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 him. And now, he's under your skin... You aren't strong enough to

but firm. "My testimony built their case against him. He's finally been arrested because of

Mía. He's conned

I lie, my voice steady even as

me. I

"You're still lying for him. I can see it, even now. Please, Mía. Please

I insist, my heart pounding. "I know I was wrong. I'm sorry.

"That's rich coming from the person

what he was doing at first," I snap, turning to face him. "And when I found out, I had no

his fists clenched. "You had a choice, Mía. You could have told us. You could have stopped

exchange

shaking. "You think I wanted any of this? Why does no one ever

believe you. But Gabriel showed us the proof. It's...

whirl on Gabriel. "Of course, you showed then your precious 'proof.' Anything to turn them against me, right? It doesn't matter that what did brought a monster to justice after all these years of never having the evidence

the truth,” Gabriel says flatly. "And they deserve to know what kind of person they'd be selling their shares to. A person who sides with criminal activities for their own gain. A person that

on! You had no right to go behind my back with

already proven you can't be trusted. I won't let you destroy this

pressing down on me. But I'm not going to let him win this time. Not when he's so obviously trying to

Brennan Industries all to

of a Brennan he is. How much like