Chapter 61
Chapter 60: Ex–husband
The room way quiet after Liam left. I pressed my face into Gavin’s chest.
I looked up at him. He was gazing at me with pity and concern.
“I want to see them. Gavin. Bring me to my kids”
Til bring you to them once the doctor checks on you And. Mia, you can’t see them like this–not when you can barely breathe properly, and your hands won’t stop trembling. You don’t want to scare them, do you
I looked down and stared at my hands, still trembling Tabrady did. They watched me crumble, looking like a madwoman who hurt Lim Anderson. I lost control, Gavin‘
“Mwhat really happened“”
T–L be tried to=”
“Stop” Gavin’s voice was firm but gentle. “I don’t think this is the right time for you to tell me these things. Let’s wait for the doctor. Maybe they can give you something to help you calm down”
“Rylie’s probably scared of me now. So is Ryker—“
“No, they’re looking for you. They’re not scared of you. They miss you. Mia
They do
They always do, Mu
“What happened? How long was I asleep?” I asked him.
The last thing I remembered was running with Liam. Everything after that was a blur.
Before Gavin could answer, the door opened. Liam was already back, doctors following closely behind him.
Gavin was about to step away, but I clutched onto his dress shirt.
He smiled softly, running a hand through my hair. I’m not leaving you. It’s okay, Mia”
The doctor, a middle–aged man with gray hair and a kind expression, stepped forward.
“How are you feeling. Mia?
1–Fm okay, Doc. Can you discharge me so I can see my children?”
“We’ll see about that. Do you have any idea what day it is today?”
I stared at Gavin before shaking my head. I’m not quite sure, Doc”
“Okay, Mia, you’ve been asleep for three days,” he said.
Three days!
“Your body shut down due to exhaustion and trauma. You also have bruises. Aside from that, your blood pressure was unstable. You needed rest, so your lindy forced itself into recovery mode.
The doctor kept talking, but his words blurred as my thoughts drifted, that I was asleep for three whole days. I imagined Rylie and Ryker searching for me, wondering where I was
in the doctor in front of me
“Mia, the doctor is talking to you”
I snapped out of my reverie, my gaze meeting Liam’s. I immediately looked away, focusing on
He wasn’t the same doctor who had been speaking to me earlier.
Chapter 61
- Mia, it seems you didn’t hear is. I’m Dr. Holly. I’ve been monitoring your mental state
“Can you tell me how you’re feeling right now!
How am I feeling?
Empty. Numb. Frustrated.
already told you–I’m fine. I just want to see nay children”
Tunderstand that. You can see them once you’re stable enough-
am already stablet
“Mu, please……
“Gavin murmured, rubbing my arms to calm me down
I took a shaky breath. 1-I’m sorry.” I muttered. What do you want to know, Doc? Im not okay. My heart won’t calm down.” I looked down at my trembling hands. These hands won’t stop shaking I’m finding it land to breathe. I’m having a panic attack, aren’t 12′′
Dr. Holly’s expression remained gengle. “Okay, Mia. Would you like to talk to me alone?”
I glanced at Liam, and to my surprise, he looked like he was begging me to let him stay.
“Let Gavin May.” I said instead.
Liam exhaled sharply, his shoulders tensing before he turned his back to me.
“Do whatever it takes to make her better.” he said before walking out.
The other doctor left along with him, leaving only Dr. Holly, Gavin, and me in the room..
Dr. Holly flipped through a folder.
“Your friend Gavin provided these. It looks like you’ve been prescribed medication for anxiety and panic attacks before. You also had pills for depression, but you stopped taking them. Can you tell me about that, Mia?“
1–I used to take them after after I had my kids. I had postpartum depression, and I’ve been suffering from panic and anxiety attacks because of
My traumas
“Tell me more about these traumas. It says here that you stopped taking your medication because you were getting bener.
“I did but it came back, the nightmares, the traumas”
“Do you have any idea why?”
1 let out a bitter stile and nodded, my gaze drifting toward the door that wasn’t fully closed.
He was there. Listening
“Yes. It all started when I saw him:
“Who are you talking about!”
again….
I swallowed hard before forcing the words out of my mouth.
It wa
It was game over
He already knew
No matter how much I tried to hide or deny the truth, I couldn’t fool him.
He was just that smart
And maybe, maybe this was for the better.
No more secrets. No more hiding.
“My ex–husband.”
“How do I look?”
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Chapter 61
“Beautiful” Gavin answered, holding up the mirror for me in tee myself.
An hour had passed since my check–up with Dr. Holly, I was finally okay enough to see Rylie and Ryker.
Thad calmed down, and I could control my emotions now
I wore a hurdleneck over my hospital grown to hide the visible bruise on my nerk
“Mia. you knew he was there when you told Dr. Holly you saw your ex–husband”
“Yeah. He already knew I guess I’m horrible at acting. Despite my new identity, there are traces of my past that I can’t hide.”
“What are you planning i
to do now?
I led and let out a sigh, “See and comfort ΠΥ
He sighed with my answer.
I stood up, and Gavin pulled me into a hug. Tm here, you know that, right?”
Yeah. How could I survive without you, huh?”
He patred my back. “Let’s go. Moin texted me–Rylie’s refusing to cat again”.
According to Gavin, when the news broke about the bomb explosion at school, they rushed to the hospital. I was thankful they had been taking care of my kids
But he also said Laam never left them either–though Ryker had been distant, barely speaking to him.
As much as they wanted the kids to visit me. I was still unconscious, and they were worried it wouldn’t be good for Rylie and Ryker’s mental health.
