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!"
