Chapter 50 PUSH–PULL
**Mia’s POV**
Darkness has its own texture. By my fourth day without sight, I’d learned its subtle variations–the soft darkness of early morning, different from the heavy darkness of midnight. The doctors kept assuring me it was temporary, just my body’s response to stress and dangerously high blood pressure. But knowledge didn’t make the fear less real.
The gentle chime of my phone cut through my thoughts. I fumbled for it, fingers finding the smooth glass by muscle memory. After three days of practice, I’d finally mastered the voice commands.
“Hey gorgeous!” Scarlett’s voice filled my room through the text–to–speech function. “The contractors need final approval on those therapy room colors. Want to grab lunch and go over samples?”
My throat tightened. I hadn’t told her about my condition. Scarlett had already taken on so much–coordinating with suppliers, reviewing materials, attending site meetings on my behalf.
“Sorry, swamped with deadlines,” I dictated carefully. “Can you handle it? I trust your judgment.”
The response came quickly: “Always covering for you, darling! But you owe me drinks soon. No excuses!”
I let out a shaky breath. The guilt of lying to my best friend sat heavy in my chest, but I couldn’t bear the thought of her dropping everything to rush to my side. I love Scarlett. That’s why she needn’t to know what happened to me.
check if there are missing messages. Another message from Nate sent yesterday: “Latest scans show excellent progress with your mother’s neural activity. The surgical site is healing perfectly. Also reviewed your modifications to the children’s center plans. Brilliant work as always. Coffee tomorrow to discuss details?”
I closed my eyes–a useless gesture now, but old habits die hard. The children’s center consumed my thoughts, even in darkness. Ideas for the therapy spaces, refinements to the garden layout, ways to make the environment more nurturing. If I could just see again…
“Thanks for the update on Mom,” I replied, keeping my tone professional. “Might need to raincheck coffee–buried in work.”
Mrs. Chen had smuggled in my laptop earlier, helping me set up voice commands. I’d spent hours dictating notes and modifications, trying to keep my mind sharp despite the darkness. The nurses probably thought I was crazy, talking to myself for hours about load–bearing walls and therapeutic color schemes.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. “Mrs
Time for your morning meds.”
Branson?” Emma’s voice carried that gentle concern I was starting to hate.
“Come in,” I called, sitting up straighter. The bed creaked slightly as I adjusted position.
“How are we feeling today?” she asked, her footsteps approaching with practiced efficiency.
“Fine.” The lie came automatically. “Any change in the test results?”
“Dr. John will be by later to discuss everything.” She pressed pills into my palm–I’d learned to identify them by shape. “Mr. Branson asked about your breakfast. Should I have something brought up?”
I swallowed the pills dry, ignoring her concerned tsk. “Maybe later”
After she left, I carefully swung my legs over the side of the bed. The doctors had encouraged movement, said it might help with circulation. I’d spent hours mapping the room by touch–twelve steps to the bathroom, eight to the window, fifteen to the door.
The silence pressed in, broken only by the steady beep of monitors and the distant sounds of hospital routine. I stood carefully, one hand extended for balance.
Wait–was that light? I squinted, heart racing. A faint glow seemed to hover at the edge of my vision.
“Please,” I whispered, taking a tentative step toward it. “Please be real.”
Chapter 50 PUSH PULL
+25 BONUS
My hip caught something hard–the bedside table?– and I stumbled. The floor rushed up to meet me, and I threw out my hands instinctively.
The door burst open before I could hit the ground. Strong arms caught me, the familiar scent of Kyle’s cologne wrapping around me like a memory.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, helping me
repain my feet. His hands lingered on my waist, steadying me.
“Thanks,” I said softly, hating how my body still reacted to his tough. I pulled away, needing distance. “Shouldn’t you be at the office? I’m sure K.T. has a mountain of work waiting.”
“Work can be handled remotely.” His voice held that new gentleness that made my chest ache. “I promised to keep you safe.”
“Stop.” The word came out sharper than intended.
“Stop what?”
I turned toward his voice, lifting my chin though I couldn’t see him “This. All of it.” I turn to him, lifting my head, though I – can’t see anything. “Have you thought of the answer?”
“What answer?” His voice was calm.
“Your motives. Why are you doing this here? I told you, I don’t need it.”
This is bad. I thought I could start a new life, I have to leave Kyle behind.
I promise myself I never shed another tear for this man.
Now, I feel my emotions being affected by his again. This is the last thing I want.
Kyle should have disappeared from my life without a trace, not like now. When I fell in the hospital room and the next second he helped me up.
The silence stretched, heavy with unspoken words. I could hear him breathing, could almost feel the tension radiating from him.
“This is what I should do.” he said finally, his voice rougher than usual. “I’ll do what I need to do before the marriage ends.”
I pushed his hand away. “It’s too late for that, Kyle. Now, I need to rest. If you could just leave, I’d appreciate it.”
Kyle left. I heard him move toward the door, his expensive shoes nearly silent on the hospital floor. The door closed with more force than necessary. It made me feel slightly better. Kyle Branson was used to everyone doing what he said. But I wasn’t playing
that game anymore.
I sank onto the bed, pressing my palms against my useless eyes. This wasn’t how it was supposed to go. Kyle was supposed to disappear into his perfect life with Taylor. I was supposed to focus on my career, my mother’s recovery, building somethi
I made my way carefully to the door, one hand trailing along the wall for guidance. Their voices became clearer as I got closer.
Thank goodness, I didn’t fall over anything this time.
- ew.
Voices in the hallway caught my attention–raised but trying to stay quiet. I recognized Kyle’s controlled tone immediately, but the other voice surprised me.
My fingers found the doorknob, fumbling slightly before getting a grip. I turned it slowly, pushing the door open.
“Nate?” I called out. The voices stopped abruptly.
