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I Left Pregnant With His Twins : New 🔝
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00:00I found out I was pregnant with twins.
00:02That same day, I was about to tell my husband when I overheard him talking to his father in the
00:05next room.
00:06I don't have feelings for Vivian.
00:08I'm not gonna have kids with her.
00:10I only married her because you and mom approved of her.
00:14I kept the pregnancy to myself.
00:16Then I handed him divorce papers and left the country alone.
00:19He assumed our arrangement had simply run its course.
00:22He didn't try to stop me.
00:24Four years later, I came home to New York with the twins to visit my grandfather,
00:28who had fallen seriously ill.
00:30An old friend of Cassian's named Quinn spotted me the moment I arrived at the hospital.
00:36Cassian had spent four years trying to track me down.
00:39Quinn called him.
00:42Cassian was in the middle of a board meeting.
00:45Vivian is back in New York. She's visiting old Mr. Morgan.
00:52He ended it on the spot and left.
00:57I gave the front desk my grandfather's name and found the room without any trouble.
01:04He knocked.
01:05A warm voice came from inside.
01:08Cassian's heart was pounding.
01:10Come in.
01:12I thought it was a nurse.
01:13I wasn't expecting the man who walked through that door.
01:17My lips parted.
01:19How is he here?
01:20It had been four years.
01:21He looked exactly the same.
01:23Cassian smiled and walked in.
01:25Mr. Morgan, I heard you weren't feeling well.
01:27I came as soon as I could.
01:28He looked at Cassian warmly.
01:30Cassian.
01:31Good of you to come.
01:33Sit down, sit down.
01:34There was only one sofa in the room.
01:37I was already sitting on one side.
01:38He turned his head and looked at me with an easy smile.
01:42Viv.
01:43It's been a while.
01:46I pressed my palm against my knee and managed a small smile.
01:50Yeah, it has.
01:52Cassian kept talking with my grandfather.
01:54You were bad.
01:54But his eyes kept drifting back to me.
01:56My grandfather watched him carefully.
01:59After about 40 minutes, Cassian stood to leave.
02:01My grandfather looked at me.
02:03Viv, walk Cassian down, would you?
02:05I didn't want to, but I walked out with him anyway.
02:08We moved down the corridor side by side.
02:10These past few years, have you been okay?
02:15Pretty good.
02:16You?
02:17He smiled.
02:18Same as always.
02:19That wasn't true.
02:21It took him a few months after the divorce to understand how much he loves me.
02:25By then, I was already gone.
02:26He'd spend every day thinking about me.
02:28I stood on the sidewalk with a polite smile as Cassian opened the car door.
02:32Thank you for coming to see my grandfather today.
02:34It means a lot.
02:34Don't mention it.
02:35If you ever need anything, call me.
02:37Even just as a friend.
02:38I nodded and turned back toward the hospital entrance.
02:41That is when Sebastian came through a side door with the kids, my son and daughter, both
02:45of them toddling toward me on short legs.
02:47I scooped one up in each arm and kept walking.
02:51Cassian's car hadn't moved.
02:52He leaned forward, the window tint clearing.
02:55I saw a man, two small children, all three of them gravitating straight to me.
02:59Something in his chest tore open.
03:02Office.
03:03The car pulled away.
03:07He stayed at the office until almost nine.
03:09Work was the only thing that kept the images at bay.
03:12But the moment he closed his eyes that night, the scene outside the hospital replayed on a
03:17loop.
03:17She'd moved on.
03:18Married someone else.
03:19Built something real.
03:21She used to be my wife and I didn't take care of what I had.
03:27The desk lamp burned all night.
03:29At the time morning light filtered through the curtains.
03:31He hadn't slept.
03:33He pressed his fingers to his temples, got up, showered, drank two large black coffees
03:38and went back to work.
03:41Two weeks later, Grandpa was cleared to leave the hospital.
03:45My brother Alex and I arrived early that morning to bring him home.
03:49The car pulled through the gate of the Morgan Estate and into the drive before it had fully
03:55stopped.
03:55The twins came running.
03:58Great Grandpa!
04:01He took one hand in each of his and beamed.
04:04There are my two.
04:06Did you miss me?
04:07Yes, Great Grandpa!
04:14The house had always been quiet.
04:16Just the housekeeper and the staff.
04:18Now there were children's shoes by the door and...
04:20Crayon drawings on the hall table.
04:23And the rooms felt warmer than they had in years.
04:26That evening, after I got both kids down, I slipped out of their room.
04:30The housekeeper was waiting in the hallway.
04:34Miss Whitfield, your grandfather is asking for you in the study.
04:38I'll be right there.
04:42When I reached the second floor study, I found Grandpa and Alex already seated at the table
04:47by the window.
04:48Just several folders spread across the surface.
04:51Vivian?
04:52What...
04:52What happened?
04:53Henderson said you called me in a hurry.
04:55Well, looks like there was a misunderstanding.
04:58My dear, sit down.
05:00You look terrified.
05:01I greeted them both and settled into an empty chair.
05:04Alex.
05:05Vivian.
05:06I asked Henderson to bring you both up because I have something to say.
05:10Your mother was my only child.
05:11That makes you my only heirs.
05:13After this illness, I know I'm not what I was.
05:16You'll need to take responsibility for the family's business.
05:19Both of you.
05:20My chest tightened.
05:22Watching him in the lamplight.
05:24Silver.
05:24Haired.
05:25A little thinner than before.
05:27Grandpa, I'm still at Helios Corp.
05:29Helios Corp was our father's company.
05:32Our father had built it from nothing.
05:33And for the past five or six years, Alex had worked there as a junior sales rep.
