Having Triplets: From My Vegetative Husband

"Did you even know who I was when you barged into my room?" Inside a private booth at the club, hot breath brushed against her ear. Ava Miller was barely clothed, trembling slightly in the arms of a man. That man was Ryan Phyllis—the one holding the reins of the Phyllis family, a powerful figure with influence reaching every corner of the Empire. "Come out, you b***h!" A rough voice shouted from outside, the threat vibrating through the door. Ava kept her head down, lips brushing against Ryan's Adam's apple. Her voice was soft and pleading. "Please… help me." Ryan chuckled lazily. "Why should I? We don't even know each other." The banging on the door grew louder and more frantic. "Open the damn door! Last warning before we break in!" In the darkness, a flash of cold steel appeared. Ava pressed a knife to Ryan's chest, her voice now low and icy. "Get rid of them. Or I'll kill you myself." "Heh." Ryan let out a mocking laugh, amused rather than alarmed. Just then, the door burst open. Loud rock music flooded in as a scar-faced guy and his group of men stormed into the room. Ava tensed, gripping the knife tightly. Her gaze turned to Ryan, full of pleading. Ryan narrowed his eyes. No woman had ever dared threaten him like this. By all reason, he should have strangled her on the spot. But when he noticed Davis's leering eyes glued to Ava's bare shoulder, the hand that was about to wrap around her neck instead slid down to grip her waist. At the same time, he pulled off his suit jacket and draped it over her, covering every inch of exposed skin. "Get out," Ryan said coldly, turning his sharp gaze on the scar-faced man. He held the back of Ava's neck, pressing his lips to hers. His voice dropped to a husky whisper. "Is this your strategy for getting in my bed?" Her voice was cool, her methods ruthless, and yet—her body was soft enough to break in two. That contrast made him want to test just how far she could bend. Ava's heart pounded harder with every beat. Behind her was a cliff. If she fell, she'd be dead. But the man in front of her was no less dangerous. Ryan was a storm waiting to consume her. Davis cleared his throat, snapping out of his daze from the steamy scene he'd just walked in on. "Apologies, Mr. Phyllis. We work for Lord Evans. This woman offended him. We're here to take her back." He tried to sound polite, but there was pride in his voice—pride in dropping a name like Feng Evans. Ryan scoffed. "Feng Evans? He's calling himself 'Lord' in front of me now? Get lost. Don't make me say it a third time." Davis's face darkened. "We're not leaving without the woman. If you won't hand her over, then forgive us for being rude. Get her!" With a wave of his hand, his men charged toward Ava. Her body tightened. She gripped the knife, ready to strike. Suddenly, she froze. Her eyes widened in disbelief. Bang! Bang! Bang! Gunshots rang out. One after another. Before any of the attackers could even raise a hand, bullets pierced their brows. They dropped dead where they stood. Ava's eyes were wide. Rumor had it Ryan controlled both the underworld and the lawful world. He was ruthless and unforgiving. Anyone who crossed him never lived to tell the tale. Apparently, the rumors were true. Just then, the manager of the club rushed in with more staff. He took one look at the bodies on the floor and turned pale. "Our deepest apologies, Lord Phyllis. This was a failure on our part." Ryan tossed his gun at the manager's feet. His voice was cold and detached. "Clean up the mess." "Yes, sir. Right away!" ***** "Thank you, Mr. Phyllis. I owe you one. I won't forget this." Now alone in the booth, Ava exhaled deeply and tried to get up. But Ryan's large hand held her in place. "Pay today's debts today," he said, his hot breath teasing her ear, his tone laced with wickedness. Ava trembled. Her fingers tightened around the knife as her eyes turned sharp. "Touch me and see what happens." Ryan gave a low laugh, snatched the knife, and in one fluid motion, threw it into the dartboard behind his head—hitting dead center. Ava's eyes widened. Her threat now felt laughable. His hand wrapped around her waist, slipping under her clothes, fingers dancing over her soft, silk-like skin. As her body lost control, Ava collapsed against him. His voice was low and full of teasing. "You want to get into my bed? That weak little trick isn't going to cut it. Let me show you how it's done." Ava's breathing was chaotic. She inhaled deeply and let out a cold laugh. "Show me? That depends on whether you've got the skills." She brought her knee up, aiming hard for his gut. But Ryan had already seen it coming. His strong leg locked hers in place, leaving her no room to move. Her clothes came off one piece at a time, like a fruit being peeled. Her soft, tempting skin was soon fully exposed. His lips, warm and tinged with alcohol, traced her long neck with slow, predatory intent. He kept his word—coaxing, teasing—letting her think she had the control. His hands gripped her firmly, hips moving in a steady rhythm. It was almost enough to shatter