[Kaden]My jaw clenched hard as I stared at the full report Spider had given me on Tilda. After my conversation with Mason a few days ago, I couldn't help myself. I had instructed Spider to get me everything about her from six years ago, including where she lived and any man she had been involved with.And here I was, staring at it for the umpteenth time since he handed me her full report. She had moved to Miami a few days after our divorce. And had given birth exactly eight months after she leftNo matter how hard I tried, I couldn't convince myself that the kids were mine because the Tilda I knew wouldn't hesitate to tell me she was pregnant when I filed for divorce. Because I knew she was a leech! A fucking gold digger who wanted everything easy and it could have been another easy means for her to try to hold me down. So why would she keep the pregnancy from me? That was why I was doubting whatever was making its way into my headThere weren't many reports on her! She only kept a
[Matilda] I wasn't sure whether to be shocked or amused by this man standing in front of my door. I knew I sounded foolish when I asked him how he found my house—he's the almighty Kaden Donovan after allI glared at him and was about to shut my door when the next word he said stopped me right in my tracks."Is there anything you think I should know that you're not telling me?" Kaden's voice rang out, and I paused. My hand tightened on my door as I swallowed hard trying to push down the sudden lump that made its way to my throat.What the hell was he talking about?"I...don't understand what you're talking about?" I almost cursed myself for stuttering, and that gave the bastard in front of me the courage to smirk and take another step towards me."Matilda, is there anything you think I should know that you're keeping from me?""And I'm fucking telling you that I don't understand what you're talking about, Kaden. You just showed up in my house asking me stupid questions?" My heart was
[Matilda]"The twins are my kids, aren't they? What made you think you could hide it from me forever!" Kaden's voice was low as he asked making me glare back at him My hand tightened. My fingers dug into my palm as I averted my gaze from Kaden. My jaw clenched hard as I tried to calm the sudden fear that was threatening to consume me."I have no idea what you're talking about," I spat, and Kaden's eyes darkened."I asked a simple question, and I deserve an answer. Don't be stupid like you've always been, they are my kids as right?!" Kaden spat, making my blood boil. What made this man think he could come to my house to call me names"You're a joker! A big one at that! To think you will come to my house to insult me. Kaden for the last time get the hell out and no, Kaden, my kids are not yours so please leave!" I growled, my jaw clenching hard, but the man in front of me chose to smirk."Five years and four month ago, at St Andres Hospital in Miami, at exactly 4 p.m. on a Friday, the
[Kaden]"You were not the only one I was fucking while we were married!" Tilda's words echoed relentlessly in my head, each repetition slicing deeper into my sanityI knew she was a whore! But hearing it from her lips felt like a blade twisting in my gut. Who the hell was she sleeping with while she had my ring on? No matter how much I tried to put the puzzles together, it wasn't making sense. Tilda would not leave Donovan's name if she was pregnant for meHell, she did the unimaginable nine years ago just to get married to me so why would she leave if she was pregnant for me! It could only mean that the kids truly aren't mine"I don't know what the hell to think anymore!" I muttered under my breath pushing off the bedThe soft rustle of sheets made me pause. My gaze shifted to Cherry, her arms crossed over her chest pressing up her boobs as she studied me"What do you mean by you don't know what think, what's wrong?" Cherry asked as she stared up at me. I tilted my neck pulling her
[Matilda]The bell chimed softly as the last customer stepped out of my bakery. I forced a smile, my lips stretching just enough to mask the exhaustion weighing on me"Thank you so much, have a good day. I hope to see you again!" My voice was warm but my body achedAs the door clicked shut I flipped the sign to closed. I leaned against the glass door releasing a heavy sigh"That was a lot!" I murmured, tilting my neck from side to sideFrom the corner of my eyes, I stared at Aiden and Austin seated quietly near the counter. My heart softened at the sight of them, their tiny feet swinging beneath the chairIt was the weekend and I had brought them to my store today since their nanny was not available to stay with them so I had no option but to take them with meAustin's eyes turned towards me like he could sense I was looking at them. He smiled. "Mummy, can I have another cake? Aiden already finished the one you gave us." Austin asked softly but I was quick to shake my head. They've ha
[Matilda] It's been a week since Kaden's visit and my mind was finally starting to find some peace. Maybe I was just overthinking things Maybe he truly believed me when I said the kids aren't his I took a slow deep breath walking out of my store as I marched to my car. I had lost track of time! I was already thirty minutes late from picking up my kids from school. The more reason to hire an extra hand soon to help in my bakery I slid into my car and hooked my seatbelt, and just as I ignited the engine my phone rang. My lips stretched into a smile as I saw the caller ID. I connected it to my car's Bluetooth and drove off "Look who finally decided to call me huh?" I rolled my eyes even though I knew Leo couldn't see me "I'm sorry baby, I know you're mad at me right now and I deserve any scolding, it's just been a whole lot!" Leo's husky voice echoed through the speakers, making me shake my head, with my eyes fixed on the road "It's fine. I know you're busy," I replied softly, hea
