Chapter 49: Locked Out
Mia's POV
After leaving the jewelry exhibition, I said goodbye to Fiona and returned to the villa alone.
As usual, I entered the password on the keypad lock, but the screen displayed:
[Password incorrect. Please try again.]
I frowned, thinking I must have entered it wrong in my distracted state.
So I concentrated and entered it again, slowly and carefully.
[Password incorrect. Please try again.]
The same result.
My heart sank as an ominous feeling washed over me.
I pulled out my phone and called Mary, the villa's housekeeper.
I tried to keep my voice calm. "Mary, has the villa password been changed? I can't get in."
Mary was silent for a moment before speaking in a cautious, apologetic tone.
"Yes, Miss Mia."
I grew more confused. "When was it changed? Why didn't I know about it? What's the new password?"
"It was... Mr. Adams ordered the change this afternoon."
Mary's voice sounded uncomfortable, even sympathetic.
"And Mr. Adams specifically instructed us not to share the new password with any outsiders."
She paused, then added, "That includes you."
Her words felt like ice water poured over my head, chilling me to the bone.
I stood frozen, unable to process what I'd just heard.
What did Gavin mean by this?
Why would he suddenly change the villa password and not tell me?
I hung up and was about to call Gavin to ask what he was thinking when my phone received a text message from Eva.
It was an invitation to her and Gavin's engagement party.
The invitation featured a photo of a man and woman embracing. Though it showed only their backs, I recognized Gavin instantly.
He wore a perfectly tailored suit while Eva nestled in his arms.
Eva had added a message below:
[Mia, as my bridesmaid, you must arrive on time.]
Already frustrated about the password change, Eva's message only added to my confusion.
My heart throbbed with a sharp, suffocating pain.
Just then, Gavin called.
I stared at his name flashing on the screen, forced down my chaotic thoughts, and answered.
"Gavin, why did you change the villa password?"
His voice was cold. "I'm changing the password to my own house. I have no obligation to notify you first."
"Also, I'll have the servants pack your things and mail them to you."
What?!
His words hit me like lightning. I froze completely, my blood seeming to stop flowing.
My voice trembled beyond my control. "What... what do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said," he replied. "From today on, you don't need to come back to the villa."
"Why?" I demanded. "Is it because of Eva? What did she tell you about me?"
"It has nothing to do with her," Gavin denied. "This is my own decision."
"Because you didn't recognize your place and fantasized about marrying me. I gave you a chance, but you clearly didn't take my words seriously."
His merciless words shredded my pathetic illusions.
"So I've decided to unilaterally end our relationship."
My head buzzed. I hadn't expected this day to come so quickly.
Fiona's plan, combined with my clumsy acting, had actually worked.
I'd successfully made him tired of me.
But somehow, hearing him say the word "end" brought me no joy at all.
I forced myself to calm down, my voice hoarse. "What about Peggy? Can I still see her?"
"You don't need to see Peggy anymore," Gavin said. "I'll put Eva in charge of her."
"No!" I protested emotionally. "Eva has never taken care of anyone. How could she possibly care for Peggy? She'll hurt her!"
"That's none of your concern." His rejection was cruel.
"How is it none of my concern?" I was almost shouting at him. "Peggy calls me Mommy! She needs me!"
Gavin's tone was cold as ice. "Mia, don't forget that you and Peggy share no blood relation. You were just a nanny I paid to care for her. Now you're fired."
His words reminded me of the truth.
I wasn't Peggy's mother. She just called me that, and I'd naturally fallen into the maternal role.
But Peggy and I had lived together for a while. Her companionship had brought me so much happiness.
"Can I... can I see Peggy one last time?" I begged humbly.
"No," Gavin refused. "From today on, you and Peggy have no relationship whatsoever."
His words echoed in my mind. My emotions were collapsing, tears streaming uncontrollably down my face.
Gavin added, "Also, leave the ring behind. After all, it was meant for Eva all along."
In that instant, my heart sank completely to the bottom. I could barely stand.
Suddenly, I understood.
He'd given me the ring not out of affection, but to keep me in line and prevent me from disrupting his engagement to Eva.
I'd been such a fool to harbor any unrealistic fantasies about him.
I wiped away my tears, my voice hoarse from crying. "Fine. I understand. I'll leave the ring with the servants."
"No need," Gavin said. "Eva will come get it herself shortly."
After hanging up, I stood alone outside the villa for a long time.
A cold wind blew, chilling me to the bone.
After what felt like an eternity, a flashy red sports car pulled up in front of me.
Eva stepped out.
She walked toward me, her face radiating a victor's triumphant smile.
I immediately removed the ring from my finger and held it out to her.
She didn't take it right away. Instead, she looked me up and down with contempt in her eyes.
"Aren't you Gavin's precious mistress? Why are you standing here all alone? Did you get kicked out?"
I didn't want to waste another word on her. "Here's your thing. Take it."
Eva snatched the ring from my hand and eagerly placed it on her own ring finger.
She waved her hand in front of me, showing off.
"I didn't expect this day to come so quickly."
"Mia, don't be too upset. After all, a mistress is just a mistress. You could never be presentable."
"But don't worry."
She patted my face with her red-manicured fingers.
"For old times' sake as sisters, I'll take good care of Gavin from now on."
She seemed to remember something and added.
"Oh, right, you received the invitation, didn't you?"
"Don't forget to come to our engagement party."
"After all, you're the bridesmaid I personally selected."