Song for the mood: Good As Hell by Lizzo. I love her confidence. It reflects Vera's strong personality. A snippet of the lyrics:

Boss up and change your life
You can have it all, no sacrifice

Vera

Friday, December 21

Saira's arrest wasn't a surprise.

Her world fell apart when lieutenant Frank Berry of the Montville State Police handcuffed and escorted her from Alistair's private jet a few weeks ago.

Sure enough, she was guilty as charged for running underground prostitution and drug trafficking enterprises, possessing copious amounts of illegal substances, and keeping an unlicensed gun in her home. She thought she was above the law, but she was wrong.

I had an important business meeting on the day Saira was arrested, but Alistair took time off to ensure that everything went as planned.

"Sweetheart, did you know that Sapphire is quite an actress? She was the star of the show," he remarked a few weeks later.

"I know," I replied, snuggling next to him on the living room sofa.

"If she ever wants a career in film or TV, let me know."

"Don't give her crazy ideas!" I chuckled, running my hands through my lover's gorgeous light-brown curls. "She's willing to try anything a little wild."

"Sounds familiar," Alistair teased, slipping his hand down my pajama shorts to massage my clit.

"Shh, stop!" I hissed, removing his hand. "Your son is still up."

"He went to bed ten minutes ago while you were having a bath," Alistair replied. After gaining full custody of Damian, we celebrated the boy's emancipation from years of neglect by repainting his room green to symbolize renewal and growth.

"I needed a relaxing bath to prepare me for tomorrow," I said, wincing at the thought of running into Erin and Oliver at Elizabeth and John Scott's fundraiser for families of soldiers who died defending our country.

"Don't worry, sweetheart. Everything will be fine," Alistair assured.

***

Saturday, December 22

How I wish Alistair were right, but trouble seemed to come with Erin wherever she went.

Held at a deluxe hotel, the gala event saw families of fallen heroes mixing with the usual crowd of the rich, famous, and infamous. By now, I was accustomed to socializing with the Scotts, Cavallis, and other families.

Alistair and I chatted with a group when I noticed Erin scolding her daughter's nanny. The green-eyed toddler held her nanny's hand tightly.

I felt a sharp pang in my empty womb, wondering what it would be like to be a mother. Expelling that thought, I masked my pain behind the smiles, nods, and conversations with the people around me.

One hour later, after Elizabeth and John made formal announcements and food was served, I walked toward the end of the buffet table to refill my empty glass with apple juice.

"Look what the cat dragged in," Erin's sickly sweet voice bit the air.

Not bothering to turn my head, I replied, "You have your entire life to be a bitch. Why don't you take the day off?"

"Nice dress. Walmart?" Erin jabbed. "I could give you some styling advice."

Slowly turning to her, I eyed her newly plumped lips and Botoxed forehead. "No offense, but I'll pass. Is your plastic surgeon doing the social media package again?"

"Ooh, social media! How's that going? I saw the pictures of Alistair circulating on social media; it's nice to know that he's cheating on you again. How does it feel to see your lover with other women?"

"Honey, it doesn't bother me. The photos are ancient, long before I came along. Be a little more innovative next time."

Erin's brown eyes feigned innocence. "What do you mean?"

"Stop bullying me! What have I ever done to you?"

We glared at each other for a few long seconds before Erin broke the silence with a smile.

"You know very well what you've done to me," she said coldly. "Alistair and I were in love until you came along."

"You're insane."

"You'd better watch out," she said, grabbing my arm. "I've taken a new hobby. Pistol shooting, and I'm quite good at my aim. I get better and better each time I think of you at the center of the target."

"You're hurting me, you fucking bitch," I said, slapping her wrist hard with my other hand.

Erin smirked. "Do you want to know something?"

"What?" I asked, rolling my eyes. I was ready for another sparring match.

"Look who came without her husband again? Don't you think it's odd that she turns up to events when Alistair is around? Do you know that they've been having an affair?"

I glanced at the beautiful Bianca Cavalli engaging in an intimate conversation with my handsome boyfriend. She stood out from the crowd in a low-cut lilac dress, revealing her ample bust. Alistair's eyes traveled down her breasts, no doubt to get a glimpse of her precious prizes.

