own startup while slowly stepping into responsibilities within the larger Mills Group. He had naively believed that coming back into the Mills family would

achieved, it always seemed to pale next to Kristopher's shadow. The constant

ing smoothly. She appeared content in that simple, domestic rhythm. And the longer he watched her, the more irritated he grew. Why couldn't she off

dify his position in his family. She offered the full weight of her own influential back

lly, Jaycob announced hi

nd in a quieter capacity. As long as she stayed out of the way, he wouldn't mind pro

been easy to sat

into this arrangement. She worked tirelessly to win over Shar

asking him why he had go

digree. She was raised with the finest education money can buy. She understands business inside and out. She has genuine talent-she can actually help me win th

harper than the last. Whatever faint spark of

that same moment, she

had lived so small and so patiently for five long year

erie-enough to have saved hi

eone could change so completely and so

ven voice. "Tomorrow morning. Ni

ned the wheelchair

es from the tablet screen

clicked shut

..

turned with Alexia to Alexia

ologetic shrug. "Business has been tough the last c

ne smile. "I'm just thankful y

was small-barely big enough for a

nfamiliar space and let out a long, slow breath. Ten years ago, s

ck sounded a

nding there with two cold cans o

e the worry etched on Alexia's face-the last thing her friend needed was

with chips, nuts, and a couple of bowls of popcorn. Alexia tipped her can ba

ese past few years? You two were so wrapped up in each other. You

he just stared at the r

you're not ready. Still, if I had had any idea things would end up th

account of yours... you had more than three million people following you. You stopped posting five years ago,

to her lap. "That is m

warm-ups, and quiet moments of joy had sat untouched. To protect herself from the ache, she hadn't even logged in. She had convinced herself the followers had moved

from the world. But the marriage had been flawed from the start-and in the e

t now, just rest here and let that leg heal. I'm already thinking ahead. When you're ready, we'll make your return

idn't mention that she had already decided to

slipping on her coat to leave for the courthouse when her

. Mr. Mills boarded an early plane this morning t

aycob's itinerary reached her not through his own words, but always v

wiftly. "Any idea w

inly before passing his phone to Jaycob. "S

here around him crackling with frost. "Timelines on

t off. "The undertaking is full of t

. "I'll update you the m

elsewhere, she pulled up the job forms she had fired off late the pr