Chapter 28
Chapter 27: Of Tampons and Sweets
“Thank you, Miss Lanie. Ryker doesn’t want me to inform you about this, but as his mother, I hope you understand that I’m worried about my son.”
“Yes, Miss Miller, I understand. Don’t worry, I’ll keep my eyes on the boys who bullied Ryker, and if they continue, I’ll report it to our school head. If that happens, I’ll have to ask you and their parents to meet.”
I rubbed my temples after talking to Ryker’s teacher. Despite promising him I wouldn’t say anything, I couldn’t help but be bothered.
My head throbbed with pain, and suddenly, I wasn’t feeling well–emotionally and physically.
Ever since that man came back, it feels like nothing has been going right.
I tried my best to act okay in front of Ryker earlier, but deep down, I was upset.
Upset that my son had to experience being bullied just because he doesn’t have a father.
Upset that Ryker had to hold himself back.
I’m proud of my son for being independent at such a young age, but sometimes, it doesn’t sit well with me knowing he’s masking his emotions.
I want him to cry when he’s hurt or upset.
I feel like it’s my fault that he had to mature so early.
“Ma’am, we’re already here. Are you okay?”
I snapped out of my thoughts and looked outside. We had already arrived at Winslow.
The driver was giving me a concerned look. That’s when I realized–I had been crying.
I bit my lip and nodded before quickly paying my fare, stepping out of the cab, and wiping away my tears.
God! If Rylie sees me like this, she’ll ask for money again to buy me a new pair of eyes.
The thought made fresh tears spill down my cheeks. Fortunately, the break was over, and I was alone in the elevator.
Mia, come on. What’s wrong with you?
I reached for my phone when it started ringing again. Seeing the caller ID, I nearly threw it across the elevator.
This is all your fault!
I wanted to scream at him but forced myself to stay composed. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and thought of my happy memories with my babies.
It helped me calm down, though I could still feel the heaviness in my chest. I glanced at my wristwatch and sighed heavily.
I am thirty minutes late.
As I entered Liam’s office, his men bowed to me, but they didn’t meet my eyes as if they were forbidden to look at me.
I let out a deep sigh before pushing the door open. A dark aura filled the room as I stepped inside.
I froze when I realized he wasn’t alone.
Hunter was there, and whatever they were discussing must have been private, as they immediately fell silent the moment they saw me.
Hunter lowered his head slightly. “I’ll follow your orders, Liam.”
When our eyes met, he smirked at me. “Good day, Miss Miller,” he greeted, emphasizing the last word.
“Hunter…” Liam’s voice carried a warning, but Hunter only grinned before walking out.
“Is your watch broken, Miss Miller?” Liam asked sarcastically, raising an eyebrow after a moment of silence.
I clasped my hands behind my back, clenching them tightly as I answered. “No, Sir.”
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11:15 AM
Chapter 28
He stood up from his chair and walked around his desk, leaning against it. His arms crossed as he studied me from head to toe.
Then why are you thirty minutes late, Miss Miller?”
My son was bullied, and I had to make things better for him—at least a little. He was bullied because he didn’t have a father. He was bullied because. unfortunately. I made the biggest mistake of not giving my children the father they deserve.
“I was caught in traffic, Sir—*
“Could you give me a better excuse, Miss Miller?” he interrupted, stepping toward me.
What better excuse do you want from me, jerk?
I wanted to shout, but I bit the inside of my cheek, forcing myself to stay quiet.
Im sorry-
“Did you cry?”
His expression shifted as he stopped in front of me. He raised a hand, and I instinctively moved away, but he stopped me by grabbing my arm.
My heart pounded as his intense gaze locked onto mine.
W–what are you doing, Sir?” I stammered, trying to stop him from removing my reading glasses—the ones I had worn to hide my reddened eyes from crying.
“You cried. Why? Did that Gavin do something to make you cry?”
I almost laughed at his absurd question. I pulled my arm free from his grip and reached for my glasses in his hand.
‘Gavin never makes me cry, Sir–well, actually, he has, but only from the happiness he’s given me.”
His jaw clenched. “So, did he make you too happy today? Is that why you cried? Is that why you’re late?”
Sir-
“It’s Liam.”
I shook my head. “Sir, you said we should keep things professional. I’m doing just that.”
Mia-
“I apologize for being late, Sir. But I don’t think your questions have anything to do with my job. You can issue me a memo for the minutes I was late, and I’ll make sure it won’t happen again.” I met his gaze coldly. “Excuse me, Sir, but I have work to do.”
I turned my back on him and was about to walk to my desk when he called my name again.
Mia
I let out a sigh and turned around. “What, Sir? Do you have orders for me?”
“Yes” His expression was unreadable.
I pressed my lips together, trying to hide my growing irritation. “What is it?”
