Bonds

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.”

fingers on the keyboard. Outside the window, the sun began its descent, painting the sky in fiery hues of

said softly, breaking the comfortable silence.

up, a question

myself to meet his

Chapter 58

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wasn’t crazy, Maya. That’s just who you are. Something that I have come to realize

a moment in silence then the moment of fragile peace shattered like a dropped glass. A purr, laced with sweetness,

towards the doorway, where Miranda stood

her face was plastered with a smile

here?” Ivan demanded, his voice laced with a

“Are you alright. Maya? I heard you almost died. I’m truly devastated,” she drawled,

Every fiber of my being screamed at me to wipe that infuriating smirk off

it was expertly masked. “Don’t be dramatic,,” she chided, her voice dripping with fake concern. “Honestly, you

she keeps on doing this. Or what

the way the forced smile strained on her face. “Because from the

smille vanished, replaced by a grimace that spoke volumes of her simmering rage. “You wouldn’t dare,” she hissed, her voice

17 Try me,

“You are going to stand here

always threatening you because you

pride. “I’m your sister! Shouldn’t you be showing

play that card, Miranda,” I cut in sharply. “We all know how you operate.

check on my dear sister–in–law. Wouldn’t want to miss them announcing your

a moment, a suffocating silence descended upon the room. My breath hitched in my throat, and a surge of anger, hot and white–hot, threatened

I could unleash a verbal tirade, Ivan spoke, his voice low and dangerous. “Leave, Miranda. Now. Or I

she declared, her voice laced with a dangerous edge. “After all, I’m just a concerned

the door creaked open, and a tal figure in

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10:22 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 58

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