Reese''s phone started buzzing out of nowhere, the screen lighting up with a number she didn''t recognize.


    She picked up. Silence.


    Just as she wondered if it was a prank, a sharp, almost mocking huff came through.


    Her heart stuttered. She blurted, "Sir?"


    There was a pause. Then Dominic''s voice came on, low and rushed, like he was trying to get the words out before he changed his mind. "Even if Iron Financial turns you down, I can give you another shot toe back."


    He spoke so quickly that Reese had to piece the words together in her head. She thought he was just pushing her tond the Iron Financial deal.


    Even though she knew it''d be tough, just getting a call from Dominic was enough to make her pulse race.


    She nced at the two people walking ahead, squared her shoulders, and said firmly, "Don''t worry, Professor. I''ll do everything I can to get Iron Financial on board."


    Dominic didn''t answer right away. Then he let out another cold snort and muttered, "Whatever," before hanging up.


    Reese tucked her phone away, about to head inside, when a series of loud pops echoed overhead.


    Fireworks exploded across the night sky.


    Gold and red lights burst open, scattering like thousands of tiny diamonds on dark velvet, their glittery tails slicing through the silence.


    "So pretty!"


    Someone nearby let out a little gasp.


    "Whose proposal is it this time, you think?"


    "Probably Mr. Ratcliff."


    "I heard the guy''s in love with the girl from the Meyer family. She just made headlines for some breakthrough in Al. It was all over the news."


    "This must be for her, then!"


    Reese tilted her head back as firework after firework painted the sky in color.


    "Reese!"


    She turned at the sound of her name.


    Tara and Zach were standing not far away, and with them was Aunt Rosie, who Reese hadn''t seen in forever.


    "Aunt Rosie!"


    Reese hurried over to greet them.


    "What took you so long? Are you mad that Zach didn''t stick up for you back there?" Tara asked, eyeing her.


    Reese shook her head. "What? No way."


    Rosie nced between them, her eyes a little shifty. "You two are about to be


    family. Reese wouldn''t get mad at her future brother-inw."


    Reese nced at Zach, who was quiet as ever, and smiled. "Exactly. Zach should


    look after you. Why would I be upset about that?"


    Zach''s hand holding his suitcase barely twitched at that.


    Another round of fireworks boomed above.


    "Whoever''s behind this must be crazy rich. That''s two rounds in a row. Tonight''s probably costing a fortune," someone said nearby.


    Tara grinned up at the sky. "Hey, at least we get to enjoy the show."


    Rosie''s expression got a little weird. "Reese, I didn''t know you''d all being


    home tonight, so I didn''t really n ahead. Would youe with me to pick up some groceries?"


    Reese figured her aunt wanted to talk alone and nodded. "Sure."


    Rosie handed what she was carrying to Tara, nudged her and Zach inside, and pulled Reese toward the gate.


    "Reese, did you and Sebastian have a fight?"


    The fireworks tonight were obviously Sebastian''s doing. The fact that Reese was


    still here made it clear enough who he was really celebrating.


    Rosie seemed to think carefully about what to say next.


    "Everyone''s talking about him and Sofiately. He''s gone too far, honestly.


    "If you ask me, you should make a scene. And if that doesn''t work, maybe think


    about having another baby to keep him close.


    "In families like the Ratcliffs, the more kids the better."


    Reese''s hand drifted to her stomach. Not that long ago, there had been a baby here but it hadn''t been hers.


    Rosie kept going. "Sebastian''s a catch, you know. You need to make sure you hold on to him.


    "Our family would be nowhere without the Ratcliffs'' help all these years.


    "And now that Tara''s back and working here, you and Sebastian will be even more important to the family."


    Reese shot her aunt a sidelong nce.


    She''d already called the hospital. The results of the surrogacy investigation would


    be out in three days. Once she had them, she''d give them straight to herwyer- just in case.


    She''d also had herwyer draft the divorce papers.


    Reese still hoped she and Sebastian could talk things out. Her family depended on hispany, after all.


    If she could get the settlement she wanted and leave on good terms, she had no interest in making things ugly.


    But if Sebastian refused, she was ready to take him to court with the surrogacy evidence.


    Either way, she was ending this marriage, and she would get what was fair. With her mind made up, Reese realized she didn''t have anything left to fear.