Page 164 of Bound Lies

The way he’s all hard edges and sharp lines, except for the eyes. They’re the eyes of a man who would burn the world down if it meant saving the woman he loved.

“Ronan.” Ciara sighs.

He’s at her side in an instant, dropping down beside the bed and taking her hand in his.

I stand awkwardly in the doorway, feeling my own heart ache as I watch the two of them say their goodbyes.

When Ronan gets to his feet, I can tell it costs him something to walk away, and the look in Ciara’s eyes tells me it costs her just as much to watch him go.

“You would think I was made of glass,” she mutters once his footsteps have disappeared down the stairs.

“He just loves you.” I cross over to the bed and perch on the edge.

“Smothers me, more like.” But there’s warmth in her tone as she strokes her belly.

I fiddle with my hands in my lap, thinking of the tiny life that is growing inside me.

Ciara is so close to becoming a mother and finally meeting her babies that jealousy burns a bit. I’m barely four weeks along, and giving birth seems like a lifetime away. But Ciara probably thought that too once. And now look at her.

A soft knock sounds at the door, and I glance over my shoulder.

The doctor's wife, who introduces herself as Mari, is standing there, holding a tray of food.

“I thought you both could use something to eat.”

The last thing my stomach feels like it needs right now is food, but I nod and smile regardless.

She sets the tray down. “If there’s anything you need, please just ask.”

“Thank you so much.” Ciara rubs her belly. “My husband and I really appreciate you helping us out on such short notice.”

“It’s no bother.” Mari smiles. Her eyes crinkle at the edges, and I notice the longing in them as she glances at Ciara’s bump. “I’ll be right downstairs if you need me.”

After Mari leaves, I pick up one of the sandwiches and force myself to nibble at the bread in the hopes that food will help settle the nausea that’s not just from nerves.

Ciara picks at her sandwich too, but after a few bites, she sets it down. Her face has gone pale, and a deep crease appears between her eyebrows as she places a hand on her lower belly.

“Ciara? Are you okay?”

“I don’t know. It just feels tight, like someone is squeezing my belly.”

My pulse spikes. “You mean, like a contraction?”

“I don’t know, I’ve never had them before.”

If anything feels off, anything, you tell Dr. Allen immediately.

I’m on my feet in an instant, yelling for the doctor as I quickly move the tray of food out of the way.

Dr. Allen comes quickly, and he remains calm and steady as he checks Ciara over.

I hover near the door, feeling completely useless and terrified at what Ronan would do to me if something happened to his wife or babies.

But after listening to her pulse and asking her a few murmured questions, he concludes it's nothing but Braxton Hicks.

“I’m sorry, what does that mean?” I look nervously at Ciara.

“It means they’re false contractions. It’s common this close to term.”