I remembered years ago when he bought that villa, holding my hand as we walked through every room. He’d smiled and said, ‘This is the home I built for us. Everything’s arranged the way you like it. Only you, me, and your mom will live here.’
And now, he was bringing in the woman indirectly responsible for my mother’s death!
“What if I say no?” I asked.
His expression darkened immediately. He instinctively pulled Anya behind him. “Mandy, why are you being so petty? Anya saved my life. If she hadn’t pushed me out of the way back then, I would’ve been the one in the hospital. She’s sick now. What’s wrong with letting her stay here?”
Right on cue, Anya’s eyes reddened. She even pretended to leave. “Erving, am I causing trouble? Maybe I should just go back to the studio. I’ll be fine on my own.”
“Don’t go.” He stopped her and shot me a sharp glare filled with disappointment. “How far are you going to push her? I don’t need your permission for this, Mandy.”
Then, he turned to his assistant. “James, go prepare a room.”
With that, he led Anya away. As they brushed past me, I caught the fleeting smirk at the corner of her lips.