The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins (Mia and Kyle) novel Chapter 168

Mia's POV

Understanding then happiness in his face. "You saw me in the hallway."

It's not a question, but I nod anyway.

Kyle visibly brightened up. "You saw me in the hallway." He repeated.

I wanted to tell him that I was not deaf.

But he quickly added, "With Alexis Moore," he continues. "My new PR director."

"Oh. "I looked away. “Okay.”

So that's who she is. His PR director. I keep my expression carefully neutral. "It doesn't matter who she is, Kyle. I just needed to know what you're doing about these articles. The lies they're spreading about me. About us."

I could tell Kyle was studying my expression carefully. “Are you jealous, Mia?”

I rolled my eyes. This bastard. "I think I should tell my mom that the five minutes are up."

He stopped me.

He cleared his throat. "That's exactly what Alexis and I were discussing," he says. "Our strategy for addressing the media situation."

"And?" I prompt when he doesn't continue.

"And I'm handling it," he says. "Robert is filing injunctions, as I'm sure he's told you. My legal team is sending cease and desist letters to the most egregious offenders. And we're preparing a formal statement to set the record straight."

"A statement." I repeat the word, skeptical. "You think that will be enough?"

"It's a start." He leans forward, elbows on his knees. "Mia, I need to know something. Did you really come to my office just to discuss PR strategy? Or was there another reason?"

The question catches me off guard. "What other reason would there be?"

He studies me for a long moment, his gray eyes unreadable. "You tell me."

Before I can formulate a response, Mom appears in the doorway. "Your five minutes are up, Mr. Branson."

Kyle sighs, his hand lingering a moment longer before he withdraws it. "Thank you for seeing me, Mia." He stands, straightening his suit jacket with a practiced motion. "I'll let you know when the statement is ready to be released. And I'd like to attend the next appointment with Dr. Matthews, if you'll allow it."

I nod, not trusting myself to speak.

"Rest," he says, and it sounds almost like a plea. "Please."

Then he's gone, leaving nothing but the lingering scent of his cologne and the phantom warmth of his hand on my belly.

Mom watches me carefully as the door closes behind him. "Are you alright?"

"Fine," I say automatically, though we both know it's a lie.

"What did he want?"

My stomach growls in response. "Starving, actually."

"Sit," she instructs, already heading to the kitchen. "I'll bring you a plate."

By the time I've finished eating, I'm feeling more human again, though still utterly drained from the day's events.

"I think I'll take a shower," I announce, pushing myself up from the sofa. "Then maybe we can watch a movie or something?"

"Sounds perfect," Mom agrees.

The hot water works so well. Clean and wrapped in my favorite oversized robe, I return to the living room to find Mom setting up a movie on the television, a cozy-looking throw blanket draped over the sofa.

"Better?" she asks, noting my relaxed expression.

"Much," I agree, settling onto the sofa and tucking the blanket around my legs. "What are we watching?"

"Pride and Prejudice," she says, a small smile playing at her lips. "The Colin Firth version, of course."

"Of course," I echo.

When I see Elizabeth finally say yes. My eyes are wet. I've been reading this story since I could read. I don't know how many times I've read it. And today I just realized. It ruined me. It spoiled me. It made me expect too much from love.

But Kyle isn't Darcy.