The cost

“I won’t sell them: Absolutely not? Kirsten was teetering on the edge of a meltdown, her voice quivering with indignation. “You’re bullying me, I’m going to tell Grandpa”

But Mia looked at her with an unflinching calm, sizing Kirsten up. It was clear that David and his farmaly had been living far better than she had imagined, dressed in luxury from head to toe.

“Grandpa’s not well enough for your dramas” Mia shot a glance at Eliot, who instantly stepped in to block Kirsten’s path. “And let’s get one thing straight–from now on. I’m the one calling the shots. If that rubs you the wrong way, the door’s right there.” She smirked as her gaze swept across the room like a queen surveying her conquered kingdom.

“Kirsten, think twice before testing my patience, Mia warned, her voice carrying a hint of amusement, as if daring Kirsten to push her luck. Then, Min ignored the sour looks from around the room and turned on her heel her spoils of war in tow while she mentally tallied the value of the haul.

When Elsot finished assessing the total, Mia’s brow arched in surprise as she thought. Wow, six million! Looks like David’s been quite the squirrel, stashing away nuts for his family.

Eliot nodded. “M. Reed, as per your instructions, these items will be auctioned off at a second–hand market, and the proceeds should be cleared and deposited within three days.”

Mia, scrolling through her social media with a practiced indifference, gave a curt ned. “Donate the money in my parents‘ names. No need to inform Grandpa” But as she scanned the feed, a sudden headline popped out, making her heart skip painfully.

Noticing her sudden stillness, Eliot asked, “Ms. Reed, is everything alright?”

“I am fine,” Mix replied, though her voice wavered. Her gaze filled with pain was fixed on the headline. |

“Blackwood Group’s CEO Matthew Announces Engagement Set to Marry His Mysterious Old Flame in Three Months. The phrase “mysterious old flame” felt like a knife twist to Mis

She thought. Now Matthew wants to protect his image! He doesn’t even have the guts to reveal Elizabeth’s identity publicly

“Eliot, will we be invited to the Blackwood family’s wedding?” Mia suddenly asked.

“Yes, Ms. Reed,” Eliot replied.

Mia’s lips curled into a mocking smile. Then send.

a truckload of white lies in my name when the day comes”

She thought, ‘Matthew warna pot a ring on Elizabeth? Then I will make sure it won’t be as sweet a celebration as he hopes

After dealing with David and his daughters, Mia felt a significant weight off her shoulders. Unlocking her phone, she found nearly a hundred missed calls from John. It didn’t take much to guess why he’d been so persistent as she thought of what had happened during the day.

Without a second thought, Mia had Eliot dispose of that SIM card, replacing it with the one she had used five years ago. From that moment, she fully reassured her identity, sexeting every last tie with Matthew

Once the dust had settled on her divorce, Mia slipped into a hospital for a prenatal checkup under disguise. At three months pregnant, her belly had begun to bulge slightly and she opted for looser clothing to keep it under wraps.

But fate had other plans. As she rounded a corner, the last person she wanted to see was there–Matthew, looking as aloof and distant as ever, his sharp features cutting a stark profile. His piercing eyes were like the summer sun in the midday, and nobody dared look into them directly.

Despite his aloofness, his mate nobility and arrogance were unmistakable. He was helping the frail Elizabeth out of the consulting room, nearly bumping into Mia. The sudden encounter almost made Mia freeze on the apoi, but she quickly masked her turmoil.

So that’s why he announced the engagement so soon. He and Elizabeth have been cheating on me all along… thought Mia. The realization stung. and she instinctively pulled her mask clover as she brushed past them

Matthew’s body went rigid as he caught a familiar scent, bis features twisting into a feral grimace. He spun around, eyes narrowing as he locked onto the retreating figure. Just as be hurried forward to grab Mia’s wrist, a nurse blocked his path. ConTEent bel0ngs to Nôv(e)lD/rama(.)Org .

“Sir, we’re in obstetrics and gynecology. Please be mindful of the pregnant women here,” the nurse cautioned, snapping Matthew out of his trance. He frowned, disbelief clouding his mind, ‘She can’t be pregnant, he thought. We barely touched each other during our marriage.

Elizabeth, noticing his sudden distraction, asked softly, “Mathew, what’s wrong?”

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Rubbing his sore brows, he replied, “Nothing. Let’s go home.”

He thought to himself, ‘Have I lost my mind? Why would I even care! For all these years, I’ve used her as nothing more than a tool