**Mia's POV**Gasoline's claws scraped against wood, the desperate scratching piercing through my hangover-clouded consciousness. My head throbbed as awareness crept in - silk sheets that weren't mine, a familiar cologne lingering in the air. Kyle's room. Kyle's bed. Gas whined, his nails clicking more insistently against the door. The sound made my temples pulse. I heard the soft creak of the door opening. Gas bounded in immediately, his paws thundering across the hardwood before he launched himself onto the bed. "Gas, careful!" I managed, but he was already plastering my face with enthusiastic kisses, his tail thumping against the mattress. His familiar weight and warmth grounded me. Oh god, what had I done? Flashes of last night played like a scandalous movie in my head: throwing back tequila shots with Connor and Daniel, their muscled bodies moving to the music, then Kyle appearing like an avenging angel in Paradise. After that... the memories turned hot and wild. My hands
**Mia's POV**"What do you mean you're getting married?" I nearly choked on my smoothie, staring at Scarlett across our usual corner table at The Morning Bean. When I told Scarlett that I needed to meet with her, she soon came.The morning sunlight streaming through the window caught her fiery hair, making it look like actual flames. "Since when do you believe in marriage?"Scarlett stirred her latte with practiced nonchalance, but I caught the slight tension in her shoulders. "Since my family offered me ten million dollars to say 'I do' to the heir of Morton Industries."I set my glass down carefully, studying my best friend's face. "Morton Industries? The luxury brand?""The very same." She took a delicate sip of her coffee. "Apparently, they need our distribution networks in Asia, and we need their European market presence. A marriage is the simplest way to seal the deal.""But you haven't even met him!" The words burst out before I could stop them."Details." She waved her hand di
**Mia's POV**I couldn't tear my eyes away from the photo on Scarlett's phone. There they were - Kyle and Taylor, captured in perfect high-society harmony at some charity event I hadn't even known about. His hand rested on her lower back with casual intimacy, while she smiled up at him with that practiced adoration I used to believe was real.The same Kyle who, just yesterday, had the audacity to accuse me of inappropriate behavior with other men. The same Kyle who'd made me feel guilty for simply talking to male friends. My fingers clenched around my coffee cup, the ceramic hot against my skin. My coffee turned bitter on my tongue. Just yesterday, he'd been in my bed, accusing me of inappropriate behavior with other men. The hypocrisy made my stomach turn."Ah, Last Thursday, I remember." Scarlett peered at the date stamp. "Yeah, the Children's Cancer Foundation gala. Why?"Last Thursday. While I was reviewing construction plans for the children's center, he was parading around with
**Mia's POV**The steady beep of Mom's heart monitor filled the recovery room, each sound a tiny victory. Dr. John had just finished explaining how perfectly the surgery had gone, but I could barely focus on his words. All I could see was the healthy pink returning to Mom's cheeks, replacing the gray pallor she'd worn for so long."Her vital signs are remarkably stable," Dr. John said, making another note on his tablet. "Dr. Pierce's technique was innovative, but extremely effective."I nodded mechanically, my fingers still intertwined with Mom's. Her hand felt warmer now, more alive. He said gently. "Her body needs time to recove. But Mia," he waited until I met his eyes, "this is good news. Very good news."After he left, I leaned close to Mom's ear. "Did you hear that? You're doing so well. Just keep fighting, okay?" I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, the gesture achingly familiar. "I have so much to tell you when you wake up."A soft knock drew my attention. Nate stood
**Mia's POV**The Grand Majestic lived up to its name tonight. Crystal chandeliers cast golden light across marble floors, while arrangements of white roses and orchids transformed the already opulent ballroom into something from a fairy tale. Looking around, this was exactly the kind of over-the-top elegance Scarlett deserved."There's my girl!" Scarlett's voice carried across the room as she hurried toward me, red hair bouncing with each step. Her emerald green gown made her look like a flame given human form. "You're early!""Of course I'm early." I hugged her carefully, mindful of her perfectly styled hair. "Someone has to make sure you don't start the party without your maid of honor.""As if I'd dare." She pulled back, studying my face. "You look gorgeous. That dress is perfect - I told you the blue would work!"I smoothed the silk of my gown self-consciously. The color reminded me of twilight, deep blue fading to silvery gray at the hem. "It's not too much?""It's exactly enoug
**Mia's POV**The sharp pain in my neck woke me. I'd fallen asleep at my desk again, surrounded by design sketches for the children's center. The soft weight of a blanket slipped from my shoulders as I straightened, sending a familiar scent, that ridiculously expensive cologne Kyle always wore.My heart stuttered. Had he been here? "Don't be stupid," I muttered to myself, folding the blanket carefully. "Mrs. Chen probably found it somewhere." But my hands lingered on the fabric, betraying my attempt at indifference. I hadn't seen Kyle since our confrontation