Chapter 132

Mia

Alex sat next to me on the plane, though it wasn't his seat. He kept his hand on the aisle between us, as if offering comfort. I didn't take it.

Before leaving, I visited Dominic, who remained in a coma. Alex wasn't pleased by my insistence, but he relented. I also stopped by Jenny's. Apparently, Alex had stationed guards outside her room; she'd befriended them. She was happy, and that's all that mattered.

Gabriel had been on calls since takeoff, dealing with another one of Ronan's messes. His words, not mine. Alex hadn't even touched his iPad. I dozed off soon after, resting my head on his shoulder.

I woke when we landed to find Alex gazing at me softly. I quickly pulled away.

At Gabriel and Sofia's house, Aurora was waiting. She hugged her brother fiercely, then surprised me with an equally enthusiastic embrace.

"Welcome to the family," she smiled, though her eyes didn't share the warmth.

Aurora was my opposite. Tall and commanding, she exuded confidence—a product, I assumed, of growing up with Gabriel's self-assurance and Sofia's nurturing presence. Her eyes were hazel, and her brown hair, worn in messy waves, was braided.

"I'm so happy you're here," she said warmly once we settled. Aurora had her own apartment, but she preferred spending time at her parents' house. Then, turning to her brother, she added, "Skye's back, by the way."

"Skye?" The question slipped out before I could stop myself.

"Skye is our friend's daughter," Sofia answered. Gabriel had already left for work; Alex clearly inherited his workaholic tendencies.

I waited for clarification, which Aurora provided. "She's about two years younger than us, and she was my best friend growing up. Fun fact: she had a crush on Alex from a very young age."

"Oh," I replied, unsure what to say. Alex had never mentioned her, but then again, he wasn't exactly forthcoming.

"He broke her heart when she was sixteen by rejecting her," Aurora added smugly. "So she went to study abroad."

My eyes widened. "She left the country because Alex broke her heart?"

"Can you both not be so dramatic?" Alex looked as if he wanted to roll his eyes. "She's a child. She's followed me around like a puppy since she could walk. She got over it."

"I'm sure she did," Aurora nodded with false sweetness. "She's coming over tomorrow, by the way."

"I don't care," her brother replied.

"Why did you reject her?" I asked softly.

"Yes, Alex, why did you reject her?" Aurora's visible anger seemed fueled by her desire to irritate him.

Alex glared at his sister, then turned to me. "She's a kid. She wasn't my type."

"Then who is your type?" Aurora batted her eyelashes innocently.

"My wife is," Alex replied, and I blinked in surprise. For the first time in two weeks, I felt the urge to smile, to blush.

"I see," Aurora smirked. "Your wife," she taunted, "is staying with me tonight. Girls' sleepover!"

"Not happening, Auro."

"Happening. Right, Mia?"

"Sure," I offered.

"Told you," Aurora stuck out her tongue. "Besides, I have so much to tell her about you."

"Aurora," Alex warned, "she's on medication. She needs rest."

"And what are you? Her nurse?"

"No, her husband."

"Last I checked, she was your colleague's sister. Or was that a lie too? Do you even have secret kids I should know about?"

"Aurora."

"No," Aurora shook her head, tears welling up. "You're my twin. You're literally a part of me. It was supposed to be us against the world. How could you get married like that?" She sniffed.

Alex sighed. I felt guilty, though I was blameless. I'd been blackmailed into that marriage. "Aurora, it happened so fast…"

"I don't care," she interrupted. "I always thought it was us against the world. Even with you doing your Mafia things, I thought we'd always have each other."

"And we will. I promise," Alex said affectionately, attempting to move closer to her. She shook her head and walked away.

Alex sighed, telling us he'd be back, and followed her.

Sofia, who had been a silent observer, shook her head.

"I feel bad," I said softly. "I'm partly to blame."

"Nonsense. If I know my son, this is all his fault," she said. "But don't worry, they'll work it out."

I nodded, and she smiled, about to speak when Ronan entered.

He threw himself onto the couch, resting his head on my lap.

"Hi, sister-in-law," he said with a smile. Sofia shook her head, muttering something exasperated before excusing herself to take a call.

"Hi, Ronan," I replied.

"It's Ron," he said, his smile unwavering. "I really thought I had a chance with you. And here, you brother-zoned me."

I giggled. "How are you, Ron?"

"Not good, ever since I found out you chose my jerk of a brother over me," he feigned a wounded expression. "And look at that rock on your finger? What was he thinking? That NASA could see it from space?"

"And yet, you can," Alex's irritated voice cut through, and I looked up to see the twins re-enter.

"I can. It's baby pink. A flower. Ten diamonds? More?"

"If you can see the ring, Ronan, you know who made her wear it. Me. My wife," Alex replied, still angry. "So stop touching her before I make you regret it."

I shook my head as Ronan sat up, smirking. "My, my. Did you ever think we'd see this side of Alex?" Ronan asked Aurora teasingly.

"Nope. Is she allowed male doctors, or is that a no-go too, caveman?"

Alex glared at his siblings before sitting beside me, resting his head behind me, but not touching me. The others laughed; I subconsciously leaned closer to my husband.

Despite our rocky start, this felt like family, and I loved it.