Chapter 19
Chapter 13: The Call
“There’s no music! Why would we dance here? We’ll look like fools. Rob There are people around“” the woman said, laughing as she tried to run away from the man who quickly hugged her from behind.
h’s okay, they won’t mind. And for the music. III sing We can sing together the man replied.
“You’re impossible! Let’s go over there, at least
I watched them wa away, their laughter blending with the gentle waves crashing against the shore. Under the moonlight, they danced, carefree
and full of life
Hugging my knees tightly. I blinked against the growing blur of my vision. Memories crept in, uninvited, as I closed my eyes. I could see myself there, too. beneath the moonlight dancing in the open field of my Bower farm
“I love you.” he whispered–words I never expected to hear.
“You do! How! I mean, why!”
I just do, Camilliana… I love you”
I opened my eyes quickly, willing the past to vanish as I met Gavin’s concerned gaze. A heavy sigh escaped me as I shook my head, trying to rid myself of those bittersweet thoughts. Memories like those didn’t deserve to live in my mind. After all, none of that was real.
You okay–oh, I shouldn’t even ask that Gavin said, offering me a bottle of Cali, a non–alcoholic drink
“Thanks” I said, accepting it.
This was one of the moments I hated being allergic to alcohol. Gavin sat beside me
We were outside the villa we rented at Sta. Monica Beach. We hadn’t planned to spend the night here, as we were supposed to visit the Winslow residence. His parents, Aunt Gayle and Uncle Tristan wanted to see us, but Gavin called to reschedule for next week
He said it would be better to spend the night here and relax. Of course, I knew he had decided that because of what had happened this afternoon. Gavin always saw through me no matter how much I tried to pretend I was fine.
I took a sip of the Cali, letting the fizzy sweetness linger on my tongue as I watched the young couple again. They couldn’t have been older than their mid–twendies, their carefree laughter filling the night air.
“They’re so young….. so in love,” I muntered, more to myself than to Gavin.
He followed my gaze, smiling. “Do you want us to do that, too! I can dance
“Shut up!” I said, laughing softly and slapping his arm.
He grinned. “There you go. Laughing suits you best. Mia,” he said, putting his arm around my shoulder.
I leaned into him, resting my head against his shoulder. “I thought the painful memories would wash away the happy ones, but seeing those two reminded me of the night I started being a fool…”
Gavin’s arm tightened slightly around me. “Mia, you don’t have to keep doing this. You can still change your mind. I can arrange your trip to Paris with the twins—”
“You can, and it would be easy for me to do that. Seeing him interact with my kids… it’s hard, Gavin. I don’t want that. I hate it. I don’t want him around my babies But if I run away, I believe he’ll still find me, find us I clenched my fists, swallowing hard as my chest tightened. “So, no. I’m not running away I told you–Im Mu Miller, and I’m going to prove to him that fin not the woman he thinks 1 am. I’m not Camille–his ex–wife…that he already lost her a long time ago, and she would never come back.”
I stood up and finished the drink in my boule. “Goodnight, Gavin
He stood and pulled me into a bug before I could turn away. “Fine: 111 support you on this. I’ll help you, Mia.”
I closed my eyes, hugging him back. Thank you, Gavın”
“WHY did Daddy have to leave so early! He promised he would play with me at the beach Rylie’s cries echoed throughout the villa, her small fists
Chapter 199
elenched av tears streaked down her flushed cheeks.
“Hylie, uop crying. Dably had an urgent meeting, and he had to leave, Come on, you can still play at the beach with Ryker and me,” I said, gently carrising her hair.
Earlier this morning. Gavin received a call from Juliana asking him for a favor–lo attend a meeting with one of our clients because she had a fever I was rare for Juliana to ask Gavin for help, so he couldn’t refuse. Despite their frequent disagreements, she’s still Gavin’s only sister.
Ryle was throwing a tantrum because she had been looking forward to spending the day with Gavin, only to wake up and find him gone without a word of goodbye
Gavin had wanted to take us back with him, but I insisted we stay here.
