Chapter 162 Parted on bad terms
Mia’s POV
Nothing came to my mind.
+25 BONUS
Sleep seemed even more elusive now, but I forced myself to shut down my laptop and head to bed. Gas followed dutifully, settling at my feet with a contented sigh as I arranged pillows to support my aching back.
I persuaded myself that I must sleep. And it worked.
Morning arrived with pale winter sunlight filtering through my curtains and the distant sounds of Morn moving about the kitchen. I lay still for a moment, rubbing my eyes.
I settled in the living room with my laptop, intending to do some work on the children’s center project. The final touches were being implemented, with the grand opening scheduled for just after New Year’s. Assuming the twins cooperated and stayed put until their due date in January, I hoped to attend.
I couldn’t help but think of Nate. Will he come?
I always feel like he’s avoiding me. I want to get to the bottom of it all. But something stops me.
I was deep in correspondence with the contractor about some last–minute adjustments to the sensory garden when my phone rang. Kyle’s name flashed on the screen.
“I tried calling earlier, but it went to voicemail. Were you on the phone just now?” he said without preamble.
This question made me angry. Who is he to ask me if I’m talking to someone else? Especially after what happened yesterday.
“I don’t think it’s any of your business,” I said coldly.
He was silent for one moment. Then, quite naturally, he changed the subject.
“We found a relevant person. Margot Devereaux. Former employee of Porter’s investment firm in Paris, now supposedly working as an independent financial consultant here in New York.
“Margot,” I repeated.
“Yes,” Kyle confirmed. “A fixer. Someone who cleans up messes for people like Porter. I will send you her information later.”
“You think she’s connected to Porter?” I asked.
“It seems likely,” He said.
“I always felt that Porter was not the only one behind it, Kyle.”
“We would force him to show his hand, Mia” Kyle said.
I didn’t say anything. Another thing jumped out. “Kyle, have you been in touch with Nate lately?” I asked.
He seemed reluctant to answer, “I know he’s not in New York right now.”
I paused, “It seems so.”
After a few seconds, Kyle suddenly said, “He’s not right for you.”
This sentence angered me again.
“I can tell if someone is right for me, and that’s why you and I got divorced.”
We parted on bad terms.
After the call ended, mom came. “Morning,” she greeted, sliding a cup toward me as I eased onto a stool at the counter. “Sleep
well?”
7/2
Chapter 162 Parted on bad terms
7
+25 BONUS
“Not really,” I admitted, gratefully accepting the warm mug. “Too many thoughts running through my head.” “Understandable,” she nodded, turning back to the stove where she was preparing what appeared to be blueberry pancakes.
Gas trotted in from the living room. He pressed his cold nose against my bare foot in his typical morning greeting. “Morning to you too, buddy,” I murmured, reaching down to scratch behind his ears. “Ready for breakfast?”
At the magic word, his tail began wagging furiously.
We settled into a companionable meal. The thought of Taylor getting away with it makes me feel bad. Robert mentioned before that the judge set the trial date for January, with enhanced security for all proceedings.
January. The same month the twins were due to arrive. How many more troubles will this woman cause?
My phone buzzed this time with a text from an unknown number.
Security code: Sapphire. This is Kyle’s temporary number. Previous phone compromised during investigation. Security measures remain in place at your building. Will call later with details.
I saved the new number. The fact that his phone had been compromised was concerning. It suggested Porter’s network had more technological capabilities than we’d realized.
Great. Another piece of bad news.
Chapter 163 Upsetting cate
