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Chapter 23

Author: Hayley
last update Last Updated: 2025-04-06 03:01:12

ANNA POV.

The plane hummed steadily beneath me, a dull vibration that echoed the turmoil in my chest.

I stared blankly out the window, watching as Italy faded into the distance. The farther we climbed, the heavier my heart felt, but I shoved the feeling deep down where it couldn't reach me.

I chose this. I wanted this.

Then why did my fingers tremble as I clutched the thin airplane blanket? Why did my stomach twist—not from the turbulence, but from the weight of everything I was leaving behind?

I pressed a hand to my belly, my nails digging into the fabric of my sweater.

I was free.

No more looking over my shoulder, waiting for the next betrayal. No more walking through those halls, feeling like a stranger in my own home. No more Jace.

I squeezed my eyes shut.

Jace.

Even thinking his name was a knife to my chest.

He didn’t even come looking for me.

I had left our bed, our home, our life and he hadn’t stopped me. He didn’t fight for me. Didn’t ask where I was going. He
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  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 132

    ANNA POV.The car pulled into the hospital’s entrance, the kind of sterile place I’d hoped to avoid for as long as possible—until now. Nine months and some days, my due date looming like a quiet drumbeat in the back of my mind.Jace’s hand was warm and steady on my thigh, his eyes on the road but always somehow aware of me.“I’m nervous,” I admitted, voice low. “Not about the babies, but the whole… process.”He squeezed my leg. “You’re not alone. We’re in this together.”We stepped inside, the sharp scent of antiseptic wrapping around us like a reminder that this was real. My feet shuffled a little on the cold floor, the weight of my belly making every step deliberate.As we waited for the nurse, my eyes caught a woman walking briskly toward the elevators.My heart hit a sudden stop.That was Sophie.No doubt.I blinked twice, the image stuck: her sleek hair, the way she carried herself with that same cold confidence.I grabbed Jace’s arm, my voice tense. “Jace… I think I just saw So

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 131

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  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 130

    ANNA POVThe rain had started sometime after midnight—soft, rhythmic, and oddly comforting. It tapped against the windows like a lullaby, weaving itself into my half-dreams until I stopped trying to fall asleep and just… listened.Jace was fast asleep beside me, one hand cradling my belly like it was a fragile world. He always did that now, even in sleep—as if his body had learned to guard mine without thinking.The room was dim. The soft glow of the hallway light poured in under the door, and the scent of yesterday’s cinnamon candle still lingered faintly in the air. I was wide awake, but not restless.Just… aware.The babies moved suddenly—one sharp kick to my rib, then a slow tumble like they were flipping positions. I winced, pressing a hand to my side, breathing through it.Eight months and weeks.We were so close.And yet, I felt suspended. Like I was standing in a doorway between two worlds—the woman I’d been and the mother I was becoming.I shifted carefully, propping myself u

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 129

    JACE POVThe morning light filtered softly through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. I found Anna sprawled across the bed like a queen claiming her throne—except there was nothing remotely regal about the tangled mess of hair falling across her face or the exasperated expression she wore as she stared up at the ceiling.I couldn’t help but grin.“Your Majesty,” I said with a dramatic bow as I stretched exaggeratedly, “how fares the royal realm this fine morning?”Anna’s eyes flicked toward me, narrowed in a mock glare. “If by ‘royal realm’ you mean this belly,” she groaned, turning her hand to rest on her stomach, “it’s staging a full-on rebellion. The kicks are relentless. I swear, these babies have declared war.”I laughed and crossed the room, kneeling beside the bed to press a gentle kiss to her forehead. “Maybe they’re just practicing for when they take over the world.”She rolled her eyes, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Well, they better be ready,

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 128

    ANNA POV Back home, the air felt lighter. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Teresa — she’d been such a steady presence through everything. I grabbed my phone and dialed her number, my fingers trembling with excitement.“Teresa! You won’t believe what the doctor just told us,” I said as soon as she picked up, my voice bright.“Oh, Anna, tell me everything!” Teresa’s warmth was instant, as if she’d been waiting for this moment.I smiled, heart swelling. “We’re having twins. Two healthy babies.”There was a beat of silence, then a happy gasp. “Oh, my dear! Twins! Bless you, bless you both. That’s wonderful news!” Her voice cracked a little, full of emotion.I laughed softly, feeling tears prick. “Yeah, it’s a surprise for all of us. The doctor said it’s why I haven’t felt as sick as last time.”“I’m so glad you’re okay, Anna. You deserve this joy after everything,” Teresa said, her voice full of tenderness.We talked for a while longer, her excitement matching mine, the hope betwee

  • The Price Of Us   Chapter 127

    JACE POV.The morning sunlight slanted through the windows, spilling across the kitchen table like gold. Nathan was in his high chair, face smeared with mashed banana and an expression of total mischief, while Anna sat across from me, sipping her lukewarm tea like it was the one thing tethering her to sanity.It was peaceful. For once.But something gnawed at me.I watched her closely as she smiled at Nathan’s attempt to bang his spoon against the tray. She looked… radiant. Calm. But not tired. Not sick. Not like someone nearly five months pregnant. No weird cravings. No sudden sprints to the bathroom. No backaches or mood swings. Just a soft bump and steady grace.I cleared my throat, tapping my spoon against my plate. “Can I ask you something?”She glanced up at me, brushing a crumb from her lips. “You just did. But go ahead.”I smirked. “I mean seriously. I've been trying not to overthink it, but—I’ve noticed something. And I figured… better to say it now than let it keep eating

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