The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins (Mia and Kyle) novel Chapter 281

Chapter 281 Like they knew each other

Mia’s POV

“Mama!” Alexander’s voice seemed to come from far away. “Are you okay?”

I couldn’t speak.

“Mama’s hands are shaking,” Ethan’s voice said.

Their two small hands gripped mine, warm and solid and real.

My eyes were fixed on Morton and Maxwell in the distance, who were still talking.

I couldn’t make out what they were saying from here. But I could see their body language.

Like they knew each other well.

My mind was spinning with implications I didn’t want to face.

Morton was Kyle’s best friend. His brother in every way that mattered.

His natural conversation with Maxwell only made me sink deeper into the doubt I had been trying to escape for

weeks.

Morton, don’t tell me you just think they look alike. That’s all this is.

I couldn’t understand it at all.

“Mia?” Thomas’s voice cut through my spiraling thoughts. “What’s wrong?”

I felt his hand on my shoulder, steadying me.

“I…” I started to speak but stopped.

I wanted to rush over and confront Morton and Maxwell right here in front of everyone.

I realized Thomas’s hand was tightly gripping mine, and his low voice said, “Mia, you’re shaking.”

I looked at Thomas blankly and turned my head away.

The twins were staring up at me with worried expressions, their small faces creased with concern.

Thomas squeezed my shoulders, trying to calm me down.

“Mia, what’s wrong?” Thomas finally asked again.

I forced myself to look back at where Morton and Maxwell had been standing.

They were gone.

Both of them had disappeared into the crowd like ghosts.

My hands clenched into fists. For some reason, heat began to rise in my core, making me want to hit something

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or someone.

I took time to breathe, trying to calm myself down.

It took me a while to calm the chaos inside my body.

But I found myself unable to control the tears welling up in my eyes.

The possibility I’d been avoiding for weeks was staring me in the face.

What if Maxwell really was Kyle?

What if he had been watching me this entire time?

The thought made me sick.

Thomas hugged me, pulling me close to his chest. “Mia, what’s wrong?”

I could only say to Thomas, “Thomas, I think Kyle is the Maxwell who’s been deceiving me.” My voice was hoarse.

Thomas’s body stiffened suddenly.

For a moment, neither of us moved. The party continued around us, but we were frozen in our own private bubble.

After a few seconds, Thomas stroked my hair gently. “Mia, no matter what happens, I won’t leave you, okay? Please don’t cry.”

He paused, making me lift my head. His deep eyes stared at my face. “Don’t leave me either.‘

I looked at him and nodded, though my throat was too tight to speak.

“Mama, you dropped the glass,” Ethan pointed out with concern.

“I know, sweetheart. I’m sorry.”

A crew member immediately appeared with a broom and dustpan, efficiently cleaning up the broken glass while quietly reassuring us that such accidents happened all the time on ships.

The boys watched with fascination as the uniformed man swept up the sharp pieces.

“Is Mama in trouble?” Alexander whispered to his brother.

“No,” Ethan whispered back. “Sometimes grown–ups just get surprised and drop things.”

Their innocent voices made my heart clench.

The ship’s loudspeaker crackled to life.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please proceed to the main salon for tonight’s special announcement.‘

The crowd began moving toward the interior of the ship like a slow tide.

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Chapter 281 Like they knew each other

+25 BONUS

Thomas took my hand, his fingers intertwining with mine. “We don’t have to stay if you don’t want to.”

“No,” I said, finding my voice again.

I no longer cared to see Miss Field’s true face. Was she Maxwell’s fiancée?

If Kyle had deceived me, it was none of my business whom he wanted to marry next.

But I needed answers.

We made our way to the ship’s interior, the twins walking between Thomas and me.

The main salon had been transformed into something resembling a theater. Rows of chairs faced a small stage where a podium had been set up.

To my surprise, Victoria had apparently arranged for Thomas and me to be seated in a very prominent spot near

the front.

She and Madison were already waiting there.

I had no energy left to discern her intentions.

Was this another one of her games?

Victoria’s smile was sharp as broken glass when she saw us approaching.

She greeted Thomas enthusiastically, rising from her chair to kiss his cheek in the European fashion.

“Thomas, darling,” she said, her voice honey–sweet. “So wonderful to see you.”

Then it was my turn.

“Mia,” she said, her tone instantly cooling to freezing. “What a surprise to see you here.”

“Victoria,” I replied in the same tone.