He left us his on–call driver for the trip home.
“Come on, Rylie If you’re just going to cry there, why don’t we go home instead? Looks like we won’t even use the shovel and bucket Uncle Gavin bought for us,” Ryker said, crossing his arms as he stood in front of her.
He was wearing sunglasses and a beach outfit–boaril shorts and a floral polo, part of the matching set I’d bought for both Kylie and him.
Icleared my throat, catching on to what Ryker was trying to do. “Is that what you want, Rylie? Should we pack up and go home?”
ding up and grabbing my hand. “I want to play and make sandcastles
“No!” she exclaimed, abruptly standing up:
“Alright” I said with a small smile. “First, let’s wash your face and get you changed. Then we’ll have a quick breakfast before heading to the beach.”
She nodded, still pouting. “Daddy owes me lots of chocolates”
I laughed and pinched her small nose playfully. “Let’s have so much fun that Daddy will regret missing it.”
She giggled, her earlier tantrum forgotten. “Right! He’s going to be so envious!”
We had a quick breakfast and headed to the beach.
“Wait, you two, we need to put on sunblock first,” I said, rummaging through the beach bag Ed brought. I groaned when I realized I’d left it back at the vill
“Let’s go back to the villa. Mommy forgot the sunblock,” 1 said, standing up.
“Mommy, can we stay here? I don’t want to walk anymore! Rylie complained, acting as if we were an hour away from the villa when it was only a few steps away.
I sighed and looked at Ryker. “Ryker, don’t go near the water, okay? I’ll be quick.”
Ryker nodded, taking Kylie’s hand. “We’ll just stay here, Mommy, and play with the sand for now”
“Kylie, Intento Ryker, alright?”
She nodded, but her focus was already on her bucket and shovel.
I trusted Ryker, and besides, there were staff and a lifeguard near the beach loungers.
Hurrying back to the villa, I grabbed the sunblock lotion from the dresser, Just as I was about to leave, my phone rang. It was sitting on top of the dresser next to where the lotion had been.
The number was unknown.
But I had a sinking feeling I knew exactly who it was.
I sighed and answered “Hello“”
“You perd to run. Mia, came the voice on the other end. “Take the kids and leave. I’ll arrange everything. I promise he won’t find you this time.”
My grip tightened on the phone. You should’ve planned it better, George. It’s too late now.”
“What do you mean! He called met He said he’d help us
“Help?” A bitter laugh escaped me. “What’s his idea of help this time? Making Mia Miller disappear! Killing her the same way he killed Camille?”
The other end of the line went silent.
11:13 AM H
Chapter 19
1 exhaled heavily. “I have my own plan. Goodbye”
I ended the call and immediately turned off my phone, placing it on the dresser with trembling fingers.
With the sunblock in hand, I hurried outside the villa but froze mid–step when I saw a man sitting with his back facing me, he was playing with Ryker and Rylie in the sand.
Even without seeing his face, I knew exactly who he was
Liam Anderson
Great. Why does he h
she have to show up right after that call!
Damn it! What is he doing here! Did he follow us!
I refused to believe this was another coincidence, just like yesterday.
I marched toward them but slowed when I heard Rylie’s voice.
Her cheerful tone calmed me, a reminder that I needed to keep my composure.
“Are you sure you can help us make a sandcastle, sirt You can’t even make the sand stand up?” Rylie teased him.
Liam’s low chuckle followed a sound that only fueled my irritation.
“Who are you two playing with?” I asked, feigning innocence as if I didn’t already know.
“Mommy! It’s the handsome man from yesterday! He’s here! Liam’s here!” Rylie exclaimed excitedly.
Liam turned to face me. Even with his sunglasses hiding his eyes, I could feel the intensity of his gaze as it swept over me- from my face down to my body.
I was only wearing a white two–piece bikini, and the way his jaw tightened didn’t escape my notice.
1 almost smirked.
He doesn’t like it, I thought. He doesn’t like these little clothes on me.
Too bad, Liam Anderson. I’d be more than happy to do everything you dislike.
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