The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins (Mia and Kyle) novel Chapter 420

Kyle's POV

The hospital room was dark when I got back.

Just one lamp. The small one by the bed. Casting that particular yellow glow that made everything look sicker than it was.

I closed the door. The click echoed.

My clothes were still damp. Not soaking. But damp enough to be uncomfortable. The shirt clung to my back. My pants felt heavy. My socks squelched slightly in my shoes.

I should change.

The ring box sat in my jacket pocket. I could feel it. That small weight. Pressing against my ribs with each breath.

I shouldn't have brought it.

The thought had repeated itself the entire drive back. James silent in the front seat. Me in the back. Watching the city lights blur past the window.

I pulled the box out now. Velvet. Dark blue. Small enough to fit in my palm.

Opened it.

The diamond caught the lamplight. Threw it back in fractured pieces. Yellow and white. Dancing across the ceiling. Across the walls.

The smaller stones arranged around it like stars. Like the pendant I'd given her when we were children. That constellation pattern. Orion. Her favorite.

Platinum band. Thin. Strong. Made to last.

I snapped the box shut.

Stupid.

That's what this was. The wedding had been beautiful. Alexander had looked happy. Genuinely happy. Grace had been radiant. Even pregnant. They'd cried through their vows. Both of them. Standing there in front of five hundred people.

Everything of mine and Mia's hadn't been.

I turned away from the window.

God. Mia.

She'd been so tired.

I'd seen it the moment she arrived. Sleeping too little. Carrying too much.

She'd smiled for the cameras. Laughed with Scarlett. Danced with Morton's father. Played her part perfectly.

The wedding ceremony had been long.

I'd watched Mia try to stay present.

When she'd finally fallen asleep against my shoulder, I'd frozen.

Hadn't dared breathe.

Her head had settled against me. Soft. Warm. Trusting in a way she never was when awake.

Her hair smelled like lavender. Something sweet underneath that I couldn't name. Her shampoo probably. Or her conditioner.

"Mr. Branson." He glanced at his watch. "It's after midnight. I didn't expect to see your car in the parking lot."

"Where else would I be?"

"With your family. At a celebration." He closed the door. Moved to the chair. Sat without being invited. "Your friends's wedding was today."

"You know about that?"

"I pay attention." He smiled. That serene expression. "How was it?"

I thought about lying. "Exhausting," I said instead.

"For you physically? Or emotionally?"

"Both."

He nodded. Like he'd expected that answer. Reached into his bag. Pulled out several bottles.

"New supplements," he said. Setting them on the bedside table. Next to the rings and the ring box. "They should help with the fatigue."

"More pills."

"More support for your system." He paused. "And I've scheduled additional tests for tomorrow afternoon. Three o'clock."

"And more tests."

"I think you're improving, Kyle." His voice was gentle.