Chapter 137: The Twins

I met Mom’s determined gaze and gently patted her back. "Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll handle it. I’ll contact them for you."I still didn’t fully understand why she was so insistent on ending the pregnancy right away. She wouldn’t even wait another day. Her emotions were running too high, and I didn’t dare push her further.

Instead, I stepped aside and contacted Lewis quietly.

After listening to everything, his voice came through calm and steady, grounding me instantly. "Alright. I’ll take care of the arrangements. Lena is considered an older mother. This will take a toll on her body. The maid should stay home and cook, and you’ll likely be busy. I’ll send Theo to help."

"Won’t it be difficult for you without Theo around?" I asked.

"There are others," he replied without hesitation. "Just focus on Lena. Make sure she rests well afterward."

"Okay."

He had only said a few words, but warmth spread through my chest.

For so long, I had been used to dealing with everything alone biting down, pushing through, never leaning on anyone. But with Lewis, I found myself trusting him naturally, without overthinking it.

I went back to Mom and relayed everything. " Theo will be here soon. If everything goes smoothly, you can leave the hospital the same day, but it’s better to stay a few extra hours. I’ll prepare what you need."

She suddenly grabbed my hand, studying me closely. " Riley."

"Yes, Mom?"

"You’ve changed so much. If your face weren’t the same, I might not even recognize you."

My heart tightened. Instinctively, I said, "I died once. After that, I just... wanted to live differently."

Her gaze softened. "If that’s the case, then I can finally rest easy."

Her words stayed with me. From now on, I needed to be even more careful. Too many eyes were watching.

Half an hour later, a black car pulled up outside.

Theo stepped out. Tall. Silent. A faint scar crossed his face, giving him a sharp edge. At first, he had intimidated me. But over time, I’d come to see his quiet reliability. His loyalty to Lewis made him feel safe.

"Mr. Theo," I said politely, "thank you for this."

He looked surprised, then waved it off. "No need. Just doing my job."

Inside the car, I noticed he had brought personal items for Mom water, a blanket, medication. Lewis must have instructed him.

That man really thought of everything.

As we drove, I realized something was off. "Aren’t we going to Lakeland Hospital?"

Theo shook his head. "Mr. Lewis said it’s not safe there."

I understood immediately.

Camilla had been moving freely around the Hales for too long. Her reach had spread wider than I liked. Lakeland was where she did her checkups. If Mom showed up there, word would travel fast.

Right now, I was hidden. She was not. Any exposure would be dangerous.

Lewis had planned this carefully.

"Don’t worry, Mrs. Riley," Theo added. "Where we’re going is secure."

"Alright."

We arrived at a private medical center under the Ward Group. The building was quiet, discreet, and heavily guarded. Everything about it spoke of control and privacy.

Lewis had already arranged everything.

A doctor greeted us at once. "Ms. Ashbourne, there are a few things you need to know. We’ll begin with a pre-procedure check. Please don’t eat or drink for six hours."

"Thank you, Dr. Wheatly."

"You’re welcome. Let’s start with the routine exams."

I helped Mom onto the examination bed as samples were taken and tests began. When the ultrasound screen flickered on, I stood beside her, watching the black-and-white image come into focus.

Something about the room felt heavy.

My instincts stirred quietly in my chest.

And for reasons I couldn’t yet name, unease began to settle in.

Dr. Wheatly moved the cold probe slowly over Mom’s stomach, his eyes fixed on the screen.

"Yes," he said at last. "Everything looks stable."

I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. "So... everything’s fine, right?"

He hummed softly, adjusting the angle. Then his brows lifted. Just slightly.

"In fact," he said, calm but deliberate, "it’s twins."

The word hit the room like a pulse.

"Twins?" Mom’s voice wavered. "Are you sure? Why didn’t we see this the last time?"

"They were still very small," Dr. Wheatly explained. "Sometimes they overlap. But now it’s clear. Two sacs. Two heartbeats."

Two.

I turned to Mom. Her face had gone pale, eyes unfocused, like she was hearing something far away. I helped her sit up, my hand steady on her arm even though my chest felt tight.

"Mom," I whispered, "it’s twins."

Her lips parted, but no sound came out. Shock, fear, longing everything tangled together in her eyes. I could feel the air around us change, heavy and restless, like something unseen had stirred.

Dr. Wheatly stepped back, giving her space. "You have a few hours to think about it. You’re not young anymore, and if you end this pregnancy, conceiving again may be difficult."

Mom nodded slowly, like she was obeying a command she didn’t understand.

"Thank you, Dr. Wheatly," I said.

"Come back in fifteen minutes for the test results," he replied. "We’ll confirm whether everything meets the criteria for the procedure."

The door closed behind him.

Mom didn’t speak. She stared ahead, hands folded in her lap, shoulders tense. I stayed quiet. This wasn’t my choice to shape. I could feel my own instincts pushing, urging me to protect, to hold on but I forced them down.

I had lost a child once.

That pain never really leaves. It just sleeps.

I didn’t want to see another life fade. But this was Mom’s path, not mine. So I stayed beside her, silent, watching snow drift past the window, white and endless.

The nurse returned later with the report. Everything was approved. Because we’d eaten breakfast, they advised waiting a few more hours.

Those hours felt cruel.

Each minute stretched. Mom barely moved. When the door opened again, cold air rushed in and Theo stepped inside, snow clinging to his coat. He held a small bag and two cups.

"Mr. Lewis asked me to bring these," he said gently.

I froze.

The snacks. The milk tea. From the cafés near my university the ones I used to go to without thinking, back when life felt normal.

How did he know?

"Thank you," I said quietly.

"I’ll be right outside if you need anything."

I took a sip. The warmth settled in my chest, grounding me. The hospital was only a few miles from campus. Close enough for old habits. Close enough for memories.

Lena glanced at me. "He treats you well."

"Yes," I said.

Lewis had been the first to notice something was different about me.

"Seeing you like this," Mom said softly, "I can finally rest."

There was sadness in her eyes, but also relief.

After sitting so long, she went outside alone to watch the snow. I didn’t follow. I knew she needed the quiet.

My phone rang.

Unknown number.

I declined it. It rang again.

"Hello?"

"Is this Riley?" The voice was tense. "I’m sorry to bother you. I’ve been trying to reach Lena. I’m worried."

Nicholas.

"I’m with her," I said. "She’s okay."

"Where are you right now?" he pressed. "She’s been... emotional since the pregnancy."

I hesitated. Mom had asked me not to tell Grant. Nicholas wasn’t Grant but he mattered to her. Maybe too much.

Part of me hoped she’d choose him someday. Maybe that hope was part of why she was making this decision now.

But I couldn’t risk betraying her.

"We’re outside," I said carefully. "Don’t worry."

" Riley," he said, voice dropping. "Can you convince her to keep the child?"

My throat tightened. "Nicholas, I "

"Please. She won’t answer my calls."

Before I could respond, the intercom crackled.

" Lena has begun pre-op preparations. The anesthesiologist is ready."

"No," Nicholas breathed. Panic bled through the line. " Riley, where are you? Don’t let her do this. Please."

Mom walked back into the room, already calmer, like she’d made peace with something inside herself.

"Who was that?" she asked.

"No one," I said. "Go ahead and change."

She nodded and followed the nurse without question.

When the operating room doors closed behind her, I turned back to the window. Snow kept falling.

Nicholas... I hope I didn’t choose wrong.

Time slipped by.

Then suddenly movement. Noise.

The doors flew open.

Cold air rushed in, carrying snow and urgency as Nicholas burst through, forcing his way inside like nothing could stop him anymore.