Chapter 129
Mia’s POV
Kyle complied, his posture perfectly straight, hands resting lightly on his knees. I studied him for a moment, searching for any sign of deception, any hint that he might be playing both sides.
“Did you pay Taylor’s bail?” I asked directly, seeing no point in dancing around the issue.
His expression shifted. “What p>
“Taylor’s bail,” I repeated. “Did you pay it? Are you funding her defense p>
“No,” he said, frowning. “Of course not. Why would you think that p>
“Because someone with significant resources is helping her,” I replied, watching his face carefully. “She appeared in court yesterday with Carson Whitfield-one of the most expensive defense attorneys in the city-and posted a million-dollar bail without hesitation p>
Kyle’s frown deepened. “Carson Whitfield? He doesn’t typically handle cases like Taylor’s p>
“Exactly. Which means someone with connections arranged it. Someone with money p>
“Not me,” Kyle stated firmly. “I’ve had no contact with Taylor since her arrest, and I certainly haven’t provided her with legal or financial support p>
I wanted to believe him. His denial seemed genuine, the indignation in his eyes real. But I’d been fooled by him before.
“Then who?” I pressed. “Who else would have the motivation to help her? My father’s assets are frozen. Helen’s too. There’s no one else in their circle with those kinds of resources p>
Kyle was quiet for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “Have you considered corporate interests? Your father had business partners who might see his fall as an opportunity p>
“To what end? Why would any business associate care about Taylor’s defense p>
“Information control,” Kyle suggested. “If Taylor knows details about your father’s business dealings that could implicate others, keeping her cooperative would be valuable p>
It was a plausible theory, but something about it didn’t quite fit. Taylor had never been particularly involved in my father’s business affairs-at least not that I knew of.
“I don’t know,” I said doubtfully. “It seems like a stretch p>
“More of a stretch than me secretly funding the defense of a woman who pushed you down the stairs?” Kyle countered, a hint of anger creeping into his voice. “After everything that’s happened, do you really think I would do that p>
Okay. His reaction didn’t seem like an act. There was the anger on his face typical of someone who had been misunderstood.
The twins shifted restlessly, as if responding to the tension in the room. I rested a hand on my stomach, trying to calm thero.
“I don’t know what to think anymore,” I admitted. “Nothing about this situation makes sense p>
Kyle leaned forward slightly. “Mia, I swear to you, I am not helping Taylor. I want her to face justice for what she did to you, to your mother-to our children p>
Our children. The words still felt strange, this shared connection that couldn’t be severed no matter how complicated our relationship became.
“Okay,” I said finally. “I believe you p>
Some of the tension left his shoulders. “Thank you p>
“But that still leaves us with the question of who is behind this,” I continued. “Robert’s investigating the money trail, but these things take time-time during which Taylor is free to move around the city p>
“I can help,” Kyle offered isamediately. “My security team p>
“You already have people watching the building,” I interrupted.
He didn’t deny it. “It’s not surveillance, Mia. It’s protection. Given Taylor’s history of violence toward you, I wanted to ensure you and the babies were safe p>
I should have been angry at his presumption, at the way he’d made decisions about my security without consulting me. But the truth was, I felt safer knowing someone was keeping an eye on things, especially with Taylor out on bail.
“Fine,” I conceded. “But I need to know if your people find anything suspicious. No keeping me in the dark ‘for my own good p>
“Agreed,” he said without hesitation. “Complete transparency p>
I studied him for a moment, looking for any sign of the calculating businessman who had once kept so many secrets from me. All I saw was sincerity-and something else, something that looked dangerously like hope.
“Thank you for coming,” I said, signaling that our conversation was drawing to a close. Standing up was becoming increasingly awkward as my pregnancy progressed, but I managed it with as much dignity as possible.
Kyle rose immediately. “Of course. Anytime you need to talk, about anything, I’m available p>
As he moved toward the door, he paused, turning back to me with an expression I couldn’t quite read. “Have you reviewed the trust documents p>
“My lawyer has them,” I replied. “He’s still going through the details p>
Kyle nodded. “No rush. I just want to make sure everything is in order before the twins arrive p>
“I’ll let you know once he’s finished his review p>
At the door, Kyle hesitated again. “Mia, I know my word doesn’t carry much weight with you now, but I promise I’m not helping Taylor. I would never do anything to put you or our sons at risk p>
The earnestness in his voice was almost painful to hear. I found myself wanting to believe him.
“I know,” I said quietly.
After he left, I sank back into my chair, suddenly exhausted despite the early hour. Gas trotted over from his spot by the window, resting his head on my knee.
“What do you think, buddy?” I asked, scratching behind his ears. “Was he telling the truth p>
Gas whined softly, his brown eyes full of unconditional support if not answers.
Mom emerged from her room a few minutes later, her expression carefully neutral. “How did it go p>
“He denies helping Taylor,” I reported. “And I think I believe him p>
She nodded, not questioning my judgment. “That leaves us back at square one, though. Someone is supporting her defense, and we need to find out who p>
Before I could respond, my phone rang-Robert’s name flashing on the screen.
“Robert,” I answered, putting the call on speaker so Mom could hear. “Any updates p>
“Actually, yes,” he replied. “We’ve found something in the money trail. Can you meet me at my office in an hour p>
I glanced at Mom, who nodded. “We’ll be there,” I confirmed. “What did you find p>
Chapter wone with mottev
“I’d rather discuss it in person,” Robert said carefully.
After ending the call, I satin silence for a moment, processing. Who could be behind this? If not Kyle or my father, then who would have both the resources and the motivation to help Taylor?