05:38Our father's explicit instruction.
05:42You'll run the company one day.
05:45You can't run something you don't understand from the ground up.
05:49So Alex stayed, year after year.
05:52His performance didn't matter.
05:54His father never mentioned a promotion.
05:56Alex, why do you still have any illusions about that man?
06:01If he had plans for you, he wouldn't keep you in the same entry-level role for six years.
06:06My own grandson, working as a glorified junior for half a decade.
06:10Does that make any sense to you?
06:12Grandpa, if I walk out now, won't those years be wasted?
06:18I understood both sides.
06:20Our father hadn't moved Alex despite having every opportunity to do so.
06:25That said enough about his intentions.
06:27But Alex wasn't wrong either.
06:29Their father was aging.
06:32Alex was still his only son and heir.
06:35I don't know what he's thinking.
06:38Vivian is a daughter.
06:40I understand he's biased.
06:42But you are his only son.
06:44Alex said nothing.
06:45None of us knew what our father was planning.
06:47Whatever it was, he seemed to be holding even his own son at arm's length.
06:51Viv.
06:52You've been back in New York a little while now.
06:54What are you thinking?
06:55Get the kids enrolled first.
06:57Then whatever you need from me, Grandpa.
06:59You spent the last few years abroad in gemology and jewelry design.
07:02You built a solid client base and private commissions over there.
07:05You know the industry well.
07:06I'd like you to take over Heron Jewelers.
07:09I kept my voice easy.
07:11Should I start at the bottom first?
07:12He laughed.
07:14Neat.
07:14I trust you completely.
07:16Even if you run the whole thing into the ground, consider it practice.
07:19Something warm moved through me.
07:21I'll give it everything I have.
07:23When we'd finished talking about me, Grandpa looked back at Alex.
07:26You're the Whitfield heir, but you're also mine.
07:29I'm still on my feet.
07:30I can carry this for a few more years.
07:32After that, I can't say.
07:33Alex said quietly.
07:34Give me one year, Grandpa.
07:36Whether or not I end up with Dad's company, I'll step into Morgan Housings within a year.
07:40You'll be able to rest.
07:41Grandpa finally nodded.
07:44Good.
07:45One year.
07:49It's late.
07:50The three of us said goodnight.
07:55Goodnight, Grandpa.
07:57The penthouse on the 23rd floor of Riverside Tower.
08:00I hadn't been back in years.
08:02I'd kept the access code but expected the biometric registry to have purged me long ago.
08:07I said my name.
08:08Vivienne Whitfield.
08:10Then the voiceprint prompt.
08:11A soft tone.
08:12Waiting.
08:12A half second pause.
08:14The lock released.
08:15The real estate agent stepped in behind me.
08:17He looked around.
08:18Everything's been kept clean.
08:19You'd never know the place had been empty.
08:21I was still working that out when Mrs. Miller came in from the balcony holding a watering can.
08:25Her face opened into a bright smile.
08:27Mrs. Sterling.
08:28You're back.
08:30I winced.
08:31Mrs. Miller, we've been divorced.
08:33That isn't really appropriate anymore.
08:34She flushed.
08:35I'm so sorry, Miss Whitfield.
08:37Old habit.
08:40It's fine.
08:41But why are you here?
08:42I settled your wages the day I moved out.
08:44Mr. Sterling hired me to keep the place so it would be ready whenever you came back.
08:49Something complicated moved through me.
08:51Cassian had never paid attention to things like this when we were married.
08:54And now, years after the divorce, he'd quietly arranged it all.
08:57If I said I felt nothing for Cassian, that would be a lie.
09:00But I'd heard it from his own mouth.
09:02I don't have feelings for Vivienne.
09:04I'm not going to have kids with her.
09:05Whatever small thing had been growing in me back then, it died the moment those words did.
09:10The agent interrupted my thoughts.
09:13Miss Whitfield, is it alright if I take some photos?
09:15Of course.
09:16Go ahead.
09:16You're selling?
09:17It's just sitting here.
09:19Better to free up the capital.
09:21I read her expression without difficulty.
09:23Mrs. Miller, if nothing else comes up for you, would you consider coming to work at the Morgan House?
09:32She said immediately,
09:34I would love that.
09:35One condition.
09:37You cut contact with Cassiel.
09:39Completely.
09:40She tapped the slim band on her wrist without hesitation and swept it away in front of me.
09:45The agent finished his photos.
09:47I left with Mrs. Miller.
09:52When Mrs. Miller saw the twins back at the Morgan House, she understood immediately why I had insisted.
09:58She stared at the two of them, both unmistakably carrying Cassie and Sterling's features.
10:03The boy especially.
10:04His eyes.
10:04His nose.
10:05The set of his jaw.
10:06She'd watched me go through morning sickness right before the divorce.
10:09There was no question in her mind.
10:13Mrs. Miller?
10:15These two are your main responsibilities from now on.
10:17Go there.
10:18I introduced her to the kids.
10:23Mrs. Miller had worked as a nanny and infant caregiver for years.
10:26And it showed.
10:28Warm.
10:29Patient.
10:30Instinctively good with them.
10:32By the next morning, she was out in the garden with both of them on her own.
10:35I breathed out.
10:36That was one thing settled.
10:37Next, find a preschool and start preparing to take over Harrow Jewelers.
10:42A few weeks later, the whole household was gathered around the long dining table at lunch
10:46when the housekeeper came over quietly.
10:48Miss Whitfield, we've had several calls.
10:51And held out the house comm panel.
10:56I thanked him, stepped away from the table, and answered.
10:59Miss Whitfield, this is Selina from Northbridge Realty.
11:02Hi, Selina.
11:03What's going on?
