Chapter 144 Lingering
Chapter 144 Lingering
Mia’s POV
“Are you all right, sir?” he asked the startled patient, a frail–looking man with thinning white hair.
“Yes, yes,” the man muttered, clearly embarrassed. “These confounded wheels… they just got away from me.”
425 BONUS
A nurse hurried up, flushed and apologetic. “Mr. Bartlett! I’m so sorry–I just stepped away for a moment to get your discharge papers.”
“No harm done, thanks to this young man,” Mr. Bartlett said, gesturing to Kyle.
The nurse took control of the wheelchair, thanking Kyle profusely before wheeling Mr. Bartlett away, gently admonishing him about the wheelchair brakes as they went.
And then it was just Kyle and me, standing in the middle of the hospital corridor, staring at each other.
“What are you doing here?” The words tumbled out before I could stop them.
Kyle’s expression shifted from concern to irritation in an instant. “Saving you from getting run down by a wheelchair, apparently.” His eyes moved to my belly, his frown deepening. “What were you thinking, walking through a busy hospital with your nose buried in your phone?Did you know you were pregnant? Why was no one with you?”
The immediate shift to criticism ignited my temper. “First, I’m perfectly capable of walking and reading at the same time. Second, pregnant women need to stay in a good mood. Right now, I’m in a really bad mood!”
“Clearly, you almost got yourself run over.” he said dryly, gesturing to where the wheelchair had nearly hit me.
“That was just… bad timing,” I protested. “And you still haven’t answered my question. Why are you here? Right at this exact moment? Are you following me again?”
Kyle’s jaw tightened, that familiar muscle ticking in his cheek. “Contrary to your apparent belief, Mia, my entire existence doesn’t revolve around tracking your movements. I had a meeting with the hospital board about a new medical technology initiative Branson Industries is funding.”
I squinted at him.
“On the obstetrics floor?” I challenged, crossing my arms.
“The meeting was on the fifth floor. I was on my way out when I heard the commotion.” He ran a hand through his hair, a rare gesture of frustration that momentarily disrupted his perfect appearance. “Look, are you all right? That was a close call.”
I stare at him for a few seconds. I haven’t seen Kyle for almost two weeks. I can’t tell if I feel annoying or happy at the moment. Maybe more annoying.
“I’m fine,” I said and sighed. “Thank you for… intervening.”
He nodded once, his expression guarded. “You should be more careful. You’re responsible for more than just yourself now.”
The reminder rekindled my irritation. What did he mean? As if I could possibly forget the two lives I was carrying. “I don’t need parenting advice from you, Kyle.”
“Apparently, you need something,” he shot back. “Because walking distracted through a hospital corridor while six months pregnant with twins isn’t exactly demonstrating stellar judgment.
“Oh, that’s rich coming from you,” I snapped, my voice rising. “It would be more convincing if you weren’t talking to your ex- wife right now.”
“I just want to make sure you’re safe. You should learn to sense danger.” He said.
I didn’t want to give him a break. “I think I’ve learned it. That’s why I’m leaving you.‘
”
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Chapter 144 Lingering
Kyle’s face paled. “Mia
“I don’t want to waste my time,” I cut him off. “Let go of me.”
“No.” He grabbed me.
The word hung in the air between us. Kyle stared at me.
“I said let go of me!” I silently counted to three in my head. If he didn’t let go, I would scream for help.
“I’ll accompany you through the inspection, and then I’ll leave.” he finally managed, his voice dangerously quiet.
I wanted to refuse on principle, to assert that he couldn’t just order me around anymore.
“Please, Mia.“He spoke very softly.
Damn it, his begging melt my heart again.
“Fine,” I conceded. “Just one time. And you are not allowed to get too close to me.”
+25 BONUS
He smiled, “Great.” He smiled like some ancient Greek god. I completely understood why I had been so infatuated with him for so many years. He had a mesmerizing appearance. But appearance and inner qualities were not the same thing.
“I’ll go and get you registered.” He said.
