Chapter 10
Chapter Nine Nightmar
Tm sorry. You lost the baby”
1 don’t want a child from you?
“Kill her. I don’t care. She’s no longer my wife”
“Mommy Mommy Wake up! You’re scaring me, please!”
soft cries pulled me from the suffocating grip of my nightmare.
“Mommy““Rykers small worried voice reached my ears as I blinked, disoriented.
“Mommy“” Rylie’s voice cracked as she clung to me, her little arms wrapping tightly around my waist. Tears streaked her rosy cheeks.
wrong” I croaked, my voice hoarse and trembling as I forced myself upright
They didn’t answer immediately, their tiny bodies pressing into mine as if it were their way to comfort me.
“You were crying so loudly in your sleep” Ryker said finally, his line hand reaching up to touch my cheeks.
“We called you so many times, but you kept saying ‘no‘ and ‘please‘ as you cried,” Rylie said. “What’s wrong. Mommy? Are you hurt? Anna said you re bere early because you got sick, she continued as she looked at me.
I swallowed the lump forming in my throat, guih washing over me that they had to witness me like this.
“Sorry, babies. Mommy just had a bad dream, and I had a little allergy, but I’m okay now.” I said, trying to make my voice cheerful as I wiped my face
“Was there a monster in your dream. Mommy? Rylie asked, her big, innocent eyes shimmering with concern.
I nodded slowly, leaning down to press a kiss to her forehead. “Yeah a big scary
one.”
Her lips curled into a determined pout. Tl make a dream catcher for you. Mommy. It’ll keep the monsters away! She cupped my face with her tiny hands, her voice as sweet and soothing as a fullaby. She glanced at her twin. “You should help me, Ryker”
Ryker crossed his arms, his brow furrowed in mock annoyance. “Is that even real? I didn’t read about dream catchers in my science book.”
“Science again” Rylie huffed, glaring at her brother. “It’s real! Anna told me dream catchers protect us from bad dreams! So we’ll make one for Mommy
Ryker scratched his neck, clearly reluctant but unable to resist his twin’s pleading gaze. “Fine. Il help you,” he muttered, though the corners of his mouth tweched upward.
“Or” I teased, ruffling his messy hair, “maybe we can just buy one.
Rylie shook her head firmly: “No, Mommy! We can do it. It’ll be special because we made it ourselves”
I laughed, forgetting the nightmare I had because of my angels. “All right, sweetie. I’ll leave it to y come up with”
you and your brother. I can’t wait to see what you
She grinned, her eyes sparking mischievously, “Can you give me chocolates in return for the dream catcher we will make?
I laughed softly and ruffled her hair. “Dream catcher first Chocolate later.”
She pouted dramatically, sticking out her lower lip to sway me
On the other hand. Byker rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms. “I knew it. Bet I’ll end up doing all the work since you’re not really good at crafting,
Rylie gasped, acting offended. “Hey! That’s not true! I’m good at painting I paint the dream catcher and make it look amazing”
kyker raised his eyebrow, smarking “Oh, really! Says the one who colored Spongebob pink. You do know he’s yellow, right?
13
11:12 AM 다
Chapter 10
“It’s called creativity, Ryker! It’s my art she luiffed, crossing her arms.
“Sure, if you call making SpongeBob look like Patrick “art”
Ryker quickly jumped out of bed when Rylie tried to slap his arms. –
I shook my head with a smile, watching their antics.
“Okay, kids, enough. Why don’t you start telling Mommy stories about your first day at school instead?”
Rylie’s face lit up instantly, excitement shining in her eyes. “Oh! Mommy, guess what? We made paper boats in class today! Mine was the prettiest is even had gliner!”
rended up on the floor. Miss Holly wasn’t happy about that,” Ryker added, smirking.
“Yeah, and half the glitter e
“It wasn’t my fault The glitter bottle exploded when I opened it” Rylie exclaimed, throwing her hands up in exasperation.
I chuckled, imagining the scene. “Sounds like an eventful day. What about you, Ryker? Did you have fun too!”
Ryker shrugged nonchalantly. “It was okay. We had a math game, and I won. Miss Holly said I was really quick with the answers”
course you were–you’re my little genius. Mommy’s so proud of the two of you?
“Of course
“Math’s hard. Mommy Rylie grumbled, pouting her small lips.
Ryker scoffed. “That’s because you don’t pay attention. You were too busy drawing flowers in your notebook.”
“Flowers are more fun than numbers,” she retorted, pointing her tongue at him.
