~Mia POV~I stood up immediately as Robert walked toward me, knowing full well I had pushed the documents under the table.“I couldn’t sleep, so I thought of watching you sleep well,” I said, my heart beating faster. I just hoped he wouldn’t notice my anxiety.“I told you I’m fine. Why would you come into my room this late?” he asked, about to check the time when I rushed toward him and hugged him tightly.“I just wanted to give you one last embrace before I sleep,” I said, lying, scared he would notice.He laughed lightly and hugged me back before pulling away. “If you wanted to watch me sleep, what were you doing by the table? You should have just slept on the bed.”“I…I…erm…” I laughed awkwardly, lacking words to cover my shame. Robert is very intelligent; he loves details and wouldn’t stop until he understood.“I… wasn’t sure you would like it. You said I shouldn’t take advantage of you anymore,” I said, trying to use emotion and pity to shift his suspicious gaze away from me.“Co
~Mia POV~I met Emily seated calmly at a corner in the restaurant I had chosen. It was Mom’s favorite—El Patio. They served traditional cuisines, not the kind the rich often fancied, but warm and comforting in ways money could never buy.“Sorry I’m late,” I said, slipping into the seat opposite her.“No, it’s fine, you’re just in time. I already placed an order,” she replied, pulling out a brown envelope.“Were you able to get any information?” I asked eagerly.“Yeah, I did. It’s true. He actually lived years back with a peasant farmer in the hills of Compton, but later, they stayed in an orphanage they helped run.” She placed the envelope in front of me.“Does that mean the Cole Orphanage was built by Robert?” I asked, remembering how he had stepped out of the building that night through the back door, how he had wept on Mrs. Cora’s shoulder.“It’s not completely confirmed. But from what the locals say, there’s no denying Robert was with them,” Emily explained.“Then why was he taken
~Robert POV~The tense air around us thickened as I kissed her with intention. My thoughts raced through moments when it all felt like a mistake, something that should never have happened. Yet deep inside, I knew I had fallen for Mia from the very first day I set my eyes on her, that moment in the coffee shop where she worked. Her beauty had radiated like a diamond before me, pure and untouchable, and her eyes—clear as crystal made me long for her with each passing day.The kiss we now shared, this moment with no restrictions and no shadow of regret, steadied my heart from the storms that had once troubled it. Perhaps this was the love I had been fighting to win from Mia—the kind of love that blooms only from an honest heart that carves its truth into you.I pulled back from the kiss, just an inch apart. I didn’t want to look desperate; I didn’t want her to regret it later. But as I stared into her longing eyes, begging silently for more, the truth of who I was struck me again. I am a
~Mia POV~Robert lay quietly on the bed, his face turned toward the window. I sat close by, watching him, but he wouldn’t even glance at me.“The doctor said you should eat before you take the drugs,” I reminded softly.“I won’t take them,” he replied, his tone stern, emotionless.“You have to. That’s the only way you’ll get better,” I insisted.“I won’t.”“Why? Do you want this to get worse? Do you want to see a psychologist? Do you want your sickness to go that far? Why won’t you—”“The drugs are strong. They make me drowsy,” Robert interrupted, his voice sharp but weary.I moved closer and gently clasped his hand.“You need to get better. I won’t let you refuse this time. Not when it matters so much.”He glanced at me briefly, his eyes unreadable, then looked away.“Excuse me,” Cara’s voice came from the doorway, a tray balanced in her hands.“Oh, finally! Please, come in,” I said, springing up to take the tray from her.“Yummy! Smells so nice,” I teased, inhaling the aroma. Cara c
Chapter 47Somatic SymptomMia POVI didn’t know what came over me, but one thing was certain, I was trembling. My hands, my lips, even my breath quivered uncontrollably.“What don’t you understand, you good-for-nothing forgotten child?” Victoria barked, her voice cutting like a whip as she stormed toward me in rage.Her words barely registered. They were nothing compared to the storm of fear pounding in my chest. My lips moved on their own, murmuring words that came from the deepest pit of my heart.“Don’t die… you can’t die…”Victoria’s fingers tangled harshly into my hair, yanking me up from the ground. Pain shot through me, but the scream I wanted to release never came. My lungs felt caged, strangled. She shoved me onto the bed, and I landed hard—directly against Robert.“Keep him warm! Is that so hard for you?” she hissed, her breath ragged with fury, before storming out of the room.I froze, my body pressed to Robert’s bare chest. His skin was cold, frighteningly cold, and his p
~ Mia – POV~I watched as Robert’s car drove out of the premises. I was so sure it was him. Yet, I couldn't understand why he refused to go in with me.I joined the others at the dining hall. It was huge and spacious, with over fifty table settings—more than enough for the children.“Alright, kids, let’s say the Lord’s Prayer.” Mr Cole said.“Our Father who is in heaven…” all the children echoed in unison, their voices harmonizing through the entire room.“Here, sit with us!” Jake called out as I held my tray. He was surrounded by a few kids. I happily joined the table, giggling along with the little ones as they shared their endless stories.I glanced over and saw only Mrs. Cora and Cole deep in conversation, their expressions serious. I figured they must be talking about earlier—Robert’s visit. Though I was curious, I didn’t have the courage to ask. I couldn't even say Robert is my husband, was he truly your son?Still, the question lingered—was he truly adopted by Cole? The world s