He turned to follow my line of sight. A woman was approaching from across the way, a cup of milk tea in hand.
Vera Swanson.
The same wide-eyed little protégée from all those years ago—now polished into the pampered, imperious Mrs. Simmons, courtesy of Wyatt's money and indulgence.
But after all these years, that cloying perfume of hers hadn't changed one bit.
She wasn't even close yet, and I was already sneezing.
Wyatt moved instantly, shrugging off his jacket and draping it over my shoulders. "You always get sick when the seasons change. Let me take you to the hospital—"
I didn't even get the chance to refuse.
Vera had already stepped between us, blocking his path.
She looped her arm through mine with practiced familiarity, gasping in delight. "Mildred! It really is you! I almost didn't recognize you!"
Her smile was radiant.
But her eyes were burning with jealousy.
"I don't mean anything by it—I just never expected to run into you at such a high-end piano shop."
"Oh, and my husband is the sentimental type. If you're ever in trouble, just reach out to him. He'd definitely help."
She drew out that last word, letting it hang in the air.
Wyatt's gaze turned cold. "We just happened to run into each other. Drop it."
But Vera stamped her foot, pouting in mock indignation. "Honey! How can you say that?"
"Mildred was practically my mentor back in the day. If she's struggling now, what's wrong with lending a hand?"
She leaned in and pressed a kiss to Wyatt's cheek. "Didn't you say you'd support me no matter what?"
I understood perfectly. This little performance was for my benefit.
I calmly slipped off Wyatt's jacket and handed it back to her. "You've got the wrong idea. I'm doing just fine."
Her gaze—just like Wyatt's—drifted to my clothes.
I understood immediately. "This outfit was a birthday gift from my mother. I just can't bring myself to throw it away."
At that, Wyatt's brow darkened.
It seemed he still remembered.
The day I fell from the building—that was my birthday.
That day, he'd left me at home alone, emotionally unstable, so he could accompany Vera to a variety show taping. He'd even taken every housekeeper with him because Vera had low blood sugar, positioning them all on standby to attend to her at a moment's notice.
It was my mother who'd been worried enough to come check on me. She was the one who found me after the fall.