She laughed as he whispered sweet nothings into her ear, and she patted his forearm with affection. They continued their playful exchange while she picked imaginary lint off his shoulder. He looked immaculate as usual, dressed to kill.

"Bianca's message is clear. She's telling the world that she owns Alistair Scott," Erin declared.

I faced Erin, towering over her with my Louboutin pumps. I narrowed my eyes at her flat shoes, then laughed. "It's harmless flirting. Bianca knows that Alistair is with me. I have to ask you something, though. Did you launch the media attacks on me?"

She frowned at her shoes, probably feeling inadequate, then placed her hands on her hips. "You'll have to ask Bianca that question; she is the media queen. She's also Alistair's first love, whether he knows it or not. Possibly, even his true and only love."

"Are you blaming the media attacks on Bianca?" I eyed Erin carefully. "I mean, why would she do that to me after investing in the media training? The attacks didn't come from her magazines or newspapers."

Erin's left lip corner twitched. "Bianca likes to keep her enemies close to her. She has control over most of the media in this town."

"Not quite. Even behind bars, Saira Quinn still has control over some media groups," I argued.

"Saira has every reason to hate you. For starters, you're screwing her ex."

"You did too," I reminded her. "Is there anything you would like to admit?"

She cocked her head to one side. "Admit what?"

"Have you tried to hurt me in any other way?"

"Why would I hurt you? We are family, after all." Erin walked away with a cold, eerie smile painted on her collagen-filled lips. She headed back to Camilla, who didn't want to let go of her nanny. I scanned the room for Oliver, but I figured he must have left early because he hadn't been feeling well lately.

"Don't trust Erin," a familiar feminine voice advised.

"Elizabeth!" I gasped. I wondered how much of the conversation she had heard.

"Come with me. There's a private room where we can talk." Elizabeth's stern eyes were fixed on mine.

A few minutes later, we sat in an ornately decorated sitting room with French windows. Snow started to fall on the terrace outside.

"How much of the conversation did you hear?" I asked, placing my hands on my lap.

"I heard enough," Elizabeth revealed, adjusting her diamond brooch. "First of all, I want to discuss my son. I understand that he's told you everything about him."

I nodded with a frown.

"Alistair trusts you with his secrets, and he trusts you with his life," she pointed out. "He is in love with you, not Bianca."

"But he's deeply attracted to her," I dared to argue with my boyfriend's mother. "Bianca is the first woman Alistair had consensual sex with, and they have a bond."

"Oh, he loves her." Elizabeth's earnest green eyes drilled into mine. "However, he's not in love with her. They're friends, and that's how they will remain. Of course, it's up to you to decide the fate of their friendship."

"Up to me?" My voice hitched.

"Yes, Vera. It's up to you." Tucking a piece of hair behind her ear, she continued, "He would choose you over his closest friends and even his own family if he ever had to make that choice."

"He won't have to choose," I assured her.

Elizabeth clutched one of the nearby decorative pillows and toyed with the embroidered design before gazing intently at me again. "Do you trust my son?"

"I trust him. I don't trust the others, especially Erin."

"I'm going to tell you what happened to her years ago."

"Oh?" I started to see a fierce woman emerge from behind the hospitable façade. Elizabeth was every bit as forthright as me.

"Did you see her emerald necklace and earrings today?"

"It's hard not to notice. I can only imagine the cost of them."

"They're mine."

"Why is she wearing them?"

Elizabeth cleared her throat, then squared her shoulders. "Alistair was a college student when he started seeing Erin. She seemed lovely at first sight, but looks are deceiving."

"Oh, I know that all too well," I said.

"Some of my jewelry went missing over time. At first, I thought it was a new cleaner we hired, so I fired her. However, I found the necklace and earrings in the glove box of Erin's car as I sat in the passenger's seat, waiting for her to give me a lift into town one day."

"She stole from you?"

"Oh, yes. She sputtered some silly excuse. However, I persisted in questioning her, commenting that it was ridiculous for the staff to hide jewels in someone else's glove box."

"Did Erin snap at you?"

"She accused me of snooping. I shouldn't have checked the glove box, but I had a sneaking suspicion about the girl."

"Did she apologize to you?"

"She sat in the driver's seat, blank and unapologetic."

"That sounds like Erin," I said, shaking my head.

"I told her to keep the jewels and stay away from my son."

"Did you tell anyone else?" I asked.

