Whether it was out of rage or shame, Cesar simply set Abigail down.
Trying to offer both comfort and an explanation, he said, “Abigail, you’re Naya’s child. In this life, only Naya can be your mother. No one else.”
He glanced at Naya. “As for the perfume on me… Zora works as my assistant. I must’ve picked it up from her.”
Naya’s heart skipped a beat.
Just days ago, she had mocked Zora for being sneaky, and now, she had suddenly become Cesar’s assistant.
The truth was, Cesar had always kept work and personal matters strictly separate. Even back when Naya had been blindly in love and begged to be his assistant, he turned her down, citing conflict of interest.
And now… Naya let out a silent scoff. Clearly, every principle could be bent in the name of love.
“Oh, and Naya,” Cesar added as he loosened his tie, tone casual, “I need you to announce Zora’s new role at the company party.”
He didn’t stop there. “You know how my parents feel about her. But if you’re the one who introduces her, they’ll back off. They won’t make things hard for her.”
Watching Cesar go to such lengths for Zora; anticipating his parents‘ reactions, thinking about her struggles, Naya felt a dull ache rise in her chest.
He considered everything… except the storm of gossip that would hit Naya if she made the announcement herself.
Soon enough, the day of the company party arrived.
And though Naya still held the title of Mrs. Harmon, she couldn’t compete with something far more intoxicating: The One That Got Away.
The moment Zora stepped into the room, she stole the spotlight.
She wore a silver fringed gown that shimmered under the lights, striking a pose with the confidence of someone who knew she’d already won.
Clutched in one arm was Abigail, dressed in a miniature version of Zora’s gown, chattering sweetly as if they had never been apart.
Whispers began to ripple through the crowd.
“Is Abigail Zora’s daughter? They look almost identical.”
“Wait… I thought she was Mrs. Harmon’s.”
“Zora is Mr. Harmon’s real love. Mrs. Harmon was always just a stand–in.”
“No wonder they look like a perfect little trio.”
“Poor Naya. She has to introduce Zora as Cesar’s assistant.”
“That’s why they say being in a wealthy family is never easy,”
Each word struck Naya like knives to the chest. She lifted her wine glass but didn’t drink. Her gaze drifted toward the stars beyond the window.
3:45 am
Across the room, Zora held Abigail’s hand, and Cesar stood beside them, his arm grazing Zora’s waist. They looked every bit the loving family.
And Naya just stood alone, a silent spectator at a show she was once the lead in.
“You still haven’t given up?” Zora’s voice broke the quiet.
She approached, champagne in hand, her tone honeyed with cruelty. “You see it, don’t you? Cesar, Abigail, and I, we belong together. A real family.”
Naya’s lips curved into a calm, unreadable smile. Yes, Zora had every reason to be proud. After all, she had claimed what Naya never truly possessed.
However, she couldn’t let it go. “So what if I’m Mrs. Harmon in name only? If you’re so bold, then make the Harmon family recognize you.”
With that, Naya set down her glass and turned to leave.
She knew her in–laws well, they were stubborn, old–fashioned, and not the type to change their minds easily.
If they had been, Zora and Cesar would’ve been married long ago, and Naya would never have been part of the picture.
She had barely taken two steps when Abigail’s cry pierced through the noise.
