Mia's POVCatherine's car was exactly what I expected—a sleek silver Mercedes with butter-soft leather seats and that particular new car smell that spoke of luxury and privilege. She opened the passenger door for me, then waited patiently as I maneuvered my pregnant bulk into the seat."Comfortable?" she asked once I was settled."Very," I confirmed. The seat seemed to mold itself to my body, supporting my back in exactly the right places. "This car is incredible.""One of the perks of getting older," she smiled, sliding into the driver's seat with effortless grace. "You stop feeling guilty about indulging in comforts."She drove with the same precise competence Kyle had inherited, navigating through morning traffic with calm efficiency. I noticed she took a slightly longer route than necessary, avoiding the bumpy section of Riverside Drive that always aggravated my back."You know the area well," I commented as she smoothly changed lanes to avoid a delivery truck."I've lived in this
Mia's POV"I thought Kyle told you," I said, suddenly uncertain. "About what happened that day.""He told me you fell," Catherine said carefully, her voice tight with controlled emotion. "That there were complications, and you lost the babies.""That's what he believed," I clarified, not wanting to paint Kyle as deliberately deceptive. "Taylor convinced him I attacked her, that I fell during the altercation. But she pushed me, Catherine. Deliberately."The look that crossed Catherine's face then was unlike anything I'd seen from her before, her elegant features turned into something almost frightening.Before I could respond, the door opened, and Dr. Matthews swept in with her usual brisk energy. She paused briefly, noticing the charged atmosphere."Everything alright in here?" she asked, glancing between us."Fine," I managed, trying to arrange my features into something resembling normal. "Dr. Matthews, this is Catherine Branson.""Mrs. Branson," Dr. Matthews nodded, professional bu
Mia's POVMrs Chen's text.It was unusual enough to make me check it immediately.I've left a package for you at the service entrance. Some things that might help with your questions about the past. Be careful, Mia.The cryptic message sent a chill through me. I'd almost forgotten about my investigation into the kidnapping, into James and Mrs. Chen's connection to it all."Everything alright?" Catherine asked, noticing my expression."Yes," I said, tucking my phone away. "Just a message from Mrs. Chen.""Kyle's housekeeper?" Catherine raised an eyebrow. "I didn't realize you still kept in touch.""She was kind to me during...everything," I explained vaguely. "We check in occasionally."Catherine nodded, not pressing further, though I could sense her curiosity. The silence between us was comfortable as we continued through the city streets, each lost in our own thoughts."What will you tell Kyle?" I asked suddenly. "About today?"Catherine considered this, her expression thoughtful. "W
Mia's POV"Are you absolutely certain you packed your compression socks?" Mom asked, folding another cardigan I definitely hadn't requested and tucking it into the corner of my already overstuffed suitcase."Yes, Mom. They're in my carry-on, along with the medical information Dr. Matthews printed out, extra prenatal vitamins, and the list of approved medications." I stifled a yawn as I zipped my toiletry bag. Six in the morning was cruel, even with the prospect of Paris on the horizon.The twins seemed to agree, unusually quiet this morning after keeping me awake half the night with their gymnastics routine. I rested my hand on my growing bump, now impossible to hide at six months pregnant. "You guys better behave on this flight," I murmured.Mom glanced up, her eyes softening. "Talking to my grandsons already?""Someone needs to establish the ground rules early." I smiled, watching her methodically reorganize my haphazard packing job. She'd been up since four, making me breakfast, do
Mia's POVNate emerged from the driver's side, casual in jeans and a light sweater, his smile warm as he approached. Behind him, excited barking emanated from his vehicle—Einstein, Schrödinger, and Marie Curie clearly sensing their friend's presence."Morning, everyone," Nate greeted, nodding to the assembled group.Gas could barely contain himself, prancing between my legs and the SUV, his entire body vibrating with excitement. So much for tearful goodbyes—he was clearly ready to abandon me for his canine companions without a backward glance."Traitor," I told him, though I couldn't help smiling at his enthusiasm.Nate laughed. "Don't take it personally. Einstein brought his favorite tennis ball as a welcome gift.""I see where his loyalties lie," I said, crouching awkwardly to give Gas a final scratch. "Be good, okay? No teaching the others your bad habits."In response, Gas licked my face and then promptly trotted over to Nate, looking up expectantly as if to say 'let's go already!
