Chapter 106 Text Nate
Mia’s POV
+25 BONUS
The next morning brought sunshine streaming through my curtains and the insistent buzz of my phone. I reached for it blindly, still half–asleep, and squinted at the screen. Five missed calls from my lawyer, three texts from Scarlett (already sharing links to Paris apartments “just in case you fall in love with the city!“), and one unexpected message from Kyle.
*Morning. Hope you’re feeling well. The trust paperwork is ready when you are.*
My fingers hovered over the screen. The trust paperwork. Of course Despite everything, Kyle was still ensuring the twins would be financially secure. It was the responsible thing to do, the practical thing. I told him I would raise my child by myself, but he obviously doesn’t care what I think. Fine.
I set the phone aside without replying.Gas stretched beside the bed his morning routine of downward dog followed by an enthusiastic full–body shake that always made me smile.
“Morning, buddy,” I said, swinging my legs over the edge of the bell.“Ready for breakfast?”
His tail wagged in emphatic agreement.
In the kitchen, I found Mom already dressed and sipping tea, a stack of file folders beside her.
“Early meeting?” I asked, filling Gas’s food bowl.
“With the accountant,” she confirmed. “We’re reviewing some of the trust distributions. Fascinating stuff.”
I recognized her tone–she wasn’t being entirely forthcoming. “Mom. What are you up to?”
“Nothing illegal,” she assured me, looking slightly too innocent. “Just ensuring some long–overdue adjustments are made.” At my skeptical expression, she sighed. “If you must know, we’re tracking some suspicious transfers your father made during my… absence.”
“Suspicious how?”
“Let’s just say large sums were moved to offshore accounts shortly after my accident.” Her smile was sharp. “Accounts that appear to be controlled by shell companies with interesting connections.”
I stared at her. “You’re really going after him, aren’t you?”
“Every penny,” she confirmed, her eyes hard despite her pleasant tone. “Every asset he stole, every dollar he diverted. He’s going to learn exactly what happens when you cross Sarah Williams.”
Despite the ruthlessness of her words, I felt a surge of pride. My mother is my role model. When you want to get rid of a shitty guy and make him sorry enough, you can learn from her.
“Good,” I said simply, pouring myself a glass of orange juice. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Just focus on yourself and those babies,” she said, her expression softening. “And Paris! Have you told Nate about your trip yet?
“I
I hesitated. “Not yet. I’ll text him today.”
“Hmm.” She sipped her tea, watching me over the rim of her cup.
“What?”
“Nothing.” But her knowing look said otherwise. “Just wondering why you’re overthinking a simple text to a friend.”
“I’m not overthinking-
“Darling, you’ve been standing in front of the refrigerator for three minutes, staring at nothing.” She set down her cup. “What’s really going on?”
1/2
Chapter 106 text te
+25 BONUS
I sighed, closing the refrigerator without taking anything. “It’s complicated. We had this conversation about his past, and things got awkward. He mentioned someone named Carol, who died, and then he suggested I consider that Paris job, and we haven’t really talked since.”
“Ah,” Mom nodded, understanding dawning. “And now you need to talk to him about Paris, but you’re not sure where you stand.
“Exactly,” I sank into a chair across from her. “It feels weird to just text ‘hey, remember that Paris thing you mentioned? Well, I’m going, can you introduce me to your contact?“”
“Why?”
The simple question caught me off guard. “Why what?”
“Why does it feel weird?” Mom leaned forward slightly. “He suggested the opportunity. You’re taking his advice. It’s a perfectly normal follow–up conversation.”
Put that way, it did sound simple. Maybe I was overthinking it.
“I guess I just don’t want him to think I’m using him for connections,” I admitted. “Especially after the way our last conversation ended.”
“Mia,” Mom’s voice gentled. “From everything you’ve told me, this man values honesty. Just be straightforward. Tell him you’re considering the trip and would appreciate his input.”
She was right, of course. I was overcomplicating what should be a straightforward professional exchange.
“I’ll text him after my site visit,” I decided, pushing myself up from the table. “Speaking of which, I should get ready.”
Mom just nodded.
The site visit went smoothly–construction was on schedule, the sensory garden installations were nearly complete, and the custom light fixtures I’d designed for the therapy rooms had finally arrived from Italy. By early afternoon, I was reviewing the final placement of some specialized play equipment when my phone buzzed.
Kyle again: *Meeting with the lawyers tomorrow at 2. Can you make it?*
I sighed, typing back quickly: *Can’t tomorrow. Site visit all day.*
His response came immediately: *I can come to you after. Or the lawyers can reschedule.*
So accommodating. So unlike the Kyle I’d been married to, who expected everyone to work around his schedule.
*I’ll check my calendar and let you know,* I replied, deliberately vague.
Tucking the phone away, I refocused on the installation plans. This was important work–work that would make a real difference in children’s lives. I refused to let Kyle Branson’s sudden flexibility distract me.
allowing By the time I left the site, the afternoon sun was casting long shadows across the parking lot. I settled into my car, myself a moment to just breathe. Mom was right. I don’t need to make things complicated. A lot of the difficulties come from my imagination.
Stop it, I chided myself. I pulled out my phone and opened a new message to Nate:
*Hi Nate, hope you’re well. I wanted to let you know I’m considering a trip to Paris next month with Scarlett. I’d love to visit Leblanc & Associates while I’m there. Is your contact still with the firm?*
Simple. Direct. Professional. I hit send before I could second–guess myself.
His response came faster than I expected.
