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Chapter 23 Twisted Lies

Author: Artemis Z.Y.
last update Huling Na-update: 2024-12-27 22:28:08
**Mia's POV**

My father hadn't changed. Not one bit.

He stood in the center of what used to be our living room, every inch the successful businessman in his tailored charcoal suit. The same rigid posture, the same cold eyes, the same air of perpetual disappointment when he looked at me. Only the silver threading his temples hinted at the passage of time.

The room itself had transformed completely since my childhood. Mom's beloved watercolors had been replaced by expensive abstract pieces that Taylor's mother preferred. The warm, comfortable furniture was gone, exchanged for sleek leather and chrome that matched their sophisticated tastes. Even the air felt different – no longer the subtle scent of Mom's favorite jasmine tea, but something artificial, designer, chosen to impress rather than comfort.

Taylor perched on the arm of Dad's favorite leather chair, the same chair where Mom used to read me bedtime stories. Her Louboutin heels crossed elegantly at the ankle, her cream designer dr
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Well, well. Didn’t see that coming from Kyle!
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  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 24 Revelations

    **Mia's POV**The silence in the room shattered at Kyle's words. My father's face drained of color as he stared at Kyle's hand gripping his wrist, recognition slowly dawning in his eyes."Kyle... Kyle Branson?" Dad's voice wavered, all his previous authority crumbling. The name carried weight - everyone in the business world knew what crossing a Branson meant."Mr. Hawthorne." Kyle's voice remained perfectly controlled, but ice cold. "I suggest you lower your hand. Now."Dad jerked away as if burned, his eyes darting between Kyle and me. "What are you doing here? This is a family—""Mia is my wife."The words fell like bombs in the elegant living room. I watched the impact ripple across their faces - Dad's jaw going slack, my stepmother's perfectly arranged features freezing in shock, Taylor's eyes widening in genuine surprise for once."Wife?" Dad choked out. "That's impossible. She's been—""We've been married for three years." Kyle's tone left no room for argument. His stance was pr

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-27
  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 25 The Havers Hotel

    **Mia's POV**The morning sun filtered through the guest room's bay windows, casting long shadows across my makeshift studio. Drawings covered every surface – elevation plans pinned to walls, material samples scattered across tables, 3D renderings glowing on multiple screens. The organized chaos felt right, felt like coming home to a part of myself I'd almost forgotten."Mrs. Branson?" Mrs. Chen's soft knock interrupted my concentration. "Your morning tea."She entered carrying a silver tray, navigating carefully around stacks of blueprints. Jasmine steam curled in the air, a small attempt at comfort in this too-quiet house."Thank you, Mrs. Chen," I murmured, not looking up from the detail I was sketching – an intricate pattern for the atrium's skylight. "You can just leave it anywhere.""Three days," she said, arranging a plate of small sandwiches beside the tea. "Three days you've barely left this room. Barely eaten.""I've eaten," I protested, but even I could hear how weak it soun

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-27
  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 26 Mother's Warning

    **Mia's POV**The peaceful afternoon silence shattered with the sound of the front door being thrown open, followed by the sharp click of designer heels on marble flooring. Outside, I could hear the purr of a Bentley engine fading away – Catherine never drove herself when she was angry."Mrs. Chen!" The commanding voice echoed through the foyer. "Where is my son?"I looked up from my design sketches, the detailed renderings of the Havers project's east wing forgotten as Catherine's voice carried upstairs. Through my open door, I could hear Mrs. Chen's hurried footsteps on the grand staircase."Mrs. Branson Senior," Mrs. Chen's usually composed voice held a note of anxiety. "Mr. Branson is at the office—""At the office?" Catherine's tone dripped with sarcasm. "Call him," Catherine commanded. "Tell him to come home immediately. And I mean immediately, not after whatever 'meeting' he claims to be in."I set aside my work, smoothing my simple grey sweater dress as I made my way downstair

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-27
  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 27 The Potion's Effect