"Only John. He was concerned about our son's future with that woman. One rotten apple is all it takes to spoil the whole barrel."

"So, he pressured Alistair to break up with Erin?"

Elizabeth nodded, compressing her lips tightly.

"What about Saira and her family?"

"Darius Quinn, bless his soul, was a pillar of strength and a colossal success," Elizabeth continued. "However, I was suspicious of the rumors about his involvement with illegal businesses. His wife passed away when Saira and her younger brother, Nicholas, were children."

"She must have been a lonely child," I speculated.

"Oh, she did have relatives to keep her company, but you can never replace the love of a mother," Elizabeth replied.

"Still, it's no excuse for what she's done," I murmured.

"Of course not," Elizabeth agreed. "Saira knew my son since they were children. She and Nick visited us from time to time. Alistair preferred Nick's company as they were closer in age."

"So, Saira is older than Alistair," I mused.

"Four years, to be exact," Elizabeth answered. "As an adult, he dated different women, including Erin, who he claimed to love. However, after the incident with my jewels, John persuaded him to leave her and take an interest in Saira."

"From the frying pan into the fire." I chuckled, hoping to lighten the mood. Elizabeth did not flinch, nor did she smile.

"When Alistair proposed to Saira, she was flattered by his affection. He was a grown man, and she had a penchant for young and energetic men."

"But Alistair never loved her back." I sighed, rubbing my forehead.

"He was close to Nick," Elizabeth revealed. "He was devastated when Nick died in that horrid boating accident in Europe."

"Alistair mentioned it to me," I told her. "Do you believe Saira was responsible for the explosion on the boat?"

Elizabeth stared at me. I didn't know what to say, so I shook my head at the mess and drama of the Scott-Quinn saga. She broke the stillness by placing one hand over mine.

"Alistair loves Damian, and he loves you. Don't let anything else matter." The woman stood up and strolled out of the room in all her elegance, leaving me to ponder the complexities of my partner's life.

***

Alistair

"Vera! I was looking for you! Are you okay, sweetheart?" I took my lover's hand in the foyer.

"I'm fine," she said but pulled her hand away.

Lifting her chin, I searched her eyes for an answer, but I only saw frustration. "What are you not telling me?"

"Erin says you're having an affair with Bianca."

"Do you believe her?"

Vera let out a soft laugh. "Do you think I'm that insecure? You see, that's the difference between Erin and me. I know my worth."

"Then, what's the problem?"

Vera glared, showing her fighter soul. "I see how you eye-fuck Bianca. You said you wanted monogamy. No more third parties. Just us. Are you sure about that?"

"Darling, I'm sure. Bianca is beautiful, but you are much more. You will never be the woman who gets left behind. You play the role of the seductress and lover at the center of my life."

"Yet, there's a feeling that I can't shake off. Something's not right."

"Am I the problem? Are you looking for a way out of the relationship?"

"You're holding me too tightly," Vera warned, triggering me to loosen my grip.

"I'm sorry. I love you, and it makes me feel emotionally vulnerable." Closing my eyes, I inhaled her floral scent while tracing the curve of her lower back. I need you, Vera.

"I love you too, but I need a space." Vera slowly moved out of my hold.

"Space?" I barked in disbelief.

"Just a few days-I'll stay at my mom's house. I told you that I needed space sometimes, remember?"

"Christmas is in a few days. Are you planning on leaving me alone for Christmas? And Damian?"

"I'll be back for Christmas. I just need space to-"

"You want space now?" I scoffed, rubbing my chin. "Damn you, Vera! It's Omar Khan, isn't it? You're still thinking of him, aren't you? Oh, my God! That's why you've been cold-shouldering me."

"What?! H-how dare you?" Vera stared at me, open-mouthed. "Alistair, shame on you! Trust goes both ways. Can I count on you to trust me?"

I nodded, feeling guilty about my jealousy.

"I need to go." Vera glanced at the door.

"After everything we've been through together?" I begged, not wanting her to leave.

Staring into my eyes, she said nothing.

"Seriously?" I shouted, feeling control slipping from my fingers. "Don't go!"

"I'll be back, I promise. There are some things I need to do alone."

"Vera!"

She straightened the handbag strap on her shoulder and stepped away from me. "I need answers from Saira."

A/N: Oh, dear! What has Vera figured out?