He doesn’t work here anymore.
Mia’s POV
I didn’t ask him why he was here. Apparently, Kyle Branson had his own ways.
+25 BONUS
“She’s resting,” Mom was saying, her voice low. “Dr. Matthews says it’s not labor, but they’re monitoring her for preeclampsia.
.”
Kyle’s face was taut. “Is there anything I can do?”
“Not at the moment,” Mom replied. “They’re runnin
tests and giving her medication to stop the contractions.”
I shifted slightly, the movement catching their attention. Kyle’s eyes immediately found mine.
“Hey,” he said, moving into the room. “How are you feeling
“Groggy,” I admitted. “But the contractions are less intense now.
He nodded, glancing at the monitor displaying the twins‘ heart rates. “They look good?”
“Strong and steady,” I confirmed. “Dr. Matthews isn’t concerned about them, just about my blood pressure and the contractions.”
Kyle looked like he wanted to say more but was restraining himself. He settled for a simple, “Good. That’s good.”
Mom checked her watch. “I should call Mrs. Patel and see how Gas is doing,” she said. “I’ll be right back.”
Kyle moved to take the chair she’d vacated, maintaining a respectful distance despite the obvious concern in his eyes.
“You didn’t have to come,” I said, though there was no real heat in my words.
“I know,” he replied simply. “But I wanted to.”
Before I could respond, a nurse entered with a blood pressure cuff and a small cup of pills.
“Time to check your numbers again,” she said cheerfully. “And Dr. Matthews has ordered something for anxiety to help keep your blood pressure down.”
I submitted to the check, not surprised when she frowned slightly at the reading. “Still a bit high,” she noted. “Take these, please. They’ll help you relax without affecting the babies.”
I swallowed the pills with the water she offered, conscious of Kyle watching the entire exchange but said nothing.
“The doctor will be in to check on you again in abou
an hour,” the nurse informed me before leaving.
Kyle and I sat in awkward silence for a moment, the only sounds the beeping of the fetal monitors and the occasional bu from the hallway.
“Are you upset because Taylor’s bail??” he finally as
I nodded. After a few seconds, I said, “She killed my child the first time. I won’t allow it a second time.”
“Sorry, Mia.” Kyle said in a low voice. “I’ve increased security at your building,” he said. “And hired a personal detail to follow you when you’re out.”
Thank you,” I said simply.
Something flickered in his eyes–surprise, perhaps, at my lack of argument. “Of course.”
Another silence fell between us, less awkward than before but still weighted with all the things we weren’t saying.
“Robert was supposed to update us today, but then this happened. I gestured vaguely at the hospital room. “Mom’s expecting his call. Did you know anything about Edward Porter? Scarlett mentioned he had business dealings with your father.”
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197 uvesnt work here anymore.
+25 BONUS
Kyle’s expression darkened slightly, “Yes. I’m checking into it. He and my father did business together. But the records were deliberately deleted. I’ll keep an eye on it.”
The medication was beginning to take effect, a pleasant haziness settling over me. The contractions had subsided to occasional twinges, and I found myself relaxing into the hospital bed.
Kyle noticed the change. “You should rest,” he said, moving as if to leave. “I don’t want to tire you out.”
“You can stay,” I heard myself say. “If you want to.”
He settled back into the chair, surprise evident in his expression.
want to.”
I drifted in and out of sleep over the next hour, vaguely aware of Kyle’s presence beside me, occasionally checking emails on his phone but mostly just sitting in quiet vigilance. Mom returned at some point, bringing an update from Robert (the bail revocation hearing was scheduled for tomorrow) and news that Gas was being spoiled rotten by Mrs. Patel.
Dr. Matthews came back to check on me, reviewing the monitor strips and my latest blood pressure readings.
“The contractions have almost completely stopped,” she noted with satisfaction. “And your blood pressure has come down to borderline high rather than concerning. The blood work is still pending, but I’m cautiously optimistic.”
“Does that mean I can go home soon?” I asked.
“Let’s give it another hour,” she suggested. “If things remain stable, yes, you can go to But with strict instructions for
modified bed rest for the next week, at minimum.”
I nodded, willing to agree to almost anything to avoid being admitted. “Defined as?”
“You can move around your home, but no work, minimal stress, and no outings except for medical appointments,” Dr. Matthews explained. “Basically, your job for the next week is to do as little as possible.”
“I’ll make sure she follows those instructions,” Mom promised.
“I have no doubt,” Dr. Matthews smiled. “Your test results should be back within the hour, and then we’ll make a final decision.
After she left, I turned to Kyle. “You don’t need to stay,” I said. “It sounds like everything’s under control.”
I don’t know how it happened. Kyle wasn’t that annoying today.
“don’t mind,” he replied.
“Unless you’d prefer he
“It’s fine,” I said finally. “But I’m sure you have meetings or something.”
“Nothing that can’t be rescheduled,” he assured me.
company doesn’t fall apart if I take an
afternoon off.”
This was new–Kyle Branson putting personal matters ahead of business. The Kyle I’d been married and a personal assistant rather than sit for hours in an uncomfortable hospital chair.
to
would have ser
wers
Anurse appeared at the door, interrupting my thoughts. “Ms. Williams? We need to draw more blood for an additional test the doctor ordered.”
I nodded, offering my arm for what felt like the dozenth blood draw of the day. As she worked, I casually asked, “Is Dr. Pierce on duty today? He’s a friend of mine.”
The nurse looked up, surprise evident in her expression. “Dr. Pierce? He doesn’t work here anymore.”
“What?” The news caught me completely off guard. “Since when?