11:04Someone came to view your listing this morning.
11:06They've already put down a deposit.
11:07I wanted to check your schedule for signing the transfer paperwork.
11:10The apartment was listed at $18 million.
11:12It had been on the market for one day.
11:15Already?
11:16I said.
11:16Selina laughed.
11:18I was surprised, too.
11:19He just had a quick look around and pulled out his card.
11:21Is he local?
11:22Sounds like it from his accent.
11:23But I didn't recognize him.
11:25Maybe I'm just bad with faces.
11:27I'll go there this afternoon.
11:29I didn't push further.
11:30I walked into the Northbridge Realty office.
11:33The buyer's face was familiar in a way I couldn't immediately place.
11:36I hadn't been to Cassian's company.
11:38I'd only crossed paths with this man once, at a formal dinner.
11:41I didn't know he was Cassian's executive assistant.
11:43Miss Whitfield, this is Mr. Joe.
11:47Miss Whitfield, good to meet you.
11:53Mr. Zhang, you barely looked at the place before agreeing to buy it.
11:57Are you sure about this?
12:00I'll refund the deposit if you've changed your mind.
12:03Selina looked vaguely alarmed.
12:05Sellers don't usually say things like that.
12:07I didn't care.
12:09He didn't look like the type to be spending $18 million of his own money.
12:12Mr. Joe appeared briefly surprised.
12:15Good eye, Miss Whitfield.
12:17I'm acting on behalf of my employer.
12:19He wanted a riverfront penthouse.
12:21I sent him the video this morning, and he approved it immediately.
12:25Who's your employer?
12:27New York isn't that big.
12:30I might know him.
12:31Joe Thoth.
12:32You definitely know him.
12:33Better than almost anyone.
12:34He's fairly private, travels a lot for work.
12:38You probably haven't crossed paths.
12:40He smoothly redirected the conversation.
12:42Shall we get started on the paperwork?
12:44I let it go.
12:45We signed the transfer documents and wrapped up the sale.
12:50Back in his car afterward.
12:53Connecting to Kaeslin.
12:54Over the following weeks, I visited schools, sat through tours, and reviewed application packets.
13:02The morning the acceptance letter arrived, I felt nothing but quiet satisfaction.
13:05My kids were sharp, well-mannered, and curious.
13:08Of course they got in.
13:10After breakfast, I took them to the mall to pick up a few things.
13:13They were coming out of a store when I spotted her.
13:16My stepmother, Diana, moving down the gallery on the far side in a loose silk dress.
13:21I turned us around immediately and started walking the other way.
13:25Diana had already seen me.
13:29Vivian?
13:30Is that you?
13:32When did you get back?
13:36I kept moving and didn't answer.
13:38She had two faces.
13:40Around my father, she was gentle and soft-spoken.
13:43Around my brother and me, she was something else entirely.
13:46Sharp-tongued.
13:47Pointed.
13:48Never missing a chance to remind us where we stood.
13:52Vivian Whitfield!
13:53You and your little two bastards!
13:55Stop right there!
13:56I stopped.
13:57I let go of the kids' hands, told them to stay where they were,
14:01walked back to Diana, and slapped her across the face.
14:04She screamed.
14:06Her hand flew to her cheek.
14:07You have no manners whatsoever!
14:10Hitting your own stepmother?
14:11That's disgusting!
14:13I met her eyes without flinching.
14:14You called my children that name?
14:16You earned it.
14:18I looked her over slowly.
14:20Don't talk about illegitimate children when you're pregnant with one.
14:23Something flickered in Diana's face.
14:26A flash of guilt she couldn't quite cover.
14:28Don't you dare make things up!
14:30I smiled, turned, and walked away.
14:32She was wearing that loose dress for a reason.
14:35The small, careful curve I'd noticed under the fabric.
14:38I filed it away.
14:39It explained everything.
14:40Why our father had kept Alex in that entry-level job for six years.
14:44He was waiting to see what came next.
14:49That evening, at the rooftop suite of a bar downtown,
14:52Cassian stood at the floor-to-ceiling windows in a black shirt and trousers,
14:56a whiskey glass in one hand.
14:58His back was to the room.
14:59He looked like he was watching the city, but he wasn't really seeing it.
15:04Quinn and Marcus pushed through the door.
15:06They took one look at him and both went quiet for a moment.
15:09I heard Vivian's back in New York.
15:11Why do you still look like someone ran over your dog?
15:13Quinn had tried to cut him off.
15:14He hadn't been fast enough.
15:18Cassian turned and looked at them without saying anything.
15:21He went to the bar, picked up the bottle, and poured himself another measure.
15:26Quinn shook his head slowly.
15:28He is in bad shape.
15:29His voice came out rough.
15:30She's married.
15:32Two kids.
15:33I know it's hard, but she's moved on.
15:36Maybe it's time you did too.
15:37Marcus nodded.
15:38She's remarried.
15:39She has a family.
15:40What can you do?
15:43Stop putting yourself through this.
15:45Let her go.
15:50You two have never had your heart you're broken.
15:53You don't know what this is like.
15:55Four years of nothing, and I still couldn't let go.
15:58Now she's right here in the same city.
16:02It's worse, not better.
16:03So what are you going to do?
16:05Cassian looked down.
16:06A strand of hair fell across his forehead.
16:08He didn't answer for a long time.
16:10He picked up his glass and finished it.
16:13He didn't know what he was going to do.
16:15But he knew this.
16:16If he couldn't have her back, he wouldn't marry anyone else.
16:20Quinn and Marcus gave up trying to comfort him.
16:22They just drank with him instead.
16:24Cassian got very drunk that night.
