Chapter 33
Chapter 32 Tadily’s hete
Don’t let what Juliana said get to you. Mia. This isn’t your priority. This damn contract can wait–l take care of it. Gavin said, reaching for the document in my hand. But I didn’t let him take it.
Tokay, Gavin. We know Juliana–shell just keep coming back until she gets what she wants-
“111 stop her. I could even tre her if she keeps using you and your damn connection with that Anderson!”
“Cavant” 1 shouted, stopping him in his tracks. I let out a heavy sigh, massaging my temples. Exhausted, I leaned against the elevator wall and stareil at my reflection in the mirror. “Didn’t you hear what I tell Juliana? I have to connection with that man, and neither do my children.”
After a moment of silence, he pulled me into a hug. “Right. I’m sorry, Mia
I shook my head, realizing I had snapped at him. “No, no, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I’m just…..tired”
You should rest, Mia. You know I can take care of Rylie”
1 pulled away, shaking my head. “No, you have so many responsibilities at the company, Gavin. That should be your priority. You’ve already done
so much for us
The elevator doors opened, and I stepped out, inhaling a deep breath as if it could wash away my exhaustion. Gavin followed closely, draping an arm over my shoulders.
“Oh,
come on he started with a smirk, pulling me closer. “Did you forget what we told each other a couple of years ago? We’re each other’s ride or
I smiled, remembering that time. It felt just li During that time, Gavin never left our side.
today–Ryker was in the hospitall back then: I had been a mess, I panicked, and I was terrified.
Tm telling you, if you ever kill someone, I’ll help you clean it up and bury the body before I even ask why you
ou did it.”
I laughed. “Silly”
He chuckled. That’s more like it. Don’t forget Rylie’s daily mission—always find a reason to smile and laugh. She doesn’t want to see you sad, remember!”
I nodded, remembering my daughter’s mission to make me smile every day, “Right. But I’m sorry to say this, Gavin–if you were the one who killed someone, I couldn’t help you. I’d have to report you—”
“Hey!” he protested, frigning offense.
“What? I have Rylie and Ryker! I can’t go to prison with you!”
He dramatically gasps, even putting his hand on his chest. I laughed, and moments like this reminded me why Gavin was so important to me.
Aside from my children, Gavin and his parents were the reason I still believed God hadn’t abandoned me. They were my light and sunshine during the darkest times, and the thought of losing them? It was something I couldn’t imagine,
Because losing them would mean losing my re
reason to Eght and live in this cruel world.
Talking to Gavin helped ease my anxiety.
1 gently caressed Ryker’s hair and kissed his forehead. “See you tomorrow, baby,”
*See you
Tomorrow,
Mommy. 171 bring Kylie’s favorite doll tomorrow,”
“I’m sure she’ll love that. Sleep well. Ry. Mommy and Rylie love you always”
He kissed my nose and ran his fingers through my hair, imitating the way I always did with him. “Ryker loves Mommy and Kylie always
“You sure you really don’t want me to stay?”
1 hugged Gavin, and he hugged me back, kissing the side of my head.
“No, I be okay here. Take care of Ryker for me, please.”
Chapter 33
He pulled back slightly, his hands resting on my arms as he studied my face. “Will do. But if you need me, call me right away, okay?”
turned, my gaze landed on Uncle and Aunt standing nearby, their faces practically glowing with teasing smiles.
As I h
Ch, if only they knew
I hit my lip when I felt the pain in my lower back caused by the period I was having
I caressed Rylie’s face, my baby was still sleeping. Her doctor said she was recuperating, but I wasn’t used to her sleeping this much.
I carefully placed my ear on her chest, hearing her heartbeat calmed me down.
“Mommy she murmured, searching for me in her sleep
I held her tiny hand and gently kissed it, then began humming the lullaby my grandmother used to sing to me–the same one I had always sung to my children.
The knot in her eyebrows disappeared, so I continued humming the lullaby as I rested my head on the side of her bed, caressing her hair.