Mia's POVThe interior of the private jet redefined luxury—cream leather seats, polished wood details, and what appeared to be a fully stocked bar at the rear. Scarlett immediately made herself at home, kicking off her heels and curling into one of the oversized chairs."Isn't it fabulous?" she grinned at my wide-eyed expression. "Wait until you see the bedroom in the back.""There's a bedroom?" I couldn't help the disbelief in my voice."Of course there's a bedroom," she laughed. "Where else would we nap during a seven-hour flight?"Morton directed me to what was clearly the most comfortable seat, already equipped with extra pillows, a cashmere blanket, and what appeared to be a specialized pregnancy support belt for long flights."Pressure will stabilize quickly after takeoff," he explained, helping me get settled. "If you experience any discomfort at all, please let us know immediately. We have direct communication with air traffic control and can make an emergency landing if neces
Mia's POV"Me? Nothing!" Her expression of wounded innocence wouldn't have fooled a toddler. "He mentioned needing to check on the Paris office weeks ago. Is it my fault their audit coincides with our trip?""Scarlett," I said slowly, "did you arrange a corporate audit just to send your brother to Paris while we're there?""Don't be ridiculous," she laughed. "I don't have that kind of power.""Your husband does," I pointed out.She shrugged, a small smile playing at her lips. "Morton may have mentioned some accounting irregularities that required personal attention from the finance team. Pure coincidence.""Right," I said flatly. "Pure coincidence that your brother—whom you've been trying to set me up with for months—happens to be going to Paris at the exact same time we are, staying at the exact same hotel.""The universe works in mysterious ways," she said, examining her manicure with sudden interest.I sighed, leaning back against the headrest. "Scarlett, I know you mean well, but
Mia's POV"Thank you, Henri," I said, settling into the buttery leather seat. My back ached from the flight despite the specialized accommodations, and the twins seemed determined to make up for their earlier quiet by performing what felt like synchronized swimming routines."Everything okay?" Scarlett asked quietly, noting my wince as one particularly enthusiastic kick caught me under the ribs."Just my travel companions making their presence known," I assured her, rubbing the spot gently. "I think they're excited about Paris."Henri navigated through evening traffic with the practiced ease of someone who'd been driving these streets for decades. I caught glimpses of the city through the windows—elegant buildings, street cafés, people strolling along tree-lined boulevards. Even in these fleeting snapshots, Paris had an undeniable romance to it.Our hotel—Le Grand Paris—was a magnificent historic building in what Scarle
Mia's POV"Mia."The voice, that voice, snapped me back to reality with jarring suddenness.I turned my head. My eyes flew open to find Kyle standing a few feet away, his expression guarded but his posture hesitant.The second time. "Are you following me?" I blurted."No." He gestured to a building visible just beyond the park's edge. "My meeting was there. I saw you from the window."I wanted to believe it was another coincidence, but the statistical improbability, strained credulity. Paris was too big, with too many parks and too many paths for these encounters to be chance.I think I was angry."What do you want, Kyle?" I asked, suddenly tired of the games, the half-truths, the careful dance we'd been performing since the divorce.He hesitated, then sat beside me, leaving a careful distance between us. His closeness sent an unwanted ripple of awareness through me. Purely subconscious. For the familiar scent of his cologne, the warmth radiating from his body."Is it true?" he asked
Mia's POVI looked at Thomas. But I immediately realized that he wanted to help me.His eyes met mine briefly. A silent message passing between us: Play along. It's easier this way.One voice told me: This is not a good idea. Making things more complicated will not help. I should have corrected Thomas. I should have clarified that Thomas and I were just friends, that there was nothing romantic between us.But seeing Kyle's expression changed. A flash of raw pain quickly passed his face. It unlocked something petty and vindictive in me that I wasn't proud of.So I said nothing. Just moved closer to Thomas, even allowing him to place a protective hand at the small of my back.Kyle's eyes tracked the movement, his expression shuttering completely. When he spoke again, his voice held none of the emotion that had colored it moments before."I see." The two words were clipped, professional. "Then I won't waste any more of your time." He nodded once, a businessman concluding an unsuccessful
Mia's POVThomas looked at me. So sincere. "Of course," he said, his tone controlled."Scarlett seems to have some... ideas about us," I continued, choosing my words . "About you and me. I just want to make sure we're on the same page.""Ah." The single syllable revealed nothing of his thoughts. "Scarlett's matchmaking efforts haven't gone unnoticed, then."I laughed softly, relieved he wasn't pretending ignorance. "They're about as subtle as a billboard in Times Square."He took a sip of coffee. "My sister has many talents. Subtlety has never been among them.""No, it hasn't." I took a sip of water, gathering my thoughts. I'm afraid I'm imagining things. But I have to talk to Thomas. I sighed."I just wanted to say that I appreciate your friendship, especially now when everything's so..." I gestured vaguely at my pregnant belly, "complicated. But I'm not in a place where I can think about anything more than that."Thomas's expression softened. "Mia. I understand completely. And I hop