16:26He dreamed.
16:27In his dream, the system found a scene and pulled him through it.
16:30Back to four years ago.
16:32The way a memory reconstruction feels when it runs too clean.
16:35Edges too sharp.
16:37Silence too complete.
16:38He was drunk that night.
16:40Reckless.
16:42Exhausted.
16:42Lonely.
16:44She tasted like wine in winter air when he kissed her.
16:48Later.
16:48In the pale glow of the bedside lamp, he noticed the small crimson stain against the white sheets.
16:54He remembered staring at it for a long time.
16:56For a moment.
16:57She had looked unbearably beautiful.
17:03Morning at the Morgan estate, I came downstairs with the twins to find Grandpa already at the
17:08head of the table.
17:09The kids climbed into their seats and looked at him expectantly.
17:12Mango pudding and a slice of chocolate cake appeared on their plates, and both children
17:16lit up.
17:16Grandpa had quietly hired a pastry chef just for them.
17:19We were midway through breakfast when a loud bang came from outside.
17:22The housekeeper quickly picked up the intercom.
17:25A moment later...
17:25Mr. Morgan, your son-in-law is here.
17:28He drove through the front gate.
17:31Grandpa stood up.
17:34His voice was composed and cold.
17:37I'd like to see what he thinks he's doing.
17:40I told Mrs. Miller to keep the kids at the table and followed my grandfather outside.
17:45My father was standing in the drive.
17:47When he saw Grandpa, he straightened up.
17:50And then he saw me.
17:51And whatever composure he'd managed collapsed back into fury.
17:55Mr. Morgan, ask your granddaughter what she did to my wife.
17:58My grandfather's jaw tightened.
18:00I told my grandfather exactly what had happened.
18:03She called my great-grandchildren that word first.
18:07In my view, one slap was lenient.
18:10If you come into my house and speak about Vivian's children that way again, I will have you removed.
18:20My father turned red.
18:23Mr. Morgan, you're only hearing one side of this.
18:26I know my wife.
18:28She would never use language like that.
18:31I smiled faintly.
18:35He'd known Diana for less than ten years and was certain he understood her.
18:41He'd known me my entire life and had no interest in taking my word for anything.
18:49Vivian, apologize to your stepmother.
18:51On your knees!
18:53I looked at him steadily.
18:55Who exactly do you think you're talking to?
18:58I'm your father!
19:01You stopped being my father the day you threw me out of that house.
19:06As far as I'm concerned, we don't have that relationship anymore.
19:09He stepped toward me.
19:11Blood doesn't just disappear because you say it does.
19:14Get on your knees and apologize!
19:18Someone come and remove these two from my property.
19:23Eight security staff came around the corner.
19:26Diana, who had been quiet until that moment, pressed a hand to her stomach and said faintly,
19:31Darling, I'm not feeling well.
19:33My father went still.
19:35He looked at the security staff, then at Diana, and the fight seemed to drain out of him.
19:40He helped her to a bench near the garden wall.
19:43Nobody moved.
19:44Grandpa watched all of this with perfectly level contempt.
19:48If you won't leave, I'll call the police.
19:50You drove a car through my front gate.
19:52That's criminal trespass.
19:53I'd be happy to let that play-averet play out however it needs to.
19:57My father's face cycled through several expressions, Diana reading him perfectly.
20:02I'm tired.
20:03I'd like to go home.
20:10He helped her to the car.
20:12As they were pulling out, my grandfather called after him pleasantly.
20:17The repair bill for the gate.
20:19I'll have my assistant send you the bill later.
20:24We went inside.
20:25I took grandpa's arm and walked with him to the sitting room, and we both took a breath.
20:30He's becoming more embarrassing by the day.
20:34Don't let him get to you.
20:36He's not worth it.
20:37I knew who my father was.
20:38I'd always known.
20:40To him, I was a chip to play, a name to trade.
20:44When I stopped being useful, he let me go without a second thought.
20:48We settled onto the sofa together.
20:51After a moment, grandpa said,
20:55He's always resented me.
20:58I didn't know there was anything between you.
21:00A few years before you came back, Helios Corp hit a cash crisis.
21:04He came to me, asked me to bail him out.
21:07I said no.
21:08Your mother made me promise, years will figure it out eventually.
21:12I was never to put money into his company again.
21:14Something shifted in my chest.
21:16I blamed you for that, for a while.
21:19When the money ran out, the only option left was to marry into the Sterling family.
21:23That was how I ended up with Cassian.
21:25Five hundred million dollars that kept Helios Corp from going under.
21:29I didn't know he arranged that marriage.
21:31I would never have allowed it.
21:33Grandpa.
21:35I've made my peace with all of it.
21:37Without Cassian, I wouldn't have my two kids.
21:39And you were right not to keep bailing him out.
21:42People have to learn to stand on their own.
21:49You've changed a great deal.
21:52You think differently now.
21:55I became a mother.
21:57It changes how you see everything.
21:59The children look like Cassian.
22:02The Sterling family will figure it out eventually.
22:07What will you do when they do?
22:10I'll deal with it when it comes.
22:11If they want to fight me for custody, I'll fight back.
22:14I just hope it's later rather than sooner.
22:21As it turned out, I didn't have to wait long.
22:26We'd barely finished the conversation when the housekeeper appeared at the door.
22:30Show her in.
22:33I moved quickly.
22:37Mrs. Miller, take the kids to the back garden, please.
22:40Lily Sterling.
22:41I hadn't seen her in years.
22:43She came in wearing a pale linen jacket.
22:45Easy smile, still exactly the same.
22:47She handed a gift bag to the housekeeper.
22:50Viv.
22:51I heard you were back.