    **Mia's POV**The foyer felt too small, too warm in the wake of Catherine's departure. The lingering scent of her herbs mixed with the familiar notes of Kyle's cologne, creating something heady and strange in the air between us. Kyle stood perfectly still, his usual impeccable appearance slightly disrupted – tie loosened, emerald nail mark stark against his white shirt, a flush rising along his cheekbones.I studied the intricate patterns in the marble flooring, tracing the swirls with my eyes. Anything to avoid looking at him directly. The silence stretched, punctuated only by the gentle tick of the grandfather clock and the distant sounds of Mrs. Chen in the kitchen."I should..." My voice came out hoarse, unfamiliar. I cleared my throat, trying again. "I need to shower. Get ready for bed.""Of course." His voice was carefully neutral, practiced. Then, unexpectedly: "Your designs for the Havers project."I looked up despite myself. "What?""They're exceptional." Something flickered i

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-27
  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 28 Breaking the Spell

    **Mia's POV**The world had narrowed to sensation - Kyle's lips on mine, his hands tangled in my hair, the heat of Catherine's potion burning through our veins. Each touch felt magnified, electric, as if the herbs had awakened every nerve ending in my body.Moonlight spilled through the bedroom windows, painting silver shadows across Kyle's face as he pulled back slightly, his breathing ragged. His storm-grey eyes were almost black, pupils dilated with desire."Mia," he whispered, my name a prayer and a curse on his lips. His fingers traced the curve of my cheek, down my neck, leaving trails of fire in their wake. "Tell me."I couldn't answer. Couldn't trust my voice when his touch was unraveling every carefully constructed defense. Instead, I pulled him back to me, losing myself in the taste of spice and darkness on his tongue.We moved like dancers in a dream, each step bringing us closer to the bed. Kyle's tie had disappeared somewhere along the way, his shirt half-unbuttoned, reve

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-27
  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 29 Unexpected Triggers

    **Mia's POV**Sleep had been elusive, leaving me tossing and turning in sheets that still held traces of Kyle's cologne. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw his face in the moonlight, felt the ghost of his touch. Catherine's potion had finally worn off, but the memories remained, sharp and clear in the endless night hours.Dawn found me exhausted, dark circles beneath my eyes that even expensive concealer couldn't quite hide. I pulled on a simple cream sweater and black pants, armor against whatever this day might bring.The sound of clattering pans drew me to the kitchen. I stopped dead in the doorway, certain I must still be dreaming.Kyle Branson - immaculate, perfectionist Kyle - stood at the stove surrounded by chaos. Eggshells littered the counter. A dusting of flour marked his otherwise pristine grey suit. Something that might have been an omelet sizzled ominously in the pan."What are you doing?" The words came out more bewildered than I intended.He looked up, and for a moment

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-27
  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 30 Diagnosis

    **Kyle's POV**The medical center's waiting room felt too small, too sterile. I watched Mia through the glass partition as nurses took her vitals, drew blood, performed test after test. She looked small in the oversized hospital chair, pale against the stark white walls."Mr. Branson?" John's voice drew my attention. My family's physician for twenty years stood before me, his expression grave as he studied the preliminary results. "Shall we discuss this in my office?"I followed him down the quiet corridor, my footsteps echoing on polished floors."Her physical symptoms are concerning," John began, spreading test results across his desk. "Significant weight loss, irregular sleep patterns, elevated cortisol levels. But I'm more worried about her psychological state."I leaned forward. "Explain.""She's exhibiting classic signs of clinical depression." John removed his glasses, started polishing them with that methodical movement I'd seen since childhood – his tell when delivering diffi

    Huling Na-update : 2024-12-27
  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 31 Fragments of Healing

    **Mia's POV**The therapy room was nothing like I'd imagined. No leather couch, no walls lined with dusty psychology books. Instead, soft grey walls surrounded comfortable armchairs, and large windows let in natural light filtered through gauzy curtains. Dr. Sarah Matthews sat across from me, her presence calm and grounding."Are you comfortable, Mia?" she asked, adjusting the small device that would guide my eye movements. Her voice carried that perfect blend of professional and compassionate that probably took years to master.I nodded, though 'comfortable' wasn't quite the right word. The armchair embraced me like a cloud, but my nerves jangled with anticipation. Or was it fear?"Remember," she continued, "EMDR therapy helps process traumatic memories by engaging both sides of your brain. Just follow the light with your eyes, and let your thoughts flow naturally. There's no right or wrong way to experience this."The light began moving, a gentle rhythm like a metronome. Left to righ

