"Isn't it?" I shot back without mercy. "Didn't you steal what was mine?"
Vera stared at me in disbelief, her grip tightening around Wyatt's hand.
But Wyatt looked down and snapped at her, his voice low and barely restrained. "Mildred's right. Keep your mouth shut."
Vera's expression soured for a flash, but she quickly recovered, wrapping herself around Wyatt's arm with practiced ease. "I was just joking around!"
"Honey, running into her like this must be fate. Why don't we help Mildred out?" She nuzzled closer, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Come on, just let me help her. Please?"
Wyatt had no defense against her wheedling. He turned to me. "Mildred, Vera's thought about you all these years. She says you were her role model. She means well."
When I said nothing, Vera smiled. "I've got a piano variety show coming up—Rhythm. If you don't mind, I could get you a spot as a contestant."
"And since I'm one of the judges, I'd take good care of you!"
I couldn't help but let out a cold laugh.
So this was her idea of "helping" me—dragging me in front of cameras to make herself look better by comparison?
What she didn't know was that the show had been created by my husband. For me.
And I was the undisclosed international top-tier judge they hadn't yet revealed.
Out of the corner of my eye, I caught Morris Dickerson pulling up to the curb.
I brushed off the spots on my clothes where they'd touched me and said flatly, "No, thank you."
"And unless there's something else—let's not see each other again."
As I turned to leave, Vera grabbed my arm, her voice laced with curiosity. "Mildred, where do you live? I'll have my husband drive you."
I shook my head and walked straight to Morris's car.
Vera watched me go, something calculating flickering behind her eyes. She held Wyatt back as he moved to follow. "Honey, I think Mildred's married."
"Look—her husband came to pick her up."
"He seems a bit older, but I'm sure he treats her well enough?"
For the first time, Wyatt pried her hand off his arm and strode to the car in long, urgent steps. He seized the door before Morris could close it.
His voice was ice, but his eyes churned with something far more complicated. "Mildred Fox. This is your husband?"
"This is what you call 'doing fine'? Marrying someone like him?"
"What happened to the woman who was too proud to settle? Where did she go?"
"He's not worthy of you. Divorce him. If it's about money, I'll wire you whatever you need."
I opened my mouth—then stopped, struck by how absurd it all was.
Why would I explain anything to him?
I simply pushed him aside, pulled the door shut, and said quietly, "If you really feel you owe me, then give me back my hands."
Everything else was meaningless.
And I knew that was the one thing he could never do.
Vera's teeth sank into her lower lip. "Mildred! If you'd just listened to my husband sooner, you wouldn't have ended up like—"
Wyatt cut her off with a sharp frown. "Vera. That's enough."
Before either of them could react, I told Morris to drive.
On the way home, my phone rang. My daughter's bright voice filled the car. "Mommy, are you home yet? Lily Abbott has a surprise for you!"
Warmth flooded through me. She was the one who'd won the award, and yet she was preparing a surprise for me.
"Lily, Mommy's almost there. Be a good girl and wait for me, okay?"
But when the car pulled up to the estate and I stepped out, I saw Wyatt's car parked right behind us.
They had followed me.
Vera was already on Wyatt's arm, and she spoke before I could. "Mildred, it was my idea to come."
"I just wanted to make sure you're doing all right."
She glanced past me at the James mansion, a mocking smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Don't tell me you're here to give piano lessons at this hour?"
She paused, letting out a theatrical sigh. "Well, I suppose with a plagiarism record, most people won't hire you. Have to scrape together what you can."
"But do you know whose home this is? This is the residence of the CEO of James Group."
Of course I knew.
James Group was the wealthiest enterprise in the region. Beyond Riverton, virtually every import-export operation across the area ran through their network.
Even Wyatt had to show deference when dealing with him.
Vera took two steps closer, her voice laced with warning. "If Mr. James finds out you've been deceiving him, neither my husband nor I will be able to save you."
"Mildred, you really should keep your feet on the ground. Honesty goes a long way."
Right then, my daughter's call came through again. "Mommy! Lily saw you from the window!"
"How come you're not inside yet? My surprise is all ready!"
The sound of her soft, syrupy little voice melted away every ounce of frustration in my chest. "Be good, sweetie. Mommy's coming right in."
I hung up. Wyatt stood frozen in place.
He stared at my phone, as if he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. "Daughter? Mildred—you have a child?"
The next second, my impatient little girl came bounding out of the mansion, her tiny figure darting joyfully beneath the glow of the garden lights.
She threw her arms around my leg and nuzzled hard. "Mommy! If you don't come inside soon, my surprise is gonna burst!"
