Chapter 101 EX–Husband’s Bullshit
Mia’s POV
Kyle’s appearance had disrupted my plan. He had returned too early. I wasn’t ready to discuss any of the “kidnapping” things with Kyle. I hadn’t fully digested Mrs. Chen’s words, but I was pretty sure I didn’t want to tell Kyle all of it right now.
I shot Mrs. Chen a quick glance, catching the slight nod of understanding in her eyes. I turned to Kyle, “I’m going back now, I just came to get my things.”
Kyle sighed, “Mia, I can tell when you’re lying. I hope we can do without the lies. No pressure.”
The simple observation knocked me off balance. When did Kyle become able to tell when I was lying? Since when could Kyle Branson read me so easily? I was a little stunned.
“I don’t owe you explanations anymore.“I didn’t respond to his question, “Kyle, you’re a smart guy. You should understand why I chose to get a divorce. I really don’t want you involved in my life anymore.”
I saw Kyle slowly let out a breath. “That’s a good point. But Mia, I didn’t initiate the divorce, and I never wanted a divorce. I didn’t want our marriage to end. I never wanted that. You walked away.”
Kyle started that again. Something in his tone made my chest ache. I looked at him, “Kyle. Let’s stop with the on and on bullshit. Yes, I initiated the divorce. And yes, I wanted the divorce. I just didn’t want to get hurt again.”
Kyle’s voice was low, “I won’t hurt you again, Mia.”
My throat suddenly ached, ‘Kyle, trust requires evidence. Sorry needs change. Besides, I’m under no obligation to wait for you, am I? I’m single already, and I think I can find a man who won’t hurt me in the first place.”
Kyle frowned, and he looked like he had a headache. I have to say, his reaction made me happy. ‘You’re really with Thomas?”
I was quiet. The name caught me completely off guard. “What?” Me and Thomas? I knew Scarlett had had that evil thought. But i knew perfectly well that it was out of the question. Thomas was just my best friend’s brother to me. Why did Kyle say that?
“Morton mentioned you’ve been spending time together.” He added.
I almost laughed at the absurdity. “I don’t have to explain my social life to you,” I said instead. “That’s what ‘ex–husband‘ means.”
Kyle was upset. But he didn’t say anything. Finally, he looked at my stomach. “I’ll take you home.”
““I have my car. I drove here myself.”
“I don’t care how you got here, but I’m not letting you drive back.” He looks at me.
So Bossy.
The twins chose that moment to execute a particularly energetic somersault, making me wince, Kyle noticed – of course he did – and moved closer, one hand extended as if to steady me before stopping himself. I stop arguing. Kyle Branson is offering to be the driver, and I have no reason to refuse.
“Fine,” I conceded, fishing my keys from my purse. No point arguing when my back was already aching. He walks behind me, gentlemanly.
I admit, after being pregnant for more than five months, I really don’t like standing too long. So I don’t waste any time, and I say goodbye to Mrs. Chen. I saw the silent apology in her eyes. We’d have to finish our conversation another time.
Kyle and I made our way to the car. We didn’t say a word to each other on the walk to the car.
“Fine, you can drive,” I conceded, reaching to open the car door. Kyle beat me to it, his hand brushing mine for a fraction of a
second. The brief contact sent an unwanted shiver down my spine
The passenger seat was already pushed back from my drive over
necessary accommodation for my expanding waistline. I
EX Húsband’s Bullshit
lowered myself carefully, trying to maintain some dignity despite my awkward movements.
+25 BONUS
Treached for the seatbelt, determined to handle this simple task myself. The angle was awkward though between my bump and the adjusted seat position, I couldn’t quite get the right leverage. The metal clasp slipped through my fingers once, twice. Heat crept into my cheeks.
“Here,” Kyle said quietly, leaning across me. His shoulder nearly brushed mine as he reached for the belt. I held my breath without meaning to, overwhelmed by his sudden proximity. That familiar scent enveloped me, something uniquely him, a combination that used to make my heart race.
Kyle paused, his hands stilling on the seatbelt. For a heartbeat, we were frozen in this strangely intimate tableau. His face inches from mine, my pulse thundering in my ears.
The belt clicked into place with a sound that seemed too loud in the confined space. Kyle pulled back slowly, almost reluctantly. I released the breath I’d been holding, trying to ignore how my skin tingled where his arm had nearly touched mine.
“Thanks,” I managed, my voice embarrassingly unsteady. I stared tixedly out the windshield, pretending to be fascinated by the gathering rain clouds.
Kyle cleared his throat slightly as he settled into the driver’s seat.
Kyle’s good looks still make my heart beat faster, but I got rid of the feeling very well.
The ride was smooth, and Kyle steered smoothly through the neighborhood.
“Are they…” he gestured vaguely toward my stomach. “Comfortable?”
I touched the spot where one of them was currently practicing martial arts against my ribs. “They’re fine.”
A moment passed, filled with the soft hum of the engine.
I touched my stomach. “They’re fine,”
I thought for a moment, ‘They’re twins,” I couldn’t help telling him.
I saw Kyle smile slightly. Moment later, he said, “My grandmother had a twin sister,”
That explained why I was pregnant with twins twice.
But then I thought of something, a stabbing pain came back, and I couldn’t help suddenly raising my voice, “Since you knew your family had the twin gene, why did you doubt me of being unfaithful to you before.” Kyle and I had that argument during my first pregnancy, and I could never forgive him.
He was silent for a long time, “I’m sorry, Mia. I lost my mind, I was an asshole.”
I turned my head towards the car window, my tears already flowing, “You’re an asshole.”
Kyle guided the car into my building’s parking lot.
I wiped hastily at my cheeks, hating how the tears kept falling despite my best efforts. A drop landed on my sweater, darkening the soft grey fabric.
reaked softly
From the corner of my eye, I saw Kyle reach into his suit pocket, withdrawing a crisp white handkerchief – monogrammed, because of course it was. His movements were careful, almost hesitant, as he turned toward me. The leathers with his shift in position.
“Mia…” His voice carried a gentleness I hadn’t heard in years.
The soft brush of fabric against my skin undid what little composure I had left. The gentle gesture undid me completely. More tears fell, and I hated myself for showing this weakness.
His forehead came to rest against mine, “I’m so sorry,” he whispered, his thumb catching another tear as it fell. The handkerchief dropped forgotten to my lap.
2/3
Chapter 101 EX–Husband’s Bullshit
+25 BONUS
When his lips brushed my cheek, impossibly gentle, something inde ine fractured. I pressed my hands against his chest to push him away but feeling his heartbeat through the expensive fabric of his suit.
“I love you.” The words fell between us like stones into still water. I know I don’t deserve
He spat out the word for the second time.
Love.
I forced myself to breathe, because inside I had a very visceral reaction to his words. I shouldn’t have reacted. The bastard.
I did what I had seen in movies all my life and pushed him away, slamming the car door hard.
The sound echoing through the quiet parking lot like punctuation en everything we’d lost.
