Heaving a deep sigh, Ashley leaned against the back of the couch, her hands resting on the headrest as her younger sister, Alysse, talked with Mia about Ginger's post-care. Ashley watched the empty wall in front of her, trying to listen but not really caring—after all, it was Mia's dog.

"Ash," her sister's voice pulled her from her thoughts. She glanced sideways, meeting Alysse's gaze. "Would you mind visiting the family house?" Alysse asked, turning her full attention to her.

Ashley glanced over her shoulder at Mia, who was gently petting Ginger. She scoffed and turned back, leaning against the headrest of the couch, looking down at her younger sister. "I'm not stepping foot in the family house anytime soon, Aly," she replied firmly.

Her sister chuckled, shaking her head. "Is this about her again? You know she's getting married, right?" Alysse teased.

"It's not about her," Ashley said, stealing another glance at Mia. She cleared her throat as their eyes met, and she quickly looked away. "It's not like I'm needed at the family house anymore. Besides, I don't want to see your brother."

Alysse looked up, her expression turning a little bitter. "And you don't want to see me either? How sad," she remarked, shaking her head.

Ashley flicked her forehead. "Aren't you here in my house? Isn't that enough?" she asked, walking over to the couch and sitting on the opposite end. She leaned her hand on the armrest and rested her temple on the back of her hand.

"I wish you never dated her," Alysse said suddenly, her words catching Ashley off guard. Ashley froze and awkwardly glanced at Mia, who stiffened but pretended she hadn't heard.

Clearing her throat, Ashley looked at her sister. "What do you mean?"

Alysse rolled her eyes. "You know exactly what I mean, Ash. I wish you never dated her. You, Nyx, and her—your trio, right?" she said absentmindedly. "I wish you hadn't. Then you could've come to visit the family house, instead of her staying there with Azriel," she added.

Ashley faked a cough, glancing at Mia and then back at her sister. She clenched her jaw, struggling to keep her composure. "Ha. Ha," she said with a forced laugh, clapping her hands once. "Right, I'm suddenly feeling hungry," she said, reaching for the paper bag her sister had brought.

"Mia, what do you want?" Ashley asked as she dug through the bag.

Alysse's eyes widened. She looked from Mia to Ashley, then back to Mia in surprise. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, covering her mouth. "I totally forgot! I'm so sorry!" she said, her eyes filled with regret as she turned to Ashley.

Ashley lifted the corner of her lips into a smirk. "Damage has been done, sis," she said, rolling her eyes.

Mia, unbothered, continued to pet Ginger, her face devoid of emotion. "I didn't hear anything," she said casually.

Alysse and Ashley exchanged confused glances, and Mia tilted her head. "What?" she asked, smiling at the two. "I didn't hear anything. Just think of it like I'm deaf," she added with a shrug, brushing off the awkwardness.



Frowning, Mia buried her face in her arms and groaned as her manager, Maya, continued to scold her about the what-ifs of her recent predicament. She sighed heavily, biting her lower lip.

"Mia, are you even listening?" A smack on her head made her sit up straight.

"This is a serious situation, you—"

"I heard you, Maya," Mia interrupted, sighing again. "Even I can't believe what happened," she added, her voice laced with frustration.

Maya heaved a sigh, her expression softening. "So, where are you staying right now?" she asked, concern evident in her tone.

Mia opened her mouth to answer but remembered Ashley's advice: At least keep your current location to yourself—or let the Pierces know—until the case is solved. You don't know who to trust right now.

Clearing her throat, Mia glanced at her manager. "I'm staying somewhere else. You know I have other properties, right?" she said with a chuckle, recalling how she'd gone back to her old condominium unit—it felt safer there.

"At least you're safe. As for your personal bodyguard..." Maya hesitated, scratching the back of her head. "Unfortunately, I'm having a hard time finding someone. You're specifically asking for a female bodyguard."

Mia laughed lightly. "I don't think I can trust men right now. I mean, maybe I'm just a bit traumatized by everything that's happened," she admitted, shaking her head.

Maya reached over to gently pat her on the head. "If you're feeling uncomfortable, you can always stay at my place. If you feel like it, that is," she offered.

Raising a brow, Mia laughed softly. "Maya, do you hear yourself? You're married, and you have a baby. What, do you want me to play babysitter instead of working?" she teased, shaking her head.

"That wouldn't be such a bad idea—free babysitter," Maya joked, laughing along with her. "Right, let's change the subject. Here." She handed Mia an envelope, her smile widening. "Congratulations on landing the lead role for that action movie!" Maya clapped her hands excitedly. "It's time to show that idiot of an ex-husband what he's lost."

Mia's eyes sparkled, her hands trembling slightly as she opened the envelope. Inside was the complete script for the movie. "Oh my gosh!" she exclaimed, standing up and jumping in excitement. She stopped abruptly, wincing as a sharp pain shot through her knee. "Ow, ow," she muttered, rubbing it gently.

Maya shook her head, laughing. "Get some rest, okay? Shooting starts next month. But a week from now, you'll begin training for the stunts and weapon handling. We want this to look as realistic as possible," she remarked.

Grinning, Mia nodded. "Got it. I'll rest up. This is my big comeback after all the drama with my divorce," she said, excitement bubbling in her voice as she left the room and when to the washroom.

I need to tell Sienna and the others about this—definitely worth celebrating! she thought, smiling to herself as she began typing on her phone.

After sending a message to her group chat with Sienna and the Pierces, she paused, debating whether to invite Ashley. Shrugging, she thought, It's not like I'm forcing her to come. She fished out Ashley's business card and dialed the number.

"Detective Ashley Amosa, how may I help you?" Ashley's professional tone on the other end made Mia chuckle.

Clearing her throat, Mia said, "Wow. Am I interrupting your work hours, Weird Detective?"

"What—wait. Sugarplum? Is that you?" Ashley asked, her tone shifting to amusement.

Mia coughed, her face heating up at the nickname. "What the heck, Detective..." she muttered. "No more nicknames, remember?"

Ashley just laughed. "So, how can I help you?"

Mia hesitated, biting her lower lip. Finally, she said, "Well, I was planning to invite you out. Not just you, okay? The Pierces too. Just a little celebration." She smiled to herself, nervously rubbing the back of her neck.

"Oh," Ashley said, her tone softer. "When's this happening?"

"Tomorrow," Mia replied. "But if you're busy, it's totally fine—"

"I'll come," Ashley interrupted. "Just send me the details."

"Oh. Okay, sure," Mia said, nodding to herself. "See you then, Weird Detective."

"Yeah. See you, Sugarplum," Ashley said with a laugh before hanging up.

Mia stared at her phone, her cheeks burning. "What the heck?" she muttered to herself, flustered but unable to hide her smile.

"And why the hell are you smiling like that, Mia? Get a grip!" she hissed to herself, her reflection in the mirror only making her blush deepen.

"Remember, you're straight. You're straight!" she muttered, lightly slapping her cheeks in an attempt to snap out of it.

Her phone buzzed with a reply in the group chat, momentarily saving her from her spiraling thoughts. But as she glanced at the screen, Ashley's voice lingered in her mind, and her lips betrayed her with another faint smile.

"Oh, for crying out loud," Mia groaned, burying her face in her hands. "What is wrong with me?"