22:52I had to come see you.
22:53Come inside.
22:55I met her at the entrance hall.
22:57And we walked in together.
22:58In the sitting room, she greeted my grandfather warmly.
23:01And he told her to sit, sit, with his usual generosity.
23:06Grandpa excused himself to the study.
23:08Without him in the room, Lily relaxed.
23:11We traded news.
23:12Caught up on the small things.
23:14Then, without quite meaning to, she ended up talking about her brother.
23:18My brother has become such a workaholic.
23:23My brother has become such a workaholic.
23:26He's at the office until midnight half the time.
23:29He has more money than he could ever spend.
23:31And he just keeps making more.
23:34Why does he bother?
23:35I turned my teacup in my hands.
23:38He was always like that.
23:40It feels different now.
23:42It's like, outside of work, nothing interests him.
23:46And the insomnia.
23:48His doctor can't find anything physiologically wrong.
23:52I didn't say anything.
23:55Lily had a lunch plan.
23:57I walked her out through the garden.
23:59And that was when we heard the kids.
24:01My grandfather kept birds, including a pair of peacocks.
24:05And both children were completely obsessed with them.
24:08Lily slowed down.
24:09Are those children's voices?
24:13She followed the sound and found them before I could redirect her.
24:17My son and daughter, three and a half years old,
24:20crouching near the peacock enclosure.
24:22She went very still.
24:24I waved at the kids.
24:26They trotted over.
24:27Say hello.
24:30Hello.
24:31You're both so sweet.
24:33You can call me Lily.
24:35Where's their father?
24:37Um, don't you have lunch?
24:39Walk with me.
24:41As we made our way to the drive, I said.
24:43Their father is still overseas.
24:44He has things he can't step away from right now.
24:47My grandfather's been unwell, so I brought the kids and came ahead.
24:52She'd heard what I said.
24:53I see.
24:55But those faces were still in her mind, and she wasn't convinced.
24:59That afternoon, she went back to her cafe to work.
25:02By the time evening came, she was driving home to the Sterling house.
25:08She walked in past the main parlor, where a number of well-dressed women were gathered, music playing faintly.
25:14Is there some kind of event happening tonight?
25:17Mrs. Sterling has invited several eligible young women for a dinner party.
25:22She found a quiet corner, settled in with a glass of red wine, and looked around for her brother.
25:30She overheard a cluster of women nearby.
25:33They'd said they were basically there for show.
25:35That with Victoria in the picture, the rest of them were just taking up space.
25:40Two of them had already drifted over to watch.
25:43Lily rolled her eyes.
25:44Her brother didn't want Victoria.
25:47He didn't want anyone.
25:49He just wanted to work.
25:57Lily waited all evening.
26:04Lily, when did you get back?
26:06A little while ago.
26:08Walk with me.
26:09I have something to tell you.
26:11She asked him on the way up,
26:13Are you actually planning to pick one of those women?
26:16Of course not.
26:17Then why show up?
26:19Mom gave me a choice.
26:21Come to the dinner, or meet them one-on-one.
26:24The dinner seemed like the lesser catastrophe.
26:26Then she remembered.
26:27She's trying the same thing with me, by the way.
26:35What did you want to tell me?
26:37I went to see the Morgans this morning.
26:40And?
26:40She drew out the pause.
26:43How is she?
26:44She's fine.
26:45She has two kids.
26:47Very sweet.
26:48Very cute.
26:50You saw them?
26:51I did.
26:53Cass.
26:54Those children look like you.
26:56Especially the boy.
26:58The eyes, the nose.
26:59I'm not exaggerating.
27:01You're serious?
27:02You're not messing with me?
27:05I'm completely serious.
27:07Why would I make that up?
27:10Do you think when she filed for divorce, could she have already been pregnant?
27:14I don't know.
27:15That part's between you two.
27:17He thought back.
27:18He hadn't been careful.
27:19If she hadn't taken anything the next morning, it was entirely possible.
27:23And the timing worked.
27:25If she'd gotten pregnant then, the children would be about the right age.
27:29You'd only seen them from across the hospital parking lot.
27:32He hadn't been able to make out their faces clearly.
27:34Lily asked quietly, if they are yours, what do you do?
27:38Without hesitating.
27:39Bring them home.
27:40He added silently.
27:41And their mother.
27:42Lily looked uncertain.
27:43I asked Viv about the father.
27:45She said he was abroad.
27:47Do you think she could actually have married someone else?
27:49Like, married them while she was pregnant with yours?
27:51I don't know.
27:53He said.
27:54Lily touched his shoulder.
27:56It's late.
27:57Sleep on it.
27:58Don't go charging over there before you're ready.
28:00Yeah.
28:01He nodded.
28:02You too.
28:03He went to his room, raised his wrist, and spoke the name aloud.
28:08Assistant.
28:09The call opened in the air beside his face, voice only.
28:12I need the AI to build a profile on Vivian Whitfield.
28:16Who she came back with.
28:18Anyone she might be involved with.
28:20Cross-reference port logs.
28:22Residency data.
28:23Civil registry.
28:24Full sweep.
28:28Three days later, the compiled file arrived through the encrypted channel.
28:33Cassian opened it on the wall panel and read it through twice.
28:36And something in his chest that had been clenched for four years slowly let go.
28:40The AI had pulled her travel records, port logs, and residential registry from Manchester.
28:47She'd been living abroad alone with the children.
28:50She hadn't remarried.
28:51As long as that was true, there was still something to work with.
28:54He went to the Morgan house to find her.
28:57She was in the dance studio with their daughter.
29:00A small figure in a white ballet skirt stood at the bear beside her mother.
