Tamed By Love: Mr. Ryan's Mute Bride

over a

feeling her heart race. She closed her eyes,

ight, Ryan had had a bit too much to drink. The next morning, Emily had woken up late

ve been when

g to comfort her. "It's okay. You're still early i

the doctor, but Emi

... don't want to keep it, do you? I me

and gestured: He wo

So why n

slightly as she sig

ed, confus

: Because it

ild-it was Emily's. Emily had no family, not even a husband who truly cared for her. Thi

heek. "Then have it," she said softly. "I'l

wrapped in bandages, her gaze full of tender concern. Emily had never imag

with a slight smile. "Or

return. She nodded, a decision crystallizing within her: she had to d

thinking that showing Ryan and Mrs. Davis the ultrasound would change their feelings to

de, letting the paper flutter down onto the sofa-and along with it,

o him. He hadn't even seen it a

erating table, anesthetized, and then left in a cold hospi

erature had stabilized. Lucy had stayed with her and took her for another full che

the doctor warned her sternly. "This fetus

meant. She left with an armful of medication, cradling it as she walked out of the hospi

, peeking through here and there. A few geese flew in scattered

y in so long-she'd forgotten h

on her motorcycle, but James stop

took out her phone, opened a pre-typed message in her

lingering on her face, where a

tand," he

grateful nod and

e and took out the ultrasound image, examining it closely. In the center were two s

r about the meaning of life.

e you lo

oze, the ultrasound crinkling under her grip. S

d to face Ryan, trying

e papers. Do you

ifted to her face, his expression darken

topping close, his hand

is piercing stare, her hand

er." His hand moved closer, eyes fixed on he

he'd seen through her lie. But she couldn't let him see.

out, trembling, pla

against his chest, nestli

unreadable as he sto

ed back and signed: No di

almost impercept

earnest and unwaver

o gently stroke her cheek, his voice unexpectedly gentle.

nds, nodding as she g

turned and w

ultrasound paper again. Then, resolutely, she tore it to shre

, seemingly planning t

spread of dinner. Outside the study, she k

eant she needed him, and two mean

at softened his normally sharp features, making him look younger, almost like a college student

is had proven its

it from the corner of her eye-Sophia was calling. Sure enough

bout in the hospital, nothing

gaze. She quickly looked down,