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.”

sound the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the keyboard. Outside the window, the sun began its

I said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. “Thank you. For

glanced up, a question flitting across his

here,” I clarified, forcing myself to meet his

Chapter 58

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

each other for a moment in silence then the moment of fragile peace shattered like a dropped glass.

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

face was plastered with a smile that didn’t

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

sharp 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

that infuriating smirk off her face. “Devastated, huh?” I countered, my voice dry with sarcasm. “Could have fooled

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 to say thank you

doing this. Or what gave her

I gave you?” I pressed, savoring the way the forced smile strained on her

carefully constructed facade finally crumbled. The smille vanished, replaced by a grimace that spoke

Try me,

to Ivan finally, “You are going to

waved her dismissively, “Someone’s always threatening you because you

believe you,” she sputtered, her voice laced with wounded pride. “I’m your sister! Shouldn’t you be showing some

in sharply. “We all know how you operate. You wouldn’t be here if

check on my dear sister–in–law.

room. My breath hitched in my throat, and a surge of anger,

his voice low and dangerous. “Leave,

glint entered her eyes. “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

door creaked open, and a tal figure in a

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10:22 Sat, 22 Jun

Chapter 58

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