Chereads / THE VEIL WOMAN / Chapter 23 - Chapter Twenty-Three: Beneath the Surface

Chapter 23 - Chapter Twenty-Three: Beneath the Surface

The quiet of the penthouse felt heavier than usual. Ethan sat at the dining table, staring at his laptop screen, the faint glow highlighting the tension in his furrowed brows. Across the room, Mia was curled up on the couch, scrolling through documents on her tablet.

Since their daring escape from Kane's estate, they'd buried themselves in work, each trying to ignore the growing awareness of the other. Every accidental touch, every lingering glance—everything felt loaded with an intensity they refused to acknowledge.

Ethan's gaze flicked toward Mia, her profile illuminated by the soft light of the lamp beside her. She looked serene, but he knew better. The haunted look in her eyes and the way she bit her lower lip when she thought too hard gave her away.

He cleared his throat. "Mia, you've been staring at that screen for hours. Take a break."

She glanced up, forcing a smile. "You're one to talk. When was the last time you slept?"

Ethan chuckled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Touché."

The air between them thickened. Ethan wanted to say more—wanted to tell her that the thought of her in danger at Kane's estate had shaken him more than he cared to admit. But professionalism, the wall he'd so carefully constructed, held him back.

And Mia? She wasn't about to make the first move.

---

Family Tensions

The next day, Ethan reluctantly left Mia behind to attend a family gathering. It was a charity gala organized by his mother, Margaret Cole, one of the most influential socialites in the city. He'd hoped to avoid dragging Mia into his family's world, knowing how judgmental they could be, but his absence from these events had already raised eyebrows.

Margaret greeted him with a sharp smile as he entered the grand ballroom. "Ethan, darling, so good of you to finally grace us with your presence."

Ethan forced a polite smile. "Mother."

His younger sister, Lily, appeared at his side, offering him a glass of champagne. "Don't let her guilt you, Ethan. She's just mad you didn't bring a date. Or rather, your fiancée."

Margaret's expression hardened. "Yes, Ethan, where is she? Your… fiancée. Mia, was it?"

Ethan sighed. "She had other commitments."

Lily raised an eyebrow. "Other commitments? Or maybe she knew she wouldn't fit in here."

Ethan's jaw tightened. "That's enough, Lily."

But the seed of doubt had been planted, and throughout the evening, whispers followed Ethan wherever he went.

---

Mia Faces the Storm

Meanwhile, back at the penthouse, Mia received an unexpected visitor: Margaret Cole. The knock on the door startled her, and she hesitated before opening it.

Margaret stepped inside without waiting for an invitation, her presence commanding. She looked Mia up and down, her perfectly manicured nails clutching a designer handbag.

"Mia, is it?" Margaret's tone was sharp, almost condescending.

Mia nodded, trying to hide her unease. "Yes. Can I help you?"

Margaret's smile was icy. "I thought it was time we had a little chat. Woman to woman."

Mia gestured toward the living room, but Margaret didn't sit. Instead, she began circling the space, her gaze taking in every detail.

"My son," Margaret began, "is a very important man. Everything he's built—his company, his reputation—has been through hard work and sacrifice. He doesn't need distractions. Especially not from someone like you."

Mia's chest tightened. "I don't know what you mean."

Margaret turned to face her, her expression unreadable. "I think you do. Let's not pretend you're here out of some noble cause. Women like you always have an angle."

Mia's fists clenched at her sides, but she forced herself to stay calm. "With all due respect, Mrs. Cole, I'm not here to defend myself to you. Ethan knows who I am, and that's enough."

Margaret smirked. "Is it? My sources tell me you've lived quite the colorful life. Working in clubs, disappearing into the shadows. Do you really think someone like you belongs with someone like Ethan?"

Mia said nothing, her silence speaking volumes.

Margaret leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Do the right thing, Mia. Leave, before you destroy everything Ethan has worked for."

With that, she left, leaving Mia standing in the middle of the room, her heart pounding.

---

Keeping Secrets

Mia didn't tell Ethan about Margaret's visit. She knew he had enough on his plate without dealing with family drama. Instead, she threw herself into their investigation, determined to prove her worth.

But the tension was wearing on her. Every time she saw Ethan, she wondered if he'd heard the whispers—if he was beginning to doubt her too.

Ethan, oblivious to the storm brewing around Mia, grew more concerned about her. She was quieter than usual, her smiles less frequent.

One evening, as they worked side by side, Ethan finally asked, "Are you okay?"

Mia looked up, startled. "What do you mean?"

"You've been… distant. Is there something you're not telling me?"

Mia hesitated. She wanted to tell him everything—to pour out her fears and frustrations—but the words caught in her throat. "I'm fine. Just tired."

Ethan didn't believe her, but he didn't push.

---

Lily's Growing Suspicion

Ethan's sister, Lily, wasn't as easily convinced. She'd been watching Mia closely, and something about her didn't sit right. She decided to do some digging, hiring a private investigator to look into Mia's past.

What she found only fueled her distrust: Mia's history at Eclipse, her previous aliases, her sudden appearance in Ethan's life.

Lily confronted Ethan during a family dinner. "You're blind if you don't see what she's doing, Ethan. She's using you."

Ethan's temper flared. "That's enough, Lily. You don't know anything about Mia."

"Don't I?" Lily shot back. "You think she's with you because she loves you? She's with you because of your money, your power. Wake up, Ethan!"

Ethan stormed out, his anger barely contained. But Lily's words lingered, planting a seed of doubt he couldn't shake.

---

The Emotional Toll

Back at the penthouse, Mia sat alone, staring out at the city lights. She felt trapped, caught between her growing feelings for Ethan and the weight of his family's judgment.

When Ethan returned, he found her on the balcony, her arms wrapped around herself.

"Mia," he said softly, stepping beside her.

She turned to him, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Do you ever regret this? Hiring me? Bringing me into your world?"

Ethan's heart ached at the vulnerability in her voice. "Never. Why would you even ask that?"

Mia shook her head, looking away. "No reason. Just tired, I guess."

Ethan reached for her hand, his touch warm and steady. "You don't have to go through this alone, Mia. Whatever it is, I'm here."

For a moment, she considered telling him everything—about Margaret, Lily, the doubts swirling around her. But she couldn't. Not yet.

"I know," she whispered. "Thank you."

They stood in silence, the city sprawling before them, both grappling with emotions they weren't ready to share.