Chapter 2

Ethan left his warning and walked away.

I stood alone in the office for a long time, unable to speak.

By the time I came out, his father, Richard, had already finished his speech.

Mia was right there beside him.

His mother, Helen, looked at her with undisguised affection.

"Sweetheart, this is our first time meeting, and I didn't even prepare anything for you."

"Here, take this family heirloom ring. I want you to have it."

My heart jumped into my throat.

A family heirloom ring.

That was something the Sinclairs only brought out for a daughter-in-law.

And Helen was just going to take it off and hand it to Mia?

Mia reached out to stop her.

"Oh, I couldn't, Mrs. Sinclair! It's far too precious! I can't accept this!"

"Still calling me Mrs. Sinclair?"

Helen smiled warmly.

Mia's cheeks flushed pink.

"But..."

"Come on, sweetheart."

Helen took her by the wrist.

"We're family now. Why be so formal with your own mom?"

Mia's face went even redder.

She glanced shyly over at Ethan.

I stood in the crowd below.

My fists trembled at my sides.

Ethan's gaze passed over my face.

A faint smile crossed his lips.

"Mom's giving it to you. Just take it."

Mia looked up at him through her lashes, then back at Helen, cheeks still burning.

Richard laughed.

"She's too shy. Put it on her yourself."

Helen didn't hesitate.

Smiling, she took Mia's hand and slid the ring onto her finger.

Mia lowered her head, looking bashful.

She didn't pull away.

Someone set off a confetti popper, and the crowd erupted.

"Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Sinclair!"

"Mia, you've been holding out on us! We had no idea your boyfriend was Mr. Sinclair!"

"Right? We all thought it was Vivian!"

"She's been so attentive to him, and then today with all the effort she put into this visit. If you didn't know better, you'd really think they were the couple!"

I got up.

And walked out.

Every part of the event was going exactly according to my plan.

Today had originally been Helen's birthday.

The surprise I had arranged for her after the speech was now, under Helen's own direction, turned into a celebration for the two of them.

A cake taller than a person was wheeled in.

I watched as Ethan was nudged over to stand beside Mia.

Helen gently steered Mia to the front of the cake.