Chapter 23
Xander’s POV
“Mia was pregnant when you kicked her out!” Brett’s jaw fell. “And she lost the babies too?”
From his gaze. I could tell he was blaming me, but he didn’t have to. I had beat myself over it all week. I felt like a horrible person.
He was quiet for half a minute, but I knew he had a lot in his mind. I knew he wanted to accuse me and truthfully. I wouldn’t chastise him if he did.
I couldn’t bring myself to tell him the details of all that Mia went through but I knew it wouldn’t make a difference.
“The DNA result is a match,” Bren finally spoke. “Mia is truly Walton’s daughter but maybe there is no cause for alarm. Mia seemed to have moved on from you, and didn’t she say she returned to familiarize herself with her father’s business? He’ll be stepping down soon and the whole thing will be going to her. Maybe that’s the case.
Even though I didn’t fully believe it, I nodded. Mia might have moved on and forgotten all about it, just like Brett said, but I haven’t. I couldn’t just get rid of the guilt, it had taken me weeks to be able to open up to Brett, but I still felt so heavy.
hadn’t been able to move on the entire four years that Mia was away, would I be able to now that she was back? Even though she has clearly moved on?
“Also, I got all the information you wanted concerning Lucas Miller, Brett passed me a folder. “To be honest, I had it before now, but you’ve been under a lot of stress since the accident, so I thought I’d hold on a bit.”
I glanced through the papers briefly and hopefully. I mean, I had always thought that staying away from Mia would be easier if she had a partner, but staring at Lucas’s file, a rumored partner of hers. I hoped that it wasn’t true.
A large part of me hoped that Mia was single. A few pages in, I found myself sighing in relief
The relationship between Lucas and Mia was strictly professional. Like Brett said, Lucas was a Playboy, so he wasn’t good for her.
I knew I was in no place to decide what was good or bad for anyone but if I was ever going to move on from Mia, I needed to ensure she was in safe hands. Or maybe it was entirely because of the fact that I wanted her too.
The next page had me frowning. Although Mia and Lucas never appeared together in public, the records showed that Lucas had been frequent to Mia’s company. I scanned through the remaining pages quickly, checking to see if there was any mention of their activities even though I knew better.
As soon as I closed the folder, Brett asked, “So, what were you curious about?”
וי
want to meet him. Make it possible before the end of the week.”
partners, I already tried. He’s
Brett looked like he wanted to ask a question but he diverted. “If you’re going to ask him to be business part among the twenty percent that declined our offer.”
“That’s some dedication, but it’s not about business, I mumbled “Create some time on my schedule, and I still want to be aware of his activities with Mia.”
I was desperately eager to know about his relationship with Mia, and since I couldn’t bring myself to face Mia yet, he was the only one I could act.
Brett started to speak but he swallowed the words and nodded. “The rumors about you and Irene’s engagement-
“Deal with it,” I dismissed Brett with the words. The moment he left, my phone rang.
“Kyle?” I spoke into the phone, activating my monitor to resume work
“I have a favor to ask.”
“Spill.”
“Can you send Mia an invite to my homecoming?” He asked. “I know mom’s going to throw a large party even though I already told her
riol to,
I sighed. He knew his mother too well.
“Mia doesn’t remember us. I don’t think I
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Chapter 23
“Please, Xander,” he cut me off, whining. “You said you’d get me whatever I wanted if I aced my exams. This is what I want.”
I recalled my last meeting with Mia, how I had threatened her, and the look on her face afterward. The look of disdain. It was clear that Mia hated being around me but staying away from her and beating myself over my mistakes was no way to win her back.
Maybe it was time to call off the long overdue distance and start my quest to win her back. Perhaps, with Kyle in between, she wouldn’t. be as difficult.
“Fine, I’ll try but I’m not making any promises,”
As I ended the call I knew I’d been doing more than trying. Sadly, Mis would be seeing more of me. It’s been a month already and the mere thought of meeting her in person again was wildly exciting
Watching Mia smile at others on my screens was agonizing, especially when compared to the cold reception she gave me. But I was Alexander Schaeffer, and I wasn’t one to back down from a challenge.
And although Mia was more than a challenge, a mystery that I wasn’t sure how to break through; I was willing to embark on it. As long as I can win her back, it’ll be worth it.
Brett was able to arrange the meeting the next day and Lucas was in my office when I clocked in.
Jm
I’m a bit disappointed,” he started. “I didn’t expect to be alone for so long.”
“I don’t function well without my morning coffee. It took a while today.” I said, intentionally revealing the fact that I had kept him waiting on purpose.
He scoffed. “I can’t deny that I was a bit surprised when I was told you booked an appointment. I’m pretty sure I was clear with my response the last time”
“The last time, I wasn’t the one you met,” I took a seat. “But I’m not here to try to buy you, Mr. Miller. Your dedication to Amor Luxe is quite admirable. I’m curious as to why you’re that committed.”
“Because she’s my type, Mia Walton,” he said without hesitation. “I like her, and I like what she offered me, too,” he smirked.
My brows narrowed, and my thoughts scattered. “What does that mean?”
He shrugged. “You should know what I mean, Mr. Schaeffer, you were once with her. Isn’t she such a gorgeous feisty woman? What man wouldn’t throw their everything to spend time with her?”
My teeth clenched but I kept a stoic expression. “You invested in Amor Luxe because you’re attracted to the CEO not because of what the company has to offer?”
He scoffed and then burst into a cackle. “Who cares about business?” He sat upright and leaned in, I’ve heard of the infamous Walton’s daughter, heiress of her father’s group and it just piqued my interest for some reason. My mother thinks we’ll make a good pair. Perhaps you can give me some advice by telling me what she likes: I plan to buy her a gift on our date.”
I said nothing to that, but I was feeling stuffy all of a sudden; I had a lot I wanted to say. A lot that included telling him not to do it or threatening him if I had to and saying that Mia and I weren’t done.
Completely oblivious to the switch, Lucas continued, “I plan on asking her to be my girlfriend”
That was all I needed to lose my last shred of self–control
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