[Matilda] My jaw clenched hard as I tightened my hand on the steering wheel! I couldn't stop the anger that was brewing inside me no matter how hard I tried What exactly was Kaden on about? To the extent of going to my kid's school? Not me thinking that he had backed the fuck down. I fucking knew it, I could damn feel it all this while. My instincts were just all over the place that he was up to something I took a deep breath my eyes shifting to my phone as Leo's call kept coming in "Mummy your phone has been ringing!" I blinked back as Austin said from the back. Taking a slow deep breath I picked up the call and Leo's voice rang out, panic laced in his tone "Tesoro, what's wrong? Why did you hang up like that, is everything okay? Are the kids okay?" Before I could even say a word Austin and Aiden yelled from behind "Mummy is that Uncle Leo?" They screamed from the back and I heard Leo let out a sigh of relief "Aiden, Austin!" Leo called out and they giggled. "Uncle Leo
[Kaden] My hand dug into my scalp as I slid into the backseat of my car "Drive!" I instructed my driver and he ignited the engine driving out of the school compound I know that I needed to get close to the kids but that wouldn't deter the fact that the lady was being careless! If she was handling my kids and made this type of mistake, I would make sure she got sacked from the school It just took taking her to the side and telling her that I'm the uncle to the kids and giving her a seductive look and she lost it and believed me instantly I was even thinking that she would ask the kids if I was truly their uncle but she just stood there staring at me. I had to send her out at some point to get me a bottle of water so I could ask the kids the question I wanted to ask them And I had gotten all the answers I needed "We haven't seen our Daddy, mummy said he works very far away but we have never seen him, can you help us find our Daddy?" The innocent boy had explained to me and
[Kaden]"Daddy, Mommy, please," one of the twins cried out, as he stared from me to his motherWas I insane to say my heart was thumping so fast with the idea of spending the night right here? Like what exactly was wrong with me? It should be because of my kids right, seeing my boys cry was breaking my heart and that was why I said the first thing that came to my mind without thinking about it"It's okay, Daddy is going to spend the night,""No!! You would never," Tilda blurted out, her eyes boring into mine. I tilted my neck, my brow creasing into a frown as I stared from her to the kids. Was she blind or something, seeing that the kids were bawling"Mommy, you don't want Daddy to spend the night," Aiden or Austin said and I watched as Tilda's eyes snapped shut, cursing under her breathShe flashed them a smile, that didn't quite reach her eyes."No baby of course, I want Daddy to...," She paused, glaring daggers at me before turning to the kids. "To spend the night but Daddy is very
[Matilda]"What the hell are you doing?" I snapped, staring into his eyes as he straightened up"What do you mean?" Kaden asked, a smirk curling up his lips. "Aren't we supposed to talk, or are you planning on not letting me get the three days a week too?"I rolled my eyes, walking over to the plate rack as I carefully placed the plate I could have ended up breaking it if I wasn't careful"Don't think everyone is as selfish as you, young man," I snapped, turning my attention to him as I leaned against the kitchen cabinet. "You were with the kids, and they weren't letting go so isn't it normal for me to stay still until we are alone? Or do you want me to discuss in front of the kids?" My eyes were shifting from him to the doorway to make sure the kids weren't coming"We can talk now, they are busy with their games," Kaden said. I averted my eyes from him and walked over to the living room and truly they were busy with whatever game they were playing on their iPadI took a deep breath a
[Matilda]"Daddy, Austin, daddy is here!" Aiden sprang up from the couch rushing to the door where Kaden was standing with smiles all over his face. He dropped the bag in his hand and crouched down in time, grabbing him in his arms"Daddy!!" Austin ran down the stairs where he had gone to pick up his iPad. I watched as his eyes lit up as he ran towards Kaden, practically flying into his armsA smile spread across my lips as I watched him grabbing and spinning them around"My big boys," He cooed, placing a kiss on their hair. "How are you? Who missed Daddy?" Kaden asked placing them down I've known him so well to tell that there wasn't his hint of fear when the kids came running to him like he was a bit surprised that they did so and even when I didn't know the reason I could tell it was how the kids witnessed him lose in the courtroom"Daddy I missed you," Aiden smiled, pulling Kaden's hand and trying to swing with it"Me too Daddy, Mommy said you were busy that's why you've not come