at Scarlett's engagement party, and that was a good thing. It had to be.Gasoline's wet nose pressed against my hand, his warm brown eyes full of concern. "I'm okay, buddy." I scratched behind his ears, drawing comfort from his solid presence. "Just tired."My phone buzzed with a message from Nate: "Surgery prep starts in two hours. Try to eat something before coming in."Mom's final operation. The hospital corridors felt differ
**Mia's POV**The world started spinning the moment Taylor was wheeled away. My lungs seemed to forget how to work, each breath coming in short, painful gasps. I stumbled backward until my shoulders hit the cold hospital wall, legs threatening to give out.Seven weeks. They'd known for seven weeks.The fluorescent lights overhead buzzed too loudly, the sound drilling into my skull. My stomach rolled violently as fragments of Taylor's words played on repeat: Kyle's baby... our son... the nursery..."Focus," I whispered to myself, pressing my palms flat against the wall. The rough texture grounded me slightly, giving me something real to concentrate on. "Just breathe."But my body had other ideas. Black spots danced at the edges of my vision as memories crashed over me in merciless waves – my own blood on marble stairs, Kyle carrying Taylor away while our babies died, and now this. Their baby. Their son. Their future.The dizziness hit harder. I slid down the wall, not caring about who
Mia's POVThe word escaped before I could stop it: "Mommy?"Her eyes fluttered open. I see those familiar green eyes I'd inherited. God. I almost forgot mom's eyes. Now it is so clear and focused for the first time in years. Her hand reached for mine, trembling but determined."Hi baby," she whispered, voice rough from disuse.I couldn't breathe. Couldn't move. After so many months of one-sided conversations, hearing her voice - actually hearing her respond - seemed impossible.Mom. "Is this real?" The question slipped out, small and scared.Mom's fingers tightened around mine. "It's real, sweetheart. I'm here."That broke me. Tears spilled over as I collapsed against her, careful even in my desperation not to disturb the IV lines. Her free hand came up to stroke my hair, that achingly familiar gesture I'd missed so much."Shh," she soothed, just like she used to when I was little. "It's okay.""I missed you so much." The words tumbled out between sobs. "I was so scared you wouldn't
Mia's POVA knock at the door interrupted our banter. Morton poked his head in, looking slightly apologetic."Dinner's almost ready," he announced. "Nothing fancy, but there's roast beef, potatoes, and some vegetables. Mia, I assumed you'd stay? There's plenty."Gas perked up at the mention of food, his tail wagging hopefully."Don't worry, buddy," Morton assured him. "I've got something for you too."By the time we finished eating, however, Scarlett was visibly flagging, the brief burst of energy from leaving her sickbed rapidly depleting."You should get back to bed," I said gently, noting the renewed flush in her cheeks. "Your fever's coming back."She nodded, too tired to argue. "I hate being sick. It's so boring.""It's your body telling you to slow down," Morton advised, already moving to help her up. "Even Scarlett Wallace-Morton needs rest occasionally.""Wallace-Morton," she repeated, leaning heavily against his arm. "That still
Chapter 178Mia's POVI took her hand, squeezing gently. "Mom sent chicken soup. The magical cure-all kind that she used to make when we were kids.""Your mom is a saint," Scarlett sighed, sinking back into her pillows. "Morton's been amazing, but he's clueless about the whole sick day thing. Keeps asking if I need a specialist or if we should go to the emergency room.""He's worried about you," I observed.Something soft flickered across her fever-flushed face. "Yeah. It's... nice."This was new territory for Scarlett, who had always fiercely maintained her independence."When did you start feeling sick?" I asked, changing the subject before she could retreat behind her usual sardonic defenses."Yesterday afternoon," she admitted. "Just a headache at first. I thought it was from staring at spreadsheets too long. Then around dinner time, I started feeling achy all over. By bedtime, Morton said I was burning up.""And you didn't call
Mia's POV"Scarlett's sick?" I sat up straighter, worry immediately replacing my fatigue."She came down with something last night. Started with a headache, then progressed to a fever this morning." There was genuine concern in Morton's voice."Is she okay? Did you call a doctor?" The questions tumbled out of me in rapid succession."Dr. Klein saw her this morning. Nothing serious. But you know Scarlett—she's not exactly a model patient."I could almost see her, red hair wild against her pillows, indignantly refusing medicine and insisting she was perfectly fine while burning up with fever. That was Scarlett, stubborn to the core."I want to talk to her," I said, already calculating how quickly I could get to their place."She's resting now," Morton replied. "Finally convinced her to take something for the fever and she dozed off about twenty minutes ago.""Tell her to call me when she wakes up, please?""Of course. She actually asked me to call you earlier, then changed her mind. Sai
