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.”

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

the comfortable silence.

up, a question flitting

myself to meet his gaze. “Even with all the

Chapter 58

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mouth twitched upwards. “It wouldn’t be you if it wasn’t crazy, Maya. That’s just who you are. Something that

at each other for a moment in silence then the moment of fragile peace shattered

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

was plastered with a

doing here?” Ivan demanded, his voice laced with a barely contained

and predatory, locked onto me. “Are you alright. Maya? I heard you almost died. I’m truly devastated,” she drawled, the sincerity dripping so heavily it was

at me to wipe that infuriating smirk off her face. “Devastated, huh?”

her voice dripping with fake concern. “Honestly, you are such

know why she keeps on doing this. Or

last beating I gave you?” I pressed, savoring the way the forced smile strained on her face. “Because from the sound of it,

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

17 Try

finally, “You are going to stand here and watch her threaten

waved her dismissively, “Someone’s always threatening you because you do things that make people want

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

I cut in sharply. “We all know how you

simply came to check on my dear sister–in–law. Wouldn’t want to miss them announcing your official time of death,

silence descended upon the room. My breath hitched in my throat,

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

laced with a dangerous edge. “After all, I’m just a concerned

a tal figure in a white coat stepped

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10:22 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 58

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