her. A soft moan slipped from her lips, echoing in the dimly lit room. Ryan seemed to take it as a cue. His grip tightened, pace quickened. ***** Ava woke up sore and drained. The unfamiliar surroundings reminded her of everything that had happened the night before. After the successful development of the C1 formula, her sister, Grace Miller, sent people to steal it—and to kill her. Cornered behind the club Silk Veil, Ava had run into Ryan's room. That night, she lost her virginity. Fury burned in her chest. But Ryan was already gone. She noticed the safe still sitting beside the couch and let out a breath of relief. Fighting the soreness in her body, she gathered her clothes from the floor and put them on. Stepping out of the room, she saw a bodyguard standing outside. "Miss, Mr. Phyllis instructed us to escort you to him once you're awake. Please come this way." Ava gave a polite smile. "Alright." But as soon as he turned around, she struck. One precise hit to the back of the neck, and the man dropped to the ground. With the night still dark, Ava slipped away from the club. Moments later, Ryan appeared outside the same room. His eyes narrowed when he saw the unconscious bodyguard. "Find her," he ordered coldly. "Turn the city upside down if you have to. I want that fearless little woman back." His men moved out immediately. With Ryan's reach, it wouldn't take half a day. But they searched every corner of the city and still couldn't find Ava. She had already disappeared—deep into the mountains. ***** Nine months later. Rooftop of a hospital. Ava lay collapsed on the ground, her belly heavy with pregnancy. Not long after fleeing Silk Veil, she'd discovered she was pregnant. With no family left, the tiny life inside her became her newfound hope. So she kept the child. Now, she was about to give birth. But Grace had lured her here using the only person Ava still trusted—her aunt. Pain tore through her body in waves. She didn't dare make a sound. On the other side of the wall, the clicking of high heels echoed back and forth. Ava held her breath, biting down on her fingers as she struggled to give birth. Her body barely recovered when the sharp sounds approached. She looked up—and saw Grace's triumphant face. "Haha… Ava, I finally found you." Ava had just hidden two of the babies under a worn-out tarp. But there wasn't time to hide the third. Grace's eyes locked on the child in Ava's arms. She froze, then laughed mockingly. "Ava, wow. I didn't think you could get any lower. Whose bastard kid is this?" As Grace and her group of menacing bodyguards stepped closer, Ava's face hardened. "None of your business." Grace laughed coldly. "If you hand over the C1 formula, then of course I'll back off. But if you won't…" She gestured with a flick of her fingers, red lips curving into a cruel smile as she instructed, "Take the child from her." Ava clutched the baby tighter, every muscle in her body locked as she slowly backed away. The bodyguards sneered, closing in step by step. She was soon forced to the edge of the rooftop, the city sprawled beneath her like a bottomless pit. Ava's heart pounded in her throat. But her eyes were fierce, filled with a terrifying resolve. Just as the lead bodyguard reached out toward the baby's foot, a sharp crack rang out. A scream followed. The guard collapsed in agony, clutching his hand. Grace and the others froze in shock. Ava didn't waste a second. She turned and bolted toward the exit. 'Babies… I'll come back for you. I swear.' ***** Four years later, a black Rolls-Royce sped along the airport expressway. The driver glanced into the rearview mirror. "Ma'am… Are you sure about marrying Ryan Phyllis? He's been in a coma for three years now. You don't deserve that kind of life." In the back seat, a woman opened her eyes—clear, sharp, like a frozen lake. "As long as I can get Henry and Connie back, it's worth it." Back then, when she had distracted Grace's bodyguards, the cries of the babies gave them away. Grace took two of her children. A friend had helped Ava escape, but she didn't have the power to go up against the Miller family. After weighing all her options, she had sent word to Ryan. Thankfully, despite his cold reputation, Ryan hadn't turned his back on his own children. But fate played a cruel joke. Three years ago, Ryan was in a plane crash and fell into a coma. Now, the Phyllis family was offering a hefty dowry to find him a bride—someone to take care of him for the rest of his life. The man who once held the world in his palm, who made women across the Empire swoon, had faded from the spotlight. Now, whenever his name came up, people either sighed in pity or dismissed him with a cold laugh. Still, even if Ryan had fallen from power, the Phyllis family remained a force. Getting the children back through normal means was nearly impossible. Better to marry into the family. Then act from the inside. ***** Soon, the car pulled up to the Phyllis estate—a mansion so grand, it looked more like a gilded cage. A crowd had gathered at the gates, drawn by the viral matchmaking ad online. But none of them dared to knock. After all, no woman wanted to spend her life married to a man who would never wake up. They were just curious. What kind of woman would marry a vegetable? Ava stepped out, pushed through the crowd, and knocked without hesitation. After hearing her purpose, the maid gave her a once-over, clearly trying to decide whether she was mentally unstable. "Hurry up. Take me to see Ryan," Ava said, her tone sharp. The maid picked up the phone to report. She addressed the person on the other end as "Ma'am." Ava figured it must be Ryan's mother. After hanging up, the maid led Ava toward the main villa. But as they passed through the garden, someone approached from the opposite direction. Ava glanced up briefly, then lowered her head, hoping to pass unnoticed. No such luck. "Ava?" A man stepped in front of her. She had no choice but to stop and look up at the familiar face. "Ava, it's really you?" Jack Phyllis grabbed her shoulders, excitement lighting up his features. "Where have you been these past four years? I looked everywhere for you." 'Seriously?' Ava cursed her luck. Of course. Jack was part of the Phyllis family too—Ryan's second older brother. She stepped back and let out a sarcastic laugh. "Jack. The night Grace tried to kill me, I begged you for help. You sold me out. Now you want to pretend you care? Don't you think that's disgusting?" Back then, Jack had been her boyfriend. She'd reached out to him before she ran into Ryan. But instead of help, Grace's assassins had arrived. Jack's hand dropped, left hanging in the air. His smile stiffened. "I had no choice…" Ava cut him off. "Save it. Get out of my way. I'm here to see my husband." "Husband?" Jack looked at the maid for clarification. She leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Jack chuckled, clearly amused. He stepped closer. "Ava, you're marrying my little brother? He's in a coma. You're seriously going to waste your life on him?" Ava glanced at the maid, now walking away. "What can I say?" she said flatly. "I've never had much luck in life. No parents, no love. Might as well find someone powerful to lean on." Jack grinned. "I could be your support. Marry me instead. You get pregnant, say it's Ryan's, and I'll make sure you live like royalty." He reached out to touch her face. Ava grabbed his arm, twisted sharply. A crack rang out as his bones dislocated. Jack dropped to the ground, clutching his arm and gritting his teeth in pain. His bodyguards rushed forward. But Ava didn't panic. She took them all down, one by one, with swift, precise moves. In under a minute, three burly men lay on the ground, groaning. Jack sat up, breathing hard. "Ava… When did you become such a badass?" Ava didn't answer. She grabbed the most injured guard by the collar and pressed a hand to his throat. "Take me to Ryan's villa." The Phyllis estate was massive. Some said it was the size of half a city. Without a guide, she'd never find it. The guard had no choice. Ava might look delicate, but her strikes were deadlier than any of them. Dragging his injured leg, he led the way. ***** Jack, now supported by his men, watched her go, eyes filled with fury. "Tell my parents to come home. Now." One bodyguard hesitated. 'Is this really just about calling mom and dad for backup?' But he didn't dare question it. "Yes, sir." "And notify Aunt Blair. Tell her Ryan has found himself a bride." ***** Ava stepped across a path covered in dead leaves, into the courtyard. A woman in her 40s or 50s waited at the door. "You must be Miss Miller?" "I am. Can I see Ryan now?" "Please follow me." The maid, Ivy, had been instructed by Ryan's mother, Wendy to bring Ava in. Ava walked into the living room and froze. The giant mansion was completely bare. Not even a couch. Upstairs, Ryan's bedroom was just as stark. Aside from a table with medical monitors, it had nothing. Her eyes fell on the man in the bed. His hair was a mess. His beard, unshaven for days. His skin looked dull and sallow. If Ivy hadn't told her, she would've thought he was just some disheveled middle-aged man. Hard to believe he'd once been the most sought-after bachelor in the capital. The air smelled faintly unpleasant. "Apologies," Ivy said softly. "He had an… accident. Since Mr. Phyllis lost power, his older brothers have been stripping this place bare. Most of the staff were dismissed. Only I stayed behind. But I can't manage this whole estate alone." Ava nodded. Clearly, life hadn't been kind to Ryan. But what about her children? Were they suffering too? She wanted to ask Ivy, but decided it was best to wait. If she raised suspicion now, everything would fall apart. With Ivy's permission, Ava fetched a basin of water and gently wiped Ryan down. 'Ryan… do you remember me? The girl from that night at the club?' Ivy opened a window to air out the room. She looked back and saw how carefully Ava cleaned him, not the slightest sign of disgust in her movements. She smiled softly, a rare moment of relief. In this world, a woman who still treated Ryan like a person was hard to come by. And then, outside the blanket, one of Ryan's bony hands… twitched.