Chapter 41
Rylic, he a not nur father. Why are you calling him Daddy Ryker scolded Ryle before the condd fonto
Iwatched Liam Anderson’s reaction to Ryker’s words. This lace remained e
V pain I knew all too well
Relate, sering
xpression would have made my he addie wirtle sympathy for his
It only annoyed me. If anything. I wanted to Leugli at him.
Now, in dabi
tyle, who landf
My daughter lonked adorable when she pouted and pressed her hand against ber unall fare. “I was just fulutting but I really did dreams that Cinete Diam said he was our daddy.
“Still, you diouldn’t call him that. Uncle Gavin is enough,” Pyker insisted before climbing from bed.
He walked toward i
- Liam, meeting hún before reaching Rylie’s bedste.
Hello, Uncle Liam, You’re back.
Liam crouched down to his level and ruffled his hair. Normally, my son hated it when anyone beides me or his twin tour land has hair
But he didn’t complain when Liam del
I guess Liam Anderson had really earned his trust after picking him spe
Tam, buddy. How are your!
from our use.
koing good,” Hyker replied before turning away and healing back to the bed.
He grabbed his book and walked toward the o Rykeraced
m’s gaze followed my son’s, his face showing amusement as if entertained by how mature:
“Uncle Liam, I’m going home today! Hylic exclaimed excitedly.
Liam sulted in attention to Rylie and walked toward un. His laps tagged into a small undle.
“Wow, that’s nice to larar, decetheart.”
“I know! Fin excited to go home. It’s so lauring here, Endle.”
I laughed and gently caressed Itylie’s hair before leaving her best.
Thank you for visining my daughter, Sig,” I said politely, even offering Liam a smile. “Would you like some a
He seemed siglatly taken aluck as if he wasn’t used to mar acting this way toward him.
After all, our last conversation had ended in a heated argument–right before Hylie woke up crying.
“Sure,” lae said after a pause “And please, call me Liam, Mia. We’re not in the office.
Enodded, my smile still in place but carefully measured. “Oh, right. Liam. But can I leave my children here with your
I didn’t miss the way his brows lifted slightly. His besitation was brief, but it was there–like he couldn’t believe I was trusting him with them.
cali, no problem?
turned nu Kylie. “Hylic, I’ll just process your discharge so we can go home. Behave, okay?
“I’m always behaved, Mommy!” Hylie ghoded.
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Chapter 41
I arched a brow at her. “Oh, really? Because I seem to recall a certain little girl sneaking extra sweets when the nurse wasn’t looking”
She gasped dramatically, pressing her tiny hands to her chest. “I did not! That was Rykert
tyker snorted from across the room. “Liar”
I chuckled, ruffling her hair one last time before glancing at my son. “Ityker, do you want to come with me?”
He shook his head without hesitation. “No, Mommy, I stay shouldn’t eati
day here. I don’t want to leave Itylie alone. She might ask Uncle Liam to buy her things she
Pyle gasped again, this time wi
with pral offense
“Ryker!”
I laughed. “All right. Take care of your sister. I’ll be back soon.
As I turned away. I glanced at Liam. He met my eyes, his gaze searching for something, but I didn’t let him find it.
The moment my back was to them, my fake sande vanished.
I extuled slowly, rolling my shoulders as I reached for the door handle.
As I opened the door, I wasn’t surprised to see two of Liam’s bodyguards standing outside–along with Hunter.
I nodded at Hunter, acknowledging his presence. A smirk played on my lips as I felt his gaze following me.
I could tell he wanted to talk to me. By now, I knew he had already figured out who I really was
But he would never Dell Liam:
No matter how loyal he was to him…
e was an accomplice to those who had helped me
After all, he was an a
I guess he was part of Liam’s karma.
A perfect example of someone you trust the most–only to be betrayed in the end.
I sighed as I handed Rylie’s prescription to the pharmacist. Though our health insurance covered her hospitalization, her medications weren’t, and I knew they would take a toll on my finances.
Kylie had been getting sick a lot lately, and now that they were also in school, I figured I would need to find a part–time job to earn some extra
I was about is hand over my card when someone else placed a black card on the counter.
