Worst Fear 66_My ex-husband’s nightmare

Lydia

 After Mason left, leaned into my chair, and Marcus phoned. He had done everything intentionally to spite Mason, and he hold back hisugh when I told him whatever he did was effective.

 I saw the longing in Mason’s eyes and knew it would not be long beforeing back to my arms.

 He hangs up with a promise toe visit the twins. It has been a long time since he visited and spent time with the children

 Later that evening, I’m finishing off my work for the day, it’s past 9 pm. Just as I had thought, Mia and I ended up spending a long time in the office to make up for being therete.

 I yawned tiredly as I tied my hair up in a bun for the third time. For some reason, it keepsing off.

 I closed myptop and stood after approving and sending thest email. There were empty cups of coffee seated on my Lable, some files scattered on the table, and a book on the side. I picked the book up and moved to the side where the shelf was

 I tucked it between the stack of books on the third row. Walking back to the table, I picked up the empty cups of coffee and threw them in the bin before arranging the files. I hit the bottom of the table to ensure they are well arranged.

 There’s a knock on the door. I didn’t need an introduction before knowing that it was Mia. The door opened, and she stepped in. Her shoes clicked softly on the floor. She walks to me and takes the files from me.

 “Hey!” I said she looked around.

 *The cleaningdy would have dly done this tomorrow; this is, after all, what she’s paid for. I don’t know why you keep trying t clean your office after work for the day.” Mia said, cing the files on the table close to the shelf of books. There were files of different colors kept in various bs.

 She turns back to me.

 “Mrs. Ari is nice and could use a little help; you should start doing the same,” I said, picking up my bag. She had a small purse, which she clung to. Her red dress hugged her body, and Her hair was expertly styled, cascading down one side of her shoulders.

 I stared at her face, she’s wearing makeup, “You going out?” I asked.

 She sighed, “Yes,” she opened the door, so I stepped out. Our steps are in sync.

 “You’ve decided to get back into the dating world?” I asked.

 “Yes. Met this guy on Tinder.” She saidzily, like this entire date, things were more of an obligation than a choice.

 “Where’s Mia, who’s bragging about bing an old auntie with many cats?” I asked, letting out a smallugh.

 “Things changed, and that was ages ago,” she said.

 I liked nights like this. Our little chats each time we stayed long got more interesting as time went by, and it’s usually what I look

 forward to each time we workte.

 “You have to forget about that. I’m changing my mind.” The offices we walked past are empty.

 “Fine, fine.” I raised my hands over my head in resignation. “I’ll drop you off quickly and get on to my night.” She said, but I shoo

 my head.

 I don’t want her to gote or make her more stressed, the had a long day

 “No need, I’ll go home by myself, focus on enjoying your date, advised

 “You sure you’d be okay on your own?” She asked, and I nodded.

 To my surprise, Marcus is waiting for me in front of the building.

 We left together in his car after bidding goodnight to Mia. We spoke all through the ride. I caught sight of some gift hoves in the

 back seat.

 “You didn’t really have to get them anything,” I said.

 “Why?” He asked, but he didn’t wait for my reply and went on, “It’s been so long since I saw them. I can’t possibly go there empty handed now, can 17” He asked. I’m about to say you can, but I stop myself

 If he wants to buy them a gift, I don’t mind. “The kids may be sleeping, so you’d have toe back tomorrow,” I warned.

 “Alright, I don’t mind, “he said. If they’re asleep, he’d just drop me off. I don’t think I can entertain or chat with him. It’ste. I‘ checked my wristwatch; it’s already 10 p.m.

 He wasn’t the closest to the kids, but he saw them once in a while, and over time, Liam had grown to like him.

 When we got home, I was surprised to find the twins wide awake. They were ying with their nanny.

 I stepped in first. Marcus was on call, so he was still outside.

 “Mom’s back,” Mnie says to me first and runs towards me, hugging me. Liam joins her, both holding my legs. I’d have raised them if I weren’t too tired.

 Instead, I bend down to meet their level. I ced a kiss on the side of their face. Their faces brightened, “I’m surprised you aren’t asleep yet.” I say.

 “Of course not, we wanted to show you our painting.” Liam said. He then assessed me with his eyes as I rose to my feet. Then he ced his lips close to Mnie’s ear and whispered into it. Mnie nodded.

 I stood waiting for them to show me their painting, but Liam said, “We’ll show you the painting tomorrow. Can you spend time wi us tomorrow?”

 “Please, Mom, please, for now you need rest.” Mnie joins in. I’m touched by how considerate they are. I don’t know what I did t deserve two cute angels.

 I stoked my jaw pretending to think for a while, “Alright, if you promise to make it worth my time and be of the best behaviour.” I said, and they leapt, “yay!”

 Just then, Marcus stepped in.

 “Guess who came visiting? Marcus asked. He covered his face with the boxes, the twins.

 “Uncle Marc,” both squealed and ran towards him, hugging his legs. He ced the boxes down and picked them up.

 I was too tired to watch them, so I excused myself. I don’t see Mom in sight. She’s usually with the twins each night, so I was

 surprised as to why today was different.

 got into my room, took a quick bath, and then went downstairs. The twins were asleep when I returned. Since the nanny had left. Marcus helped carry Liam while I carried Mnie.

 We ce them in their bed. When Marcus was about to leave, I asked if he’d had dinner.

 “No.”

 “Then have some before you leave.” While we were eating, he told me about being invited by the twins to join in tomorrow’s fun.

 “The more the merrier.” I agreed with my babies

 After dinner, he left. I saw him in his car. Mom was standing in the sitting room when I arrived. She had a bottle of water in her hand, and beads of water rolled down from the bottle.

 “Mom,” I said. She flinched a bit and then ced her hand on her chest. She wasn’t expecting me to be here.

 “I thought you went to bed.” She said, regaining herposure. Something’s off, she looked a bit stiff.

 “What’s wrong!” I asked, walking closer to her. She shed me a smile, which I immediately told was fake.

 “Nothing’s wrong, Lydia.” She said and picked up the cap of the bottle lying on top of the table. She tried to cover the bottle, but her hands were trembling, and she ended up missing it.

 The bottle fell on the floor. Water sshed.

 “I’m sorry,” she said, she was immediately on the floor wiping off the water with her hand. I stopped her.

 “Mom, Mom,” I called, and she finally stopped. We’re both on the floor at this point. I have never seen her looking so miserable.

 She looks nothing like her usuallyposed self.

 Her eyes are red. “Don’t tell me something is wrong. I hold her; she tries to wiggle out of my hold, but I don’t give her a chance, She stopped struggling. I hate seeing her like this. My heart twisted. I helped her to the closest couch and she sat.

 She doesn’t meet my eyes. My worries intensified.

 “Mom, please speak. What’s wrong? I can’t help it if I don’t know.”

 “Lydia… I think, I fear…” She paused, tears rolled down her cheeks, and she wiped them off. She turned her body away from me, and I didn’t see her face for the next few minutes. 

 I don’t speak or try to hold her. When she turned to me, her tears were gone, but her eyes were red. She took in a scent of breath and then held my eyes.

 “Please speak to me,” I say. She nodded slowly.

 The doctor…” she drags her breath, “the doctor called.” I nodded, urging her to go on. I don’t need an exnation of who the doctor is. She had called her friend or acquaintance about Mnie’s kidney,

 “We can’t get the kidney, Lydia. None matched, there was only one way it’s wrong, but I have no choice.” Her words are muffled between sobs. 

 I don’t understand, “What do you mean?” I asked, my heart beating benda

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Worst Fear 66