Filed to story: Mia Bowen and Timothy Barrett Novel
“As I said, you have the right to meet the child. I won’t stop you from meeting her. Didn’t you stay for her?”
“No.”
Hearing that, she had an inkling of what he was going to say next.
She was observant enough to notice the change in his attitude toward her. However, as Eva said, men like Timothy wouldn’t fall in love with a woman that easily.
So, why was Timothy treating Mia differently?
Perhaps, because of guilt; or maybe because of Ginger.
Anyways, love wouldn’t be the reason.
At that moment, his heart raced. “Actually, I—“
“Mia,” a man called her.
Mia turned her head to see Nicholas. She broke into a smile. “Nick, what brings you here?”
Did something go wrong with Sage’s treatment?
The sheer thought of it lifted her heart to her throat.
He stood next to her. “I have something to settle here. Remember our date that was canceled because of a sudden surgery? I’d like to make up for it. Do you have time today?”
She nodded. “Yup.”
As soon as she said that, she could feel Timothy’s expression darkening.
Mia pretended not to notice the icy stare from Timothy. In fact, she found him annoying since the day she recovered her memories.
If the Lane family hadn’t found her, it would’ve been tough for her to raise two children all alone.
Besides, it would’ve been easy for Timothy to win custody of her children, without her brothers’ defense.
The Lanes’ power and authority was why Timothy was willing to go as far as putting himself down to be her bodyguard.
Mia was clearly aware of the reason behind it, hence the constant self- reminder to keep staying rational; she kept reminding herself not to be charmed by his fake persona.
She looked at Nicholas. “I’ll be discharged from the hospital today. Eva told me to eat at home. If you have time, fancy having a meal together at our place?”
“Sure, I have nothing to do in the afternoon anyways.”
Nicholas obviously noticed Timothy, and he was surprised by the latter’s presence.
The alarm in him rang off, as he knew what kind of relationship Timothy had with Mia.
Both men were engaged in a staring competition, irked by each other’s presence.
Timothy was alarmed as soon as he saw Nicholas. Timothy knew Nicholas very well.
The man who had an engagement with Mia.
Timothy’s mood soured after Mia invited Nicholas home for a meal. Frowning, Timothy said, “Mia, I have something to say to you.”
“What is it?” She looked at him.
“I have to speak to you alone,” he emphasized.
Standing there, Nicholas could tell what Timothy meant, but he kept silent.
Mia refused, “You can say it here. No outsiders here anyways.”
She noticed the shift in his expression as soon as she said that. Reading his mood was the thing she learned best in the past. Obviously, he was angry and she knew exactly why.
But she didn’t care about it anymore. His mood was none of her business.
Annoyed, he pursed his lips. “It’s inconvenient because someone else is here.”
“Nick is not an outsider.”
“But he is, to me. I want to ask something about Ginger.”
Hearing that, Nicholas suggested, “If it’s about Ginger, you can consult with me, Mr. Barrett.”
Timothy snorted. “This is none of your business though.”
“Why not? He’s the godfather,” Mia retorted.
The idea of Nicholas being Ginger’s godfather irked Timothy. “Mia Lane, how could you appoint someone as the godfather so randomly? Have you asked for my consent?”
In addition to the engagement, Nicholas being the god-father might indicate the high possibility of Nicholas getting together with Mia. Besides, Ginger might not dislike the idea of it either.
Timothy, who had always been prideful, was finally flustered. He had a feeling that he was going to lose Mia again.
Mia mocked, “Who are you to interrogate me, Mr. Barrett?”
On what ground was he exerting dominance? Why must she ask for his consent?
Before she could add something else, Nicholas said, “Mia doesn’t need to ask for your consent for this, Mr. Barrett. You’re the one who doesn’t have the right to make the call.”
“This is between Mia and I,” Timothy pointed out sternly.
Nicholas stepped forward. “I was the one by Mia’s side when she was having a hard time trying to keep Ginger that year. She had to stay in bed in the hospital for a whole month to prevent miscarriage.
“You don’t know how much she has suffered, so what gives you the right to make decisions when it comes to the child?”
Timothy didn’t back off. “I didn’t know anything about it that year. If I knew what was happening then, I would’ve stayed by her side to protect them.”
“Enough. You had your first love with you back then. We won’t buy that, we’re not fools. I’m not going to let you come close to Mia or hurt her,” Nicholas asserted.
Nicholas witnessed how Mia overcame her struggles all these years. She suffered a lot in delivering the twins.
There was no way he would let Timothy intrude into Mia’s life now. Timothy gazed at Mia. “I was wrong that year, so I want to—“
“But I don’t need you to make up for it,” Mia interrupted him. “Mr. Barrett, I have everything I need now. I don’t need you to do anything.” Nicholas added, “Money, status, a medical team. Mia has everything here. What else do you think you can provide to make up for it? And what rights do you have to do so?”
Timothy’s words were stuck in his throat.
Mia pulled Nicholas aside. “You have something to do, don’t you? Go ahead. I can wait for you.”
He nodded. “Okay. It won’t take long. Call me if anything happens.” Once Nicholas left, she looked at Timothy. “You should leave too.” Timothy, who was walking toward her, stopped in his tracks.
It took him a while to form a coherent sentence. “I crossed the line with my words. I hope you won’t take it to heart.”
“Honestly, I don’t care about this. But you shouldn’t have spoken to Nick that way. You should apologize to him.”
“Are you telling me to apologize to that guy?” He looked at her in disbelief.
Something was stifling in his chest, suffocating him, because of her words.
Why should he apologize to that guy?
Mia looked at him sternly. “Because I would’ve suffered from a miscarriage if it weren’t for his help. I was able to give birth to my child thanks to him. That’s why he’s the godfather.”
Nicholas saved her child!
Frustration bubbled in Timothy as he fell silent for a moment. “I’ll buy something to thank that doctor.”
“Save it. Just give him the respect he deserves. Ginger has had a weak body since she was born. Itis Nicholas’ medical team that has been figuring out solutions for her case.” Mia had always been grateful for Nicholas.
Timothy couldn’t be any more annoyed than he was right now. “There are great doctors in Bern City too. You can bring her there.”
Mia arched her brow mockingly. “So you think that’s possible? Timothy, it’s been years but you haven’t changed.”
He was that same egoistic man.
Why must she bring her child to Bern City?
Back then, she racked her brain just to bring her children away from the Barretts. Now, there was no way she would leave her children with them.
At that moment, Nicholas rushed out of the elevator.
He extended his hand to Mia. “Mia, let’s go.”
Right when Mia was going to go to Nicholas, Timothy extended his hand too.
Noticing Timothy reaching out his hand too, Mia was baffled. She didn’t expect him to do the same.
Why did he do that? Was he trying to make her choose between him and Nicholas?
How naive of him. Just what gave him the right to ask that she stay by his side?
She was different from how she was four years ago.