His Wife (A Contract Marriage Story) by Heer Mangtani

Chapter 81

Ten days later, me and my twins were ready to be discharged from the hospital. Aurora was growing slowly, but steadily.

When I asked Gabriel to leave or at least leave me alone, he refused. When I didn’t entertain his whims, he triple paid for a hospital room next to mine and I’m very sure he made up a fake diagnosis that he doesn’t have.

I bickered with him every step of the way. I bickered with him even on decisions I wouldn’t have otherwise, just because I could. Maybe I was angry at him. Maybe I was hurt. Or maybe it was the postpartum hormones that were making me a

mess.

Sam hadn’t visited, even when I told Alice to let him know he could. I wanted to talk to him, to demand answers, to know if my friend of so many years had really denied my children the chance of having their father in their life because he loved me. Perhaps his absence was for the best.

Gabriel cleared the entire bill of the hospital when I was busy feeding the twins, because when I asked at the counter, the lady simply smiled and said, “Oh dear, your husband cleared it an hour ago.”

Of course he did.

I grit my teeth, said nothing. Gabriel gave a toothy smile in return.

Back at my grandfather’s house, Gabriel frowned when he saw the single cot in the middle of the nursery I had hand painted.

“One?” He asked, his displeasure clear in his voice.

“Gabriel.” I try replying patiently, “I bought one because it seemed apt. They’re still very little.” Well, Sam had bought the other one but I cancelled it after Sam offered to step up and be the babies’ father. The money was refundable, and it just didn’t seem right to take from him.

“This is a cot. Why didn’t you buy a cradle?”

I stifled a groan. “Gabriel! Can we talk outside?”

He nodded, and I looked at Luna, who understood what I meant if she could keep an eye on the twins.

I gulped, walking out, and he followed. I crossed my hands before my chest. “You need to go home.”

“And leave you and my children here? Nonsense.”

“Gabriel..” I suck in a deep breath. “There isn’t enough space here to accommodate all of us. Especially not with your men following us since the moment we left the hospital.”

“Which is why I think you should take my suggestion up and come home. We have space, we can raise them peacefully.”

There is no we happening here. And even if there was, I don’t want to go to your house. It’s too huge and impersonal. It’s not fit for four people, it’s as if it’s made for a million house-staffs,” I tell him, and I think it may have been the fifteenth time in the past ten days. “I want to raise them here, and I am completely capable of doing that alone. You are obviously welcome to be a part of their lives, to visit whenever you want, and we will work out a custody arrangement when they grow up a little

more.”

He stiffens, but says nonetheless, “I can visit any time I want, you said?”

him suspiciously.

be visiting now. And just for your

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grit my

you throw me out. I will break in. You would literally have to get me

breath. “Where were you all the time that I needed you? And now you’re here now that

by yourself?” His eyes

should just say yes, hurt him back the

feel like there were a million firecrackers

going to even stay?” I ask,

won’t be in your way. I’ll take the couch

chest hurt, the hollowness return, but I say nothing.

because when one cried,

day and night felt the

Luma took the other. They

using

Despite both the babies being asleep, I couldn’t sleep. I felt this anxiety

and he seemed uncomfortable by the amount of times he tried turning and almost fell. Lama had brought it up

how long he can go on

he had no plans

duvet on him while going to the nursery, but that must’ve woken him up because minutes after I settled on the floor of their nursery, Gabriel

whisper, and for whatever reason, I didn’t feel like saying no. So I

his legs sprawled ahead while mine hug my

believe they’re ours?” He muttered more to himself than me but

a happy daze. “They’re

quick” He agrees, “I swear Aurora smiled at me

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it, they’re going to begin

this huge album for when they’re adults and embarrass them in

giggle. “Such a doting

repeats after me in a

between us, one that I had no intention of breaking till he

as silently after a minute and I turn my

“Sorry?”