, sitting in the middle of all her stuffed animals and rubbing her eyes.

Perfect timing. “How about a quick nap? Then we can watch a movie after.”

She nodded, and I helped her get to her room. I read her a story, and before I even finished, she was out cold, snuggled up with her teddy bear.

I stood there for a second, watching her sleep. My chest felt warm in a way I didn’t expect. But then I reminded myself why I was here. Time to try again with Lennox’s office.

“Sorry, Mia,” I whispered, closing the door softly.

I headed downstairs, trying not to be seen. Grace was in the laundry room. The gardener was outside. No sign of the security guys who usually walked around inside.

My heart was beating fast as I got closer to Lennox’s office door. Since that first failed try (which ended in... well, you know), I’d been watching everyone, learning when they came and went. This part of the house seemed pretty quiet most of the time.

I was just about to reach the door when my phone buzzed loud and sharp, making me jump.

“Crap,” I muttered, grabbing it fast.

It was the security gate calling.

“Hello?” I said, trying to sound chill while stepping away from the office door.

“Miss Reed,” said the serious voice of the head security guy. “There’s a package for you at the main gate. The driver says it’s your suitcase.”

My suitcase? I didn’t order—oh. This had to be Shadowbird.

“Oh! Yeah, I’ve been waiting for that,” I said, trying to sound happy. “I’ll come down right now.”

So much for sneaking into the office. I rushed toward the front door, annoyed at the bad timing. Still, at least Shadowbird had finally sent my stuff.

When I got to the gate, I saw a delivery van with a random logo on it. And there she was—Shadowbird—dressed like a delivery person. Her hair was tucked under a cap, and she looked totally different. If I wasn’t trained to notice people in disguise, I might’ve missed her.

“Sign here, please,” she said in a bored voice, holding out a clipboard. But her eyes told me something else: Play along.

“Thanks so much for bringing this!” I said all cheerful for the guards nearby. “I’ve been waiting forever for my things!”

Jenkins, the very serious head guard, stepped up. “We'll need to inspect the suitcase before it goes inside. Standard procedure.”

My stomach flipped. What did Shadowbird pack in there?

“Of course,” she said calmly, putting the suitcase down. “Just clothes and personal stuff.”

She gave me a small wink. She totally planned for this.

Jenkins scanned the suitcase with some gadget. I tried to look relaxed, even though I was holding my breath.

“All clear,” he said finally, handing it to me. “Need help carrying it inside, Miss Reed?”

“I’m good, thanks,” I said quickly. “It’s light.”

While I signed the form, Shadowbird leaned in just a bit. “Keep your phone charged,” she whispered, barely moving her lips. “We need to talk.”

I gave her the tiniest nod. Then, louder, I said, “Thanks again for the delivery!”

“Just doing my job, ma’am,” she said with a little nod and got back into the van.

I watched her drive away, then dragged the suitcase inside, my brain spinning.

Once I was back in my room, I locked the door and checked for any hidden cameras. Then I unzipped the suitcase. On top, everything looked normal—clothes, shoes, toiletries. Nothing weird.

But when I lifted the fake bottom, I found the real stuff.

There was a tiny earpiece, smaller than a bean. A slim device that looked like a power bank—but definitely wasn’t. And a lipstick I knew had a secret micro-camera inside.

I was still checking the stuff in the suitcase when my phone buzzed. It was a text from a number I didn’t know: “Secure the line. Now.”

I quickly put the earpiece in and pressed the hidden button on the fake power bank. It made a soft beep—meant it was working and blocking anyone from listening in.

“Phantom, can you hear me?” Shadowbird’s voice came through clearly in my ear.

“Yeah, I hear you,” I whispered. “What’s with the emergency delivery?”

“Your cover might be blown,” she said straight-up. “Someone’s asking questions about Catherine Reed. We fixed your backstory, but you gotta be extra careful now.”

My stomach dropped. “Is it Lennox?”

“Could be. He’s smart and has the tools to dig deep.” She paused. “Any luck getting into his office?”

I cringed. “Not much. Tried again today but got interrupted. Security’s tight, and the lock’s complicated. Plus...” I stopped, not wanting to bring up what happened between me and Lennox.

“Plus what?” she asked.

“He’s acting weird. Kinda distant. Like he’s suspicious.” It wasn’t exactly a lie.

She was quiet for a few seconds. “Change of plan. Forget the office for now. It’s too risky. We need Lennox to really trust you. Once he does, he’ll open the door himself.”

“And how am I supposed to make him trust me more?” I asked, though deep down I kinda already knew.

“Get closer to him,” she said. “Be someone he needs. Not just for Mia—him too. There’s a big charity gala for Hart Enterprises this weekend. That's your opportunity.”

I thought about how Lennox had been avoiding me since that night. “That might not be so easy.”

“You’ll figure it out, Phantom. You always do.” Her voice got a little softer. “We’ve got info saying these weapons could kill thousands. We need to know what he’s up to.”

After she signed off, I hid all the spy gear and sat on the edge of the bed, feeling all kinds of mixed up. Get closer to Lennox? I was already closer than I should be. And the weird part? I didn’t even know if I wanted to trick him anymore.

