Pregnant Lynn was picky as ever, but Nolan treated her with adoration and ridiculous tenderness. Even Jasper seemed to have made peace with everything—and with Nolan—though he’d never admit it and still glared at him from time to time.
Nina’s phone buzzed again. A message from Jasper:
“I’m in the parking garage. Where should I meet you?”
She typed quickly:
“Boutique‘Silk.’Third floor. We’ll be there in five.”
She hit send and glanced around, Lynn was already turning toward the restrooms. Nina hurried after her but, passing a storefront window, caught her reflection. A little disheveled, a little tired… but overall, not bad.
Her feet were dying in the heels, but inside she felt a warm flicker of anticipation at the thought of seeing him.
Her phone lit up again. A message from Daphne: a beach photo, sun and ocean behind her, Daphne and her friends in swimsuits that said Queens.
Her girl…
A weight slid off Nina’s chest. For so long she had blamed herself for Daphne having to leave the country, change schools, build a new life because of everything that happened with Frank. But now—for the first time in years—Nina felt something close to relief.
It looked like Daphne was truly okay. And Nina finally felt like she could breathe.
“Nina!” Lynn called.“Are you coming?”
“Yeah,coming!” Nina answered distractedly, still looking at her phone—and walked straight into a bright yellow“Caution: Wet Floor”sign.
“Sorry,” she started, lifting her eyes—and froze.
Vivian stood in front of her.
In a janitor’s uniform, mall logo on her chest. Rubber gloves. A mop in her hand. A bucket at her feet. Her face drawn and tired.
They stared at each other—a second, two.
Seeing her like that shocked Nina. But really… what else had Vivian expected from life? As far as Nina knew, she had never finished college. Started an affair with Frank Osborne, threw her own life away, lived off Nina’s money, clung to everything that wasn’t hers—and when it all collapsed, she collapsed with it.
Nina didn’t feel sorry for her. Not even a little.
Vivian and Frank had earned everything they got.
He wouldn’t see freedom anytime soon, and she… she would never get back the life she thought she deserved.
Nina looked away without a word. She caught the recognition—then the hatred—in Vivian’s eyes, but walked past her as if she were nothing at all.
Still, it was so good that she had worn those damn heels today and looked absolutely stunning!
“Nina!” Lynn called again.“Dad’s already here!”
“Coming!” Nina echoed, feeling something expand inside her—light, quiet, liberating.
She smiled and followed her daughter.
On the third floor, Jasper was waiting—calm, casual, and somehow still… hers. His gaze slid from Lynn to Nina. He smiled and reached for Nina’s hand. They understood each other without speaking. It still amazed her.
Lynn walked a few steps ahead, laughing at something Nolan said over the phone. Nina watched her, watched Jasper—and suddenly understood that this simple moment held everything.
Warmth.
Meaning.
