“Eight months after divorcing me because I “couldn’t give him a family,”

“Seeing anyone?”

I almost admired the audacity.

“You invited me to your wedding and you’re asking about my dating life?”

“Just curious.”

“Why?”

He shrugged.

“I’d hate to think you spent eight months waiting for me.”

That almost made me pity him.

Almost.

Before I could answer, Patricia appeared.

Ryan’s mother had the gift of entering a room as though she owned the air inside it.

Pearls.

Cream dress.

Perfect posture.

Her eyes landed on me.

The smile vanished.

“What is she doing here?”

Ryan smirked.

“I invited her.”

Patricia stared at her son.

“You what?”

“Relax, Mom.”

“No.”

Her eyes moved to the folder.

Then my face.

Then the hospital bracelet barely visible beneath my sleeve.

For perhaps the first time in six years, I watched genuine fear move through Patricia Brooks.

She stepped toward me.

“You need to leave.”

Ryan laughed.

“Mom, stop.”

She ignored him.

“Mia.”

I smiled.

“Hello, Patricia.”

“This is a private event.”

“Ryan invited me.”

“He made a mistake.”

I looked into her eyes.

“You’ve made several.”

Her face changed.

Ryan glanced between us.

“What’s going on?”

Patricia said quickly, “Nothing.”

I opened my folder just enough for her to see the top document.

Lakeshore Reproductive Medicine.

Her face went white.

Ryan saw it.

“What is that?”

Patricia grabbed my arm.

Pain shot through me.

I pulled away sharply.

Naomi stepped forward.

“Touch my client again and this wedding is going to become even more memorable.”

Ryan frowned.

“Client?”

He finally noticed Naomi.

“Jesus. You brought a lawyer?”

Naomi smiled.

“Congratulations.”

Patricia grabbed Ryan.

“We need to talk privately.”

But before they could move, music began.

The wedding coordinator appeared.

“Mr. Brooks? We’re ready.”

Ryan looked irritated.

“Mia, stay for the ceremony.”

Patricia hissed, “Ryan.”

He ignored her.

His arrogance had survived even her fear.

That would become important.

The ballroom doors opened.

Guests began taking their seats.

I entered with Naomi.

People recognized me.

Whispers moved through the room like wind through dry leaves.