Chapter 146 One Chocolate Bar
Mia’s POV
“Fair?” In this creepy movie–like space, I took all my pent–up anger and lashed out at Kyle. “There is no fairness here.”
After a while, he admitted, “No. None of that was fair.”
“So forgive me if I don’t find your declarations of ‘family‘ particularly meaningful,” I continued, unable to stop now that I’d started. “You don’t get to decide we’re family when it’s convenient for you.”
One of the twins kicked sharply, as if in agreement, and I winced, placing a hand over the spot.
“Are you alright?” Kyle asked immediately, taking a step toward me.
“I’m fine,” I said automatically. “Just one of your sons expressing his opinion.”
Kyle stopped with uncertainty. “May I…” he hesitated. “May I feel?”
“No.” I said, looking at him, and Kyle’s eyes immediately darkened.
Despite being the biological father, Kyle had only felt the twins move once. That day in Paris when the pendant had fallen from my pocket.
Twin B delivered another powerful kick, this one visible even through my maternity dress. They seemed displeased at my refusal of Kyle.
Kyle’s eyes widened slightly at the sight. “They’re strong,” he observed.
“Twin B especially,” I said, pressing my hand to the spot.
“They need names,” Kyle said softly.
“I know.” I shifted again, trying to find a comfortable position. “I’ve been thinking about it.”
“Any ideas?” he asked.
I hesitated, then decided there was no harm in sharing. “I’ve been considering family names. My grandfather was Alexander. My mother’s father was Ethan.”
“Alexander and Ethan,” Kyle repeated thoughtfully. “Strong names.”
“Nothing’s decided yet,” I said quickly. “They’re just ideas.”
Kyle nodded, respecting my boundary. “My grandfather was James” he offered. “My mother’s father was William.”
“I’ll take that under advisement,” I said.
The corner of Kyle’s mouth lifted slightly–almost a smile but not quite. For a moment, the tension between us eased, replaced by something almost comfortable.
Then my stomach growled audibly in the quiet space, breaking the moment.
“When did you last eat?” Kyle asked, switching seamlessly back to concern.
“Breakfast,” I admitted. “I was planning to grab lunch after the appointment.”
Kyle frowned, checking his watch. “It’s after two now.”
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a protein bar. “It’s not much, but it’s something,” he said, offering it to me.
I hesitated, pride warring with hunger. The twins won out. “Thank you,” I said, accepting the bar.
As I unwrapped it, Kyle pulled a small chocolate bar from his other pocket and held it out as well. “For dessert,” he said.
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Chapter 146 One Chocolate Bar
I raised an eyebrow. “You just happen to be carrying a chocolate bat?”
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Aflicker of something crossed his face. “I…” he began, then paused. “I knew you had an appointment today,” he admitted finally. “I remember you mentioned chocolate cravings in your second trimester.”
I stared at him. “You knew I would be here today?”
“Yes.”
“Were you following me?” I demanded, anger flaring, “I knew you were following me! You liar!”
“No,” he said firmly. “I did have a legitimate meeting with the hospital board, but I scheduled it to coincide with your appointment time.”
“That’s crossing a line, Kyle,” I said, setting the protein bar aside.
“I wasn’t going to approach you,” he explained hastily. “I just… wanted to be nearby. In case you needed anything.”
“That’s not your job anymore,” I reminded him.
“I know,” he said quietly. “But I still care, Mia. That hasn’t changed.”
I looked away, uncomfortable with the sincerity in his voice. “You have a strange way of showing it.”
“I’m trying to respect your boundaries,” he said. “I haven’t called or texted. I’ve communicated only through the lawyers about the trust. I’ve kept my distance.”
I wanted to scold him, but I was so hungry.
I sighed, picking up the protein bar again. I was too hungry to maintain my indignation. “Thank you for the food,” I said grudgingly.
He nodded, watching as I took a bite. The bar was actually quite good–some high–end brand I guess.
“How’s the new project going?” Kyle asked after a moment, changing the subject. “The Paris collaboration.”
“Well,” I replied, surprised he knew about it. “The remote work arrangement has been ideal during the pregnancy. Bernard’s been very understanding about my schedule.”
“I’ve seen some of the preliminary designs,” Kyle said. “They’re exceptional.”
I paused mid–bite. “How did you see them?”
“Bernard Leblanc and I move in similar circles,” he replied. “We were seated together at a charity gala last month, He spoke highly of your work.”
“I see. So he knows I’m your ex–wife?” I asked.
Kyle’s face showed embarrassment. “I think he knows.”
No wonder Bernard didn’t ask any questions about the father of the child at the time.
