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

My attorney.

My grandmother’s former accountant.

And my older cousin Naomi.

I did not disappear because I wanted revenge.

I disappeared because I wanted my child to spend at least the first months of her existence untouched by the people who had spent years convincing me that my body was defective.

Ryan’s voice pulled me back.

“You should really come, Mia.”

I swallowed.

“When?”

“Ceremony’s at four.”

“Where?”

“The Halston Grand.”

My eyes narrowed.

One of Chicago’s most expensive hotels.

“Text me the information.”

Ryan paused.

“You’re actually coming?”

“Yes.”

A laugh burst from him.

“Wow.”

“What?”

“I didn’t think you had the nerve.”

I stared at my sleeping daughter.

“You’d be surprised what I have now.”

“You still pretending you have pride?”

“No, Ryan.”

His voice sharpened slightly.

“Then what exactly do you have?”

My gaze moved toward the leather folder lying beside my overnight bag.

It had been delivered at 5:40 that morning.