My heart skipped a beat, and I stopped humming when I looked at the door and saw Liam Anderson standing there. I was so focused on Rylie that I hadn’t even noticed his presence.
His eyes glistened, and my heart began to race. I had a feeling he had been standing there for quite some time, and it was obvious he had heard me humming to my daughter.
He knew the lullaby I was singing all too well.
Relax, Mia. Don’t let that expression get to you.
Frigning ignorance, I composed myself before standing up and walking toward him, “What are you doing here… Sir?”
My eyes trailed to the basket of flowers and fruits he was holding. In his other hand, a toy was in a paper bag.
With the way he had walked out earlier his expression when I broke down in Gavin’s arms–I had thought he wouldn’t return.
But he’s here again.
Instead of:
fanswering me, he walked inside and placed the things he held on the table.
“How is Rylie?” he asked, glancing at my daughter.
I clenched my fists at the concerned look on his face. It didn’t sit well with me didn’t like it. It felt pretentious.
I sighed. “She’ll be fine.”
“Who’s her doctor?” he asked, and my brows furrowed as I noticed him reaching out to touch my daughter’s check.
Before he could, I stepped in, blocking his way to Rylie. His jaw clenched like he didn’t appreciate what I had just done.
“Look, Sir, I appreciate your concern and the thoughtfulness of coming here, but I really don’t like the reason behind it.”
“My reason for doing this? And what reason do you think that is. Mia!” He said my name as if it were foreign to him, as if he didn’t believe it was actually mine.
“We both know what reason I’m talking about, Mr. Liam Anderson
Instead of responding, he stared at me–intensely, calculatingly, intimidatingly. I thought I was used to that look, but slowly, I could feel the tension creeping in, sending shivers down my spine.
Laveried my gaze. “Juliana told me you were returning to New York. You should leave-
“Oh, she came here! And that must be the reason that f*cking contract is here?” He looked pissed as his eyes flicked to the document on the table.
“Did she order you to make me sign that, despite Rylic being here at the hospital!
“She did that because she thinks I can make you sign it before you leave. That’s why I don’t like how you look and act with me, Sir. It makes them think we have a past, but I’ll repeat it. Mr. Anderson–please stop thinking that I am your ex–wife. I am not her—*
2/3
Chapter 33
He stepped toward me, closing the distance between us. “I don’t remember telling you she’s my ex–wife, Mia. How did you know that?” His voice sdropped.
curiosity in his words
Before I could react, he reached out, cupping my chin gently but firmly. I froze momentarily, a strange tension filling the air between s
Ms. He leaned down and I placed my hands on his chest, trying to push him away. But I couldn’t tell if I was just weak or if he was strong enough not to budge.
You keep telling me you’re not her you’re not my Camillana, but I’m finding it hard to believe. Even if your eyes aren’t the same… even if Mia Miller css, I can feel that theres something about you. Be traded off eyes searching mine as though he were trying to piece together some puzzle. “And could you explain how you know the hullaby my wife used to sing?”
I kept my emotions blank despite the storm brewing inside of me. I lowered my hands, afraid he would feel them turning cold despite his clothes.
“M–mommy.” Rylie’s soft whimpering broke the tension between us.
I turned quickly to my daughter. She was crying as if she was having a bad dream.
“Rylie, hush, baby Mommy’s here.”
Her eyes flattered open, and she reached out to me. I held her in my arms, careful not to disturb the IV attached to her hand.
She hiccupped and hurged me, then whispered “Daddy?”
She looked up disoriented, staring at Liam “Daddy,” she repeated, her voice cracking as her hand reached out, trying to touch him.
Liam froze momentarily before kneeling down and reaching for my daughter’s hand. “Yes, baby… daddy’s here.”
No you’re not her daddy. You would never be, Liam!
I wanted to shout at him, but I held back as I gazed down at my daughter, who had calmed down and laid her head on my chest while holding
Liam’s hand
“Mommy, ung she whispered, and I swallowed hard before humming the lullaby Liam asked me a while ago.