“Charge everything to this. And I want to purchase everything on the prescription
“Gavin, it’s okay-*
me handle this, Mia. I’m Rylie’s daddy, right?” He winked at me. and I just Lughed.
“You know, if you ever need help with Rylie’s medication, you can always count on me,
1 placed my hands on his arm and leaned against him. “Gavin, you’ve already helped me enough. I don’t want to take advantage-
“Nomuense. We’re friends–best friends, even, Mia. Your daughter’s been calling me her daddy. Why would you think like that?”
“Fine, fine. Don’t be mad
“I’m not mad,” he said, reaching for his card and Rylie’s medication
“But your lace says otherwise I grinned. “Come on, Gavin, forgive this woman.
“I just really don’t like it when you talk like that,” he muttered, shaking his head.
Like what?” I trated, tilting my hrad playfully.
“Like you’re all alone in this like you can’t rely on me.” He exhaled sharply, his gaze softening. “Mia, I know you’re a responsible, strong, and independent woman, İnit you don’t have to carry everything by yoursell‘
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Chapter 41
as about to sprak some more when his phone rang. His expression shifted from annoyance to worry
Wait for me there. Do not open the door, Rachel Shat! Don’t end the call”
“What’s happening. Gaver 1
vin” I asked, concern creeping into my voice.
Tell Rylie I’ll see her soon.
He barely spared me a glance as he shoved Itylie’s medication into my hands. Till explain later, Mia. I need to go. “
Before Frould way another word, he turned and ran off I could only hope nothing bad had happened to Rachel.
Things between her and Gavin were definitely getting interesting
Shaking off my curiosity; I went to the hospital’s small cate, ondering Liam’s coffee and grabbing some donuts for the twins.
With the bag in one handl Land the warm cup in the other, I walked back to Kylie’s room, my mind still half–distracted.
The sight before me made me pause when I pushed the door open.
Liam was mading a book to them—a science book, of all things. They were on the couch, and Liam was in the middle of the twins. They were so
Stylie, who usually had no interest in the subject, looked completely engrossed
They wear to focused that they didn’t even notice I har returned. I stayed in the doorway, listening, watching them.
and that’s why the planets orbit the sun. It’s all about gravity,” Liam explained, tapping the book.
Kylie scrunched her nose “So, if gravity is what keeps us from floating away, what happens if we go somewhere with no
no gravity?”
Liam smirked, clearly enjoying the curiosity: “Well, astronauts experience something called microgravity in space. It makes them float around like
“He lifted both hands and wiggled his fingers in the air, mimicking weightlessness.
Kylar gizgled. That looks funny! I wanna float, too?”
Ryker, ever the logical one, pushed his glasses up his nose. “You’d need a spacesuit, Rylie. And a spaceship.”
She pouted “Aw, but I just wanna lloat”
LumorBurkled. “Tell you what, sweetheart–when you feel better, we can visit a space exhibit. They have simulators that let you experience zero gravity
Pyle gasped. “Really” Momany never look us to one before!”
Ryker seemed interested and excited by what Liam saad, but as if remembering something, his excitement faded within seconds.
“Bur Mommy is busy with her work, and Hylie and I won’t come without her
His words sent a jang through my chest, I was about to say something when Liam beat me to it
“Ok, halut so? Bundon’t you know that I’m your mommy’s boss? And I’ll make sgrure she won’t be too busy so she can take
“Really. Uncle Liami! Is that a promiser“ Rylie asked, even going so far as to hold Liam’s face between her small hånds
Liam chuckled “Yes, it’s a promise”
“Pinky swear?” She held up her little finger
Liam laughed again. “Pinky swear,” he replied, hooking his finger around her.
Then be turned to Ryker. “Pinky swear?”
“Come on Hyker Les it too at Itylie urged excitedly
yker let out a sigh. “You better not lateak- your promise, Uncle”
you there”
Hyker
Lion for a long moment, as if weighing his words, before finally–though hesitantly–hooking his pinky around Liam’s.
Jelenched my fats, knowing he was lying.
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Chapter 41
After all, Liam Anderson was all talk
He was never good at keeping promises.
