CHAPTER 63

CHAPTER 63


Lance

I stared at the last document waiting for my review and exhaled slowly, dragging a hand down my face. My eyes burned from exhaustion, but sleep wasn’t what I was fighting.

I needed a distraction.

Anything to stop myself from walking down the hall to Mila’s room and acting on the dangerous thoughts that had been circling my mind all evening. The temptation had teeth tonight. It bit hard.

But I couldn’t.

Not yet.

Her face when she blacked out in Italy flashed through my mind without warning. The way her body went limp. The way her skin drained of color. The panic that clawed up my throat when I caught her.

It was etched into my memory as if it had happened only hours ago.

I couldn’t risk that again.

A knock interrupted the silence.

My head lifted immediately. I frowned and glanced at the clock.

10:57 p.m.

Everyone should have been asleep.

The knock came again, Before I could respond, the door open.

Mila stepped inside.

She looked like she would rather be anywhere else in the world.

"Uhm...Sorry to disturb you, I just have a favour to ask"

Her voice was steady, but there was nervousness in her eyes. I noticed everything about her. Even when I pretended not to.

"You already disturbed so go ahead"

I didn’t soften my tone. Didn’t make it easy for her. I held her gaze deliberately, watching her shift under it.

"So there is a school project, and I need a Guardian to be there" She frowned "I can't ask Elena obviously, since you are my husband I was thinking you would show up"

The word husband lingered in the air between us.

"You think I have nothing better doing?"

The moment it left my mouth, I saw the flicker of hurt she tried to mask.

"Of course you do, sorry for asking"

The sarcasm was sharp, defensive. She turned quickly and moved toward the door.

My gaze dropped to her as she walked away.

And my body reacted.

Desire hit me fast and uninvited.

I clenched my jaw, gripping the edge of the desk until my knuckles whitened.

This was exactly why I needed distance.

The next morning blurred into existence.

I sat at the breakfast table across from her. The silence between us felt heavy — not empty, but crowded with things neither of us would say.

Has it always been like this?

I watched her quietly. The way she avoided my eyes. The way she focused too intently on her food.

Or maybe she just didn’t care enough to look at me.

"What time is the thing you mentioned last night?"

My voice sounded more formal than I intended.

"Huh??"

She looked up, confusion clear on her face. Then realization dawned, and her eyes widened slightly.

"It's fine, you don't have to come"

She frowned and lowered her gaze back to her plate.

Something in me tightened.

Why was I angry?

I shouldn’t care about some school project. It was trivial.

But the idea that she thought I wasn’t needed that I wouldn’t show up, irritated me more than it should have.

"Hmmm"

I rose to my feet, adjusting my tie with deliberate composure.

I glanced at her once more.

She didn’t look up.

"Don't forget to take all the supplements"

My tone was cool, controlled. Detached.

I walked out before she could respond.

\~~~

Mila

The sound of the door closing echoed through the house, and I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

Relief washed over me first.

Then frustration.

I rubbed my temple, staring at the door as if it had personally offended me.

Why did every conversation with him feel like walking on glass?

Back in school

"Earth to Mila"

Piper’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She waved her hand dramatically in front of my face.

I blinked and forced a smile.

"What?"

"Are you gonna tell me why your head is all over the place? Seriously you have been out of it since forever"

She pursed her lips, studying my face.

"I am fine piper, just a little stressed"

I turned the page of the book in my hand , a book I hadn’t actually been reading. The words blurred every time I tried to focus.

"Well, for one you should be happy professor Rowan isn't taking the course anymore, that means you aren't matched up with those assholes"

She had a point.

I should have felt lighter. Relieved.

Instead, Olivia’s words replayed in my mind like a broken record.

Lance was always mean to you.

Was he?

Or was I just too blind to see it before?

He always treated me like I had committed a crime I didn’t remember.

"Mila!!!"

Piper’s shout made me flinch.

"See you are doing it again"

She face-palmed dramatically, but beneath her teasing expression, I could see the crease of worry on her forehead.

"Thinking about it, why did Professor Rowan suddenly get a transfer, out of the blue, when the project is just tomorrow"

I tilted my head, genuinely confused now that I said it out loud.

"I see you are trying to change the subject Mila, but you saying it makes it suspicious. But who cares though, we are finally free from the man"

She grinned.

"You know for someone that went on a trip, you look dispirited, does it have anything to do with lack of strength?"

Her eyebrows wiggled suggestively.

"I certainly lack strength"

I sighed dramatically, blinking at her in mock helplessness.

"Yes! I knew it, Your husband is really capable, wearing you out like this"

She giggled loudly.

Heat rushed to my face.

"Wait! Are you pregnant already?"

She slapped a hand over her mouth, eyes wide with exaggerated shock.

I rolled my eyes.

"I can't believe you are having a baby"

She clung to my hands like I had just announced royal news.

"Who is having a baby?"

The familiar voice made me turn immediately.

Sia.

A genuine smile broke across my face.

I stood up and pulled her into a tight hug.

"You finally decided to crawl out of your cave?"

I teased, pretending to glare at her.

"Sorry, I have just been a little busy, I am sorry, you know I love you right?"

She blinked rapidly, dramatically innocent.

"Do you love me? Are you really sure?"

I narrowed my eyes playfully.

"I hope you don't have another lover asides me Sia, I mean it"

I pursed my lips, feigning seriousness.

She burst into laughter, and I couldn’t stop my own smile from widening.

For a moment, everything felt normal.

"So who is having a baby?"

Sia looked between Piper and me.

"We are going to be aunties"

Piper squealed, tugging my hands again.

"Really?"

Sia asked, her eyes softening as she searched my face.

"Don't mind her nonsense, I am not pregnant."

I took a sip of my drink, flipping the page of my book again, pretending indifference.

But Sia didn’t look convinced.

Her gaze lingered.

"I am not pregnant, I had a test in Sicily when I passed out"