Chapter 88 Let the past be the post.
+25 BONUS
Chapter 88 Let the past be the past.
Mia’s POV
I’d cried until there were no tears left, until my eyes burned and my throat felt raw. But I didn’t allow myself to keep crying. I still had my children. I had to start a new life. I couldn’t figure out why late had arranged this. But I was the one who signed the marriage contract. I had to accept any possible outcome. Everything might be fake, but at least my children were real.
“Enough, Mia.” I whispered.
My hand drifted to my growing bump, now impossible to ignore even under loose clothing. The babies seemed extra active this morning. A small kick. I rubbed gentle circles where I’d felt the movement.
Gas whined softly from his spot by the bathroom door, his brown eyes full of concern.
“Thanks, Gas. You are my good boy.” I patted his head.
My phone buzzed on the counte. A message from Scarlett, probably checking in for the thousandth time since her honeymoon started:
Living my best life in Bora Bora! Miss your face though! How are my favorite niblings doing?
Attached was a photo of her and Morton on some impossibly perfect beach, both looking disgustingly happy.
I started typing a response, then deleted it. What could I say? Hey, remember that boy from the kidnapping story I told you years ago? Turns out it was Kyle. Yes, THAT Kyle. My ex–husband Kyle. Who apparently loved me first but forgot me and married me without recognizing me and oh by the way I’m carrying his twins but he doesn’t know because everything is COMPLETELY FINE.
Yeah, no. Scarlett deserved to enjoy her honeymoon without my drama. I settled for a simple: Missing you too! Everything’s good here. Enjoy paradise!
Let the past be the past.
But there is one thing I do find very strange. It was about why. Why me and Kyle?
I leaned against the bathroom counter, mind racing. The kidnapping had never made sense, even as a child. Kyle’s family was infinitely wealthier than mine – taking him alone would have been more logical. Adding a second child only complicated things, increased the risk. And there had been no connection between our families then. We’d lived in completely different social circles until Taylor entered the picture in high school.
“It doesn’t add up,” I told Gas, who tilted his head as if considering my words. “Why me and Kyle?”
My phone buzzed again. This time was my calendar reminder for the afternoon’s obstetrics appointment. Dr. Matthews had been clear about wanting to monitor the twins more closely given my “high–risk factors.” At least she hadn’t explicitly said ‘ stress‘ or ‘emotional trauma,‘ though her meaning had been clear enough.
I missed Scarlett’s talent for connecting seemingly random dots into coherent patterns. She had an uncanny ability to see through society’s polite fictions to the messy truths underneath. But she deserved her honeymoon bliss. The last thing she needed was me dumping ancient conspiracy theories in her inbox.
A crash from the kitchen made me jump. Gas was already running, his nails clicking rapidly on the hardwood floors. I followed,
heart in my throat.
“Mom!”
She sat on the kitchen floor, face pale with pain, surrounded by scattered coffee grounds and broken ceramic. Her ankle was already starting to swell.
“I’m fine,” she tried to wave me off, but her grimace betrayed her. ‘Just lost my balance for a moment.”
“Right, because you normally sit on the kitchen floor surrounded by broken mugs.” I crouched carefully beside her, pregnancy making the movement awkward. “Let me see.”
1/3
Chapter 88 Let the past to the post
+25 BONUS
“Mia, really
“Mom.” I fixed her with her own patented ‘don’t argue with me‘ look. “Please,”
She sighed but let me examine her ankle. The swelling was obvious now, though thankfully nothing seemed broken. Gas hovered anxiously nearby, occasionally nudging Mom’s hand with his nose.
I helped her to a chair. “Mom.” I grabbed an ice pack from the freezer, wrapping it in a kitchen towel. “You only get clumsy when you’re distracted by worry. Usually worry about me.”
“You don’t need to worry so much,” I said, carefully positioning the ice pack around her swollen ankle. “I’m okay. Really.” Mom’s fingers found mine, squeezing gently. “That’s my job, sweetheart. Being your mother doesn’t stop just because you’re having babies of your own.”
The simple truth in her words made my throat tight. Gas pressed against my leg, offering his own brand of comfort.
“who’s accompanying you to the appointment this afternoon?”
“Mom
“Because obviously you shouldn’t go alone,” she continued as if I hadn’t spoken. “And clearly I won’t be much help with this ankle.
“I be fine.” I started gathering the broken mug pieces. “It’s just a routine checkup.”
My phone’s cheerful chime cut off my response. Scarlett’s face filled the screen, her usual perfect makeup slightly smudged like she’d just woken up. Given the time difference in Bora Bora, she probably had.
“Why aren’t you answering my texts?” She didn’t bother with hello. “I’ve been trying to reach you for hours!”
“I replied. Just now. And good morning to you too.” I adjusted my phone so she could see me better. “Aren’t you supposed to be enjoying paradise?”
“Oh, I am.” Her grin turned wicked. “But the most delicious drama just landed in my lap and you’ll never guess-” She stopped abruptly, squinting at the screen. “Why is your mother on the floor?”
“I’m fine, dear,” Mom called from her chair. “Just a slight mishap with gravity.”
“Uh–huh.” Scarlett’s eyes narrowed. “And why exactly aren’t you elevating that clearly swollen ankle? Also, Mia, don’t think I’ve forgotten that you have an appointment today. Who’s going with you?”
I groaned. “Does everyone have my calendar memorized?”
“Only those of us who love you.” She paused, then added with careful nonchalance: “You know, Thomas is still in town.”
“No.“I immediately heard the implication of Scarlett’s words.
“He’s literally doing nothing except terrorizing his investment team with spreadsheets-
“Absolutely not.”
“Sure it was, honey.” Her tone could have dried the Pacific “Anyway, you’ll never guess what just happened with Taylor and Alexander.”
Something in her voice made me sit up straighter. “What did she do now?”
Scarlett’s smile would have made sharks nervous. “Turns out Daddy Morton doesn’t appreciate finding out his youngest girlfriend has been playing both sides of the social register, if you know what I mean.”
“They broke up?”
“Better.” She actually bounced in what looked like a very expensive beach chair. “When Alexander saw Taylor’s detailed file,
2/3
Chapter 88 Lot the past be the past
what happened between them must have been much more than breaking up.”
I pressed a hand to my side, earning a concerned look from Gas.
“Okay, Scar. I have something to tell you too, but I’ll wait until you get back. I miss you.”
“Fine.” Scarlett sighed dramatically, “I have to go now. And I’ll never let you go to your prenatal check–ups
“Scar-” But she had already hung up.
alone!”
+25 BONUS
I suspect Scarlett must be calling Thomas. I did’t know if Thomas knows I’m pregnant. But it seemed likely that Scarlett had already told him.I also operred the W******p interface. I need to send Thomas a message, asking him to ignore his sister’s crazy ideas.
A knock at my door made us both jump. Gas’s ears perked up, but he didn’t growl – unusual for him when strangers approached. “That’s probably deliveryman with more of those pregnancy tea samples,” I told Mom.
I ended the call before she could protest further, pushing myself up from the floor with probably less grace than I’d like to admit. The knock came again, more insistent this time..
“Coming!” I called, wondering why Mrs. Chen was being so persistent. Usually, she just left packages by the door.
Gas trotted beside me as I made my way to answer it, his tail wagging in a way that seemed oddly knowing.
The third knock came just as I reached for the handle.
Chapter 89 Two Mon
