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"Taylor. New phone number?" I found the voice recording button on my phone. This is what I have learned from past experience."You think you're so clever." Taylor's voice dripped venom. I quickly hit record, grateful for the app I'd installed after our last encounter. "You and your little friends tried to ruin everything.""I'm hanging up now. I don't have time to listen to this nonsense.""No you don't!" She was practically sputtering. "I know you're behind this. You're just jealous because I have what you never could."A laugh escaped before I could stop it. "What exactly do I have to be jealous of, Taylor? Your relationship with Kyle? Or maybe your relationship with Alexander Morton?"She made a sound like a strangled cat. "You-"Everything was really strange. I petted Gas's head. A few months ago, I was indeed jealous of Taylor having Kyle's love. But now, things seemed to have changed subtly."Hey, Taylor." Calm settled over me, surprising in its completeness. "Save you
Mia's POVThe package arrived on an ordinary Tuesday morning. No return address, just my name and address printed in neat block letters that bore no distinguishing characteristics. The delivery man had already disappeared down the hallway by the time I opened the door, summoned by the soft knock."Who was that?" Mom called."Delivery," I replied, turning the padded manila envelope over in my hands."What did you order?" She appeared in the doorway, a dish towel slung over one shoulder."Nothing." I held up the package. I carefully tore along the sealed edge.A leather-bound journal, its cover worn at the corners, the pages slightly yellowed with age. The leather was soft, as if it had been handled often, and a delicate ribbon marker protruded from between the pages. There was no note accompanying it, nothing to indicate who had sent it or why."What is it?" Mom asked, peering over my shoulder.I opened the cover carefully, looking for an inscription or any identifying information. On
Mia's POVAs I filled the kettle for morning tea, my phone rang—an unknown number with a local area code. Normally, I'd let such calls go to voicemail, wary of reporters still trying to get comments about the Branson scandal. But something—intuition perhaps—prompted me to answer."Hello?"There was silence on the other end, followed by a crackle of static that suggested an institutional phone system."Hello?" I repeated, irritation creeping into my voice. "Who is this?""Mia."The voice sent ice through my veins, familiar despite the years."Father."The word felt foreign on my tongue, a relic from a past I'd tried to put behind me. Richard Williams."You answered," he said, sounding genuinely surprised. "I wasn't sure you would.""I didn't recognize the number," I replied, my tone deliberately cool. "What do you want?""Is that any way to greet your father?" The familiar note of manipulation had already crept into his voice, the subtle reminder that I owed him respect regardless of h
Mia's POV"Yes, Mom. I'm awake," I called, adjusting myself against the pillows as she peered around the door. "That was a short appointment."She hesitated in the doorway. "It was canceled. The weather, you know."I nodded, though I didn't entirely believe her explanation. The snow, while steady, was hardly a blizzard. New Yorkers carried on through far worse conditions. But I let it pass, unwilling to interrogate her about a private matter she clearly wasn't ready to share."Are you comfortable?" she asked. "You shouldn't stay in bed all day. A little movement is good for circulation.""I was just resting," I assured her. "I had some soup, like you suggested.""Good. I have some papers to review in my office. Will you be alright on your own for a while?""I'm not an invalid, Mom," I reminded her with a smile. "Just pregnant.""Very pregnant," she corrected.After she left, I remained in bed a while longer, listening to the soft sounds of her moving about in her office across the hal
Mia's POVDecember arrived with its first snow, transforming New York into a landscape of pristine white. I stood at the window, my fingers tracing idle patterns on the frosted glass as I observed the silent descent of snowflakes. My reflection stared back at me, a woman has a belly that had expanded to proportions I once would have deemed impossible.The cold had settled into the city with unusual vigor this year, mirroring the chill that had descended upon the Branson name. Each day brought fresh allegations against Alexander Branson, each more damning than the last. The media, like vultures circling a wounded animal, released evidence piece by piece, ensuring the scandal remained perpetually fresh in the public consciousness."Murder," they called it now. Alexander Branson, murderer of Diane Porter—a truth accepted so readily by a public hungry for the downfall of the wealthy and powerful.I sighed, my breath creating a momentary fog upon the window.Diane Porter had been revealed
