Chapter 251
Mia’s POV
“Mama?” Ethan’s sleepy voice came from behind me. “You’re up early p>
I turned to find him padding into the kitchen in his dinosaur pajamas, his dark hair sticking up at impossible angles. He looked so small, so innocent.
“Good morning, baby,” I said, lifting him onto the counter. “How did you sleep p>
“Okay. I dreamed about dogs,” he said, leaning against my shoulder. “Nice dogs, not scary ones. They were playing with us in a big field p>
“That sounds like a wonderful dream p>
Alexander appeared moments later, already more alert despite having just woken up. “Mama, do we have to go to school today? What if that mean girl is there again p>
The question I’d been dreading. I’d spent half the night trying to figure out how to handle this situation. I could transfer them to another preschool, but that felt like running away. Besides, Bright Beginnings was an excellent school, and the twins loved Ms. Rodriguez.
“Yes, we’re going to school,” I said firmly. “But first, I want to talk to both of you about something important p>
I helped them get settled at the breakfast table with bowls of cereal, then sat down across from them.
“Yesterday was hard,” I began. “Madison said mean things to you, and that wasn’t okay. But you know what? You two handled it perfectly. You didn’t say mean things back. You walked away when someone was being unkind. You told a grown-up when you needed help. I’m so proud of you both p>
Alexander stirred his cereal thoughtfully. “But what if she does it again p>
“If she does, you do exactly what you did yesterday. You tell Ms. Rodriguez right away. And you remember that what Madison says about you isn’t true. You are kind, smart, wonderful boys, and anyone who says different is wrong p>
“What about Uncle Thomas?” Ethan asked quietly. “Is he still going to be our uncle p>
“Uncle Thomas loves you both very much,” I said carefully. “Whatever happens with the grown-up stuff, that won’t change p>
After breakfast, I took extra care getting the boys ready for school. I wanted them to feel confident, armored in their favorite clothes and armed with reassurances of love.
“Remember,” I said as we pulled into the Bright Beginnings parking lot, “you are good boys. You have nothing to be ashamed of. If anyone tries to make you feel bad about yourselves, you come find me immediately p>
The expensive black car was already there.
Victoria’s car. She was early too.
“Mama, that’s the car from yesterday,” Alexander observed, his voice small.
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“I see it,” I said, my jaw tightening. “And you know what? That’s fine. We’re not going to let anyone else’s presence change how we feel about ourselves p>
But as we walked toward the building, I felt my protective instincts going into overdrive. If Victoria thought she could continue yesterday’s campaign of psychological warfare against my children, she was about to learn exactly how fierce a mama bear could be.
Ms. Rodriguez greeted us at the classroom door with an extra-warm smile for the twins. “Good morning, Alexander and Ethan! I’m so glad to see you today. We have some special art projects planned p>
“Where’s the mean girl?” Alexander asked bluntly.
“Madison is here,” Ms. Rodriguez said gently. “But we’re going to have a fresh start today, okay? Everyone’s going to practice using kind words and making good choices p>
I could see Madison at the art table, coloring with intense concentration. She looked up when we entered, her gaze going immediately to my boys. But instead of yesterday’s calculated aggression, there was something almost… uncertain in her expression.
Interesting.
“Boys, go put your backpacks in your cubbies,” I instructed. “I need to talk to Ms. Rodriguez for a minute p>
“I’ll be back at pickup time,” I said. “If there are any issues-any at all-please call me immediately p>
“Of course,” Ms. Rodriguez assured me. “Mia, I want you to know that yesterday really opened my eyes to some dynamics I wasn’t seeing clearly before. I’m going to be watching much more carefully today p>
“Thank you,” I said, meaning it. “That means everything to me p>
I kissed the twins goodbye, reminded them one more time that they were loved and valuable.
“Mia p>
Victoria’s voice was crisp, controlled. I turned to find her standing about ten feet away, perfectly dressed in a cream-colored coat. Today, the mask was off. I could see the calculation in her eyes, the predatory assessment of an enemy.
“Victoria,” I replied coolly. “Good morning p>
“Is it?” she asked, taking a step closer. “I wouldn’t say there’s anything particularly good about it p>
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I said, reaching for my car door handle. “I have to get to work p>
“Oh, I don’t think so,” Victoria said, her voice taking on a silky, dangerous quality. “I think you and I need to have a conversation. A real one this time, without the children or the teacher or Thomas around to witness it p>
Something in her tone made me pause. This wasn’t the grieving widow playing the victim card. This was something else entirely.
“What kind of conversation?” I asked, turning to face her fully.
Victoria smiled, “The kind where we stop pretending we don’t know exactly what this is about,” she said. “The kind where I tell you what I know about you, and you tell me what you think you’re going to do about it p>
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I signed tiredly. “I have no idea what you’re talking about p>
“Oh, I think you do.” Victoria took another step closer, close enough that I could smell her expensive perfume.” See, I did a little research after we met at the wedding. Mia Williams, talented architect, single mother of twins. Divorced from her husband four years ago under rather mysterious circumstances p>
She paused, watching my face carefully.
“Except you weren’t just divorced from any husband, were you, Mia? You were married to Kyle Branson. Does Kyle Branson know you’re messing around with your new boyfriend p>
How did she know? Kyle’s disappearance in these four years had been kept largely out of the media. The official story was that he was on an extended sabbatical for personal reasons.
“I see I have your attention now,” Victoria continued, clearly pleased with my reaction.
My hands clenched into fists at my sides. “What do you want p>
“What do I want?” Victoria laughed, the sound sharp and bitter. “I want to understand why a woman who was married to Kyle fucking Branson is now sleeping with Thomas Wallace. I want to know what your game is.
“My game p>
“Don’t play dumb, Mia. It doesn’t suit you.” Victoria’s eyes were glittering with malicious satisfaction.
I stared at her, my mind racing.
“My marriage to Kyle is ancient history,” I said carefully. “It has nothing to do with Thomas or you or anyone else p>
“Bullshit,” Victoria snapped, her carefully constructed facade cracking slightly.