MIA'S POV
My fingers curled into fists. My eyes dropped to the money. For one dangerous moment I imagined paying every hospital bill. Buying my mother a home. Helping Gerry finish university. Clearing my own name. Returning to Michigan. Starting over. The temptation lasted only a heartbeat.
I lifted my head again. Evelyn still smiled. Alexander still looked at me as though I were another business deal waiting to be settled. I smiled back. Slowly. Then took a steady breath.
"And you think my love for Ryan is so cheap that you can compare it to money?"
The words left my mouth before I could second guess them. To my surprise, my voice did not shake. It came out calm, clear, and steady. For the first time since walking into this mansion, I refused to let them see my fear.
The smile on Eve