“He mentioned you might relocate to Paris after the twins are born,” Kyle continued.
“It’s a possibility,” I acknowledged. “Nothing’s decided yet.”
“I see.” Kyle’s expression revealed nothing, but I caught the slight tension in his shoulders.
“I’m aware of the challenges,” I said, finishing the protein bar. “But my mother’s supportive, and Bernard’s offered considerable resources to ease the transition.”
Kyle nodded, his eyes fixed on a point somewhere over my shoulder. “And what about…” he hesitated. “What about my relationship with the twins?”
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Chapter 146 One Chocoteta Bar
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I wiped my mouth. “I haven’t decided,” I admitted. “But I wouldn’t keep them from you, Kyle. Whatever issues exist between us, they’re innocent in all this.”
“Thank you for that.“He said.
“Don’t thank me for basic human decency,” I said, more sharply than I’d intended. “They’re your sons too. I wouldn’t deny them a relationship with their father, assuming that’s what you genuinely want.”
“It is,” he said firmly. “More than anything.“.
I studied his face, looking for any sign of insincerity, but found none. Kyle might be many things, but he wasn’t a good enough actor to fake the intensity in his eyes when he spoke about the twins.
“Then we’ll figure something out,” I said finally. “Regardless of where I live.”
Kyle nodded, looking like he wanted to say more but thinking better of it. Instead, he moved back to the elevator, examining the control panel again.
“Still nothing,” he reported. “But security should have noticed by now. Elevator outages are monitored.”
“How reassuring,” I muttered, shifting again on my makeshift seat. My back was starting to ache in earnest now, the
sides. discomfort radiating around to my
Kyle noticed my discomfort. “Let me see if I can find something better for you to sit on,” he offered, disappearing behind the tarps again.
While he was gone, I pulled out my phone again, hoping for a miraculous signal, but the screen still showed no reception. I checked the time–we’d been trapped for nearly forty minutes now. Surely someone would come looking soon.
Kyle returned carrying what looked like a folded drop cloth. “This might be more comfortable,” he said, spreading it over the concrete bags.
“Thank you,” I said, genuinely grateful as he helped me adjust my position. The cloth provided a layer of cushioning that eased the pressure on my lower back slightly.
“Better?” he asked, hovering nearby.
I nodded. “Yes.”
Kyle settled on the floor nearby, maintaining a respectful distance while still close enough for conversation. He’d rolled up his shirt sleeves, revealing forearms dusted with dark hair. Despite everything, I found my eyes drawn to the familiar sight, remembering how those arms had once held me.
I looked away quickly, annoyed with myself for the momentary weakness.
We fell into silence again, but it was less tense than before–almost companionable, if such a thing were possible between us
now.
Twin B chose that moment to execute a particularly enthusiastic series of movements, making me wince and shift position again.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Kyle asked, concern evident in his voice.
“Just normal third–trimester discomfort,” I assured him. “They’re running out of room in there.”
Kyle hesitated, then asked again, “May I?”
He asked again. I had just rejected him a few minutes ago.
I looked at him–really looked at him–for the first time in months. His dark hair was slightly disheveled from his exploration of the basement. His eyes held a vulnerability I wasn’t accustomed to seeing. There was no guile in his request, just a simple desire to connect with his unborn children.
Chapter 146 One Chocolate Bar
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Wordlessly, I nodded.
Kyle moved closer, kneeling beside the concrete bags. Cautionsly, if handling something infinitely precious, he placed his hand on the side of my belly where Twin B was most active.
For a moment, nothing happened. Then, as if responding to his father’s touch, Twin B delivered a strong kick right against Kyle’s palm.
Kyle’s expression transformed.
“He does that a lot,” I said, unable to keep the maternal pride from my voice. “Dr. Matthews says he’s going to be trouble.”
“Like his mother,” Kyle said, a hint of teasing in his tone.
“Excuse me?” I raised an eyebrow.
Kyle smiled.
Twin A chose that moment to join the party, stretching or rolling in a way that visibly changed the shape of my belly.
“Was that the other one?” Kyle asked, his hand still resting lightly where Twin B had kicked.
I nodded. “He’s usually quieter, but he has his moments.”
Kyle’s hand remained on my belly, and I didn’t ask him to move it.
“Thank you,” Kyle said softly. “For allowing me this.”
“They’re your sons too,” I repeated my earlier words. “Whatever happened between us, that doesn’t change.”
His hand finally withdrew, and I felt a curious sense of loss at the absence of his touch.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said in Paris,” Kyle said after a moment. “About me confusing gratitude with love.”
I tensed, not ready for this. “Kyle—”