Mia's POV"So we'd be each other's beards? Hiding from your mother and my ex-husband?"His lips quirked into a small smile. "Something like that, yes."I considered it for a moment. There was a certain appeal to the idea.There was a small part of me that liked the idea of Kyle seeing me move on with my life. Realizing that his romantic grand gestures wouldn't automatically win me back, that I had other options, and that I wouldn't just sit around waiting for him."What about when the twins are born? We couldn't maintain this charade indefinitely. And what if you meet someone you actually want to date?""We'll cross those bridges when we come to them," Thomas said with a casual confidence I envied. "For now, it would just be a few weeks of strategic public appearances to establish a counter-narrative."I looked at him intently for the first time. Thomas had always presented himself as a classic, clean-cut, handsome man. He was tall and fit, with strong features that were at the same t
**Mia's POV**Thomas is really here.My goodness, we haven't seen each other since we got back from Paris.He's dressed casually but expensively in dark jeans and a charcoal sweater that highlights his athletic build. His dark blonde hair is slightly windblown, and he's wearing sunglasses despite the overcast day—probably an attempt at discretion."I told you," Javier murmurs, gesturing toward Thomas. "Your security detail verified his identity but wouldn't let him enter the site without your permission."I sigh, unsure whether to be touched by Thomas's unexpected appearance or annoyed at yet another complication in an already chaotic day."Thank you for everything, Javier," I say, handing him the annotated plans I've been marking up during our inspection. "Make these adjustments and send the revised specifications to my office by tomorrow.""Of course, Ms. Williams." He accepts the documents with a professional nod. "I'll have someone escort
**Mia's POV**His expression darkens. "I'm not sure. Let me check." He speaks rapidly into his walkie-talkie, listening to the response with a deepening frown."Reporters," he says finally, turning back to me. "Three or four of them, trying to get onto the site. They're claiming they're doing a piece on innovative architectural design, but..."He doesn't need to finish the sentence. We both know they're not here for the architecture."My apologies, Ms. Williams," he continues. "This is a closed site. They shouldn't be able to get in, but perhaps we should continue our inspection indoors."I consider the suggestion. Part of me wants to retreat, to avoid the confrontation. But another part—the part that's increasingly tired of being pushed around—rebels against the idea."No," I decide firmly. "This is my project, my site visit. I won't be chased away."Javier looks surprised but nods. "As you wish. I'll have security reinfo
**Mia's POV**The next morning I wake feeling more refreshed than I expected, the long sleep having restored some of my depleted energy reserves.Gas greets me with his usual enthusiasm, his entire body wiggling with joy as if he hasn't seen me in weeks rather than hours. The simple, uncomplicated love of a dog is exactly what I need this morning."Gas baby," I murmur, scratching behind his ears, "Mommy loves you too."In the kitchen, Mom is already preparing breakfast, the scent of coffee and toast filling the air. "You're up early," she comments, eyeing me with mild surprise. "Feeling better?""Much," I confirm, accepting the glass of orange juice she offers. "And I've been thinking. I need to get out of this apartment."She frowns."I can't hide forever, Mom," I point out. "Besides, I have a site inspection scheduled at the children's center today. It's important.""I could call and reschedule," Mom suggests. "I'm sure they'd understand."
**Mia's POV**Kyle stands in the hallway, looking simultaneously immaculate and disheveled. His gray eyes are intense, almost feverish as they lock onto mine."Mia," he says, my name a breath of relief on his lips."Come," I inform him coolly, stepping back to allow him entry. "I'm not feeling well, and I need to rest. So spit it out."He enters cautiously, his gaze sweeping over me with an assessment that's both professional and intimately familiar. "You look pale. Have you eaten today?"The question irritates me more than it should. "My eating habits aren't your concern, Kyle," I reply, closing the door behind him. He moves into the living room but remains standing. "You've seen the press conference," he says. "The entire world has seen the press conference," I counter. A muscle ticks in his jaw. "It wasn't a publicity stunt, Mia.""Oh?" I raise an eyebrow. "Then what would you call it? A spontaneous declaration of undying love? In front of cameras, reporters, the entire busine
**Mia's POV**Fury doesn't begin to describe what I'm feeling. The media is going to be all over this. They're going to be all over me.Thanks for Kyle Branson's grand gesture, apparently.I tries to calm myself down , taking a deep breath. Getting worked up isn't good for the twins. Dr. Matthews would have my head if my blood pressure skyrocketed again."I need to call him," I decide suddenly. "Right now.""Mia—" Scarlett begins, but I've already ended our call.My fingers move on autopilot, pulling up Kyle's contact information. His newest number, the "secure" one he texted me after his previous phone was compromised. I hit dial before I can talk myself out of it.The line rings once, twice, and I rehearse the blistering tirade I'm about to unleash. How dare he hijack our carefully worded statement with this self-indulgent performance? Three rings, four. Maybe he's still in the press conference. Maybe he's being mobbed by journalists demanding more details.I hang up before the ca