Chapter 70 The Divorce Papers
Mia’s POV
The word escaped before I could stop it: “Mommy?”
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Her eyes fluttered open. I see those familiar green eyes I’d inherited. God, I almost forgot mom’s eyes. Now it is so clear and focused for the first time in years. Her hand reached for mine, trembling but determined.
“Hi baby,” she whispered, voice rough from disuse.
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t move. After so many months of one–sided conversations, hearing her voice – actually hearing her respond–seemed impossible.
Mom.
“Is this real?” The question slipped out, small and scared.
Mom’s fingers tightened around mine. “It’s real, sweetheart. I’m here.”
That broke me. Tears spilled over as I collapsed against her, careful even in my desperation not to disturb the IV lines. Her free hand came up to stroke my hair, that achingly familiar gesture I’d missed so much.
“Shh she soothed, just like she used to when I was little. “It’s okay.”
“I missed you so much.” The words tumbled out between sobs. “I was so scared you wouldn’t wake up. That I’d lost you too.”
“I know, Mia baby. I’m so sorry.” Her voice cracked. “I’m so sorry I was gone for so long.”
I pulled back just enough to study her face through my tears, drinking in every detail. The laugh lines around her mouth were deeper now, her hair more silver than brown, but her eyes – my eyes – were exactly as I remembered.
“I should call Dr. Pierce,” I managed, reaching for the call button. He needs to examine you.”
“In a minute.” She try to tugged me back. “Let me look at my daughter first.”
Fresh tears spilled over. “Mom, you just woke up from a coma. You should be worried about yourself, not me.”
“I’m your mother. Worrying about you is literally in my job description.” Her thumb brushed my cheek. “And you look exhausted, sweetheart. When’s the last time you really slept?”
I tried to laugh but it came out wet. “Says the woman who just woke up from a months–long nap.”
“Mia.” Just my name, but in that tone that had always been able to see straight through me.
“I’m fine,” I insisted. “You’re the one we need to focus on right now.”
She gave me that look – the one that said she wasn’t buying it for a second. “Something’s wrong. I can see it in your eyes.”
“I just…”
“My voice cracked. “I really needed my mom.”
“Well, I’m here now.” She shifted slightly, patting the space beside her. “Come here, baby.”
I hesitated. “The monitors…”
“Will survive. Come here.‘
Carefully, mindful of every tube and wire, I climbed onto the narrow hospital bed. The moment she wrapped her arms around me, I was eight years old again, seeking comfort after a bad day at school. Her familiar scent – had the nurses been using her favorite shampoo all this time? – broke through my last defenses.
“I heard you, you know,” she said softly, running her fingers through my hair. “Not everything, but… pieces. You were here every day.”
- 13.
Chapter 70 The Divorce Papers
I nodded against her shoulder. “I had a lot to tell you.”
“Mm–hmmm. Including something about a marriage contract?”
My heart stopped. “You heard that?”
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“Like I said, pieces. Enough to know my baby girl has been hurting” Her hand stilled in my hair. “Tell me everything.” So I did. Slowly, one by one. I never knew I could say that much. Everything I’d been holding back. Years of my life. Kyle’s business arrangement. Taylor’s manipulations. The babies I’d lost. With each revelation, Mom’s arms tightened around me. When I finally fell silent, she was quiet for a long moment. Then, in a tone that could have frozen hell itself: “I’m going to kill him.”
“Mom!”
“No one hurts my baby girl.” Her voice left no room for argument. I don’t care how many billions he has.”
Despite everything, I had to laugh. Some things never changed. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“I’ve missed you too, sweetheart.” She pressed a kiss to my forehead. “And I’m not going anywhere again. I promise.”
A soft knock interrupted us. Nate stood in the doorway, his professional smile warmer than usual.
“Mrs. Williams,” he said, moving to check the monitors. “I am Nate. Mia’s friends, also your doctor. Welcome back. How are you feeling?”
“Glad to know you, Dr Pierce. Mia told me about you just now. Well Like I’ve been asleep for far too long.” Mom’s grip on my hand tightened slightly. “But better now.”
The examination was thorough but quick. Nate’s efficient movements were reassuring as he tested Mom’s responses and vitals.
“Everything looks remarkably good,” he announced finally. “Though we’ll need to take things slowly. No overdoing it.”
Mom nodded, but I could see the exhaustion creeping into her face. Still, she fought to keep her eyes open.
“Sleep, Mom,” I told her softly. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
She was already drifting off, but her fingers stayed tangled with mine. I watched her breathing even out, each rise and fall a miracle I’d stopped hoping for.
Dawn was breaking outside the window when Emma appeared with an envelope. The heavy cream paper felt like lead in my hands. I’d recognize Kyle’s preferred stationery anywhere. The same expensive Italian paper he used for all his important documents, watermarked with that subtle K.T. Enterprises logo. My fingers trembled as I traced the edge, remembering another envelope just like this one three years ago. That one had contained our marriage contract.
I think I know what’s in it.
“This just came by messenger,” Emma said softly. “Marked urgent.”
The divorce papers.
I forced myself to breathe as I broke the seal. Kyle’s signature blazed across the bottom of each page in that bold, precise hand I knew so well. The same signature that had appeared on my paychecks when I was just his secretary, on our marriage license
when I became his wife.
Nó note accompanied the documents. No explanation. Not even the customary “Best Regards” he added to business correspondence. Just his name, over and over, written with what looked like his favorite Mont Blanc pen, the one Taylor given him for one of his birthdays. The same pen he’d used to sign our marriage contract as I stood nervously beside his desk, heart full of foolish hopes.
The paper crinkled slightly in my too–tight grip. Three years of marriage reduced to a handful of legal documents. He finally
sent me this.
Chapter 70 The Divorce Papers
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I should feel relieved. I really should. This was what I wanted, wasn’t it? Freedom from a loveless marriage? Release from a contract that had brought nothing but pain? I wiped my tears. That must be happy tears though it tasted bitter.
Mia?” Mom’s voice was drowsy. “Everything okay?”
1 quickly wiped my eyes, shoving the papers back into their envelope. “Everything’s fine, Mom. Go back to sleep.”
She was already drifting off again, but her hand found mine in the early morning light. I held on tight, letting her steady presence anchor me as sunlight painted the hospital room in shades of gold.
It was over. Really, truly over. The contract, the marriage, everything I’d built my life around for three years. I should have felt relieved. Instead, something that felt suspiciously like grief pressed against my ribcage.
But Mom’s hand was warm in mine, her breathing deep and peaceful. Outside, the city was waking up to a new day. Maybe endings weren’t always about loss. Maybe sometimes they were about new beginnings.
“I love you, Mom,” I whispered, settling back to watch the sunrise with my mother’s hand in mine.
She squeezed my fingers in her sleep.
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