29:04And the two of them moved in front of the mirror in perfect synchrony.
29:08Graceful.
29:09Unhurried.
29:10Beautiful.
29:11Cassian stood in the doorway and didn't make a sound.
29:14He didn't want to break it.
29:16When the music stopped, he noticed the boy for the first time.
29:20His chest tightened.
29:24Vivienne straightened up from toweling off her daughter's face and saw him in the doorway.
29:28The boy got there first.
29:30He walked straight up to Cassian and looked up at him with frank curiosity.
29:33Who are you?
29:35Cassian had absolutely no idea how to answer that.
29:38Vivienne came over and touched her son's shoulder.
29:40Julian Reign, this is Mr. Sterling.
29:44Hi, Mr. Sterling.
29:47Something bitter and sad moved through him.
29:53Vivienne sent them off with Mrs. Miller for water and a change of clothes.
29:57Then she led Cassian up to the third floor sitting room.
30:00And they took seats on opposite sides of the low table.
30:04She looked at him with a calm, direct expression.
30:07What brings you to the Morgan house?
30:08You're smart, Viv. You already know.
30:10She picked up her teacup and set it back down.
30:12If it's business, you should speak with my grandfather.
30:15It's not business.
30:16His eyes stayed on her face.
30:17I want to talk about the children.
30:21They're mine, aren't they?
30:22She kept her voice even.
30:23They're mine.
30:25They don't have anything to do with you.
30:27Then explain why they look exactly like me.
30:29Children take after their parents.
30:31Their father happens to have similar features to yours.
30:34The corner of his mouth curved slightly.
30:36His voice was almost gentle.
30:38Similar features.
30:41Viv, you've gotten very good at lying with a straight face.
30:44Tell me, who is their father then?
30:46She sat up straight.
30:50After the divorce, I met someone abroad.
30:52We were together a few months.
30:54It didn't work out.
30:56He studied her.
30:57I had the children and raised them on my own.
30:59Anyone else might have believed it.
31:00He didn't.
31:00Then let's run a quantum gene trace.
31:02The results don't lie.
31:03She looked down at her tea.
31:05The room was quiet.
31:06After a moment, he said,
31:07You won't agree to it?
31:08She let out a breath.
31:11Fine.
31:13If that's what you want.
31:17Julian slid off his chair, crept up to the third floor door.
31:20The door was solid and gave nothing away.
31:22He waited several minutes, then gave up, retrieved a book from the study, and went back to his room.
31:27Did you hear anything?
31:28Is he our dad?
31:29No, I couldn't hear.
31:31Rain pressed close to him, whispering.
31:32I thought maybe he was.
31:34Since the day I told them their father was alive, that he hadn't died, both children had quietly been waiting.
31:39When Cassian walked in, something in both of them had responded to him in a way they couldn't explain.
31:44They'd only just met him, but there was a pole there.
31:47A familiarity they didn't have words for yet.
31:49Julian looked at his sister.
31:50Do you like him, Mr. Sterling?
31:52She nodded.
31:53Do you like him more than Sebastian?
31:55Mr. Sterling is really handsome, but I think I like Sebastian more.
32:00Outside the door, Sebastian stopped walking.
32:03He waited.
32:04Julian!
32:05Rain!
32:07He felt something in him go soft.
32:09Guess what I brought.
32:11A pink plush bear for Rain.
32:14Rain clutched the bear immediately.
32:15A new architecture set for Han.
32:17Han ripped open the architecture set and started building without waiting.
32:24When Cassian and I came downstairs, we found Sebastian cross-legged on the floor in the
32:29middle of it all.
32:30I cleared my throat.
32:32All three looked up.
32:33Time to practice piano.
32:35The kids put down their toys.
32:37Cassian and Sebastian were left alone in the sitting room in an atmosphere that was not
32:41particularly comfortable.
32:42Then the piano began.
32:44Cassian stood up and followed the sound.
32:47Sebastian followed Cassian.
32:49Rain was at the grand piano.
32:50Posture perfect.
32:51Eyes on the sheet music.
32:53Playing with startling precision for her age.
32:55I stood beside Han near the window.
32:58Both of us listening.
32:59When she finished, a few notes were off.
33:01Here.
33:02This section builds.
33:03Feel the swell of it.
33:05I played it through for her once.
33:08I understand, Mama.
33:11She played it again.
33:13The evening light came through the tall windows and fell across my face.
33:17I was entirely focused on her.
33:20Cassian's heartbeat was loud in his own ears.
33:23My grandfather came home from the office to find both of them still there.
33:27He paused, took it in, and quietly told the housekeeper to set two extra places.
33:32At dinner, Grandpa sat at the head of the table.
33:37Cassian and Sebastian were on either side of him.
33:39I chose the seat beside Sebastian.
33:43Help yourselves.
33:45Don't stand on ceremony.
33:49Everything smells incredible.
33:51You remembered exactly what I like.
33:52The housekeeper bowed slightly.
33:54Sebastian felt the dynamics and did not enjoy them.
33:58Grandpa and Cassian fell into conversation about industry.
34:02Sebastian's family was in tech.
34:04He said nothing and tried not to look uncomfortable.
34:07I picked up the serving spoon and added a piece of fish to Sebastian's plate.
34:12This one's fresh.
34:13Try it.
34:13He thanked me and shot a sideways look at Cassian.
34:17Cassian smiled faintly.
34:18He served a shrimp onto my plate.
34:20Already peeled.
34:25The shell can scratch.
34:26Let me.
34:27Thank you, but you're a guest.
34:29I can manage.
34:30He remembered.
34:31I used to do this for him.
34:32He'd never done it for anyone.
34:34He was never the one who reached.
