Chapter 9

MIA'S POV

I sit at the dining table, carefully tying Wendy’s shoes, though every stretch sends a painful ache shooting up my leg. The heel incident from last night left my leg broken and it hurts every time I do something.

My daughter, Wendy, squirms in her seat.

“Mommy, I have a quesrion" she says.

I smile at her "What is it, honey?"

"Why do stars not fall down?” she asks as her tiny hands grip her glittery backpack straps.

I laugh at her innocence. In this moment, I forget about the pain in my leg.

“Because they’re held up in the sky by magic,” I say with a wink.

She gasps dramatically. “Really? Like princess magic?”

“Exactly like that,” I reply with a chuckle, ruffling her curls. “Now, are you ready for school, my little star?”

Wendy giggles, throwing her arms around my neck in a quick hug. “Ready!”

I glance at the clock. If we don’t leave now, she’ll be late. Grabbing my keys and bag, I limp toward the door with Wendy hopping happily behind me, but just as I reach for the knob, Alexander’s tall frame appears in the doorway. His eyes immediately drop to my foot.

“And where do you think you’re going with that limp?” he asks.

Before I can respond, Wendy squeals, “Daddy Alex!” She bolts toward him, wrapping her tiny arms around his leg.

The frown on Alexander’s face softens instantly. He picks Wendy up effortlessly, spinning her around until she’s giggling uncontrollably.

“Daddy Alex, you’re so silly!” she squeals between laughs.

I've told her severally to stop calling him that but she insists. Alexander doesn't mind it either. He loves Wendy and it's very obvious.

“And you, Miss Wendy, are far too cheeky,” he teases, tapping her nose.

Watching them, my chest tightens with a bittersweet ache. He’s always so warm with her. When he's around her, his usually cold demeanor melts into something else. For a moment, I wish he was her dad instead of that bastard Eric.

I shake my head. Those thoughts have no place here. I shouldn't even be thinking like that.

“Wendy, go grab your lunchbox from the counter,” I tell her softly "We almost forgot it"

"Okay!" she squeals.

She wriggles out of Alexander’s arms. Alexander drops her down gently and she skips away.

Alexander’s attention shifts back to me. I swallow hard. I feel so small in his presence, especially when he stares at me with these intense eyes of his.

“You shouldn’t be walking around with that foot,” he says firmly. “Let me take Wendy to school. You should rest.”

“I’m fine,” I insist, but his raised brow silences me.

“Mia,” he says “Let me help. You need rest. This isn't up for discussion.”

Moments like this confuse me.

Does he care, or is he just doing this out of pity? I don’t know, and I don’t have the energy to figure it out. Alexander's cold attitude makes it hard for me to know what he's thinking.

“Fine,” I say.

He smirks, knowing he’s won, and calls Wendy over. “Come on, little princess. Let’s get you to school.”

Wendy jumps into his arms, her face lighting up. “Bye, Mommy! Love you!”

“Love you too,” I call after her, watching as Alexander carries her out.

He looks back briefly. His expression is unreadable for a moment. Then, they both disappear through the door.

The house feels quiet without them. I limp back toward the living room, intending to sit and catch my breath, when a maid rushes in.

“Madam,” she says, “there are police officers here to see you.”

I freeze. “What?”

Before I can process her words, the front door bursts open, and uniformed officers flood in.

“Mia Williams?” one of them barks.

“Yes?” I reply.

What's going on?

“You’re under arrest for evading incarceration.”

“What?!” The word escapes me in a gasp. “There must be a mistake. I haven’t—”

“Save it,” the officer snaps, pulling out handcuffs. “You’re coming with us.”

I barely have time to register what’s happening before cold metal clasps around my wrists.

“What am I being accused of?” I demand.

“You’re a fugitive, Ms Mia,” another officer says coldly. “You shouldn’t even be walking free.”

My mind spins as I try to figure out what the hell is going on. This can’t be happening.

I’m ushered into a car and driven to the station. The drive to the station is silent and I spend the ride wondering why I have just been arrested. I have to call Alexander. He needs to know what's going on.

When we get to the station, the officer drags me roughly and pushes me into the building. When I enter, I see him immediately.

Eric.

He stands in the corner, leaning casually against the wall with a pleased smirk on his face.

