The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins (Mia and Kyle) novel Chapter 338

338 What do you want from us?

Chapter 338 What do you want from us?

Kyle

Uncle.

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I looked at this child, this perfect small person who shared my DNA but not my history, and felt something break inside my chest. He was beautiful in the unconscious way that children were beautiful, all potential energy and curiosity and trust in the world around him. His pajamas were slightly too big for him, the sleeves covering his hands except for his fingertips. There was a small scar on his forehead that hadn’t been there in the photographs, probably from some minor childhood accident that I hadn’t been there to prevent.

This was my son. My child. A human being I’d helped create but had never really known.

“He is sad,” Mia said quietly, her voice gentle. “But he’s okay. Why don’t you go back to bed, sweetheart? It’s very late.”

Alexander looked between us again, his four–year–old brain trying to process this.

“Are you sick?” Alexander asked.

“Yes,” I said before Mia could answer. My voice came out rougher than I’d intended, scraped raw from cigarettes and fighting and the effort of not crying in front of this child who didn’t know me. I’m sick.”

Alexander nodded gravely, as if this explained everything. “My friend Jacob’s daddy was sick once. But he got better and now he coaches soccer.”

The innocent optimism in his voice was devastating..

“That’s good,” I said, not trusting myself to say more.

Alexander yawned, a huge sound that seemed too big for his small body. “I think maybe you need a hug,” he said seriously. “Hugs help when you’re sad and sick.”

Before Mia could stop him, before I could react, Alexander walked over to my chair and wrapped his arms around my shoulders. His embrace was warm and uncomplicated, smelling like children’s soap and the particular sweetness that came with being four years old and unaware of the world’s capacity for cruelty,

I sat perfectly still, afraid to move, afraid to breathe, afraid to do anything that might disturb this moment. His small arms barely reached around my shoulders.

For just a moment, I let myself imagine what it would be like to be his father. To know his favorite foods and his fears and his dreams. To be the person he turned to when he was hurt or scared or

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Chapter 338 What do you want from us?

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proud of some small accomplishment. To be part of his daily life instead of a stranger who looked sad and wore bandages.

“Feel better?” Alexander asked, stepping back to study my face with the critical attention of someone evaluating the success of his intervention.

“Much better,” I said, and meant it.

Alexander smiled, satisfied with his diagnosis and treatment. “Mama gives the best hugs, but mine are pretty good too.”

“They are,” I agreed. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” Alexander turned to Mia. “Can I have some water?”

“Of course, baby.” Mia moved to the cabinet, pulling out a small cup with cartoon characters on it. She filled it from the tap, testing the temperature before handing it to Alexander.

I watched this small domestic ritual–mother caring for child in the middle of the night–and felt the weight of everything I’d missed. How many times had this scene played out while I was in hospitals or hotel rooms or foreign cities, convincing myself that my absence was a gift rather than an abandonment?

Alexander drank his water in small, careful sips, then handed the empty cup back to Mia.

“Thank you, Mama.” He yawned again. “I think I’m sleepy now.

“Good. Let’s get you back to bed.” Mia took his hand, then looked at me. “You wait here. I’ll be right

back.”

She led Alexander toward the hallway, their footsteps soft against the carpet. I could hear their quiet conversation as they walked–Alexander asking if the sad uncle would be okay, Mia reassuring him that grown–ups sometimes just needed time to feel better.

I sat alone in the kitchen, surrounded by the evidence of the life my family had built without me. Children’s artwork on the refrigerator. Homework papers on the counter. A small pile of library books with titles like “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” and “Where the Wild Things Are.” Normal family debris, the kind that accumulates when people live together and care about each other and show up for the small moments that make up a life.

My ribs ached. I’d missed everything. I pressed my hands against my eyes.

Mia returned, closing Alexander’s door softly behind her. She moved through the kitchen like a ghost, putting away the first aid kit, rinsing Alexander’s water cup, turning off the light above the

sink.

“He’s asleep,” she said, settling into the chair across from me.

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Chapter 338 What do you want from us?

+25 BONUS

The kitchen was darker now, lit only by the ambient glow from the hallway and the city lights filtering through the window. In the dimness, Mia’s face was soft, younger–looking, more like the woman I’d married.

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