The Barren Ex-Wife Gave Birth to Twins

Chapter 98

Amelia sat alone in the living room, the soft hum of the refrigerator the only sound in the quiet house. The twins were upstairs, lost in their own worlds, unaware of the turmoil brewing in their mother’s heart. The afternoon sun streamed through the windows, casting long, golden shadows across the room. But for Amelia, the light only emphasized the emptiness she felt inside.

She clutched a mug of lukewarm tea, her fingers tracing its edges absently. She had tried to distract herself all day—organizing the closet, preparing the twins’ lunches for the next week, even rearranging the bookshelves. But no matter what she did, her thoughts kept circling back to Ryan and Brenda. She hadn’t meant to look at the photos from the wedding, but social media made them impossible to avoid.

The image of Ryan standing at the altar, his hand clasping Brenda’s, haunted her. She had stared at it for what felt like hours earlier that morning, searching his face for something—anything—that hinted at regret. But his expression had been unreadable, locked away behind the practiced composure he always wore.

A sharp knock broke through the silence, startling her. Amelia froze, her heart pounding. For one fleeting moment, a wild hope surged through her.

He came.

She shot up from the couch, smoothing her hair and straightening her sweater as she hurried to the door. Her pulse quickened, each step charged with anticipation. She opened the door swiftly, breath caught in her chest.

But it wasn’t Ryan.

Hale stood there instead, his polished demeanor in sharp contrast to the storm raging inside her. He was immaculate as always, a tailored suit hugging his frame, his tie perfectly knotted. He held a photo in his hand, his face unreadable as he stepped inside without waiting for an invitation.

“You shouldn’t keep doing this to yourself,” he said softly, closing the door behind him.

Amelia blinked, trying to focus. “What are you talking about?” she asked, her voice a little sharper than intended.

Hale held out the photo, his movements deliberate. She hesitated before taking it, her fingers trembling slightly. It was another picture from the wedding, one she hadn’t seen before. Ryan and Brenda stood at the altar, their rings newly exchanged. Brenda’s face glowed with triumph, her smile wide and unrelenting. Ryan’s expression, however, sent a sharp pang through Amelia’s chest.

His face was distant, detached. He looked like a man fulfilling an obligation, not a dream.

The caption beneath the photo read: The Perfect Union.

Amelia’s stomach twisted as she stared at the image. She felt tears sting her eyes, but she blinked them away quickly, refusing to let them fall in front of Hale.

He stepped closer, his voice low and calm. “He’s moved on, Amelia. You need to let him go.”

Her throat tightened. She wanted to argue, to yell at Hale to leave, but her words failed her. She turned away, clutching the photo to her chest like a lifeline.

Hale moved with her, his tone softening. “I know this isn’t easy. But you can’t keep hoping for something that isn’t coming back.”

“I wasn’t—” She stopped herself, inhaling sharply. “I don’t… I’m not hoping for anything.”

Hale arched a brow, his gaze piercing. “Aren’t you?”

His words hung in the air, and for the first time, Amelia couldn’t deny the truth of them.

“I thought I was moving on,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “But it’s hard to see someone you loved so much become a stranger.”

Hale’s expression softened, and he reached out, his hand brushing against her arm. “You deserve better than this, Amelia,” he said, his voice rich with conviction. “You deserve someone who sees you for who you are, someone who values everything you’ve been through.”

Amelia looked up at him, her vision blurred by unshed tears. “I just… I don’t know if I’m ready,” she admitted.

Hale took her hand gently, his touch warm and steady. “That’s okay,” he said. “But when you are, know that I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere.”

He leaned in then, his face inches from hers. She froze, caught between the weight of her sadness and the unexpected tenderness in his eyes. When his lips met hers, the kiss was firm yet careful, a deliberate act of passion and patience.

Amelia didn’t pull away, but she didn’t lean in either. Her heart was torn between the moment and the memories that still clung to her. When Hale finally stepped back, he studied her face carefully, his expression unreadable.

“I’m not asking you to forget him,” he said quietly. “I’m asking you to give yourself a chance to find something better.”

He left after that, closing the door softly behind him. Amelia sank back onto the couch, the photo still in her hand, her heart heavier than ever.