Mia's POVMy morning sickness had finally started to ease. But sleep was becoming my new enemy sometimes. my dreams were filled with storm-grey eyes that had once known every inch of me. I'd wake gasping, only to find myself in my new apartment with Gas snoring softly from his bed. This morning was no different. I lay in bed, watching dawn paint my ceiling in shades of pink and gold while my hands rested on my slightly rounded belly. Ten weeks. The babies were the size of small limes now, according to my pregnancy app.My phone buzzed with Scarlett's familiar tone:"Get dressed! We're going out tonight! 💃🏻"I texted back: "Can't drink, remember? Doctor's orders."Her response was immediate: "So? You can still have fun! Besides, I need my best friend. "I smiled despite myself. "Fine. But I'm leaving by 10.""Deal! Wear that green dress that makes your boobs look amazing! Love you! 😘"Speaking of boobs... I glanced down at my chest, which had definitely gotten fuller lately. Soon I
Mia's POV"Are you sure this dress hides everything?" I twisted in front of my bedroom mirror, studying my reflection critically. The loose navy silk skimmed over my small bump, but I swore it was more noticeable than yesterday.Mom appeared in the doorway, already dressed in her favorite cream blazer. Her taste seems didn't change. "You look beautiful. Stop fussing.""I'm not fussing. I'm being cautious." I smoothed the fabric again. "You know how observant Linda Morgan is.""Scarlett's mother has always been too nosy for her own good." Mom checked her watch. "Now come on, we're going to be late."The Morgan estate hadn't changed since I was a teenager. Same elegant fountain gurgling in the circular driveway. Memories of countless sleepovers with Scarlett flooded back as we pulled up to the entrance."There you are!" Scarlett bounced down the front steps, looking effortlessly glamorous in a red wrap dress. She hugged me carefully - she'd been treating me like I might break since lear
Mia's POV"Hold still, you big baby." I ran the brush through Gas's fur as he wiggled happily on the living room floor. "How are you this excited about grooming?"He just wagged his tail harder, rolling onto his back for belly rubs. Lately, he'd developed a new habit – pressing his head against my growing bump whenever possible. The vet said dogs could sometimes hear baby heartbeats before humans could feel them. "You're going to be the best big brother," I told him softly. He responded by army-crawling closer until his ears were pressed firmly against my stomach."He's been doing that a lot lately." Mom's voice made me look up. She stood in the doorway holding a large accordion file, her expression unreadable."Yeah, the babies have a new bodyguard." I scratched Gas's ears. "What's all that?"She moved to the couch, setting the file on our coffee table. "We need to talk about some things."Something in her tone made me sit up straighter. "Mom?""First," she pulled out a stack of pap
**Mia's POV**"This is ridiculous," I muttered, squinting at yet another spreadsheet. Gas lifted his head from his spot by my feet, giving me his signature head-tilt of concern. I lifted him up into my arms."Gas, look at these numbers. How does a project go thirty percent over budget without anyone noticing?"Gas woofed softly. "Yeah, that's what I thought too." I rubbed my eyes, trying to make sense of Williams Construction Group's financial reports. The screen blurred slightly as I'd been at this for hours, and the numbers were starting to swim. "Who knew saving a company would be this complicated, huh?"And the progress report from its biggest project, now six months behind schedule. I clicked through photos of the half-finished building, noting obvious issues even my limited construction experience could spot. Sloppy work, poor planning, zero oversight."If my great-grandmother could know, Great-grandma would have a fit," I told Gas, who had moved to press his head against my sli
**Mia's POV**Nate looked stunning. He was indeed one of the most handsome doctors I had ever seen. If I hadn't met Kyle and gone through those crazy infatuated times with him, I would have been happy to meet a man like Nate. But things didn't turn out that way. Everything was out of place.He opened the passenger door with exaggerated formality. The leather seat was butter-soft as I slid in, that new-car smell mixing with whatever expensive cologne he wore. I felt nauseous immediately. “Nate, can I open the windows?”"Sure." He closed my door before circling to the driver's side. “Are you not feeling well?”“No, I think I ate too much fried chicken for lunch.” I lied."Okay.If you need anything, let me know." I nodded and fastened my seat belt."So...are you going to tell me why you've been avoiding me these day?""I haven't—" But the words died at his raised eyebrow. "Okay, fine. Maybe a little."The engine purred to life as he pulled away from the curb. Neither of us spoke for a m
Mia's POVThe nausea hit again without warning. One moment I was hanging up Nate's jacket in my closet, thinking about the baklava that had tasted so perfect at Yiayia's, and the next I was sprinting to the bathroom. My knees crashed against the cold tile as everything I'd eaten came rushing back up.Gas's nails clicked frantically on the hardwood as he followed me, his concerned whines echoing off the bathroom walls. He pressed against my leg, warm and solid, as I clutched the toilet bowl."Not now, buddy," I gasped between heaves. "I'm okay, I promise."But he stayed, tail drooping, as I emptied what felt like everything I'd ever eaten. The grilled meats, the fresh bread, even that perfect baklava. It all tasted significantly less wonderful when coming back up."Mia?" Mom's soft knock preceded her entrance. "Oh, sweetheart."She moved with quiet efficiency, setting down a glass of water and dampening a washcloth at the sink. The familiar scent of her lavender hand cream mixed with t
Mia's POV"Could this fucking be true?" Scarlett desperately swiped her phone, and I remember that I took a picture of them that day. ”Gosh, this bitch is literally everywhere!”"Look!" She finally pulled up the photo she'd taken that day. Taylor wrapped around a man who was very definitely Morton's younger brother. "It's his brother!!!" Gas was startled by Scarlett's scream through the screen."Holy shit." Scarlett sat up so fast her wine nearly spilled. "Taylor's been sleeping with Morton's brother? While she's supposedly with Kyle?"I take back the thought I just had about “I've learned the truth about Taylor.” She can always do something that I can't understand. One second she's saying she's pregnant with Kyle's baby, and the next she's dating Alexander Morton. Has she ever told the truth?My hand drifted instinctively to my stomach, where my babies grew oblivious to all this drama. "I guess she's not as devoted to Kyle as she pretends.""Should we tell him?" Scarlett asked caref
Mia's POVThe gentle hum of hair dryers filled the air. I settled into the plush salon chair, letting myself relax for the first time in what felt like weeks. The stylist's fingers worked on my scalp, and I couldn't help but close my eyes."You look like you're about to fall asleep," Scarlett commented from the chair next to mine. "When's the last time you actually treated yourself?""Too long," I admitted, closing my eyes as the stylist worked the treatment through my hair. The warmth from the scalp massage was making me drowsy. "When did you even find time to book this place? It usually takes weeks to get an appointment.""Please." Scarlett snorted from the chair next to mine. "They always have space for me. Though I had to promise Clara I'd bring Morton to her cousin's gallery opening next month.""Using your fiancé's name already?" I teased, opening one eye to look at her."Using his family's connections," she corrected primly. "Besides, he owes me after what happened yesterday."
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!