[Matilda]"Mommy, so we're going to start school soon?" Aiden asked excitedly as we walked back into the house with our shopping bags"Yes baby, are you excited about it?" I asked and he nodded, his tongue swirling around the lollipop in his hand"Yes Mommy, I've missed all my friends," Aiden said. My eyes shifted to Austin and I didn't fail to notice how his lips pouted into a small frown. I could tell he was so much enjoying their homeschoolingAt least, I could tell that everything was a bit over now even when I knew I should also be on the lookout. I knew how ruthless Donovan could be. But my children's life shouldn't be on pause"Mommy but I like my home teacher, why can't we school at home like we always do?" Austin asked as we walked into the kitchen. I placed the shopping bag on top of the counter before grabbing the little ones Austin and Aiden were holding"I know you like your home teacher my love, but it's time you resume school okay? Tell me don't you miss all your friend
[Kaden]I rolled my neck, the stiffness in it mirroring the tension in my chest as I stared at the files spread across my study table. After yesterday’s conversation with Mason and Ryan, we agreed to look deeper into the hospital records—and get a clearer picture of what we’re dealing with. That’s why I’d scheduled a meeting with someone I knew at the hospital. Three days from now.I glanced at the time on my wristwatch just as a knock echoed on the door.“Come in,” I called out, barely lifting my eyes from the files on my table “Sir, breakfast is ready,” I stared up at Zia, my head maid as she stood right in front of my doorI waved her off. “I’m not eating this morning.”She didn’t budge. Just stood there staring at me like I’d said something impossible.I looked up, arching a brow. “Zia, is there something else?”She hesitated, then stepped back with a slight shake of her head. “No, sir.”“Then you can go,” I said firmly.As she left, I sighed, dragging my hand down my face. My th
[Kaden]My chest tightened. Someone helped him get to my father? It was possible for my father to have passed from a heart attack following his condition but was it natural or was it triggered?"This doesn't make sense Kaden. Oh good lord, no don't tell me my husband was murdered," my mum palmed her face"Mom, don't do this, we are not sure yet, we only have to look into it," Loretta said and my mother stiffened before turning to face her"Look into it? Where are we supposed to do that from?" My mother snapped making Loretta flinch, taking a step back"The only one who can give us an answer to this is dead," my mum voiced out, her teeth clenched tightly. I swallowed hard leaning back in my seatDr Arlan died a week after my father's death! Was this...?"Could it be that this also has something to do with Doctor Arlan's death?" I voiced out, my mother and sister's eyes snapping towards me"Exactly, him dying a week after your father's death? And now theirs a report that looks like your
[Kaden]The drive to the Donovan mansion was too quiet. My hand stayed locked around the steering wheel, tighter than usual. Loretta’s voice wouldn’t stop echoing in my head—and neither would the sound of my mother’s shaky breathing.What the hell was going on?The second I stepped into the mansion, I felt it. Something was off. The air was heavy and tense. I hadn’t even made it halfway down the hall when Loretta rushed up to me, her brows drawn tight.“Where’s Mom?” I asked before she could say anything.“She’s in Dad's study,” she said quickly.I didn’t stop to respond. My steps were sharp against the marble floor as I headed straight for the study. My chest got tighter the closer I got. The door creaked a little as I pushed it open.She looked up the moment I entered. And just from the look on her face, I knew it wasn’t good. My stomach turned.She barely visited Dad's study ever since he passed. Neither did she try to touch any of his things. According to her, revisiting the memor
[Kaden]The past few days have been the most chaotic days of my life. Trying to make sure my mum wouldn't do anything silly. Hell, I knew Vivian Donovan and I know talking her out of it wouldn't work so the the only thing I am doing is keeping track of her. Because I know she can be ruthless when she wants to but they should at least trust me and let me handle thisMy jaw locked as a knock came on the door making me tilt my neck as I stared at the blank laptop I've been trying to work on a thing or two but I just couldn't do anything"Come in," I ordered and the door swung open revealing my PA, "Sir," he walked closer to me with the stacks of files in his hand. "I needed your signatures on these files," He said before dropping the files on the tableI leaned closer and pulled the file closer. I grabbed them one after the other placing my signatures on itMy mind was still a whole mess. Would I be seen as selfish to say I was considering what Cherry said days back even if I wouldn
[Matilda]The moment Leo’s lips crashed against mine, everything in my body went stiff. At first, the warmth of his mouth felt like a comforting embrace, but then, something shifted. My heart hammered in my chest, thudding so loudly in my ears that I was sure he could hear it. My mind screamed at me. Kiss him back. Just this once. Hold him. Let go. But the more I tried to close my eyes and lose myself in the moment, the more off it felt.The connection wasn’t there. It should’ve been—it should have been, but it wasn’t. My breath caught in my throat, and my body froze in place, resisting him. Leo’s kiss deepened, but my lips stayed unmoving as if betraying the very person who had stood by me through everything. The guilt hit me harder than I expected, settling in the pit of my stomach like a heavy stone.Why couldn’t I kiss him back? Why couldn’t I just let go and feel something for him? Leo wanted me. He cared for me. I could see it in the way he looked at me, how he always stepped i