“Go to the restroom. You have a red stain on your… skirt.”
What? A red stain?
My eyes widened, and without thinking. I tried to glance over my shoulder, twisting my body awkwardly to see the stain Liam was talking about. I probably looked ridiculous, but I didn’t care at that moment.
Heat flooded my checks from embarrassment. I had been acting all high and mighty, saying we should be professional, oblivious that I was standing here with a visible period stain on my white pencil skirt.
Shut
Without saying a word, I rushed toward the bathroom attached to his office. My hands fumbled with the doorknob as I ran inside, slamming the door shut behind me.
2/4
11 15 AM
Chapter 28
So, this was why I was suddenly more emotional and not feeling well
1 groomed, pressing a hand against my forehead. Could the day get any wor
Frantically, I dig through my bag, searching for mything to help me. But the moment I anzipped the deser parkes my annet sark
No tampons. No pads. Nothing
I stared at the toilet paper. I could use it as a temporary fix, but it wouldn’t last long and it would be messy. I could wear one and buy something but that meant leaving Liam’s office with a stain on my skirt.
I groaned, burying my face in my hands.
See? Nothing has been going right since Liam Anderson came into my life.
My phone beeped, and for a moment, I thought it might be Cain. Maybe I could ask him to have Rachel key me-
Unknown Number: Do you need help?
I stared at the message. Liar.
My pride screamed at me to ignore it and figure things out alone. But before I could even decide on a copy a tart case & the tox
“Mia…
1 shut my eyes and sighed heavily before opening the door just a crack.
“C–could you ask someone to buy me… My voice trailed off.
Liam raised an eyebrow, waiting. “To buy you what?”
I swallowed hard, my face heating. “Pads
“How about tampons?
The casual way he said it only made my embarrassment worse. I could feel my entire face burning,
“Yeah, I muttered. “That would be better?
“Okay. Wait a minute.
He turned his back, already putting his phone to his car. I didn’t want to hear whatever he was saying on the other end he was probably going orders to his bulky men.
Nothing was embarrassing about a woman having her period but after that conversation? Hell be helping me on something persound like fair?
Oh, God. So much for that word, professional, huh?
Gavin would die laughing if I ever told him about this.
I didn’t know how long I had been staring blankly at the painting on the wall, sirring on the toilet bowt
Finally, there was a knock at the door
I stood up, but my legs nearly gave out, the dull ache in my stomach making it even wore.
I knew this wasn’t just about my period–I was starving
I opened the door slightly, and Liam’s hand appeared, holding a paper bag,
“Here‘
I reached for it. “Thank you.” I murmured so quietly I wasn’t sure he even heard me.
When I perked inside the bag, my mouth dropped open
It wasn’t just a pack of pads or tampons–there were different brands, as it whoever bought them wasn’t sure which one I perferred. There was als a set of underwear, an expensive pencil skirt that, somehow, was exactly my size, pain medicine, and chockers Lots of chocoders
What was he thinking about buying all this?
3/4
11:15 AM
Chapter 28
Oh, right. He wasn’t the one who bought it. It was probably one of his men.
After cleaning up and fixing my mess, I finally stepped out.
The moment I did, my stomach betrayed me, grumbling at the scent of freshly baked goods. My eyes immediately found the basket of pastries on the center table.
“Are you okay?”
Liam’s voice snapped me out of my trance. I cleared my throat and nodded. “Yes, thank you. Who did you send to buy all this? It’s too much, but I should at least thank him-”
“I was the one who bought it.” His voice was calm, but there was an edge to it. “Do you really think I’d let them buy underwear for you?”
My mouth opened, but no words came out.
I was speechless.
I sighed, deciding to let it go as I walked toward my desk. But before I could go there, he spoke again.
“Eat those pastries. I don’t like sweets.”
My pride was at stake here, but as my stomach ached from hunger, I decided I could save my pride for later.
I reached for the pastries. “Then why did you even buy them if you don’t like sweets?” I asked absentmindedly, grabbing a cupcake and taking a bite.
Oh, delicious.
“Because you like them.”
I froze mid–chew. “What?”
Liam, who had been focused on the papers in his hand, glanced at me. “My wife likes eating sweets whenever she has her period.”
I almost raised an eyebrow. “Your wife?”
He nodded, his gaze locked onto mine. “Yes, my wife.”
I smirked, tilting my head slightly. “Oh? Won’t she be mad if she finds out her husband is doing things he should only be doing for her?”
He smirked back. “Would you be mad?”
At first, I furrowed my brows in confusion, but as the meaning behind his words sank in, I shook my head in disbelief.
“How many times do I have to tell you-
A knock on the door cut me off. Seconds later, the door swung open, and Hunter stepped inside, holding a child’s hand.
“Daddy!”
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