The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins (Mia and Kyle) novel Chapter 218

r 218 A free evening

Mia’s POV

The boys immediately forgot their questions, racing to the door. “Thomas! Thomas! What’s our surprise?”

I followed more slowly, my heart still heavy from their questions. Four years, and it didn’t get easier.

Thomas stood in the doorway, his tall frame bent down to the boys‘ level as he pretended to search his pockets. Surprise? Did I mention a surprise? I can’t seem to remember…”

Their giggles filled the apartment as he finally produced two small boxes from his jacket.

“Careful,” he warned as they tore into the packages. “These are special.”

Inside each box was a child–sized compass on a sturdy cord. “For our adventure tomorrow,” Thomas explained, showing them how the needles always pointed north.

The twins were delighted, immediately testing their new treasures by walking in different directions around the

apartment.

Thomas straightened up, his smile warming as it met mine. “Ready for dinner? The reservation’s at 7:30.”

“Just need to grab my purse,” I replied, touched by his thoughtfulness–the compasses would keep the boys entertained for hours.

As I collected my things, I watched Thomas with the twins. He crouched between them, explaining how explorers used compasses to navigate the world before GPS existed. His patience with them never wavered, his genuine interest in their thoughts and ideas evident in the careful way he listened to their excited chatter.

“Adventure tomorrow?” I asked as we headed out, a twin attached to each of our hands.

The twins raced ahead of us down the hallway to the elevator, their new compasses clutched tightly in their hands.

“Don’t press the button until we get there,” I called after them, though I knew it was likely futile.

Thomas laughed beside me. “I think that ship has sailed.”

Sure enough, by the time we reached theelevator, Ethan was proudly announcing, “I did it correctly, Mom. I only pressed it once.”

Alexander, not to be outdone, added, “And I held the door!”

“Well done, explorers,” Thomas said, ruffling their hair as we stepped inside. “A good navigator always helps his team.”

“Is Mom on our team?” Alexander asked, looking up at Thomas with those piercing gray eyes that sometimes made my heart stop.

“Always,” Thomas replied without hesitation. “Your mom is the captain of our expedition.”

“What’s a captain do?” Ethan asked, carefully tucking his compass into his pocket just as I’d shown him.

Chapter 218 A free evening

+25 BONUS

“The captain makes all the important decisions,” Thomas explained as the elevator descended. “Like where to go for dinner.”

“Pizza!” Alexander shouted immediately.

“We had pizza yesterday,” Ethan reminded him with the serious expression he often wore when correcting his brother. “Mom said balance is important.”

Thomas caught my eye over their heads, his smile reflecting my amusement. This was our life now–practical negotiations with miniature logicians.

‘Mom and 1 are going to have a grown–up dinner tonight while you two have your adventure with the puppies,” Thomas reminded them gently. “But I promise we’ll let you choose where we eat tomorrow.”

“Even if I want ice cream for dinner?” Alexander pressed, his expression hopeful.

“That’s a decision for the captain,” Thomas replied diplomatically, winking at me.

My mother was waiting in the lobby, elegant as always despite the prospect of an evening with two energetic four–year–olds.

“There are my handsome grandsons!” she exclaimed, opening her arms as they ran to her.

“Grandma! Look what Thomas gave us!” Ethan carefully showed her his compass while Alexander swung his in circles, narrowly missing a potted plant.

“Amazing! We’ll have to use those on our adventure tonight,” my mother said, seamlessly catching Alexander’s compass mid–swing without breaking her smile.

“I’ve packed their overnight bags,” I told her, handing over the small backpacks. “Ethan’s medicine is in the front pocket, and-”

“Darling, I’ve got this,” she interrupted gently. “We’ve done this before. Multiple times.”

Thomas placed a reassuring hand on my back. “They’ll be fine.”

“I know,” I sighed, then knelt to kiss each of my boys. “Be good for Grandma, okay? Mind your manners and help with the puppies.”

“We will,” they chorused, already pulling my mother toward the door, their attention completely captured by whatever adventure she had promised them.

“Don’t forget-“I called after them.

“To call when they’re settled,” my mother finished for me, blowing me a kiss as they disappeared through the revolving doors.

Thomas squeezed my shoulder gently. “They’re going to have a blast, and so are we. The car should be waiting.”

The black town car idled at the curb, the driver holding the door as we approached. Once inside, I felt the tension of the day begin to melt away.

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Chapter 218 A free evening

+25 BONUS

“That was incredibly sweet of you,” I said, gesturing to the building where the twins and my mother had just disappeared. “The compasses. They’ll treasure them.”

“I thought it might help with tomorrow’s museum trip,” Thomas replied, his hand finding mine in the space between us. “And honestly, I love watching their faces light up.”

“They adore you,” I said softly. “You know that, right?”

Something flickered in his eyes–warmth mixed with what might have been uncertainty. “The feeling is mutual.

We rode in comfortable silence for a few blocks, the lights of the city streaking past the windows. I found myself studying his profile, the strong line of his jaw, the way his hair curled slightly at his collar.

“You’re staring,” he noted without turning his head, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth.

“Just appreciating the view,” I replied lightly.

The car pulled up to the restaurant, the driver coming around to open our door. Thomas stepped out first, then offered me his hand.

“Maybe tonight we can focus on the complete parts of our lives,” he suggested, his eyes meeting mine with understanding. “The parts that are right here.”

“I’d like that,” I said, taking his hand and stepping onto the sidewalk.

The maitre d‘ recognized us immediately, leading us to our usual corner table. The restaurant hummed with conversation and the gentle clink of silverware, its warm lighting creating an intimate atmosphere despite the

crowd.

“You look beautiful,” Thomas said, kissing my cheek before pulling out my

chair.

“You look beautiful,” he said, kissing my cheek before pulling out my chair.

“The twins nearly set Gas on fire today,” I replied, accepting the glass of wine he’d already ordered for me.

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