“I didn’t know you were in Singapore,” I say flatly, glancing at the man she was with. “What brings you here?”
“Oh, just an Asian tour with my business partner.” She smiles sweetly.
Business partner, my ass.
Her eyes look past me, lingering deliberately on Mya who’s moved closer, then drifting to my colleagues, and the women around me, her smile morphing into a sneer.
“Funny seeing you all the way out here, in another country, surrounded by beautiful women.” Her eyes return to mine. “Staying true to your blue collar playboy ways, I see.”
The implication hangs between us—poisonous, and intentional. And I know, with absolute clarity, that she said it hoping it would trigger me.
“Left our daughter at home while you’re out here trying out the country’sdelicacies?”
I’m ready to explode when Mya steps forward, cutting through the tension. My employees are too occupied to even notice the conversation over the music and chaos.
“Brianna is doing great and is with her nanny right now. We’re on a business trip,” she says crisply, extending her hand. “I’m Mya. Worth’s girlfriend.”
The world tilts. I see the shock on Vanessa’s face—which mirrors how I feel. But I keep my face unreadable.
Girlfriend?When minutes ago she was worried about colleagues speculating? I look at her, brow furrowed. But Mya just nods, mouthingtrust me.
And I do.
“Well, tell my daughter I’ll be seeing her soon,” Vanessa says to me, ignoring Mya’s hand.
“No, you won’t,” I snap.
“Worth, I’m her mo?—”
“Enough, Vanessa.” My voice is steel. “I already told you that if you want to talk about Brianna, you can contact my lawyer.”
Vanessa huffs, venom flashing in her eyes. “Fine.”
She stalks off, leaving me staring after her, Mya’s hand in mine.
I release it and step back. “I have to go.” Before she can answer, I’m already walking away.
“Worth—” Her voice catches, but I don’t stop.
The air outside slams into me like a wall, hot and humid, though still easier to breathe than the suffocating tension back inside. I wave at our driver, and he immediately pulls the car around. My pulse is hammering when I sink into the leather seat.
“Hotel,” I order.
The car eases forward, and I glance back at the glowing club doors.
Mya bursts through them, curls bouncing as she scans the street. She looks small under the neon lights, shoulders tight. For a second, I almost tell the driver to stop and let me out.
But I can’t. I want to be with her, but I also need to be alone.
The last person I expected to see tonight was Vanessa.
The fact that she’s in Singapore feels like some cruel joke. I knew she was in Asia—my PI had last reported her in Tokyo months ago—but what are the odds she’d behere, of all places, the same time as me?
After years of nothing but absence, she dares to ask about our daughter like she didn’t abandon her?
I glance out the tinted window again. Mya is still standing there, eyes locked on the car as it drives farther away. A second later, Seraya comes out and joins her, leading her to the other town car.
I rest my head back, a bitter laugh rumbling low in my throat.