I stood there for a moment, trying to process what had just happened. Of course Kyle would be at the exact same hospital, on the
exact same floor, at the exact same moment I needed saving from a runaway wheelchair. I don’t know if he’s stalking me. Maybe he lied. But the universe seemed determined to keep throwing us together, no matter how hard I tried to move on.
With a sigh, I continued to Dr. Matthews’s office, checking in with the receptionist and settling into the waiting room with a pregnancy magazine I’d read a dozen times before. Kyle stayed one meter behind me.
“Mia Williams?” a nurse called after about ten minutes.
I followed her to the exam room, going through the familiar routine of weight check (steadily increasing), blood pressure ( slightly elevated today), and urine sample before changing into the paper gown and waiting for Dr. Matthews.
She arrived shortly, her brisk efficiency softened by genuine warmth. “Mia! How was Paris? You’re positively glowing!”
“Paris was wonderful,” I said.
“Good, good.” She made some notes in my chart. “And these two troublemakers? Any concerns?”
I described the increasing frequency of Braxton Hicks contractions the persistent lower back pain, and the new development of swelling in my ankles by evening.
“All perfectly normal at twenty–five weeks with twins,” she assured me. “But let’s keep an eye on that blood pressure. It’s within acceptable range but higher than your usual.”
“I’ve had a stressful few days,” I admitted.
She gave me a knowing look. “The legal situation with your father and stepsister? I’ve seen the news.”
“It’s… complicated.”
“I can imagine.” She helped me lie back for the ultrasound. “Try to minimize stress where pible. These boys are doing wonderfully, but twin pregnancies can be unpredictable.”
The familiar cold gel on my belly was followed by the whooshing sound of two strong heartbeats filling the room. No matter how many times I heard it, that sound never failed to amaze me.
I know Kyle is outside and waiting. Will he hear it?
“Perfect rates,” Dr. Matthews commented, moving the wand to get different angles. “Twin A is head down, and Twin B is… ah,
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there he is. Breech at the moment, but there’s still plenty of time for him to turn.”
+25 BONUS
I watched the screen, marveling at how clearly I could see their features now–the curve of a nose, the shape of a head, tiny hands that sometimes seemed to reach for each other across the divide between their amniotic sacs
“They’re getting so big,” I whispered.
“Right on track for their gestational age,” Dr. Matthews confirmed “Both measuring about 1.5 pounds now. You’re doing a wonderful job growing these boys, Mia.”
The simple praise brought unexpected tears to my eyes. Pregnancy hormones were no joke.
After the ultrasound, Dr. Matthews reviewed my vitamin regimen, reminded me about monitoring kick counts, and scheduled my next appointment for two weeks later.
“Any other questions?” she asked as I finished dressing.
I hesitated. “Is it normal to feel… overwhelmed sometimes? Not about the babies themselves, but about everything else happening alongside the pregnancy?”
Her expression softened. “Absolutely normal. Pregnancy is a major life transition by itself. That would be overwhelming for anyone.”
“Sometimes I worry it’s too much,” I admitted. “That the stress will affect them somehow.”
“Babies are remarkably resilient,” she assured me. “And you’re doing all the right things–regular appointments, proper nutrition, building a support system. Just keep finding moments for yourself, even small ones. Meditation, gentle exercise, whatever helps you center yourself.”
I nodded, feeling marginally better. “Thanks, Dr. Matthews.”
“Anytime. That’s what I’m here for.” She patted my shoulder. “See you in two weeks. Call sooner if anything concerns you.”
As I left the examination room. With a deep breath, I headed for the exit, steeling myself for what promised to be a difficult conversation.
Kyle looked at me intently. I kind of wanted to roll my eyes. “Everything is fine with the babies.“I said to him.
He was obviously delighted to hear this. “I’ll take you home,” he said.
“I remember you just said that you would leave as soon as the inspection was over.“I looked at him.
He looked calm. “You heard me wrong. What I said was, I’ll get you home safe and then I’ll leave.”
A despicable businessman.
But I have no strength left to argue with him. So I nodded.
Kyle gave a triumphant smile.
I touched my belly, “Children, always be an honest person.”
Kyle’s smile disappeared.
