Chapter 2

The next morning, noise from the kitchen woke me.

When I walked out, my mother was at the island, pouring almond milk into a small saucepan while fresh bread warmed in the oven.

"You're up?" She turned to me with a smile that suddenly felt unfamiliar. "I made you breakfast. You've been saying your stomach's been off lately, right?"

I stood there, staring at the apron around her waist.

My mother only cooked when Lila was sick, heartbroken, or celebrating something.

As for me?

I'd always been the daughter who was "perfectly capable of taking care of herself."

"What's the occasion?" I asked as I sat at the counter. "You never cook."

Her hand paused around the spoon.

Something flickered in her eyes.

"I'm your mother. Can't I make breakfast for my own daughter?"

She pushed the bowl toward me, her voice almost unnaturally gentle.

"You've lost weight on this trip. I've been worried about you."

"Where's Ethan?" I looked down, stirring the oatmeal in front of me. "Haven't seen him."

"He ran down to grab you a bagel," Mom said quickly. "Said you like yours with smoked salmon."

She sat beside me.

"Mia." She sighed. "You push yourself too hard."

"Your career matters, sure, but you're not as sweet or easygoing as Lila."

Her expression softened.

"You're the older sister. You should treat her a little better instead of always being so cold."

My spoon stopped moving.

"I don't treat her well enough?"

I looked at her.

"The condo she lives in. Her Audi. The clothes, jewelry, skincare filling her closet. Which one of those things didn't I pay for?"

Mom's expression changed.

"Why do you have to keep score with family? You make plenty of money. What's the harm in helping Lila?"

She frowned.

"She just graduated. She's under pressure too."

The door opened.

Ethan walked in carrying a paper bag and two coffees.

He picked up on the tension right away, set everything down, and smoothly changed the subject.

"Your favorite place. Line was insane this morning."

He opened the bag.

"Oh, I ran into Maya downstairs. She said she wants to grab lunch with you. Apparently she's got a few projects she wants to run by you."

At Maya's name, my chest tightened.

My college roommate.

My best friend.

I'd paid her final semester's tuition.

When she'd been broke and humiliated, I'd let her move into my apartment.

Later, I'd opened doors for her, introduced her to people in my network, and helped her build a career.

And last night, she'd handed flowers to Lila.

"Got it." I picked up my phone and opened Maya's messages. "Actually, I've got something I want to ask her too."

Her texts from last night were still there.

[Landed yet?]

[Ethan went to pick you up, right?]

[God, I'm jealous. You two are perfect together.]

I stared at the messages.

My stomach turned.

After breakfast, Mom rushed out, saying she had a Pilates class.

Ethan headed into the bedroom to change for work.

I stayed on the couch and picked up the iPad he'd left on the coffee table.

He'd never guarded his devices around me.

Not because he had nothing to hide.

Because he was absolutely certain I'd never suspect him.

The password was still my birthday.

I entered it and opened Photos, then iCloud.

The most recent photos had been taken on a beach in Malibu.

Lila was in a bikini, curled against Ethan's chest, both of them grinning at the camera like the happiest couple alive.

The date was two weeks ago.

That was the same stretch of days Ethan had told me he was in San Diego on business.

My fingers tightened.

I kept scrolling.

There was also a hidden folder.

I tried Ethan's birthday first.

Wrong.

Then I entered Lila's birthday.

It opened.

Inside weren't just photos.

There were intimate videos filmed in various hotel rooms, along with screenshots of their conversations.

"Ethan, Mia snapped at me again today."

"Ignore her. She's always had a nasty temper. Once we get controlling interest in her company, we'll finally be free."

"But the ring is so expensive. What if Mia checks the accounts?"

"Relax. She never looks, and I've already cleaned up the charges. If you're happy, you're worth every dollar."

I stared at the messages.

Something twisted violently in my stomach.

So this wasn't just cheating.

It was financial fraud.

I took a slow breath, photographed everything I needed, and sent the evidence to both my private email and Daniel's.

Then I erased any trace I'd accessed the files and put the iPad exactly where I'd found it.

Ethan walked out of the bedroom, fastening his watch as he came toward me.

"What are you looking at?"

He glanced down at the iPad.

I'd already switched back to a financial news article.

"Nothing. Just catching up on the news."

He leaned down and kissed my forehead.

"Don't work too hard," he said warmly. "I'll come home early tonight. We can celebrate our anniversary properly."

I looked at him.

"Can't wait."