The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins (Mia and Kyle) novel Chapter 66

Chapter 66 Be My Date

**Mia’s POV**

The steady beep of Mom’s heart monitor filled the recovery room, each sound a tiny victory. Dr. John had just finished explaining how perfectly the surgery had gone, but I could barely focus on his words. All I could see was the healthy pink returning to Mom’s cheeks, replacing the gray pallor she’d worn for so long.

“Her vital signs are remarkably stable,” Dr. John said, making another note on his tablet. “Dr. Pierce’s technique was innovative, but extremely effective.”

I nodded mechanically, my fingers still intertwined with Mom’s. Her hand felt warmer now, more alive.

He said gently. “Her body needs time to recove. But Mia,” he waited until I met his eyes, “this is good news. Very good news.”

After he left, I leaned close to Mom’s ear. “Did you hear that? You’re doing so well. Just keep fighting, okay?” I brushed a strand of hair from her forehead, the gesture achingly familiar. “I have so much to tell you when you wake up.”

A soft knock drew my attention. Nate stood in the doorway, still in his surgical scrubs but with his mask pulled down. Despite the obvious fatigue in his stance, his smile was warm.

“How’s our patient?”

“Thanks

“Thanks to you,” I managed around the lump in my throat. “I don’t know how to thank you.”

He moved closer, checking Mom’s vitals with practiced efficiency. You could start by having dinner with me.” At my startled look, he added quickly, “You did promise, remember? To celebrate a successful surgery?”

Heat crept into my cheeks. “I thought Scarlett promised for me.”

“Ah, so you’re denying all responsibility?” His eyes twinkled. “I suppose I’ll have to eat alone then. Even though I already made reservations at that new Mediterranean place you mentioned loving…”

“You remembered that?”

“I remember a lot of things.” He checked his watch. “Give me thirty minutes to clean up? Unless you’ve changed your mind…”

I glanced at Mom’s peaceful face. “I should stay…”

“The best nurses on staff are watching her,” he assured me. “And they have strict instructions to call me immediately if anything changes.” He paused. “You need to eat too, you know. Doctor’s orders.”

Something in his gentle persistence broke through my hesitation. “Okay. Thirty minutes.”

The restaurant was exactly my style – intimate without being pretentious, warm lighting creating pools of gold on exposed brick walls. The hostess led us to a corner table partially screened by potted olive trees, their silver–green leaves catching the light.

“This is…” I looked around, taking in the carefully curated details. How did you know?”

“I may have done some reconnaissance,” Nate admitted, pulling out my chair. “Your friend Scarlett is very informative when properly motivated.”

“Oh god.” I buried my face in my menu. “What exactly did he tell you?”

“That you love Mediterranean food but hate pretentious restaurants. That you appreciate good wine but can’t stand wine snobs. And,” he grinned, “that you also have a weakness for baklava, except coffee with one sugar and a splash of cream.”

“I’m going to kill her.”

“Before or after trying the house–made baklava I pre–ordered?”

Despite myself, I had to laugh.

1/2

Chapter 66 Be My Date

It wasn’t until our entrees arrived that his expression turned more serious. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.”

“Do you have a younger sister?”

The question caught me off guard. “No, why?”

+25 BONUS

He took a careful sip of wine. “A woman came by this morning, claiming to be your sister. Wanted information about your mother’s condition.” His eyes met mine. “She doesn’t look anything like you.”

My stomach clenched. I think I know who Nate met. Taylor. I saw them in the hospital.

I was a little surprised that Nate was so honest. I had even suspected that he knew Taylor. Now it turned out that it was all just my imagination. The feeling of guilt made me a little speechless. Nate really is a friend I can trust.

“Hmm, she is Taylor, my stepsister, actually.”

“Your stepsister?” At my nod, he continued, “I didn’t tell her anything, of course. Patient confidentiality.” He studied my face.” But I got the impression there’s some history there.”

“You could say that.” I pushed my food around my plate, appetite suddenly gone. “She’s… complicated.”

“Most family is.” His voice held something I couldn’t quite identify. “Want to talk about it?”

“When I was young, I kept feeling she always wanted what was mine,” I finished quietly. “Or maybe she just wanted to prove she could take it.”

“I understand that feeling better than you might think.” Nate’s expression was distant. “Family can leave deep scars.” The dessert arrived, layers of honey and phyllo glistening in the candlelight. As Nate detailed the chef’s secret ingredient( orange blossom water, apparently), I found myself studying him. He was nothing like Kyle – warm where Kyle was cold, open where Kyle was guarded. The thought should have been comforting. Instead, it made my chest ache in a way I wasn’t ready to examine.

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify