Chapter 4: The Billionaire's Search

Three days after I left, I stopped checking the news.

At first, I told myself it was because I needed peace.

Because I needed to focus on my babies.

Because I needed to build a new life.

But deep down, I knew the real reason.

I was afraid of seeing Ethan's face.

Afraid of discovering how quickly he had moved on.

Afraid of learning that none of it had meant as much to him as it had to me.

The small apartment Maya had helped me rent felt unfamiliar.

The furniture wasn't mine.

The city wasn't mine.

Nothing about this new life felt real yet.

I sat on the edge of the bed, one hand resting on my stomach.

The morning sickness had started.

Nothing severe.

Just enough to remind me every day that I wasn't alone anymore.

A soft knock sounded on the bedroom door.

Maya peeked inside.

"You should eat something."

I offered her a weak smile.

"I'm trying."

She entered carrying a tray with toast and tea.

The sight made my stomach turn.

Maya noticed immediately.

"Still feeling sick?"

I nodded.

"Twins are already making their presence known."

For the first time in days, she laughed.

"So stubborn already."

I smiled despite myself.

Maybe they were.

Maybe they got that from their father.

The thought hurt.

I looked away quickly.

Maya sat beside me.

For several moments, neither of us spoke.

Then she sighed.

"I saw something this morning."

My stomach tightened.

I already knew who she meant.

"Ethan?"

She nodded.

"He was on the business news."

I stared at my hands.

I hadn't spoken his name since leaving.

Hearing it now felt dangerous.

Like touching an old wound that hadn't healed.

"What did they say?"

Maya hesitated.

"Apparently, the engagement announcement has been canceled."

My head snapped up.

"What?"

She looked surprised by my reaction.

"The media is calling it a business disaster."

I blinked.

For a moment, I wasn't sure I had heard correctly.

Canceled?

The word echoed in my mind.

"But..." My voice sounded weak. "The engagement ring..."

"I don't know the details."

Maya shrugged.

"They only said the arrangement is over."

A strange feeling settled in my chest.

Confusion.

Nothing made sense anymore.

If Ethan and Vanessa were really engaged, why cancel it?

Why end it only days later?

Questions I didn't want began creeping into my thoughts.

Questions I had spent three days trying to bury.

Maya seemed to notice.

She gently touched my arm.

"Don't do that."

"Do what?"

"Start doubting yourself."

I looked away.

Because that was exactly what I was doing.

I remembered Ethan's voice on the phone.

It's not what you think.

At the time, I'd dismissed it as another excuse.

Now I wasn't so sure.

No.

I couldn't think like that.

I couldn't afford to.

The image of Vanessa standing beside him flashed through my mind.

The diamond ring.

The applause.

The congratulations.

I had seen it with my own eyes.

No explanation could erase that.

"I made my choice," I said quietly.

Maya studied me for a moment.

Then she nodded.

"Okay."

She stood and headed toward the door.

Before leaving, she paused.

"One more thing."

I frowned.

"What?"

"The news said Ethan Blackwood has been searching for someone."

My heart skipped a beat.

Maya's gaze softened.

"They didn't mention a name."

They didn't have to.

I already knew.

A painful ache spread through my chest.

I hated how much that affected me.

I hated that part of me still cared.

Still wondered.

Still loved him.

After Maya left, I sat alone in silence.

Outside, the city buzzed with life.

Inside, my thoughts refused to settle.

Was Ethan really looking for me?

Why?

To explain?

To apologize?

To convince me to come back?

I pressed both hands against my stomach.

Immediately, my focus shifted.

The twins.

They were all that mattered now.

Not Ethan.

Not Vanessa.

Not the life I'd left behind.

Only them.

I stood and walked to the window.

The city stretching beyond it was unfamiliar.

And maybe that was a good thing.

Because every mile between me and Ethan made it easier to keep my promise.

He couldn't hurt us again.

He couldn't break our hearts.

And he could never know the truth.

My babies were my secret.

The last piece of my heart I still had left.

No matter how desperately Ethan searched...

He would never find me.

And he would never know he was already a father.