CHAPTER 5

A bad day

The engagement party was underway — live orchestra, champagne towers, diamond draped guests, and a swarm of reporters buzzing about the “miracle”dad and his mysterious fiancée.

Tessa Monroe stood at the top of the staircase, her heart pounding.

The glittering gown scratched her skin. Her heels pinched. But the worst pain came from knowing her quadruplets, two boys, two girls were just two floors below with nannies… and not one of them had been brought to see her all evening.

This wasn’t an engagement. It was a trap. A cage.

Downstairs, Ares Langford shook hands and posed for photos, laughing with a senator, smiling for cameras. He looked like the king of the world.

Until he saw Julian Reyes enter.

Julian, his best friend since prep school. Partner in crime and confidant.

Julian’s expression darkened the moment he spotted him. He didn’t even grab a drink before charging straight through the ballroom.

“What the hell is this?” he snapped, gripping Ares by the arm. “Engaged?”

Ares winced. “Keep your voice down.”

“You have four babies? You’re engaged? Are you out of your mind? How come I found out about this on the internet?”

Ares pulled him aside, out of earshot. “I can explain.”

“You’d better. I’m listening.”

Ares exhaled. “The day it happened… I got pulled over.”

Julian blinked. “That’s what this is about?”

“I was speeding. Still half drunk. Cop was ready to write me up for DUI, reckless driving and you know what my father said about me getting caught in trouble one more time…So I panicked. I said I was rushing to see my girlfriend give birth. The cop decided to escort me to the hospital.”

Julian’s jaw dropped. “Madddddd…”

“We both know I didn’t have a girlfriend. Or a baby. But when we got to St. Claire’s, the nurse pointed me to some girl who’d just had quadruplets and was alone. I went with it. Told the cop they were mine. I thought once he left, it’d be over.”

Julian stared at him. “But it wasn’t.”

“Nope. My mom showed up. Thought the babies were real. She was thrilled. Got the media involved. And before I could say a word, she handed me the birth certificates and made me sign. It just… happened.”

Julian rubbed his face. “You are a lunatic. How did you think the cop wouldn’t recognize you?”

“I thought it would blow over in a week. But then the press exploded. People love the redemption story. Now my family image is fixed, investors are calm, and my father said the Langford board actually respects me.”

“And the girl?”

“She needed money. I offered her a million to play along.”

Julian shook his head. “This is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Ares looked away. “I know. You need to get me out of this mess bro…”

Julian looked at him then burst into laughter. “Hell no bro! My father threatened to disown me by Monday…seems we’re both getting disowned. Laugh my ass out…we’re in this together.”

Ares frowned. “God forbid…I’m in nothing with you. I’ll get this sorted out.”

“How?” Julian was still laughing. “Imagine telling him you lied…letting your family make a fool of themselves in front of the world…you better stick to the lie.” 

***

Upstairs, Tessa finally spotted Chloe Wilson, her best friend from nursing school, entering the ballroom in a crimson dress and sharp stilettos. Chloe rushed to her.

“Tessa?!” she whispered. “You look… holy crap. Are you okay?”

Tessa forced a smile. “I’m fine.”

Chloe narrowed her eyes. “Cut the crap. Why didn’t you tell me the father was Ares Langford? You let me believe it was that guy Lucas, the one who moved to Poland.”

Tessa stiffened.

“You made me hunt down his I*******m to see if the babies looked like him,” Chloe hissed. “You suffered alone in that dorm room for nine months while I begged you to tell me the truth.”

“I didn’t lie,” Tessa said quietly. “Lucas was the only one who looked at me sexily. I’m sure he was the one that came masked.”

Chloe blinked. “What?”

Tessa led her to the balcony and leaned over the rail, fighting tears.

“It was a New Year’s party. Masks. Music. I didn’t even know his name but I heard someone call him Lucas. It was stupid. I told myself it was just one night, no consequences. I never saw him again.”

“And Ares?”

“He showed up at the hospital with a cop, pretending to be the dad. Said he needed me to play along or he’d get arrested. Then his mom came. And the media. And… I just got swept into it.”

Chloe put her hand over her mouth. “So… he’s not the real dad?”

Tessa shook her head. “Not even close.”

“But he signed the birth certificates!”

“I know.”

Chloe blinked. “Girl, what the hell kind of Lifetime movie are you living in?”

Tessa gave a choked laugh… then started to cry.

“I barely see the babies, Chloe. His mother employed full time nannies. Nurses. Cameras. I’m not even allowed in their nursery unless someone’s watching me. Like I’m the threat.”

Chloe pulled her into a hug. “This is insane.”

Tessa clung to her. “I feel like I’m losing them. They barely know me. And I can’t leave, Chloe. Ares won’t let me leave with them just yet...he’s trying to figure out how…I don’t even know.”

Chloe frowned. “How long will it take him to figure it out? Has he paid you yet?”

Tessa shook her head. “He hasn’t paid yet.”

They held each other for a long moment.

“Okay,” Chloe finally said. “We’re going to get through this. You are not alone. But first you need to get your money.”

“I’m scared.”

“Get the fucking money.” Chloe said, looking around. “Secure that bag…don’t let that rich boy play you.” 

***

Ares sat swirling a whiskey glass. Julian looked at him, this time calmer.

“I have an idea.” Julian said. “Bribe her to stay for seven months, she should graduate from school by then…you pay her to take her fatherless babies and move to another country…”

Ares was silent before he exhaled then slowly looked at Julian. “Okaaay? I’m still listening.”

Julian leaned forward. “Then you tell your parents they all died in a car accident while they were going shopping or whatever.”

Ares sighed, getting up. “You sound very stupid right now. Can you hear yourself? How am I supposed to achieve that? You want me to get involved in faking deaths and car accidents? Never! That is too expensive to keep up. Do you know how many people I’ll have to bribe to keep shut?”

“Okay…what will you do? You can’t keep Tessa here for too long. What if the real baby daddy shows up?”

Ares didn’t answer immediately. He glanced toward the fireplace. 

Then he said, almost too softly, “I don’t even know who the real baby daddy is or why he abandoned them.” 

“We need to find out, we need to know what we’re up against.” Julian said. 

“We need to talk.” Chloe said, walking towards them with Tessa behind her.

“Who are you?” Ares turned, facing her. 

Julian sighed. “I see you’re her sister.”

“Oh…” Ares looked at Chloe, head to toe. “Yes we need to talk…first, I need to know who the real baby daddy is. What happened? I need the back story.”

Chloe nodded. “Right after you pay her.” 

Tessa nodded. “I texted you my cashapp. Send it or I’m leaving.”

“You didn’t need to bring her to claim the payment.” Ares said, reaching for his phone. “Triple payment sent.” 

“Good.” Chloe snapped back. “Now, what’s the plan?” 

Julian stepped forward, shaking his head. “No. Baby daddy story comes next.” 

“And who are you?” Chloe frowned. “Nobody invited you.” 

“Who invited?” Julian clapped back. “Nobody.” 

“Let’s go back to the party,” Chloe said pulling Tessa with her. “He knows where to find us when he’s ready.”

Tessa didn’t argue. She let Chloe pull her away softly. 

“Can you imagine?” Julian said with a grunt. “On a good day can these low budget girls have access to me?” 

Ares shrugged. “Well…it’s a bad day.”