Life after the wedding settled into a rhythm. Daniel grew closer to her again, their bond tempered by everything they’d endured. He apologized one evening, quietly. “I should’ve defended you sooner.” She touched his hand. “You did, in the end. That’s what matters.”
When the meeting about the Whitmore group came, Mia dressed formally in a navy suit and understated jewelry. The Whitmore Group representatives arrived tense, led by none other than Eleanor herself. She froze briefly on seeing Mia at the head of the table. “You’re…on this account?” she asked, voice tight.