y heart pounding in my chest. T

r the faint chatter and laughte

turned a corner, I felt it, foo

ibe

shove sent me stumbling forwar

instant, I crashed onto the gr

ckered back on, illumin

owed, brief

first to reach me, his hands g

illed with concern, but I k

okay?"

istent dust off my dress. "I'm f

tomor

instantly, parting the crowd a

nd hushed whispers follow

house, the composure I had ma

my body as my mother-in-law

er f

she asked gently,

spered, "Bella is pregnant fo

by

n more unbearable. The pain

everything from me, my husban

g the child that was

lways wanted my life," I spat b

wildfire, igniting something d

t would shatter the perfe

ouch and made my way to my roo

buzzed re

John

stared at the screen. I knew

d off my phone without hesitatio

illed mysel

office, immersed myself in d

st. The upcoming meeting

my door pulled me

me

his expression unre

in

gize for what happ

g up and gathering my

more, but I didn't give him the

out the door. His

d the stockroom for the meetin

rk played on my lips before I w

ng

ms took center stage, presentin

siness to Miami. His confidenc

odded in

speaking, a round of ap

Miami," I announced, my voice s

gh-end ho

to a smile. "That's amaz

ed, watching

jects in Miami, we should travel

ugge

I replie

ly after, and Williams

our support," he

n my chair. "I

trying to decipher something.

finally l

in two day

ttered before

ps. Bella would hate this arr

d Williams' busi

iderably lighter. My mother-

she asked, amusement f

ng. "I'll be traveling to Miami

d from curiosity to s

red her with a smirk.

have left. Handle him with care

ive

Forgive him? Do you k

, but the guilt in

ll do. But love isn't enough. He

knowing there was

long enough. Now, it was

deep breath as I prepared for t

ation, a quiet thrill that

selected my outfit, a sleek, sh

lack heels that added a touch o

ng the sharp confiden

potted my mother-in-law sitting

he hem of her scarf, her gaze d

mind-I al

lia

maining child after her daughter

. That kind of los

I remembered how cold I had be

e. I walked over and wrapped

rm hand over mine. "Are

front of her. "I have a dinn

rrowed slig

Your ex-husband'

re a slow smile spread acros

is ruined," I added firmly. "You

st time in a long while, she look

ice. Mr. Johnson had stolen e

was nothing. Seeing him fal

ing my face gently. "

her cheek

my clutch and stepp

ant, Liam was already seated,

es scanning me wit

e said smoothly, pulli

pting the seat

business. I spoke about the hot

ic plan. Liam nodd

me. "I've been thinking about

n's co

ars. I hid my excitement behin

m to c

am admitted. "And after what he

o stay i

an unexpected presence d

lia

o him the moment he walked i

ams' arm the second she spotted

as if trying to block his view.

en

xpression and followed my gaze

out to

ms! Ove

ce dropped

iled, walking over with his wif

od before Liam ext

in

ed, but she had no

y tracing the rim of my wine gla

be

lying tension, was thrilled to b

ing his support could push

Miami project," Liam announced

ause of

shining with gratitude. Withou

placing a small

ath hi

g else faded. His warmth, his fa

we once shared. A part of me

sed

rashed in jus

ictoria,"

le. "It's busi

she clutched his arm. "So, are

am asked

nodded.

ug into his sle

ia and I are traveling to M

le

mile finally shattering. "No," she

a trip, I'm coming too.

le went

caught off guard, glancin

g up. "I feel like you're not rea

don't want to come between you

Emmanuel's pr

d, assuming

"If you may excu

e with admiration as I

felt Bella's gaze burning in

ink she won

done playing