Chapter 8 He knew
+25 BONUS
Chapter 8 He Knew
Mia’s POV
“Where to?” Jeo started his Audi R8, the engine purring softly.
“I can’t believe that bitch!” Scarlett cut in. “Did you see how she was hanging all over him? ‘Kyle was so attentive,“” she mimicked Taylor’s voice, “God, I should have
“Scar, please.” I leaned my head
11
the window. “Cati we… can we just not talk about them?”
“Fine,” Scarlett huffed. “But only because you look like you’re about to throw up. You okay?”
“Just tired,” I whispered.
Scarlett leaned forward. “Jeo, find somewhere quiet. And preferably with decent food. She’s eating for three now.”
“I know just the place,” Jeo said softly, catching my eye in the rearview mirror. “That new café by the Modern Art Museum. The one with the garden terrace. Actually, the Modern Art Museum just opened their new wing.”
For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of interest. “The one designed by Foster + Partners?”
“Look who remembers her architecture,” Scarlett smiled.
“Rise and shine!” Scarlett threw open the curtains of her guest room. Sunlight flooded in. “We’re going to the Hamilton Gallery opening today.”
I blinked, disoriented for a moment. “What time is it?” I mumbled
“Time to stop being Kyle Branson’s shadow and start being Mia Williams again.” She tossed some clothes onto the bed. “Jeo’s picking us up in an hour.”
It was strange, but Scarlett’s way worked. Morning coffee on Scarlett’s balcony. Art exhibitions where I could lose myself in colors and shapes. Afternoons wandering through new buildings, my fingers itching to sketch again. I stopped thinking about Kyle all the time.
“You’re different here,” Jeo observed one afternoon as we explored the new downtown development. “More… alive.”
“Remember this?” Scarlett held up a sketchbook she’d found in her closet. My old designs from college.
We sat in her living room, takeout containers scattered around us. Jeo leaned over to look.
“These are incredible,” he said. “Your use of negative space…”
I touched the pages gently. “I’d forgotten about these.”
“You’d forgotten a lot of things,” Scarlett said quietly.
She was right. I’d forgotten the thrill of walking into a new building, analyzing its structure. Forgotten the joy of sketching ideas late into the night. Forgotten what it felt like to be… me.
“The Havers project needs someone with exactly this sensibility,” Jeo said casually, pointing to one of my sketches.
“The luxury boutique hotel?”
“Mm–hmm. They want something modern but organic. Flowing lines, natural light…”
My mind was already racing. “You could integrate the existing architecture with bio–mimetic design elements. Use the old brick facade as a contrast to curved glass panels…”
“See?” Scarlett grinned. “This is the Mia I remember.”
1/3
Chapter 8 He knew
+25 BONUS
The words poured out of me. “The central atrium could have a scultural staircase, with water features that reflect natural light patterns throughout the day…”
“Take the job,” Scarlett said suddenly. “You have to take it.”
I hesitated. “Kyle”
“Isn’t here,” she finished. “Hasn’t been here all week. While you’ve been rediscovering yourself.”
“Okay,” I whispered. Then louder, “Yes. I’ll take it.”
Jeo’s face lit up. “Really?”
“Really.”
Scarlett brought over more coffee–decaf for me now. “That’s my girl.”
I was about to respond when my phone buzzed. A message from Linda: “The board is asking questions about your absence.‘
Reality crashed back. I need to talk to Kyle again, I forced myself to accept the fact that he never loved me. Perhaps ending the contract early was the best option.
“I should go home,” I continued, trying to keep my voice steady. “Check on things.”
The house was dark when I unlocked the door. Too dark.
A single light spilled from Kyle’s study. I found him sitting behind his desk, perfectly still, his expression unreadable in the shadows. He didn’t look up when I entered, didn’t acknowledge my presence at all. But I could feel it–the rage radiating off him
in waves.
“Kyle?” My voice sounded small in the thick silence.
His fingers tapped slowly against the polished wood. Once. Twice. The sound made me flinch.
“An interesting thing happened today,” he said finally.
My blood ran cold.
Without looking at me, he slid a folder across the desk.
My hands trembled as I picked up the folder. The medical report swam before my eyes. Everything looked normal until-
“You are pregnant. Three months. My wife is pregnant. “Kyle’s voice cut through the air like a whip. Now he looked up, and the fury in his eyes made me step back. “Because I distinctly remember being in Dubai three months ago. The entire month. Would you like to explain that, Mia?”
“This is wrong,” I whispered, the paper shaking in my grip. “I’m only two months—”
“DON’T!” He surged to his feet so suddenly his chair crashed against the wall. “Don’t you dare lie to me!”
I stumbled back as he stalked around the desk. “Kyle, please, let me explain-”
“Explain what?” He advanced on me, “Explain how you’ve been sleeping with him? Is that why you’ve been at his studio every day?”
“No! I haven’t. The report is wrong,” I pleaded. “Kyle, these are your babies-
“My babies?” He laughed, a harsh, broken sound that made me shiver. “How stupid do you think I am?”
His hand slammed into the wall beside my head. I jumped, a small cry escaping my lips.
“Kyle-”
Chapter 8 Ho Know
“You aren’t keeping these.” The words were like ice.
“What?”
“Abort them!!” He roared, making me flinch violently. “Or I’ll destroy you, Mia. You and your artist lover both.”
+25 BONUS
Chapter 9 The Fake Report