Mia's POVThe short walk from the hotel suite to the elevator felt like a small victory."Settle down, you two," I whispered, rubbing the spot where one of them, probably Twin B, the more active one according to Dr. Matthews. He was particularly insistent with his kicking. "We're just going to the spa. Nothing exciting."But maybe that wasn't entirely true. I tugged at the hem of the "spa transition outfit" Scarlett had laid out for me. It's a flowing maxi dress in soft gray with a light cardigan. Leave it to Scarlett to find maternity wear that didn't make me feel like a walking tent.The elevator doors slid open to reveal the opulent lobby of Le Grand Paris. Thomas was already there, leaning against one of the marble columns with casual elegance, checking something on his phone. He wore the same impeccably tailored suit from brunch, but had removed his tie and unbuttoned his collar slightly.Like Scarlett, he inherited the best of both his parents. They looked like the favored child
Mia's POVMorning arrived. For a moment, I lay still, until reality reasserted itself.The twins were already awake. "Good morning to you too," I murmured, rubbing the spot where one of them seemed to be practicing somersaults.A discreet knock sounded at my door just as I was contemplating whether I had the energy to get up. "Yes?" I called, pushing myself into a sitting position."Good morning, Ms. Williams," a woman's voice responded. "I've brought your breakfast, as requested by Mrs. Morton."Scarlett, of course. I should have known she wouldn't leave my morning meal to chance. "Come in, please."A uniformed staff member entered, pushing a cart laden with covered dishes, fresh flowers, and what appeared to be every international newspaper published that morning. "Where would you prefer to dine, madam? The terrace has been prepared, or I can set up here by the window.""The terrace sounds perfect," I said, sliding my feet into the plush slippers that had been thoughtfully placed be
Mia's POV"Thank you, Henri," I said, settling into the buttery leather seat. My back ached from the flight despite the specialized accommodations, and the twins seemed determined to make up for their earlier quiet by performing what felt like synchronized swimming routines."Everything okay?" Scarlett asked quietly, noting my wince as one particularly enthusiastic kick caught me under the ribs."Just my travel companions making their presence known," I assured her, rubbing the spot gently. "I think they're excited about Paris."Henri navigated through evening traffic with the practiced ease of someone who'd been driving these streets for decades. I caught glimpses of the city through the windows—elegant buildings, street cafés, people strolling along tree-lined boulevards. Even in these fleeting snapshots, Paris had an undeniable romance to it.Our hotel—Le Grand Paris—was a magnificent historic building in what Scarle
Mia's POV"Me? Nothing!" Her expression of wounded innocence wouldn't have fooled a toddler. "He mentioned needing to check on the Paris office weeks ago. Is it my fault their audit coincides with our trip?""Scarlett," I said slowly, "did you arrange a corporate audit just to send your brother to Paris while we're there?""Don't be ridiculous," she laughed. "I don't have that kind of power.""Your husband does," I pointed out.She shrugged, a small smile playing at her lips. "Morton may have mentioned some accounting irregularities that required personal attention from the finance team. Pure coincidence.""Right," I said flatly. "Pure coincidence that your brother—whom you've been trying to set me up with for months—happens to be going to Paris at the exact same time we are, staying at the exact same hotel.""The universe works in mysterious ways," she said, examining her manicure with sudden interest.I sighed, leaning back against the headrest. "Scarlett, I know you mean well, but
Mia's POVThe interior of the private jet redefined luxury—cream leather seats, polished wood details, and what appeared to be a fully stocked bar at the rear. Scarlett immediately made herself at home, kicking off her heels and curling into one of the oversized chairs."Isn't it fabulous?" she grinned at my wide-eyed expression. "Wait until you see the bedroom in the back.""There's a bedroom?" I couldn't help the disbelief in my voice."Of course there's a bedroom," she laughed. "Where else would we nap during a seven-hour flight?"Morton directed me to what was clearly the most comfortable seat, already equipped with extra pillows, a cashmere blanket, and what appeared to be a specialized pregnancy support belt for long flights."Pressure will stabilize quickly after takeoff," he explained, helping me get settled. "If you experience any discomfort at all, please let us know immediately. We have direct communication with air traffic control and can make an emergency landing if neces
Mia's POVNate emerged from the driver's side, casual in jeans and a light sweater, his smile warm as he approached. Behind him, excited barking emanated from his vehicle—Einstein, Schrödinger, and Marie Curie clearly sensing their friend's presence."Morning, everyone," Nate greeted, nodding to the assembled group.Gas could barely contain himself, prancing between my legs and the SUV, his entire body vibrating with excitement. So much for tearful goodbyes—he was clearly ready to abandon me for his canine companions without a backward glance."Traitor," I told him, though I couldn't help smiling at his enthusiasm.Nate laughed. "Don't take it personally. Einstein brought his favorite tennis ball as a welcome gift.""I see where his loyalties lie," I said, crouching awkwardly to give Gas a final scratch. "Be good, okay? No teaching the others your bad habits."In response, Gas licked my face and then promptly trotted over to Nate, looking up expectantly as if to say 'let's go already!