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Sterling and I have barely stepped into the decorated garden when everyone’s attention is drawn to the small iron gate that serves as an entrance. I arch an eyebrow as a woman walks inside. Long legs, poised posture. She has light brown hair adorned with a small glittering clip, and there’s something regal about her. Perhaps it’s the way she carries herself? Or the way she’s dressed, in a short white dress that fits perfectly on her slim figure. She’s wearing stilettos that I would probably break my leg in if I tried to walk in them. She looks beautiful. Even from afar.
Beside me, Sterling seems to have fallen still. When I look at him, he has on an expression of complete shock.
“Who’s that?” I ask quietly, wondering why her appearance seems to have shaken him up so much.
I wasn’t expecting an answer since he’s too busy staring at the woman. His dad has moved into action, though. We’re too far away, but he seems to be yelling something at her. The woman doesn’t even move an inch. She stays quiet as Steven speaks, her expression barely changing.
“That’s Marissa,” Sterling replies after a minute, releasing a ragged breath. “Sean’s mother. My ex-wife.”
Oh.
My stomach twists and I feel an ache spread in my chest. I continue to stand there beside him, no clue what to do. And no idea what her appearance may bring.
My gut tells me it won’t be anything good, though. And a part of me hates the way Sterling stares at her. They have history. And history has a way of repeating itself.
Anika drops her bag on the table in our living room before falling back onto the couch with a groan.
“That party was pretty dull,” she mutters.
We’re just getting back home from the Harrington estate. Things were tense when we left. None of the Harringtons seemed to be in a hosting mood with the appearance of Marissa. Everything happened so fast. Karl arrived and took her into the house, and Sterling swiftly followed.
Steven and Elana stayed for long enough to thank us for coming and apologize for the abrupt end before they also made their way inside. Things fizzled out in the garden soon after that. Dad and Priya just dropped us off before heading to their house. The only thing anyone could talk about was the appearance of Marissa.
I’m not sure why it’s such a big deal.
“Do you know about her?” I ask, suddenly feeling exhausted. I sit on the armchair, clutching my stomach that feels a little queasy.
“Not really. All I know is she used to be a model or influencer before she married Sterling. She was pretty popular.”
Oh, great. I hate comparing myself to another woman, but I can’t deny the uneasy feeling in my chest at the moment.
“She’s pretty,” I murmur absentmindedly.
Anika sits up at that, the pendant around her neck lifting with the movement before falling back against her chest.
“Don’t do that. Sterling’s obsessed with you, sissy. Plus, she’s his ex-wife for a reason. He wouldn’t go back to her. She probably just came to wish her kid a happy birthday.”
And I’m so glad she did because I know just how much Sean has been missing her. I’m glad he got to see his mother.
“Sterling’s not obsessed with me,” I say firmly. “But thanks for trying to comfort me all the same.”
She frowns, brown eyes studious as her gaze rests on my face.
“Are you sure nothing’s going on between you and Sterling? I noticed Carson left the party quickly. He went looking for you, and when he returned he seemed pissed. Not a lot of things make Carson angry.”
“Carson need to learn to mind his business,” I say rigidly.
I’m still a little angry at my brother. But I can admit I contributed to how things escalated earlier as well. I pushed him, and I like to act all high and mighty when it comes to our mother. She’s always going to be a sore spot for all of us and there’s nothing I can do about that.
“So he saw you two?” Anika questions curiously.
“He didn’t see anything.”
I sigh, rubbing my forehead, and lean backward to stare up at the ceiling, wondering why I keep feeling the urge to puke.
“You okay, Em?” she asks, rising to crouch down beside me. “You look a little sick.”
I shake my head. “I’m not sure. I think I caught a bug or something. I’ve been tired a lot.”