Bonds

-Maya's POV-

One day. Just one measly day in this sterile white prison, and already I felt like a deflated balloon. Ms. Edwards could only handle so much of my "never-ending drama" as she so delicately called it. Especially not when it involved dragging one of her precious staff members into the mess even though it had been completely out of our control.

The others waltzed out of here earlier today, leaving me stuck in this cage of white sheets and scratchy blankets. I specifically told van not to bring the twins. I couldn't bear the thought of them seeing me like this- all vulnerable and broken. Sometimes, staring at my reflection in the chipped bedside table mirror, it was hard to believe I was a mother. Since coming back for this... this marriage, it felt like I was a ghost fitting through their lives. A constant presence they barely registered.

But that was going to change. First things first, though-escape from this hospital.

Across from me, Ivan sat hunched over his laptop, his brow furrowed in a deep concentration. Now that I paid attention, I could see the exhaustion etched into his face. Dark circles shadowed his eyes, and his shoulders slumped with a fatigue that hadn't been there before.

Stupidly, it hadn't registered until just now.

"Are you okay?" I finally asked, breaking the silence that had stretched between us like an unwelcome guest. He looked up with a start, as if startled from a deep sleep. A smile flickered onto his face, but it didn't reach his eyes.

"Yeah, just some work stuff," he mumbled, tapping away at the keyboard again.

I nodded, forcing a smile of my own. It felt weak, even to me.

"The doctor said you might be discharged soon," he added as if he was trying to change the conversation..

"Do you think they have decaf coffee here?" I blurted out, desperate to break the tension-both internal and external.

Ivan finally looked up at me, a flicker of amusement dancing in his eyes for a brief moment. "Decal? In a hospital? You're a dreamer, Maya."Owned by NôvelDrama.Org.

A genuine laugh bubbled up from my chest, the first real one in since yesterday. Another things that added to it was the fact that I hadn't stopped thinking about him. Jeremiah. The brother I never got to know was Jeremiah. He must have experienced what it felt like to be loved by father, I tried to push out the bitter thoughts. Maybe, just maybe, a little humor was what I needed. It wouldn't fix everything, but it was a start.

"Alright, alright," I conceded, a playful smile tugging at my lips. "Black tea then? Anything to fuel this caffeine-deprived engine."

He chuckled, finally relaxing in his chair. "Now that's a request i can handle."

We sat in comfortable silence for a while, the only sound the rhythmic tapping of his fingers on the keyboard. Outside the window, the sun began its descent, painting the sky in fiery hues of orange and pink.

"Hey," I said softly, breaking the comfortable silence. "Thank you. For staying He glanced up, a question flitting across his features.

"For being here," I clarified, forcing myself to meet his gaze. "Even with all the craziness."

+G A corner of his mouth twitched upwards. "It wouldn't be you if it wasn't crazy, Maya. That's just who you are. Something that I have come to realize but don't worry I'm not complaining. You make my life slightly more interesting."

I smiled not exactly knowing what to say and we just stared at each other for a moment in silence then the moment of fragile peace shattered like a dropped glass. A purr, laced with sweetness, slithered into the sterile air, "Well, Isn't this sweet?"

Ivan and I both swiveled our heads towards the doorway, where Miranda stood framed in the harsh fluorescent light. A picture of forced joviality, her face was plastered with a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Ivan demanded, his voice laced with a barely contained irritation.

Miranda, with the practiced case of a seasoned villain, ignored him entirely. Her gaze, sharp and predatory, locked onto me. "Are you alright. Maya? I heard you almost died. I'm truly devastated," she drawled, the sincerity dripping so heavily it was practically audible.

My fingers instinctively curled into fists. Every fiber of my being screamed at me to wipe that infuriating smirk off her face. "Devastated, huh?" I countered, my voice dry with sarcasm. "Could have fooled me."

The smile faltered for a split second, a flicker of annoyance crossing her features before it was expertly masked. "Don't be dramatic,," she chided, her voice dripping with fake concern. "Honestly, you are such a drama queen, her over yourself and learn how to say thank you when people show concern."

