Read The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins novel by Artemis Z.Y. Updated 2025 -26 - The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins Chapter 166

The Unwanted Wife and Her Secret Twins Chapter 166

A Taste of Jealousy

Mia’s POV

“Are you okay?” Scarlett asked, noticing that I had fallen silent.

I blinked, pulling myself back from the spiral of thoughts threatening to drag me under. The conference room felt too small suddenly, the air too thick despite the building’s perfect ventilation system.

“I’m fine,” I lied, shifting in the plush executive chair that was still somehow uncomfortable against my aching back. “I just want to see Kyle.”

Scarlett studied me with the intense scrutiny that only lifelong friends can get away with, her eyes narrowing slightly.

“Okay,” she said finally. “But promise me one thing, alright?”

“What?”

“If things get out of hand, or if the press seems to have noticed your presence, you have to leave immediately. No arguments.” ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ find[ɴ]ovel.net

I nodded. “I promise.” The last thing I wanted was to appear in tomorrow’s tabloids, looking emotional and desperate as I confronted my ex–husband. It would only reinforce Taylor’s narrative of me as the pathetic, gold- digging secretary clinging to her meal ticket.

“Let’s wait,” Scarlett decided, settling into the chair beside me.

I shifted in my seat again, trying to find a position that didn’t aggravate the dull ache in my lower back. It was a futile effort. Dr. Matthews‘ words echoed in my mind: modified bed rest, minimal stress, nothing that raises your blood pressure. I was failing spectacularly on all counts.

From the conference room, I had a partial view of the hallway through the glass wall. Executive assistants hurried past, their faces tense. A group of suited men–legal team, I guessed–marched by with expressions that could only be described as grim. The energy in the building was palpable, charged with crisis.

Seems like they all working on the media situation.

The minutes dragged by. Ten minutes. Fifteen.

My hand moved to my lower back, trying to massage away the persistent ache that was gradually intensifying. I should have listened to my mother, stayed on the couch with Gas guarding my feet. This was pointless.

“This was a mistake,” I muttered, watching another group of strangers pass the conference room. “He’s probably not even here anymore.”

Just as the words left my lips, I spotted him.

Kyle.

Walking down the hallway with purposeful strides, his expression guarded but determined. The familiar sight of him—tall, broad–shouldered, radiating that quiet intensity that had always drawn me to him—made my heart

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A Taste of Jealousy

constrict painfully.

But he wasn’t alone.

Beside him walked a woman I’d never seen before. Tall, slender, with a sheet of glossy dark hair that fell perfectly straight to the middle of her back. She wore a tailored midnight blue dress that highlighted every advantage of her figure, and moved with the easy confidence of someone who knew exactly how good she looked. They walked in perfect sync, matched in height with her towering heels, their dark heads bent slightly toward each other as they spoke.

She laughed at something Kyle said.

Hot, irrational jealousy surged through me.

Who was she? The woman from the phone call yesterday? The one who’d made Kyle step out of the room, whose voice had made his expression change?

I watched as they passed the conference room without glancing inside, continuing down the hallway, their conversation too quiet for me to hear.

The twins kicked sharply, responding to my sudden spike in adrenaline. I forced myself to take a deep breath, embarrassed by my reaction. This was ridiculous. Kyle and I were divorced. He was free to see whoever he wanted, to talk closely with beautiful dark–haired women in expensive dresses. It wasn’t any of my business.

“You look like you’ve seen a ghost,” Scarlett said, studying my face. “What’s wrong?”

I realized I’d gone rigid in my chair, my hand frozen where it had been rubbing my stomach.

“Nothing,” I lied. “Just another contraction.” I forced myself to relax, to breathe. “Braxton Hicks.”

Scarlett frowned. “Are you sure? Should we call Dr. Matthews?”

“No, no,” I assured her quickly. “It’s normal. They’ve been happening on and off for weeks.”

She didn’t look convinced. “Maybe we should head back. You’re looking a little pale.”

I nodded, suddenly desperate to be anywhere but here. The conference room felt suffocating, the glass walls a fishbowl where I was exposed to anyone passing by. I didn’t want Kyle to find me here, didn’t want to face him

now.

“I think my stomach’s a little upset,” I said, which wasn’t entirely a lie.

Scarlett looked relieved. “Let’s get you home. You need to rest anyway–this whole expedition was a bad idea.”

It’s good that Scar didn’t know what I’d just witnessed.

Awkward it was.

“Edmund’s waiting downstairs,” I reminded her as she helped me to my feet.

“I’ll text to let him know we’re coming down.” She pulled out her phone. “Morton can tell Kyle you were here. I’m sure he’ll call once he’s free.”

A Taste of Jealousy

+25 BONUS

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. Would Kyle call? Or would he be too busy with his stunning companion, discussing whatever was so urgent it had pulled him away during this crisis?

We made our way slowly toward the elevator, Scarlett matching her stride to my awkward pregnant waddle. Each step sent a dull throb through my lower back, a physical reminder of how stupid this venture had been.

“What did you want to discuss with Kyle, anyway?” Scarlett asked as we waited for the elevator. “Something specific about the media situation?”

I hesitated. What had I wanted? To demand answers, to express my outrage, to make sure he was fighting against Taylor’s narrative? It all seemed childish now.

“I just wanted to know the plan,” I said finally. “How he’s handling the situation.”

The elevator doors opened, and we stepped inside. The elevator began its descent, and I leaned against the wall, suddenly exhausted. What was wrong with me?

“Mia?” Scarlett’s voice broke through my thoughts. “You’re a million miles away.”

“Sorry,” I said, forcing a smile. “Just tired.”

“We’ll have you home and resting soon,” she promised as the elevator reached the parking garage.

Edmund was waiting exactly where we’d left him, the car idling. He jumped out when he saw us approaching, immediately opening the back door.

“Everything okay, ma’am?” he asked, helping me into the car.

“Fine,” I said, the word feeling hollow. “Just ready to go home.”

Scarlett slid in beside me. “I’ll ride with you,” she announced. “Make sure you get settled at home before I head back to the office.”

I wanted to protest but didn’t have the energy.

As we pulled out of the garage, I caught sight of a small group of photographers still lingering near the main entrance. Had they spotted me? Was my photo going to be splashed across tomorrow’s gossip sites, confirming their narrative of the desperate ex–wife?

Edmund expertly navigated us away from the building, taking a route that avoided the main entrance entirely. I leaned my head against the cool window glass, watching the city pass by in a blur.

“Will you tell Morton what happened?” I asked Scarlett after a few minutes of silence.

She glanced at me, her expression careful. “What do you mean?”

“That I came looking for Kyle but left before seeing him.”

“Of course,” she replied. “He’ll let Kyle know you were there.”

I nodded, wondering if Kyle would care.

Fuck it. I didn’t care if he care or not.