At the sight of him, everything makes sense. Eric probably called them to arrest me. Of course. He hasn't changed one bit.

“Eric,” I say “You did this?”

His smirk widens. “Hello, Mia. Long time, no see.”

Anger spreads in my chest. “What’s the meaning of this? What are you trying to prove?”

He steps closer “I knew it. Pretending to be someone important. Marrying Alexander? Please. You’re still the same pathetic woman you’ve always been.”

I laugh bitterly, shaking my head. “And you’re still the same narcissistic coward who throws tantrums when he can’t control everything.”

His smug expression fades for a moment before he regains it. “You’ve been pretending for years, Mia. But it’s over now. You’re going back where you belong, behind bars. I don't know how you got out but I'll make sure that never happens again. This time, you'll rot in jaik.”

“You think you know everything,” I say, glaring at him. “But you’re clueless, Eric. Have you even done your research, or are you just making assumptions like always?”

“I don’t need research. I already know you’re a fraud. And Alexander?” He laughs cruelly. “I made sure he’s nothing. Bankrupt. Powerless. He can't save you. Or have you forgotten who I am? Have you forgotten who runs this city?.”

“Is that what you think?” I ask, a slow smile spreading across my face.

I turn to the officers "I wish to make a call, please"

Eric rolls his eyes "Don't embarrass yourself. You-"

"Stay out of this" I cut him off "I'm allowed a call"

"You're allowed one phone call," one of the officers grumbled. He shoves a battered phone toward me on the table.

“Thank you,” I say.

The thing Is Eric thinks Alexander is still the same man he destroyed all those years ago, the failed billionaire. Eric has no idea that Alexander has managed to build himself up again. Eric's narcissism won't let him see that.

He also thinks I'm just a weak woman who can't do anything. I'm about to prove him wrong.

I can feel Eric’s gaze burning into me from the corner of the room. He watches me with his arms crossed.

I pick up the phone dialing a number I know by heart. It rings twice before the familiar voice answers.

“Yes?”

“It’s Mia,” I say “There’s been a situation.”

“Miss Mia! I didn't know it was you. What do you need from me? Where are you?”

“Police station,” I reply. “I’ve been arrested under false pretenses.”

“Have they gone mad down there? Give me a moment.”

I hang up. I glance at Eric. His smirk hasn't wavered.

“Calling reinforcements, Mia?” he sneers. “Let me guess, Alexander? That man can’t even afford to pay attention, let alone bail you out.”

I don't dignify his comment with a response. Instead, I sit on a chair, letting the silence stretch.

Minutes tick by. Then, the door bursts open again.

Two senior officers enter. One of them clears his throat awkwardly, avoiding my gaze as he whispers to the officer standing guard. The younger man stiffens, nods, and immediately uncuffs me.

“I-I’m so sorry, ma’am,” the officer says. His face is flushed with embarrassment. “There’s been a misunderstanding.”

“A misunderstanding?” Eric shrieks. “Are you joking? She’s a criminal—she—”

The senior officer turns to Eric “Sir, I suggest you calm down. We’ve received orders from higher up to release Ms Mia immediately. We’ve also been instructed to extend our apologies.”

I rise slowly, rubbing my wrists where the metal had left faint red marks.

“Apologies accepted,” I say.

The senior officer bows his head slightly. “Again, we’re deeply sorry for the mistake, ma’am.”

The other officers in the room follow suit. They murmur apologies as they bow their heads respectfully.

Eric, meanwhile, looks like he’s been slapped. His mouth opens and closes but no words came out. The color drains from his face as he finally manages to speak, “What...what is this? Who gave the order?”

“That information isn’t for you to know,” the senior officer snaps at him.

I step forward, smoothing my blouse, and look directly at Eric. “It’s amusing, isn’t it? You thought you could control everything, but clearly, you’ve underestimated me.”

“You think this is over?” Eric spits.

“Oh, it’s far from over,” I reply “I'm not that submissive wife that would do anything for you years ago. I'm not the woman you threw in jail without a second glance. As you can see, I've changed. You've started this battle, Eric. And this time, I’ll be the one who finishes it. I'll make sure I win"

With the officers escorting me out, I walk out of the station with my head held high. Even as I walk, the officers still murmur apologies to me.

Eric has made his move. Now, it's my turn.