Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
Sensing Timothy’s grip loosened, she continued, “It’s more than just that. I also doubted the paternity of the babies. Despite our previous intimacy, I took precautions afterward, convinced that I couldn’t have conceived.
“I was afraid that if you discovered I had been intimate with another man and became pregnant, you would retaliate against me. So, I decided to keep quiet.”
Standing before Timothy, Mia seemed somewhat diminutive.
“Mia, do you genuinely expect me to buy into what you’re saying?”
“Whether you believe it or not is entirely up to you. After all, I am the heiress of the Lane family now, whether the twins are yours or not doesn’t concern me in the least…”
“If you were worried about me finding out that the babies aren’t mine, then why were you insistent earlier that they belonged to your brother?”
Confronted by Timothy’s intense gaze, Mia grappled to respond, stating, “It’s simply because I had my brother to rely on, even though I was initially unaware of my family’s wealth and influence.
“I never claimed that the twins were my brother’s. That was your assumption from the beginning.”
Timothy remained unmoved, his once alluring features now darkened with anger, his eyes revealing emotions he hadn’t acknowledged.
After a momentary silence, he eventually released her hand. “Mia, have you ever uttered a truthful word?”
“Well, my principles are generally straightforward: I speak appropriately based on the circumstances.”
She slowly withdrew her hand and added, “That’s precisely why I chose not to disclose my pregnancy to Grandma. After all, the twins don’t carry the Barrett lineage.
“If Grandma were to find out, it would only bring her sadness and heartache.”
Mia pursed her lips. “And, just to clarify, I didn’t lie. From the very beginning, I never acknowledged that the babies belonged to you.”
A bitter chuckle escaped Timothy’s lips. He felt utterly foolish.
“Mia.” Laura’s voice suddenly interjected.
Upon hearing Laura’s voice, Mia’s expression instantly paled.
Had Laura overheard their conversation just now?
She felt momentarily flustered. The last person she wanted to hurt was Laura.
As Timothy and Mia turned, they noticed Laura waiting.
Mia’s expression became somewhat uneasy as she greeted her. “Hello, Grandma.”
“Why are you both lingering here? Let’s go and eat. I noticed you hadn’t returned for a while, and I started to wonder if you’d gotten stuck in the bathroom, so I came to check.”
Hearing this, Mia let out a sigh of relief. “Grandma Laura, we just had a short conversation and lost track.
of time a bit.”
Linking her arms with Laura’s, the two of them made their way toward the dining room.
Timothy observed Mia’s departing figure, his gaze intensifying.
Throughout the meal, Mia deliberately ignored Timothy, who was seated across from her.
Turning to Laura, she remarked, “Grandma, you should rest now. I’ll leave first. I’ll come visit you again soon.”
“Alright, be sure to spend more time with me before you depart for Nord City.” Laura responded.
Mia’s eyes brimmed with tears as she nodded earnestly.
Upon exiting the Barrett residence, she brushed away her tears. At that moment, a tissue was offered to her, and she recognized Timothy’s refined and slender fingers.
With a fleeting look, she accepted the tissue and blew her nose forcefully.
Observing her somewhat brusque actions, Timothy furrowed his brow and inquired, “What’s the name of that bar?”
“What?” Mia glanced at him, momentarily puzzled, before grasping the meaning behind his question.
She swiftly replied, “Why do you want to know?”
“I’ll help you find that guy,” Timothy responded.
“No, thank you. I’ve already decided to raise the twins on my own.” Mia replied, her demeanor resolute. It appeared she had no intention of searching for the twins¡® biological father.
Witnessing her determination, Timothy tell a twinge in his heart. “Are you really okay with the twins never knowing who then father is?” he inquired.
Mia turned away, a touch of bitterness evident in her eyes.
“In the end, that man remains oblivious to the bables¡® existence. He certainly wouldn’t want them, and might even pressure me into terminating the pregnancy.
“Knowing this inevitable outcome, how could I bring myself to tell him?”
Mia had no idea what Timothy would do next after leveraging her twins to coerce her into staying in Bern City. She certainty wouldn’t risk jeopardizing her bables!
The two stood in a standoff at the entrance of the residence, nelther budging.
Nonetheless, Timothy could detect an underlying tone in Mia’s words.
It felt as though she were subtly mocking his initial reluctance to have children and even pressuring her to consider terminating the pregnancy.
However, that was a reality he couldn’t deny.
Furrowing his brow, Timothy spoke up. “I can drive you back. Do you want to go to campus or head home?”
“It’s alright. I’ll walk on my own,” Mia replied resolutely.
“It’s not easy to find a cab around here, you know.” Timothy insisted.
Mia nodded. “I’m aware. My brother will come to pick me up.”
As she finished speaking, a sleek black luxury car pulled up next to them.
Claude emerged from the car, looking remarkably handsome. He took off his black sunglasses and walked over. “Mia, let’s go.”
“I’m coming.”
At the sight of Claude, a faint smile appeared on Mia’s lips.
She turned to Timothy beside her and remarked, “If you need to reach me, please send a text instead of
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visiting the campus like you did today. It can be disruptive to other students.”
After saying that, Mia continued walking toward Claude without looking back.
However, she sensed Timothy’s palpable gaze trailing her from behind.
As Mia settled into Claude’s car, she couldn’t help but notice its luxurious appearance.
Claude stood outside, shooting Timothy a launting glance,
With a nonchalant air, he said, “From now on, Mia will have a dedicated chauffeur whenever she goes out.
“We also have plenty of sports cars walling for her at home. She doesn’t need to ride in any other man’s old¨Cfashioned car.”
Claude deliberately threw shade at Timothy’s luxurious car, highlighting the new model he had purchased that day.
Watching as Claude drove off with Mia, Timothy stood alone.
He promptly took out his phone and called Caleb, asking, “Are you available? Can you come with me to the car dealership?”
Half an hour later, the two met outside the dealership.
Caleb looked hesitant as he spoke, “Tim, I heard a rumor recently. I’m not sure if it’s true.”
Anticipating Caleb’s words. Timothy quickly adopted a stern expression. “You might want to keep that to yourself.”
“Come on, Tim. Don’t be so uptight. We’re friends, right? Can’t you satisfy my curiosity a little? So, is your ex¨Cwife Mia really the heiress of the Lane family?”
“Yes,” Timothy replied curtly.
Caleb looked shocked. “Damn! What a dramatic twist! I always thought she was just an orphan. I never imagined she’d become the Lane family heiress after divorcing you!
“Tim, I’m curious, how does that make you feel?”
Timothy pursed his lips coldly. “It’s good that she found her family.”
“Well, that’s not entirely inaccurate,” Caleb remarked, “but don’t you find the task of winning your wife back significantly more challenging now?
“It’s gone from easy¨Cpeasy to downright daunting. With six brothers backing her up, they could easily overpower you.”
Timothy gazed at the luxurious cars before him, his tone calm. “Who said I’m trying to win her back?”
“Well calling it quits might be a wise move too. There are plenty of fish in the sea, after all. Oh, and Tim.