Chapter 129. The Missing Piece

Cynthia’s POV

The words hit me harder than I expect. For a second, I don’t just freeze—I fold inward. Because I remember.

God. That night.

The message did go through.

Back then, I had told myself it didn’t. I’d convinced myself I never hit send, or maybe that it landed in a void, unread, unseen. But hearing those exact words repeated now—my words—I know there’s no denying it anymore.

“Hi, this is Cynthia Castillo. Can we meet?”

I had typed it after one too many glasses of wine, my nerves on fire from Sabrina’s constant nudging. She’d kept insisting Alexander connect with Claire Montgomery—for some business shit, something about how her influence could open doors or elevate their image. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to see what kind of woman this Cl