I smiled softly, reminded of my own childhood. Hylac was just like me—I also used to draw flowers during class.
“Enough, you two.” I said with a laugh. “How about this: after dinner, we’ll plan out the dream catcher together, and then Mommy and Ryker will help you with math. How does that sound, our little princess?”
“Sounds good” Rylie chirped, clapping her hands.
“Sounds bad–kidding?” Ryker teased, darting out of the way as Rylie got up from the bed to chase him.
“Come here, babies,” I said, pulling them into a hug
Their warm embrace melted away the remnants of the nightmare, soothing the storm raging in my heart.
Mommy will protect the two of you… No one can take these angels away from me.
HOW DOES pizza and ice cream sound for dinner?”
I sighed, shaking my head as I heard Rylie’s excited squeal from the living room
“Daddy she cried out, her voice high–pitched and brimming with joy.
“Rylie, stop shouting: you’re hurting my years! Ryker exclaimed
I put the chicken I planned to roast back in the fridge but continued cutting the vegetables for the salad.
“Hey, how’s your allergy!” Gavin asked as soon as Rylie finally let go of him.
“Fine. The hives are almost gone
He approached me with an easy confidence that only Gavin could manage, setting the pizza box on the island counter. Without skipping a beat, he opened the Inder, grabbed the tub of ice cream from the bag, and slid it into the freezer like it was the most natural thing in the work
“Dul you be Bylie with chocolates? Is that why she let you go so easily?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
His guilty expression was all the confirmation I needed. “You’re going to make Rylie lose all her teeth, Gavin!”
He chuckled and draped his arm over my shoulder. “That’s okay. They’ll grow back since she’s young”
I slapped his an
arm lightly, unable to stop the small smile tugging at my lips despite my best efforts.
You spoiler
11:12 AM
Chapter 10
Gavin leaned against the counter, grinning down at me. “Spoiling her is my job. I’m just evening out the balance since you’re the strict one”
“Sinet?” I scoffed, waving the knife I’d used to chop the vegetables for emphasis. Tm keeping her from turning into a sugar–fueled tornado?”
“That’s why we make such a good team, my best friend, he replied, grabbing a carrot stick from the cutting board and popping it into his mouth before I could stop him
“Hey I protested, slapping his hand lightly as he reached for another one. “Save some for the salad!”
“Relax, chef. We’ve got pizza, remember! No one’s going to miss a couple of carrots”
“Rylie told me you had a bad dream you were crying and shouting in your sleep,” he said after a moment of silence
My smile fahered, a sigh escaped my lips as I shrugged my shoulders, attempting to brush it off. Tm fine it was just a bad dream
Gavin sighed heavily. “I can accompany you to—”
“No. I’m already Ene. There’s no need for that
I paused what I was doing and peeked at the twins in the living groom, making sure they were busy watching their favorite show.
I glanced back at Gavin. And about that thing, you argued with Juliana this morning–just give it up. Gavin. Let her do it”
you out
His expression darkened instantly, and in a few quick steps, he was standing directly in front of me. His brows furrowed, his jaw tight. “Are y of your mind? Why would I do that?” His voice, though lowered, vibrated with anger. “Letting that f*cking man enter our company means letting him get near you and I won’t let that happen!” he said, his voice rising, but he quickly lowered it to a whisper as he glanced at the twins.
“I drank that coffee that gave me an allergy. Do you want to know why?”
His mouth opened slightly as if realization hit him. “F*ck. He saw you already!”
I nodded, stepping away from him toward the counter where the knife I’d been using rested. “Yes. He already saw me, and maybe that’s why he suddenly became interested in our firm.”
I looked at Gavin and smiled bitterly as I continued, “I have this feeling he’s already digging for information about Mia Miller. The way he said that ‘name‘ this morning I scoffed, tightening my grip on the knife I was holding. “It was like he longed for her. Like he didn’t want her dead. What a f*cking psycho”
“Mia.” Gavin said gently, reaching out
it to take the knife from my hand, clearly worried I might hurt myself.
“What are your plans now!”
I shrugged, leaning against the counter. “I don’t know. All I know is 1 have to keep living normally. I won’t hide from that man, Gavin. It would just make me look suspicious. And why should I hide or avoid him! I’m Mia Miller, and I have no connection to him.”
Gavin watched me for a moment, his expression unreadable. Finally, he nodded, though his jaw remained tense. “You’re right. I understand now But when you feel unsafe or anxious, we’re going to Milan, Mia. No arguments”
I smiled at him, softer this time, I’m so lucky to have you”
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