Bonds of the Alpha Billionaire (Maya and Alex)

Chapter 58

-Maya's POV-

One day. Just one measly day in this sterile white prison, and already I felt like a deflated balloon. Ms. Edwards could only handle so much of my "never-ending drama" as she so delicately called it. Especially not when it involved dragging one of her precious staff members into the mess even though it had been completely out of our control.

The others waltzed out of here earlier today, leaving me stuck in this cage of white sheets and scratchy blankets. I specifically told van not to bring the twins. I couldn't bear the thought of them seeing me like this- all vulnerable and broken. Sometimes, staring at my reflection in the chipped bedside table mirror, it was hard to believe I was a mother. Since coming back for this... this marriage, it felt like I was a ghost fitting through their lives. A constant presence they barely registered.

But that was going to change. First things first, though-escape from this hospital.

Across from me, Ivan sat hunched over his laptop, his brow furrowed in a deep concentration. Now that I paid attention, I could see the exhaustion etched into his face. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his shoulders slumped with a fatigue that hadn't been there before.

Stupidly, it hadn't registered until just now.

"Are you okay?" I finally asked, breaking the silence that had stretched between us like an unwelcome guest. He looked up with a start, as if startled from a deep sleep. A smile flickered onto his face, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Yeah, just some work stuff," he mumbled, tapping away at the keyboard again.

I nodded, forcing a smile of my own. It felt weak, even to me.

"The doctor said you might be discharged soon," he added as if he was trying to change the conversation..

"Do you think they have decaf coffee here?" I blurted out, desperate to break the tension-both internal and external.

Ivan finally looked up at me, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes for a brief moment. "Decal? In a hospital? You're a dreamer, Maya."

A genuine laugh bubbled up from my chest, the first real one in since yesterday. Another things that added to it was the fact that I hadn't stopped thinking about him. Jeremiah. The brother I never got to know was Jeremiah. He must have experienced what it felt like to be loved by father, I tried to push out the bitter thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, a little humor was what I needed. It wouldn't fix everything, but it was a

start.

"Alright, alright," I conceded, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "Black tea then? Anything to fuel this caffeine-deprived engine."

He chuckled, finally relaxing in his chair. "Now that's a request i can handle.❞

the sun began its descent, painting the sky in fiery hues of orange and pink. "Hey," I said softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

up, a question flitting across his

myself to meet his gaze.

Chapter 58

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who you are. Something that

not exactly knowing what to say and we just stared at each other for a moment in silence then the moment of fragile peace shattered

our heads towards the doorway, where Miranda stood framed in the harsh fluorescent light. A picture of

her face was plastered with a smile that didn't quite reach

demanded, his

predatory, locked onto me. "Are you

her face. "Devastated, huh?" I countered, my voice dry with sarcasm. "Could have fooled me." The smile faltered for a split second, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features before it was expertly masked. "Don't be dramatic,," she chided, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Honestly, you are such a drama queen, her over yourself and learn how

know why she keeps on doing this. Or what gave her the

recovered from the last beating I gave you?" I pressed, savoring the way the forced smile strained on her face. "Because from the sound

vanished, replaced by a grimace that spoke volumes of her

finally, "You are going to

you because you

with wounded pride. "I'm

in sharply. "We all know how you operate. You wouldn't be here if you

laced with mock offense. "I simply came to check on my dear sister-in-law. Wouldn't want to miss them announcing your official time of death, would we?" The statement hung in the air, heavy and spiteful. For a moment,

consume me.

Ivan spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "Leave, Miranda. Now. Or I will

"You can't throw me out," she declared, her voice laced with a dangerous edge. "After all, I'm just a concerned visitor, here to see my dear

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10:22 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 58

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