34:35Something about seeing him do it now felt strange.
34:38Cassian kept going.
34:40Sebastian started piling everything within reach onto my plate.
34:43My food stacked up faster than I could eat it.
34:46I can't fit anymore.
34:49Please stop.
34:53My grandfather watched all of this with quiet, amused eyes.
34:56Cassian got home after ten.
34:58The living room was still lit.
34:59His father looked up from the sofa.
35:01We were waiting for you.
35:03This late?
35:04What's going on?
35:05We wanted to ask you about the children.
35:07Why didn't you tell us?
35:09Lily told us.
35:10You kept this from us?
35:11He stayed calm.
35:12I wasn't trying to hide it.
35:14I wanted to wait until I was certain.
35:16Lily says they look just like you.
35:17That makes it very likely.
35:19He'd been certain the moment he saw them.
35:22Let's wait for the test results.
35:24Then we'll figure out next steps with Viviana.
35:26What test?
35:27You don't need a test.
35:29If Vivian says they're yours, they're yours.
35:31I trust her.
35:32She's the one who said they aren't mine.
35:34That's why I'm running the test.
35:35If you hadn't filed those papers in the first place, she wouldn't have left.
35:39Give me back my daughter-in-law.
35:40Give me back my grandchildren.
35:44Give me back my grandchildren.
35:48Sophia.
35:49Your hand.
35:51Cassian raised an eyebrow.
35:52Forty years and still going.
35:54His father looked at him.
35:55When is the test?
35:56Tomorrow.
35:57I already have what I need.
35:58A cellular swab.
35:59The kind that fed directly into a quantum locust reader.
36:02His father nodded.
36:03Take it yourself.
36:04His mother composed herself, then looked at him with soft, eager eyes.
36:07Do you have a photo?
36:09The children building in their room, practicing at the piano, chasing each other across the
36:13garden lawn.
36:14She was simply overwhelmingly happy.
36:15They look exactly like you did at that age.
36:17Those are my grandchildren.
36:19I know it.
36:20His father was already telling the housekeeper to prepare two of the larger guest rooms.
36:23The following evening, the Morgan House sitting room, my brother Alex and my grandfather sat
36:28on the sofa, a news program playing on the television that neither of them was watching.
36:31The quantum gene trace results were due tonight.
36:34I came downstairs quietly and settled beside Alex.
36:36Both asleep?
36:37He said.
36:38They wore themselves out this afternoon.
36:41Knocked out halfway through the second story.
36:43Grandpa sighed gently.
36:44The results should be ready by now, Viv.
36:47I kept my voice light.
36:48Not much suspense in it.
36:53I took out the comm panel.
36:54I opened the secure message channel.
36:56The result was there.
36:58I scrolled down.
36:59Read it.
37:00I went very still.
37:01The tested individuals do not share a biological relationship?
37:05I had been with one person.
37:06Exactly one.
37:08In my entire adult life.
37:10These children could not be anyone else's.
37:13And yet, Alex saw my face and reached for the panel.
37:18He read it.
37:19He looked up at me.
37:21Grandpa leaned forward.
37:22What is it?
37:23He put on his reading glasses and leaned over the panel.
37:26His lips moved slightly.
37:28How can this be?
37:29I steadied myself.
37:31Grandpa.
37:32This is good news.
37:34Someone is looking out for us.
37:38The results say the children aren't Cassiel's,
37:41which means he has no legal grounds to pursue custody.
37:45That's the best possible outcome for me.
37:48I just hope it holds up for as long as possible.
37:51Once the Sterlings get involved, everything gets complicated again.
38:01I messaged Sebastian that night.
38:03Three words.
38:04Meet me tomorrow.
38:05He was already there when I arrived.
38:10You tampered with it.
38:12He didn't deny it.
38:14I have someone at the processing note.
38:16It took one override command.
38:20That's not your decision.
38:22You didn't want the fallout.
38:24I didn't want you to have it.
38:31If he runs another trace, you can't stop it.
38:36I can push the same override through the second node, too.
38:39Don't.
38:40Don't do that again.
38:43Then what do you want?
38:47To figure it out myself.
38:49Across the city, Cassian read the report twice.
38:53Set it down.
38:55Looked at the skyline.
38:56He thought about Julian's eyes.
38:58The way the boy had walked up to him without hesitation.
39:01Like he already knew.
39:03He touched the wall panel.
39:05Get me Dr. Reeves, the genomics specialist.
39:08Then he sat back and thought.
39:09Someone overwrote the locust data at the processing note.
39:12The question is who?
39:14His mother's call came through three times that evening on the wrist comb.
39:21On the third, the results came back.
39:25I know.
39:29Caspian, those children...
39:31Mom, let me handle it.
39:36You don't believe it either.
39:37He didn't answer.
39:38He didn't need to.
39:39Forty-two floors below.
39:40New York glittered.
39:41Indifferent.
39:42He opened his contacts.
39:43Scrolled to her name.
39:45He didn't call.
39:46Not yet.
39:48But he was already moving.
39:50Sophia Sterling, her husband, read the report standing up.
39:52It could be wrong.
39:53It is wrong.
39:54I've looked at those children.
39:56I'm running a second trace.
39:57Isolated quantum chain.
39:58No shared nodes with the first lab.
40:00No lawyers.
40:00No contact with Viviana from either of you.
40:02His mother opened her mouth.
40:03Mom.
40:03He looked at her.
40:04I mean it.
40:05Two days later, he arrived at the Morgan House.
40:07The Meridian expansion.
40:09A project they genuinely needed to discuss.
40:11Vivian was not delighted.
40:12Halfway through the meeting.
40:13You're here again.