I couldn’t stop thinking about that night.

I was still stuck in my head when there was a soft knock on the door.

“Cathy?” Mia’s little voice called. “I’m awake now. Can we watch that movie?”

I shoved all the spy stuff out of my mind and opened the door with a big smile. “Of course, sweetie. I was thinking we could make popcorn too.”

She squealed with excitement, and I laughed. For the next few hours, I forgot all about the mission. I was just happy hanging out with her.

---

The night of the gala came faster than I thought it would. Lennox had barely talked to me all week—just short chats about Mia’s schedule or quick nods in the hallway. It was driving me nuts, especially since we were supposed to be pretending to be a happy little family for Mia.

“You look so pretty!” Mia gasped when I walked into the living room. I was wearing the emerald green dress Lennox had sent to my room. It fit perfectly, which made me wonder—how did he even know my size?

Lennox was standing near the fireplace in a black tux, and wow… he looked amazing. When he saw me, his eyes went a little wide, and for a second, I saw that same look he gave me that night.

“You clean up nice,” he said finally, trying to sound cool.

“Thanks,” I said, acting casual. “You too.”

Mia looked at both of us with a small frown. “Are you fighting?”

“No, sweetie,” I said quickly. “We’re just tired.”

“Then why don’t you kiss like mommies and daddies do?” she asked, very serious.

I froze. Lennox coughed awkwardly. “Mia, remember what we talked about? Cathy and I—”

“But you’re married, right?” she said. “That’s what mommies and daddies do.”

The room got really quiet and tense. Finally, Lennox stepped forward and gave me a quick kiss on the cheek. “Happy now?” he asked Mia, smiling a little fake.

She crossed her arms and looked unimpressed, but before she could say more, Grace came in to take her for her sleepover at a friend's house.

The car ride to the gala was quiet and awkward. Lennox just stared out the window, and I kept messing with my little purse—the one that had Shadowbird’s secret lipstick camera in it.

“So,” I said after a while, breaking the silence. “Any advice for tonight? People I should know about?”

Lennox looked at me. “Just stay close. Some of these people are... difficult.”

“Well, that’s helpful,” I muttered.

His mouth twitched like he was trying not to laugh. “Sorry. I’m not good at small talk.”

“Yeah, I noticed,” I said, and that actually got a smile out of him.

The gala was at this very fancy hotel downtown, with shiny chandeliers and lots of expensive champagne. Lennox kept his hand on the small of my back as he introduced me to what felt like a never-ending line of business people and rich socialites.

“And who’s this lovely lady?” asked an older man with silver hair. Lennox had said he was one of the board members.

“This is Catherine Reed,” Lennox said smoothly. “She’s… with me tonight.”

That answer stung a little, but I kept smiling like nothing was wrong.

“How did you two meet?” the man’s wife asked, looking curious.

Before I could say anything, a tall woman in a bright red dress showed up next to us. “Yes, Lennox,” she said. “Tell us all how you met your new... date.”

The mood in the room suddenly got tense. Lennox’s hand gripped my waist tighter. “Vivian. I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

The woman—Vivian—smirked and looked me up and down. “Why wouldn’t I be here? I’m the head of marketing.” She turned to me. “And you must be the nanny. The one who just happens to look a lot like poor Arielle.”

My smile stayed on, but I felt my face flush. “I’m Catherine. And you are...?”

“Vivian Mercer,” she said, shaking my hand with fake sweetness. “Lennox and I go way back. We were even talking about our future together... right before his wife’s tragic accident.”

That hit hard. Lennox’s jaw tightened.

“How interesting,” I said with a sweet smile. “Funny, he’s never mentioned you.”

Vivian’s smile slipped a little. She looked at the people around us. “Did you all know Lennox hired a nanny who looks just like Arielle? Isn’t that... creepy?”

People started whispering. I could feel their eyes on me.

“Vivian, stop,” Lennox said quietly.

“I’m just worried,” she said in a fake-sweet voice. “First the lookalike nanny, now she’s living with you, going to your company events...” She looked me over. “So what are your qualifications, Catherine? Besides the whole ‘looking like his dead wife’ thing?”

The room felt hot. I wanted to say something, but I had no words.

“I said that’s enough.” Lennox’s voice was sharp and serious. “Catherine isn’t just Mia’s nanny. She’s my wife.”

Everyone gasped. I froze, my eyes widening as I stared at Lennox in shock.

“Your what?” Vivian snapped, totally shocked.

“My wife,” Lennox said again, putting his arm around me and pulling me close. “We got married last week. It was private. I was going to announce it tonight, but you kinda forced my hand.”

I felt dizzy. Wife? What the hell was he doing?

Vivian looked like she was going to explode. “You can’t be serious. After Arielle—”

“Don’t talk about my late wife,” Lennox said coldly. “Show some respect to my current one.”

Everyone was whispering. Phones were out. People were definitely already posting about it online.

Lennox turned to me, his eyes begging me to go along. “Babe, wanna dance?”

Still in shock, I nodded. He led me onto the dance floor while my brain scrambled to catch up. Lennox Hart just told a whole room full of powerful people that I—Phantom, secret agent—was his wife.