ths-HE INVITED HIS “BROKE” EX-WIFE TO WATCH HIM MARRY HER BEST FRIEND—BUT SHE ARRIVED ON A PRIVATE JET WITH HIS TWINS, AND THE SECOND HIS OLD BRIEFCASE APPEARED, THE BRIDE …

She paused.

— I’m grateful. And terrified. And confused. He’s everything Garrett said I didn’t deserve. Successful, generous, and he treats me like I’m extraordinary. It terrifies me.

– Why?

— Because what if you find out I’m not? What if you realize Garrett was right? That I’m boring and ordinary and not worth the effort?

Juliano cupped her face in his hands.

— Rebecca, listen to me very carefully. You are not boring. You are not ordinary. You survived four years of hell and came out the other side still kind, still caring, still fighting for your children. That is extraordinary. That is heroic.

I don’t feel heroic.

Heroes rarely feel like it.

The doorbell rang again. Rebecca jumped.

— It’s Diana.

Should I hide?

No. No more hiding places. Remember?

She let her sister in. Diana looked at the two of them and smiled.

Am I interrupting?

“Yes,” said Rebecca.

— Great. I’d like to meet the mysterious billionaire boyfriend.

Juliano extended his hand.

— Juliano Ashford. Nice to meet you.

Diana squeezed it, studied it, then looked at Rebecca.

Okay. I approve.

You can’t approve it after thirty seconds.

— Look at that. He has kind eyes. He made you smile. That’s more than Garrett did in ten years. Approved.

Juliano laughed.

— This is the fastest character assessment I’ve ever received.

I am efficient.

Diana helped herself to some wine.

So, the wedding. What’s the plan?

They sat down around Rebekah’s rickety table.

“I think we should go,” Juliano said. “All of us. You, the children, Diana, and you too, if you want.”

— Oh, I definitely want it. I wouldn’t miss it for anything.

“But we need to be smart,” Juliano continued. “Garrett doesn’t know about me, about us. So when we show up, it needs to be impactful.”

“How impactful?” Rebecca asked.

— Private plane. That’s the first step. We arrive in style, making a statement even before stepping through the door.

Diana smiled.

I like your way of thinking.

“But that’s not the main attraction,” Juliano said.

He pulled out his cell phone and showed something.

– That’s it…

Rebeca read the screen, her eyes widening.

Do you want to show this to Tessa’s family during the wedding?

— Not during. Afterwards, at reception. Discreetly.

Her father deserves to know what he’s investing in.