40:14I am.
40:15Do you want to see my chess set?
40:17The pieces are marble.
40:21Cassian glanced at Grandpa, who waved a hand.
40:24He followed Julian down the hallway without looking back.
40:27I watched them go and told myself not to feel anything about it.
40:30The chess game lasted 45 minutes.
40:37At the door, I said.
40:39You could have sent someone for the Meridian meeting.
40:41I could have.
40:42He looked at me steadily.
40:43He left.
40:43I stood in the cold doorway after his car had gone.
40:45He is going to run another trace, I thought.
40:48And there is nothing I can do to stop him.
40:50I went back inside.
40:51Four days later, a message came through.
40:53Would Julian want a rematch?
40:55I showed it to Julian.
40:56Who said yes before I'd finished reading it aloud.
40:58I lasted 10 minutes in the doorway before making myself leave.
41:01Upstairs, I opened the Harrow Quarterly's and read the same paragraph four times.
41:04When I came back down, Cassian was leaning forward.
41:07Julian was watching him with the patience of someone who had already seen the next three moves.
41:11You left it open.
41:12You were thinking about the Queen, but you forgot this side.
41:15Good game.
41:16You're better than last time.
41:18You just need to think further ahead.
41:22Cassian sat in his car afterward and didn't tell the driver to go anywhere.
41:27Julian had his eyes, his cheekbones, the particular stillness of someone calculating before they commit.
41:32He typed a message to his investigator.
41:34Second node.
41:35Isolated quantum chain.
41:37Fastest turnaround.
41:38Then he put the phone away and looked out the window.
41:41She was pregnant when she filed, he thought.
41:43She was pregnant and she left anyway.
41:46Sir, where to?
41:48Office.
41:49Take the long way.
41:51Sebastian calmed Friday.
41:58The Whitfield Foundation Gala.
42:00Next Thursday.
42:01Two seats.
42:02Come with me.
42:02It's not a date.
42:05It's not a date.
42:07It'll benefit the Harrows.
42:10Fine, I'll come.
42:12But in my own car.
42:14At dinner, I mentioned it.
42:17Sebastian invited me to the Whitfield Foundation Gala.
42:20Alex looked at his plate with careful neutrality.
42:23Say it.
42:25Sebastian's a good man.
42:27Be honest with him about where things stand.
42:29Things don't stand anywhere yet.
42:32That's my point.
42:34Grandpa refilled his tea and said nothing.
42:40The gala was everything Sebastian promised.
42:43Good champagne.
42:44The right crowd.
42:45Three conversations that could open real doors.
42:48He was easy company.
42:49Present when it mattered.
42:51Invisible when it didn't.
42:53By nine, I was glad I'd come.
42:55Then I saw Cassian across the room.
42:58Sebastian followed my line of sight.
43:00He was always going to be here.
43:02I know.
43:03Viv?
43:04Is there anything left?
43:06For you?
43:07Not him.
43:08You?
43:09Sebastian deserved a real answer.
43:12I gave him one.
43:14I don't know yet.
43:15He nodded slowly.
43:16Okay.
43:16I'd rather know than not.
43:18Across the room, Cassian turned his head and found me without searching.
43:21Two seconds.
43:22Then back to his conversation.
43:25Sebastian handed me a fresh glass.
43:28There's someone from the auction house you should meet.
43:33I followed him.
43:36I felt those two seconds for the rest of the night.
43:42Five days before the results, Cassian appeared with a chess book for Julian.
43:45No business reason.
43:47Just the book.
43:47Set on the hall table.
43:48Julian materialized in 30 seconds and said come on.
43:51And that was that.
43:52He came back the next day with a contract amendment.
43:5440 minutes of business.
43:55Less than another hour with Julian.
43:57The day after, no reason at all.
43:59Just a message.
44:00Is Julian home?
44:01I replied.
44:02Yes.
44:03He arrived 20 minutes later.
44:05I didn't stop him.
44:07I told myself it was because the children deserved to know their father.
44:10That was true.
44:11It was also true that I'd started listening to his car in the drive without meaning to.
44:16On the fourth day, I was in the garden with Rain when he came around the side of the house.
44:20Rain held out her hand toward him.
44:22Shh.
44:22You can look.
44:23But be quiet.
44:24He's nervous.
44:25Cassian crouched to her level.
44:27What's his name?
44:28Rain considered.
44:29Gerald.
44:30Good name.
44:31I watched Cassian watch my daughter and thought, the results are coming.
44:34Things are already different from a week ago.
44:36I didn't know yet if that was good.
44:42Dad reached out through his lawyer.
44:44Alex called Tuesday.
44:45Helios is in trouble.
44:46I already knew.
44:47There'd been a piece in the financial press two weeks ago.
44:50Vague but readable.
44:51Overleveraged.
44:51Bad deals were made without the board.
44:54How bad?
44:55Bad enough that he's calling us.
44:56Another pause.
44:58Diana lost the baby.
44:59Early but still.
45:00Wait.
45:01Met at the diner near his office.
45:03Corner booth.
45:04Bad lighting.
45:05Good pie.
45:05We'd been meeting here since college.
45:07The kind of place where you could say things out loud.
45:09I'm not asking grandpa to bail him out.
45:11I know.
45:12He made his choices.
45:13I know that too.
45:15But if Helios goes under, people downstream lose everything.
45:18People who had nothing to do with his decisions.
45:21There's a difference between helping him and helping them.
45:24I won't do one.
45:25I might do the other.
45:28That's very fair of you.
45:29It's just the line I can live with.
45:31Neither of us called our father back that day.
45:33But we both knew we would.
45:37What does one have to do with him?
45:38Bye.
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