Divorce to Destiny: Reclaiming My CEO Husband by Anney GW

515 Making My Mark

(Mia)

The townhouse is spotless. Every vase, every gold fixture, every inch of marble gleams under the crystal chandelier's glow. I've made sure of it, not for me, but for them.

My family is coming, and I know the judgment in their eyes will be as sharp as their words. They will think I don't belong here. Such luxury and display of wealth is unbecoming. I should be more humble. Show more gratitude and grace.

I don't care. I do belong here. All I want is for mother to love and respect me as a woman. Not to always see me as her baby girl who needs constant mothering.

I straighten the throw pillows for the third time, my nerves simmering beneath my skin. When the doorbell rings, I force my shoulders back and my face into a practiced smile.

"Come in," I say as I open the door.

Mama steps in first, her dark eyes scanning the room like she's searching for something to scold me about. Behind her, Ana and Eva follow, their expressions less obvious but no less guarded.

Gabriel brings up the rear, his presence as arrogant as ever. He looks me over, his jaw tight, before stepping past me without a word.

I close the door and turn, forcing the tension from my voice. "Mamá, you look beautiful. I've missed you."

She doesn't respond, instead crossing her arms. "I have much to say. You have brought shame on me. On our whole family. You have dealt with the devil."

I stiffen. "If you're talking about Abuelo "

I begged you to never have ties with him. I begged you. I took my children away from

Mamá, I gave everything to the authorities," I say, my tone calm but firm. "My testimony built their case against him. He's

Mía. He's conned you. You don't know what you're doing. You're young, naïve. How can I believe you're not still listening to

I lie, my voice steady even as guilt claws at my insides. "I'm done with him,

doesn't believe me. I see it in

can see it, even now. Please, Mía. Please

pounding. "I know I was

rich coming from the person who allowed Brennan Industries to be used for

first," I snap, turning to face

fists clenched. "You had a choice, Mía. You could have told us. You could have stopped him before it got this

Eva exchange glances, their

believe this?" I ask them, my voice shaking. "You think I wanted any of this?

cautiously, "we want to believe you. But Gabriel showed us the

me, right? It doesn't matter that what did brought a monster to justice after all these years of never having the evidence needed against

"And they deserve to know what kind of person they'd be selling

on! You had no right to go behind my

already proven you can't be trusted. I

this time. Not when he's so obviously trying to paint himself as

saint. He just wants Brennan Industries all to himself.

he is. How much of a Brennan he is. How much