Mia's POV"Nate," I said carefully, "what do you know that I don't?"I could hear Nate's breathing on the other end, slightly uneven, as if he was wrestling with himself."I—" he began, then stopped. "There are things I can't explain, Mia.""Nate, please," I said, my voice softer now. "I'm tired of riddles. I have two babies to protect. If you know something that puts us at risk, you need to tell me.""I..." There was a muffled sound on his end, like someone speaking in the background. "I have to go," he said suddenly, his tone shifting to urgency."Nate, wait—""I'll protect you, Mia," he promised. "please consider what I said about Paris.""I can't just—""I have to take this call," he interrupted.The line went dead before I could respond, leaving me staring at my phone in disbelief."What the hell?" I whispered to the empty room."I'm tired of this," I said aloud to Gas, who tilted his head as if considering my words. "Tired of everyone treating me like some fragile doll who can't
Mia's POV"Nate," I said finally, my patience wearing thin, "if you know something that affects me and my children, you have a moral obligation to tell me. Not in riddles, not in vague warnings, but directly."The silence on the other end of the line stretched on for so long that I checked my phone screen to make sure we were still connected. We were."Nate? Are you still there?"A heavy sigh filtered through the connection. "I'm here.""Then talk to me," I pressed.Silence. And silence.I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Getting angry wouldn't help, and it certainly wouldn't get Nate to open up."Look," I said, softening my tone, "I need to be honest with you about something. There's a reason I'm pushing so hard for answers."Another pause. "What is it?"I closed my eyes, preparing for his reaction. "When I was in Paris, I went to see the Jardin House."The sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line told me everything I needed to know."You knew," he said flatly. N
Mia's POVI woke to gray skies and a steady drizzle against my bedroom window.My dreams had been a chaotic montage of faces—Kyle's desperation, Scarlett's feverish smile, Jeo's unexpected reappearance, and Nate... Nate with his kind eyes and careful distance, a puzzle I couldn't quite solve.Strange dreams.My phone chimed with a text message, and I reached for it reluctantly, half-expecting it to be Kyle with some pathetic apology. Instead, it was Scarlett:Fever broke this morning. Morton insisting I stay in bed anyway.I smiled despite myself, relieved that her condition was improving. I typed back:Dictator Morton sounds like exactly what you need right now. Rest. I'll check on you later.Setting the phone aside, I pushed myself up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, taking a moment to find my balance.Gas immediately hopped down and stretched.As I picked at my breakfast, my thoughts returned to the video call with Scarlett and Jeo. The revelation that Jeo and Nate had b
Mia's POVThe hot water helped wash away the physical sensation of Kyle's grasp, of his mouth forced against mine, though the memory remained stubbornly present.I reached for my tablet, thinking I might distract myself with some mindless scrolling or perhaps work on the children's center designs. And my phone chimed with an incoming video call. Scarlett's name and photo flashed on the screen.I accepted the call, adjusting the screen so the dim lighting wouldn't reveal too much of my current state."Hey, Scar," I greeted, forcing a lightness I didn't feel into my voice. "How are you feeling?"Scarlett's face appeared, still flushed with fever but looking marginally better than when I'd left her earlier. "Like I've been hit by a bus, then backed over for good measure," she replied with her characteristic bluntness. "But Morton's playing Florence Nightingale, so I can't complain too much.""You should be resting," I scolded gently. "Why are you calling so late?"Her image shifted as sh
Mia's POVBefore I could process what was happening, Kyle's mouth was on mine, desperate and demanding, tasting of expensive scotch and poor decisions. For a split second, I froze, my brain struggling to catch up with this sudden violation. Gas's barking grew more frantic beside me, his protective instincts in full force as Kyle's hands gripped my shoulders.The initial shock wore off, replaced by a surge of white-hot anger that coursed through my veins. With strength I didn't know I possessed, I shoved hard against Kyle's chest, breaking free from his grip. He stumbled backward, momentarily off-balance, giving me just enough space to raise my hand and deliver a stinging slap across his face.The crack of palm against cheek echoed through the narrow alley, punctuated by Gas's continuing barks."How dare you," I hissed, my entire body trembling with rage. "How dare you grab me like that, touch me like that."Kyle stood frozen, his hand rising slowly to his reddening cheek."Mia—" he st