Chapter 273
Chapter 273
“I already booked the hall for Aiden’s birthday,” Esther said out of nowhere.
Mia, sitting beside her in front of the wide mirror, turned her head and gave her a confused chuckle. “It’s almost a month away, Esther.”
“Yes?” Esther replied, raising a brow as if it was the most reasonable thing in the world. “I had to book down the best hall.”
Mia shook her head, trying not to laugh. “You’re unbelievable,” she muttered, reaching for her lip gloss.
She didn’t say more, but inside she was smiling. Esther had become… different. Softer. And though she could still be a little bossy, it was the sweet kind, the kind that came from caring too much.
They were both getting their makeup done now. Actually, not just them….three professional artists had shown up at the mansion, all dressed in sleek black and carrying huge cases of makeup, brushes, and curling irons.
It was too much. Way too much.
Mia could only sit there as they fluttered around her, touching up her hair, powdering her face, and asking if she wanted a “more dramatic” look.
She didn’t.
“Natural, please,” Mia had said with a friendly smile, and they had nodded politely but still somehow made her look like she was about to walk a red carpet.
Now, sitting in front of the mirror, she stared at her reflection and sighed.
Everything was beginning to feel suspicious.
It wasn’t just the makeup.
Esther had invited her family too. Not only that—she had insisted that Mia pick dresses for her mother, Ann, and Lily, and even a suit for Ethan.
Mia had been happy about it, of course. The thought of her family being part of something that celebrated Alex warmed her heart.
But still….there was something strange about how invested Esther seemed to be about her.
The anniversary shouldn’t be about her at all
Why did she want her whole family there? Why was she insisting on every detail being perfect?
Mia sighed quietly and brushed a loose curl behind her ear.
Maybe she was overthinking it.
17:10 Wed, Oct 8
Chapter 273
Esther had been doing so much for her lately….maybe this was just her way of showing love..
That had to be it.
Aiden, Alex, and Julian had already left for the party hours ago.
Mia had wanted to leave with them, but Esther had refused.
“You don’t need to be around for all the boring stuff,” Esther had said, waving her off as she put on her earrings. “I want you to appear at the grand moment and turn heads while doing it.”
Mia hadn’t thought it was a good idea.
This day was about Alex, not her.
She didn’t want to make an entrance that would pull attention away from him, especially since this night meant so much to him.
She wanted to stand by his side, to see his proud smile when people congratulated him.
But instead, she was sitting here, dressed like a goddess, being told to “make an entrance.”
She sighed again, looking at herself in the mirror.
The woman staring back at her didn’t even look real.
She looked… breathtaking.
Maybe too breathtaking.
“I’m overdressed,” she whispered to herself. “Way too overdressed.”
She didn’t want to look like she was trying to steal the spotlight.
She wasn’t Alex’s wife. She wasn’t even officially his girlfriend. She didn’t even know what she was to him right.
now.
The thought made her heart ache a little.
She took a deep breath, trying to shake off the wave of insecurity creeping up her chest.
Before she could talk Esther into letting her change into something simpler, the older woman suddenly clapped her hands once.
“It’s time. Let’s go,” Esther said.
“What?” Mia blinked, startled. “Already?”
“Yes,” Esther said, standing and grabbing her purse. “Let’s go, Mia.”
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Chapter 273
Mia’s brows furrowed. “Go where?”
Esther didn’t answer.
4:0
When they stepped outside, a limousine was waiting for them.
Mia stopped in her tracks. “What the he-”
“Come on,” Esther said quickly, taking her hand and pulling her along before she could finish.
Mia’s heart was pounding now. She had no idea what was going on anymore.
By the time they arrived at the hall, her nerves were killing her.
She was afraid they had taken too long.
“What if it’s over already?” she whispered.
Esther smiled calmly. “Relax, dear. We’re right on time.”
Mia sighed, unsure what to believe.
When the doors finally opened and they stepped inside, every head in the room turned toward her.
Every single one…..
Mia pauses at the entrance.
Her breath caught in her throat.
She couldn’t move.
She freaking forgot how to walk, how to breathe…..
Breathe, Mia….breathe.
Her chest rose and fell as her eyes instinctively searched for him.
And then she found him standing across the room, dressed in a black suit, his dark hair brushed back.
He was staring at her like she was the only person in the world.
Mia’s lips curved into a small shy smile. Her heart felt like it might burst.
Before she could blink, Julian suddenly jumped onto the stage, his booming voice drawing attention away from her. “Ladies and gentlemen!” he began enthusiastically, and the crowd turned toward him.
Mia finally let out the breath she didn’t even know she had been holding and began to walk further inside.
Her heels clicked softly against the floor.
delete
home
and
pg up
pg dn
17:10 Wed, Oct 8
Chapter 273
Esther drifted away to greet a few guests, while Mia’s family…already waiting for her hurried over to her.
“You look like a princess,” her mom said, her eyes wide and full of pride.
Mia smiled shyly. “Thanks mom”
“You look beautiful,” Ethan said, giving her a warm smile.
“Thanks,” she said again, her voice small.
Anna smiled too, and even Lily, who rarely complimented anyone, nodded approvingly.
“You look beautiful,” Lily said, and then added, “but don’t you think you’re a little overdressed?”
Mia raised a brow, her lips twitching. “The but part was unnecessary, Lily. I look beautiful. That’s it.” Her eyes drifted back to Alex almost instinctively.
On stage, Julian was wrapping up his speech. “Okay, guys, let’s welcome Alex Lowell back on stage!” The crowd erupted into applause.
Mia’s breath caught again as Alex walked up, holding Aiden’s little hand.
“They look like twins,” Ethan whispered beside her.
Mia smiled… He was right, they did.
They were both wearing matching black suits, same tiny smile and sharp eyes, even their hair was styled the same way.
She could feel her heart melting just watching them.
Then Alex’s voice filled the hall, smooth and deep.
“I know some of you already guessed it,” he said, a small smile playing on his lips. “This is my son, my first blood.”
The crowd clapped again, some gasping in surprise, others smiling warmly.
“I don’t want to waste much time on stage,” Alex continued, adjusting the mic slightly.
Mia couldn’t look away from him.
He looked straight ahead, but his eyes kept flicking toward her.
“I could stand here and talk about how we met,” he said, his tone softening. “And how our love story ended… and began again.”
Mia’s heart pounded so hard she thought everyone could hear it.
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Chapter 273
Her fingers trembled slightly at her sides.
And then-
420
“Mia Turner,” Alex breathed into the mic, his gaze locking directly with hers. “That’s the woman that gave me this beautiful miracle. The mother of my child”
Everyone turned to look at her.
She forgot how to breathe.
“I love you,” Alex said, his voice full of emotions. “And I’d like to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Mia’s world stopped completely.
The sound of her heartbeat was the only thing she could hear.