    Huling Na-update : 2025-01-06

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  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 189 Vague Threats

    Mia's POVI stood by the hospital bed, staring at my father's battered form with mixed emotions. After receiving the call about his "incident" at the prison, I'd came to Mount Sinai Hospital. Now, seeing Richard Williams lying there with tubes and monitors attached to him, I felt karma was real."You came," he said,"I wasn't sure you would.""I almost didn't. My lawyer thought it was a bad idea."My father's eyes flickered to where my attorney stood near the door, then back to me. The harsh hospital lighting emphasized the damage to his face—a swollen eye, split lip, and various bruises spreading across his features."Thank you. I know I don't deserve your concern.""I'm not here out of concern," I clarified. "I'm here because you claimed to have information that affects my safety."A nurse entered, checked his vitals, and adjusted his medication. I waited until she left before continuing."What happened to you?" I asked, gesturing to his injuries."Prison justice," he replied with a

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 188 An incident

    Mia's POVThe package arrived on an ordinary Tuesday morning. No return address, just my name and address printed in neat block letters that bore no distinguishing characteristics. The delivery man had already disappeared down the hallway by the time I opened the door, summoned by the soft knock."Who was that?" Mom called."Delivery," I replied, turning the padded manila envelope over in my hands."What did you order?" She appeared in the doorway, a dish towel slung over one shoulder."Nothing." I held up the package. I carefully tore along the sealed edge.A leather-bound journal, its cover worn at the corners, the pages slightly yellowed with age. The leather was soft, as if it had been handled often, and a delicate ribbon marker protruded from between the pages. There was no note accompanying it, nothing to indicate who had sent it or why."What is it?" Mom asked, peering over my shoulder.I opened the cover carefully, looking for an inscription or any identifying information. On

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 187 Father's Call

    Mia's POVAs I filled the kettle for morning tea, my phone rang—an unknown number with a local area code. Normally, I'd let such calls go to voicemail, wary of reporters still trying to get comments about the Branson scandal. But something—intuition perhaps—prompted me to answer."Hello?"There was silence on the other end, followed by a crackle of static that suggested an institutional phone system."Hello?" I repeated, irritation creeping into my voice. "Who is this?""Mia."The voice sent ice through my veins, familiar despite the years."Father."The word felt foreign on my tongue, a relic from a past I'd tried to put behind me. Richard Williams."You answered," he said, sounding genuinely surprised. "I wasn't sure you would.""I didn't recognize the number," I replied, my tone deliberately cool. "What do you want?""Is that any way to greet your father?" The familiar note of manipulation had already crept into his voice, the subtle reminder that I owed him respect regardless of h

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 186: Whispers in the Snow

    Mia's POV"Yes, Mom. I'm awake," I called, adjusting myself against the pillows as she peered around the door. "That was a short appointment."She hesitated in the doorway. "It was canceled. The weather, you know."I nodded, though I didn't entirely believe her explanation. The snow, while steady, was hardly a blizzard. New Yorkers carried on through far worse conditions. But I let it pass, unwilling to interrogate her about a private matter she clearly wasn't ready to share."Are you comfortable?" she asked. "You shouldn't stay in bed all day. A little movement is good for circulation.""I was just resting," I assured her. "I had some soup, like you suggested.""Good. I have some papers to review in my office. Will you be alright on your own for a while?""I'm not an invalid, Mom," I reminded her with a smile. "Just pregnant.""Very pregnant," she corrected.After she left, I remained in bed a while longer, listening to the soft sounds of her moving about in her office across the hal