I don't even know why she keeps on doing this. Or what gave her the right to.

"Have you recovered from the last beating I gave you?" I pressed, savoring the way the forced smile strained on her face. "Because from the sound of it, you seem to be itching for another one."

The carefully constructed facade finally crumbled. The smille vanished, replaced by a grimace that spoke volumes of her simmering rage. "You wouldn't dare," she hissed, her voice low and dangerous.

"Wouldn't 17 Try me, Miranda."

She turned to Ivan finally, "You are going to stand here and watch her threaten me?"

He waved her dismissively, "Someone's always threatening you because you do things that make people want to threaten you."

"I can't believe you," she sputtered, her voice laced with wounded pride. "I'm your sister! Shouldn't you be showing some concern for your family?"

"Don't play that card, Miranda," I cut in sharply. "We all know how you operate. You wouldn't be here if you didn't have some ulterior motive."

"Ulterior motive?" she echoed, her voice laced with mock offense. "I simply came to check on my dear sister-in-law. Wouldn't want to miss them announcing your official time of death, would we?"

The statement hung in the air, heavy and spiteful. For a moment, a suffocating silence descended upon the room. My breath hitched in my throat, and a surge of anger, hot and white-hot, threatened to consume me.

Before I could unleash a verbal tirade, Ivan spoke, his voice low and dangerous. "Leave, Miranda. Now. Or I will have security throw you out."

A defiant glint entered her eyes. "You can't throw me out," she declared, her voice laced with a dangerous edge. "After all, I'm just a concerned visitor, here to see my dear sister-in-law."

Suddenly, the door creaked open, and a tal figure in a white coat stepped into the room.

INSTALL

10:22 Sat, 22 Jun Chapter 58

"Everything alright in here?" The Doctor inquired, his gaze flitting between the three of us. Miranda and I remained locked in a silent stare down, neither of us willing to break eye contact.

han sighed heavily. "Yes, Doctor," he replied wearily.

The Doctor cleared his throat, the sound cutting through the thick tension. "Alright then," he said, his Me voice laced with a hint of forced cheer. "Maya, I have good news. Your tests all came back clean, and you're officially cleared to leave."

Relief washed over me in a tidal wave. I let out a shaky breath, the air suddenly feeling lighter, less suffocating. "Thank goodness," I murmured, a genuine smile tugging at the corners of my lips.

He offered a reassuring smile in return. "Just take it easy for a few days," he instructed, his voice gentle. "Plenty of rest and fluids. We don't want any setbacks."

"Absolutely, Doctor," I promised, nodding eagerly.

After a few more instructions and a final check-up, he excused himself, leaving us alone once more. Ivan immediately rose from his chair and moved towards me, "Alright, let's get you packed up, he said gently.

I watched as Ivan began to gather my belongings, folding clothes and placing them in the duffel bag he had brought. Miranda, however, remained to ghe ha rooted to the spot, her arms crossed and a bored expression plastered on her face. Every few seconds, however, a flicker of annoyance would cross her features, betrayed by a subtle eye roll directed at me.

Ignoring her entirely, I offered minimal assistance, mostly directing Ivan where to find certain items. Packing wasn't exactly a difficult feat, considering the limited amount of belongings I had.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity but was probably only ten minutes, we were ready to leave van om shouldered my bag, and with his arm wrapped around my waist for support, we started towards the door. Miranda, to my absolute chagrin, trailed behind us.

"What are you doing?" Ivan demanded, his voice laced with a barely concealed annoyance.

Miranda, however, remained unfazed. "Escorting you you two o out, what does it look like?" she retorted, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

I shook my head, sending Ivan a reassuring glance. "Just ignore her,"

We continued walking out of the sterile confines of the hospital. Just as we reached the automatic doors and stepped into the bustling parking lot, something made me stop cold in my tracks.

I turned slowly, my gaze scanning the rows of parked cars until it landed on the figure leaning against a sleek black SUV.

Alex.