Knowing how I woke up–screaming and panicking–I was thankful they made that decision. I couldn’t afford to let my children see me break down like that again.
We stepped out of my room. was a VVIP suite
Outside, men in black suits stood around the area, guarding us.
We heard Rylie’s cries echoing through the space as soon as we opened the door to my children’s room.
Lum was talking to her.
“Sweetheart, just a few bites, You need to eat. He held a spoon in one hand and a bowl in the other
He looked desperate.
But Kylie only shook her head, her small frame trembling as fresh tears rolled down her cheeks.
“I want Mommy,” she sobbed, pushing the spoon away.
“You’ll see her later-!
“You’ve told me that countless times, but Mommy’s still not here! I want Mommy!
“Mounamy’s here, baby”
Rylie’s sols stopped instantly. The moment she saw me, her teary green eyes wideneil
“Mommy?” Her voice was so small, so brokeri.
I nodded, forcing a smile as I walked toward her. “Yes, baby, It’s me.”
She jumped off the bed and ran straight into my arms.
“Mommy! You’re really here the cried as I carried her. She buried her face in my neck. “I thought you were gone. I thought you wouldn’t come
buck!
“Shh, baby, I’m here now? I kissed the top
“Mommy?”
top of her head, my own tears slipping down my cheeks. I’m not going anywhere.
I turned and smiled at Ryker, who had just stepped out of the bathroom with Auntie Grace.
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“Ryker, Mommy’s back!” Rylie sobbed against me.
“Ryker.“I called softly, but he didn’t mov
He just stared at me, trying to figure out if I was really here or if he was dreaming.
“Ryker, baby, I’m here”
“Mommy.” he muttered, then
suddenly, he ran straight into my arms
I crouched to his level, still holding Rylie, as he cling to me.
I held them both tightly, feeling their small, warm bodies pressed against me. Their sobs shook me to the core, breaking something deep inviile me
I missed you so much. Mommy, Rylie mumbled, clutching my turtleneck as if I’d disappear if she let go
Me too, Mommy. I missed you so much, Ryker whispered.
I could feel his small hands trembling as he hugged me tightly.
I kissed them both. “I missed you more than anything”
kylie pulled back just enough to look at my face. “Are you hurt, Mommy! You were sleeping for so long”
I smiled, shaking my head. Tm okay now, baby. I just needed to rest a little.”
She pouted, her green eyes filled with concern. “You promise?”
“I promise I wiped her tears gently with my thumb before looking at Ryker. “You too, my love. I’m really okay now.
He nodded. “Im happy to hear that, Mommy”
Rylie turned to look at Liam, who was watching us in silence, still holding the spoo
Tm sorry. Daddy Liam—”
“I told you to stop calling him Daddy, Rylie, Ryker’s harsh voice cut her off.
spoon and plate.
Rylie bit her lip “S–sorry. Ryker. I was just saying sorry for calling him a liar. Mommy did come back”
1 gently caressed Rylie’s hair. I will always come back for you and your brother, baby, I said softly.
Gavin cleared h
I has throat. Since Mommy’s already here, why don’t you finish your food now, Rylie Ryker’s been a good boy and already finished his
lunch”
My heart ached seeing them like this.
I stood up, and they clung to my hands tightly, still afraid I might leave them a
“Rylie, you need to eat so you
to eat so you can stay strong.” I coased gently, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“Okay, Mommy. But you’ll stay here!”
course. 111 stay right here with you and Ryker,” I reassured her with a soft smile.
Her tear–streaked face brightened slightly, though the fear in her eyes lingered. “Can you feed me. Mommy?”
I nodded. “Of course, baby”
She smiled and, still holding my hand, climbed onto her bed. Both of them settled beside me
Standing nearby watching. Liam finally stepped forward and handed me the spoon and plate he had been holding
I felt his gaze on me, searching, perhaps hoping for acknowledgment.
But I simply reached for the plate without meeting his eyes, focusing entirely on my children. If not for them, I would have asked him to leave the
Atense silence settled between us
And then Ryker broke it.
“Since Mommy’s already back, you should leave now. Uncle Liar”
2.41 PM P
Chapter 61
His voice was firm and sharp for someone so young. Even Rylie turned to her brother with wide eyes, standed.
“Ryker, you’re being rude,” Aunt Grace gently scolded, but Ryker didn’t even glance at her.
“Ryker. I called his name softly, hoping to calm him.
don’t need to be here anymore”
But he didn’t back down. His little hands balled into fists as he looked at Liam with quiet defiance. “You d
“R–Ryker, why are you being rude to Daddy-
“I said, stop calling him Daddy!” Ryker shouted at his twin, his voice cracking with emotion.
“Ryker, don’t shout at your sister,” Gavin warned.
“Ryker, what’s wrong?” I asked, concern tightening in my chest.
He turned to me, his tear–filled eyes blazing with anger and pain. “He hurt you, didn’t he, Mommy!? You were mad at him. I know you–you wouldn’t hurt him if he didn’t hurt you!”
I gasped, my heart breaking as I watched my son cry.
I hate him! I hate him because he hurt you!”
“Ryker, no-
He didn’t let me finish my sentence before he stood up and ran to Liam, his small fists landing punch after punch against Liam’s stomach.
Liam staggered but didn’t stop him. Instead, he collapsed to his knees and pulled Ryker into a hug.
“I’m sorry…” Liam whispered.
But it felt like he wasn’t just saying those words to my
y son. His eyes flickered toward me, filled with words I would never have wanted to hear.
What for?