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 185 Winter Coming

    Mia's POVDecember arrived with its first snow, transforming New York into a landscape of pristine white. I stood at the window, my fingers tracing idle patterns on the frosted glass as I observed the silent descent of snowflakes. My reflection stared back at me, a woman has a belly that had expanded to proportions I once would have deemed impossible.The cold had settled into the city with unusual vigor this year, mirroring the chill that had descended upon the Branson name. Each day brought fresh allegations against Alexander Branson, each more damning than the last. The media, like vultures circling a wounded animal, released evidence piece by piece, ensuring the scandal remained perpetually fresh in the public consciousness."Murder," they called it now. Alexander Branson, murderer of Diane Porter—a truth accepted so readily by a public hungry for the downfall of the wealthy and powerful.I sighed, my breath creating a momentary fog upon the window.Diane Porter had been revealed

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 184 Diana Porter

    Mia's POV"Nate," I said carefully, "what do you know that I don't?"I could hear Nate's breathing on the other end, slightly uneven, as if he was wrestling with himself."I—" he began, then stopped. "There are things I can't explain, Mia.""Nate, please," I said, my voice softer now. "I'm tired of riddles. I have two babies to protect. If you know something that puts us at risk, you need to tell me.""I..." There was a muffled sound on his end, like someone speaking in the background. "I have to go," he said suddenly, his tone shifting to urgency."Nate, wait—""I'll protect you, Mia," he promised. "please consider what I said about Paris.""I can't just—""I have to take this call," he interrupted.The line went dead before I could respond, leaving me staring at my phone in disbelief."What the hell?" I whispered to the empty room."I'm tired of this," I said aloud to Gas, who tilted his head as if considering my words. "Tired of everyone treating me like some fragile doll who can't

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 183 What do you know?

    Mia's POV"Nate," I said finally, my patience wearing thin, "if you know something that affects me and my children, you have a moral obligation to tell me. Not in riddles, not in vague warnings, but directly."The silence on the other end of the line stretched on for so long that I checked my phone screen to make sure we were still connected. We were."Nate? Are you still there?"A heavy sigh filtered through the connection. "I'm here.""Then talk to me," I pressed.Silence. And silence.I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself. Getting angry wouldn't help, and it certainly wouldn't get Nate to open up."Look," I said, softening my tone, "I need to be honest with you about something. There's a reason I'm pushing so hard for answers."Another pause. "What is it?"I closed my eyes, preparing for his reaction. "When I was in Paris, I went to see the Jardin House."The sharp intake of breath on the other end of the line told me everything I needed to know."You knew," he said flatly. N

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 182 Questions Without Answers

    Mia's POVI woke to gray skies and a steady drizzle against my bedroom window.My dreams had been a chaotic montage of faces—Kyle's desperation, Scarlett's feverish smile, Jeo's unexpected reappearance, and Nate... Nate with his kind eyes and careful distance, a puzzle I couldn't quite solve.Strange dreams.My phone chimed with a text message, and I reached for it reluctantly, half-expecting it to be Kyle with some pathetic apology. Instead, it was Scarlett:Fever broke this morning. Morton insisting I stay in bed anyway.I smiled despite myself, relieved that her condition was improving. I typed back:Dictator Morton sounds like exactly what you need right now. Rest. I'll check on you later.Setting the phone aside, I pushed myself up and swung my legs over the edge of the bed, taking a moment to find my balance.Gas immediately hopped down and stretched.As I picked at my breakfast, my thoughts returned to the video call with Scarlett and Jeo. The revelation that Jeo and Nate had b

  • The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins   Chapter 181 Strange Weather

    Mia's POVThe hot water helped wash away the physical sensation of Kyle's grasp, of his mouth forced against mine, though the memory remained stubbornly present.I reached for my tablet, thinking I might distract myself with some mindless scrolling or perhaps work on the children's center designs. And my phone chimed with an incoming video call. Scarlett's name and photo flashed on the screen.I accepted the call, adjusting the screen so the dim lighting wouldn't reveal too much of my current state."Hey, Scar," I greeted, forcing a lightness I didn't feel into my voice. "How are you feeling?"Scarlett's face appeared, still flushed with fever but looking marginally better than when I'd left her earlier. "Like I've been hit by a bus, then backed over for good measure," she replied with her characteristic bluntness. "But Morton's playing Florence Nightingale, so I can't complain too much.""You should be resting," I scolded gently. "Why are you calling so late?"Her image shifted as sh

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