Chapter 8 — Their Looks Gave Them Out

***Megan's POV***

I couldn’t let anyone know about their true paternity.

Who was I kidding?

Ethan and Cole’s striking resemblance to Joe gave them away right on the spot.

Katie and I had just gotten home quite late into the night, and the boys—who wouldn’t go to bed until they saw me—were right at the door with the butler.

“Momma?” they chorused, running into my arms.

“Sweethearts!” I exclaimed, trying to lift both of them with great difficulty. “Ooh, I… I can’t do it.”

They giggled as I pretended to be exhausted by their weight.

“Momma, where have you been?” Cole asked, still laughing.

“Well,” I said, pretending to think. “Momma went to work, but I promise I won’t be this late again. In the meantime, babies, meet Katie—your caretaker.”

I turned to Katie, whose mouth hung open subconsciously. I knew what she was thinking, and her guess was right.

“Hi, lovelies.” Katie immediately smiled, waving at the boys. “My name’s Katie, and I’ll be taking care of your needs from now on when Momma gets busy.”

Ethan squinted his eyes, then turned to me.

“Momma, why do we need a caretaker? Don’t you like taking care of us anymore?”

“Oh, honey,” I crouched to their level. “I do love taking care of my babies, but work can get really tedious sometimes, and I don’t want to leave you both unattended. And… Ms. Katie here—I trust her to be with you.”

“Hmmm,” Cole said, stroking his chin, which almost made me chuckle. “So that means… she’s going to be staying with us now?”

I nodded.

“Will you tell us bedtime stories like Momma does?” he asked, turning to Katie.

She smiled. “Of course! I could even play hide and seek with you two.”

“Woah! We really love hide and seek,” Ethan chimed in. “Though Cole gets scared of the dark often.”

“Hey! I’m not scared—don’t listen to Ethan.”

“Okay,” Katie said, raising her hand playfully. “Let’s play on the weekend and see who gets scared of the dark. Cool?”

“Cool!” Ethan and Cole shouted, giving her a high five.

I shook my head, sneaking off to my room and leaving the boys with Katie to continue their playful argument—I could still hear their fading voices from the staircase.

“Uhm, are we to call you Auntie Katie or just Katie?” Ethan’s inquisitive voice rang out, and I almost snorted.

Back in my room, I fell straight onto the bed with a heavy sigh of relief.

Today had been a really long day—from Ethan and Cole’s school to a meeting with the Fernandezes, then some business I had to handle at the warehouse.

Fernandez had heard about Lady M’s arrival in the States and wanted to welcome me personally. He was one of the state’s most ruthless bosses downtown, and I had earned his respect.

I dialed Kai’s number, and he picked up immediately.

“Hey, boss,” I said.

“Meg. How are things going? Do the boys like Katie already?”

“I think so…”

“Okay, you don’t sound happy. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know, Kai. The boys… they make me worry.”

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“They look so much like Joe. With me being back in the States, and after what Katie told me about Joe, I fear he’s going to come after the kids if he finds out. I can’t even make up a lie because they look so much like the jerk.”

Kai sighed.

“And you really think I’d let Joe take them just because they’re his? Believe me, Meg, I’ll never let Joe into their lives—as long as you don’t let him in.”

“What? I’d be crazy if I did, but then…”

“Stop worrying, Megan. If he figures out they’re his—which he won’t, because I won’t let him—I’ll protect them and you. Now stop worrying and go get some rest.”

I sighed.

“It’s hard to, but… goodnight. And, erm, Kai?”

“Yes?”

“Don’t you think we should postpone the grand opening of Raven Vogue? With Lady M in town and me suddenly appearing out of nowhere, someone might piece things together and—”

“And there’s nothing they can do about it,” he interrupted. “You’re Lady M, after all. Dealing with them is what we’re here to do—while living a normal life.”

The line went dead.

Kai was right. I was here to get revenge on all those who had wronged me, and I needed to be fierce—no matter what.

---

By morning, when I woke up, it was already late, and I panicked, calling out for the boys.

But when I went downstairs, I found them with Katie. The kids were already at the breakfast table, all dressed up and ready for school.

“Wow,” I couldn’t help but exclaim.

“Momma, good morning!” they chorused, flashing their cute smiles.

“My babies, I’m so sorry… I overslept.”

“Don’t be sorry,” Ethan said cheerfully. “Auntie Katie told us not to disturb you, and she got us all ready for school!”

“Yeah!” Cole added, punching the air.

“Aww, Katie…”

“Good morning, ma’am. Your breakfast is ready,” she said with a smile, pulling out a chair for me.

Honestly, it gave me a bit of nostalgia—sitting around a big table with Katie’s bright smile waiting on me like an old friend.

If Joe hadn’t screwed things up, then maybe… never mind. Screw that.

“Are you both ready for school already?” I asked.

“Yup,” Ethan mumbled, his mouth full. “We’re dressed.”

“I see.” I gave Katie a thumbs up, mouthing good job. She winked.

“Alright, boys. Let me get dressed, then I’ll drop you off.”

They nodded, getting off their seats. Katie’s eyes lingered on me.

“What?” I asked, blushing slightly.

“They’re his, aren’t they?”

“What are you talking about?” I laughed it off, feigning ignorance.

She shrugged. “It’s fine if you don’t want me to know. I’ll just feign ignorance.”

I sighed. “Fine. It’s obvious anyway. Yes, they’re his.”

Her mouth fell open. “How…?”

“I found out after I left. Trust me, it wasn’t easy coming back here, knowing they’re his entire replica.”

She nodded slowly. “This is… well, expected, but still shocking. Does Joe know about them?”

“No, he doesn’t—and I can’t let him find out I have kids, talk less of seeing the boys.”