— I have three children. I’ve had worse things happen to my shirts.
They sat down again. Diana refilled the coffee.
“So, what are you going to do?” Diana asked. “About the invitation, about Juliano? About all of this?”
— I don’t know. I have two choices, right? I can take this evidence to court, drag Garrett through hell, and get what’s rightfully mine.
Rebeca paused.
Or I could show up at that wedding and let him see what he threw away. Let him see that I’m not broken.
These things are not mutually exclusive. You can do both.
– I can?
Why not? Take the evidence to your lawyer. File the lawsuit. And in the meantime, show up at his wedding on the arm of a billionaire. Show him exactly what he’s lost.
That seems petty.
— Great. Be mean. He deserves meanness. He deserves much worse.
Rebeca laughed. A real laugh this time. It sounded strange, rusty.
Juliano wants to be there. He sent tickets for all of us.
Wait, plane tickets? What do you mean, several?
— Private plane. His plane. He wants to take us. Me and the kids. You too, probably, if you want to come.
Diana’s eyes widened.
Your boyfriend has a private plane.
He’s not mine…
Okay, fine. *My boyfriend* has a private jet, and you were worried about not being interesting enough? Girl, you’re dating a man with a private jet. You won the interest lottery.
Despite everything, Rebecca smiled.
— He wants me to introduce the children to him properly. He says we’ve been hiding for long enough.
He’s right.
What if they hate him?
— And what if they love each other? Maybe it will be worse.
Diana shook her head.
— You can’t protect them from everything. You can’t protect yourself from everything. Sometimes you have to take the risk.
Rebeca looked at the invitation again. Then at the package of evidence, then at her sister.
— He invited me because he thinks I’m still broken. He wants Tessa to see me suffering. He wants everyone to see that he’s improved, that he’s upgraded to a superior model.
Then show that he’s wrong.
— How?
— Showing up like a million dollars with a man who truly values you. With your children who adore you. Showing up like you own the world. Because you do, Rebecca. You always have. You just forgot for a while.
Rebeca got up, went to the window again, and looked out at the street. Somewhere out there, Garrett was planning the wedding, probably laughing at the invitation he’d sent. He had no idea what was coming.
“Okay,” Rebecca said softly.
— Right what?
Okay, I’ll do it. I will. I’ll take Juliano. I’ll take the children. And I’ll walk into that wedding like I own the place.
Diana smiled.
This is my sister.
But first, I need to do one thing.
– What?
Rebeca picked up her cell phone, opened the messages, and found Juliano’s name. She typed carefully:
I’m ready. Let’s do this. All of it. No more hiding.
He pressed send before he could change his mind.
The answer came in less than a minute.
I was hoping you’d say that. When can I see you?
Rebeca smiled. A genuine smile this time.
Tonight. Come tonight. It’s time to meet my sister. And soon, my children.
I’ll be there at 7 PM.
Diana read over her shoulder.
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