Chapter 86 THE TRUTH
Mia’s POV
The pendant lay in my palm. Morning sunlight caught the delicate metalwork, creating shadows that danced across my bedroom wall. Gas pressed against my legs, his warm presence grounding me as I traced the intricate pattern with trembling fingers.
I was sunable to tear my eyes from the pendant since the morning Why would Kyle send it now? I’m almost certain it was Kyle who sent it. But why did he always have the pendant? Did Taylor give it to him?
“Did Taylor give it to him?” I whispered to Gas, who tilted his head at my voice.
The questions swirled in my mind like a storm. I really want to ask Kyle. All of this.
No. I couldn’t call him. I don’t want to dial that well–rehearsed number.
“Come on, buddy.” I grabbed Gas’s leash from its hook by the door “We need some air.”
He bounded to his feet immediately, tail wagging with enthusiasm. At least someone’s mood wasn’t complicated.
The loose maxi skirt I pulled on still mostly hid my growing bump, though soon even that wouldn’t be enough. My reflection caught my eye as I passed the hall mirror. I looked tired. I don’t like I look tired.
“No running today, okay?” I told Gas as I clipped on his leash.
He gave me his patented head tilt, all innocent confusion, but his tail wagged harder. Sometimes I swore he understood more
than he let ‘on.
We walked farther than usual. I chose the lake. The path was empty this early, just us and the occasional duck paddling across the still water. Fall had painted the trees in shades of gold and crimson, their reflection creating a double world of autumn fire.
Gas loved it. He ran far away and then came back happily. I slowly followed behind him. From time to time, Gas comes back to check if I’m keeping up.
“What do you think I should do, Gas?” I sank onto a weathered bench, letting him rest his head in my lap.
He responded by licking my face enthusiastically, his whole body wiggling with the effort to get closer.
“Yeah, that’s about as helpful as I expected.” But I couldn’t help smiling as I hugged him close, burying my face in his warm fur. At least his love was uncomplicated.
The walk back felt longer, my feet protesting every step. Maybe we had gone too far after all. The babies seemed extra active today, as if picking up on my anxiety. My hand drifted to my stomach, a habit I couldn’t seem to break.
I saw him before he saw me.
Kyle sat on the steps leading to my building, his usual perfect appearance notably disheveled. His hair stuck up at odd angles like he’d been running his hands through it, and was that… stubble? I’d never seen him anything less than immaculately groomed. There was even a small cut on his left face.
Gas tensed beside me, a low growl rumbling in his chest.
“How did you find my address?” I didn’t wait for him to answer. “Kyle Branson has his way.”
He took a step toward me, then stopped when Gas’s growl deepened. “We need to talk, Mia.”
“I don’t think we do.”
He moved closer anyway, reaching for my arm. His fingers touched the exact spot he’d grabbed at the wedding, making me flinch. The bruises were still forming, purple–blue against my pale skin.
He registered my reaction. Kyle pulled his hand back as if burned. “I’m sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
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Chapter On THE TRUTH”
+25 BONUS
“Is that what you wanted to say? Kyle. I don’t need your apology, hink finade myself clear. Cas pressed closer to my legs, still watching Kyle wartly. I patted Gas head to calm him down.
Kyle’s forehead furrowed, and there was a complex emotions in his eyes. “Can we talk? Please?“.
Please. When had Kyle Branson ever said please to me?
“There’s nothing to talk about.” I moved to step around him, but he blocked my path. “Move, Kyle.” I couldn’t keep the bitterness from my voice.
He flinched like I’d struck him. “Mia, I love you.”
The words hung in the air between us suddenly. What did I hear? I feel like I’m hallucinating. These are the words I’ve prayed for and longed to hear years.I actually laughed, though it came out more like a sob.These are the words I’ve dreamed of, but they’ve come in such a situation.
This is insane.
“Kyle, do you know what love is?” I looked at Kyle quietly, “If you don’t know love, you shouldn’t just say it‘
I wanted to go in, but Kyle didn’t move.
“Mia, please,” he pleaded for the first time.
Kyle had never been so humble. I felt my heart skip a beat. But I knew it was just an ironic illusion.
17
“Perhaps you can explain why you suddenly fell in love with your ex–wife?” I looked straight into Kyle’s eyes.
“Mia, I fell in love with you a long time ago. Do you remember?” Kyle looked at me pleadingly.
- I felt that this was the most ridiculous sentence I had ever heard.
“So you ask me to sign a marriage contract? Is this how you love me?”
“I messed up, Mia.” Kyle’s voice was depressed. “I’ve loved you since I was eight years old, trapped in that warehouse, terrified until you appeared.”
I felt like my heart had been suddenly struck by something. Kyle’s voice suddenly became very far away.The world tilted dangerously. My knees threatened to give out.
I can hardly make a sound. He took a step closer, ignoring Gas’s warning growl. “I gave you that pendant because I needed something to remember you by. Because you made me feel safe when my own father had abandoned me to die.”
Each word felt like a physical blow. I could see myself desperately saying, “This can’t be true. You met me and fell in love with me. And then 15 years later, you treat me like a broken doll.”
The light in Kyle’s eyes suddenly faded. “I spent years looking for you.” His voice had taken on an almost desperate quality. “I thought the girl was Taylor. I was wrong.
”
Hahaha. How funny. 1
“You were wrong.” The words tasted like ashes. “You were wrong so you married me without recognizing me. You were wrong, so you treated me like I meant nothing while you ran to her every time she called. You were wrong, so I lost our babies on those marble stairs while you carried her to safety?” (1
Tears spilled over, hot and unstoppable. Gas pressed his head against my stomach.I tried hard to wipe away my tears. But the flowed even faster.
Kyle’s voice seemed to be choking as well, “Mia, I was wrong. I want to make amends.”
“You really should leave before my mom opens the door.” I stopped looking at him.
I think my mother heard me.
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Chapter 86 THE TRUTH
Mia?” The door beliind Kyle opened, revealing Mom In her morning robe.
“Mrs. Williams.” Kyle straightened slightly, some of his usual poll returning.
+25 BONUS
Mom’s voice could have frozen hell itself. She moved to stand beside me, one arm wrapping around my shoulders. “My daughter doesn’t need any more of your apologies or explanations Mr. Branson.”
“Please,” The cool morning breeze ruffled his disheveled hair as stared at me, something desperate in his storm–grey eyes.
“I think you should leave, Mr. Branson.” Mom’s voice left tio room for argument.
Kyle’s eyes never left my face. “Mia, please. Just let me try to make this right.”
Love isn’t a switch one can just flip on and off. It’s too late.
“Leave, Kyle.” I said.
Mom’s arm tightened around my shoulders. “You heard her. Leave
Kyle stood perfectly still, said nothing. He turned to leave, then stopped. Without looking back, he said softly, “I know I have no right to ask anything of you. But please… take care of yourself.”
The tears I’d been holding back spilled over again.
“I’ve got you,” Mom murmured as my tears fell faster. “I’ve got you, and I’m not going anywhere.”
