Chapter 25 — The Address

Julian didn't sleep that night.

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, his mind racing.

Children.

Elena had children.

Twin boys, probably four years old. The same age they would be if...

No.

He couldn't think about that. Couldn't let his mind go there.

Because if those boys were his... if she'd kept them from him for four years...

The thought made his chest burn with anger. With hurt. With something he didn't want to name.

At 6 AM, he gave up on sleep.

Julian got out of bed, showered, dressed, and was in his office by 7 AM.

Marcus arrived at 8 AM, looking slightly surprised to find his boss already at work.

"Sir," Marcus said, setting down his briefcase. "You're here early."

Julian didn't look up from his computer. "I need Elena Moore's address."

Marcus froze. "Sir... that's not—"

"I don't care if it's legal," Julian interrupted, his voice cold. "I don't care if it's ethical. I need her address. Now."

Marcus hesitated. Then he sighed, pulling out his phone. "I'll have it within the hour."

The address came through at 9:15 AM.

Brentwood. Upscale neighborhood. Gated community.

Julian was in his car by 9:30 AM, driving on autopilot, his mind still stuck on the image from last night.

Elena. Kneeling. Hugging those boys.

The way her face had transformed. The warmth. The love.

It was a side of her he'd never seen.

And it destroyed him.

The house was beautiful.

Modern but warm. White exterior with large windows. A small garden in the front. A swing set in the backyard.

Julian parked across the street, watching.

At 10 AM, the front door opened.

James walked out.

Julian's jaw clenched.

James was wearing casual clothes—jeans and a t-shirt. He looked... comfortable. Like he belonged here.

He walked to the car, opened the trunk, and pulled out grocery bags.

Then he went back inside.

Julian's hands gripped the steering wheel.

This wasn't just a visit.

James lived here.

With Elena.

With the boys.

At 10:45 AM, Elena came out.

She was wearing yoga pants and a tank top, her hair pulled back in a messy ponytail. No makeup. No heels. No armor.

Just... her.

She was carrying laundry, heading toward the side of the house where a washing machine was visible through an open door.

Julian watched her, his chest tight.

She looked... domestic. Happy.

Like this was her life.

Like James was part of it.

At 11:30 AM, the twins came out.

They were wearing matching superhero t-shirts, running around the front yard with toy swords.

Julian's breath caught.

They were... perfect.

Small. Energetic. Alive.

And they looked like...

No.

He couldn't think about that.

Because if they were his... if Elena had kept them from him...

His phone buzzed.

Marcus.

"Sir," Marcus said when he answered. "What do you need?"

Julian's voice was quiet. "I need you to run a DNA test."

There was a pause. "On who?"

"The boys," Julian said. "Elena Moore's children. I need to know who their father is."

Marcus's voice was careful. "Sir, that's... that's complicated. We'd need a sample. From the boys. From you. And if Ms. Moore finds out—"

"She won't find out," Julian interrupted. "Not until I know the truth."

Another pause. Then: "And if they are yours, sir? What then?"

Julian watched Elena through the window. She was folding laundry now, humming softly to herself. James was in the kitchen, making what looked like lunch. The boys were still playing outside, their laughter carrying across the street.

His chest ached.

"Then I'll decide what to do," Julian said quietly. "But I need to know, Marcus. I need to know."

He stayed parked across the street for three more hours.

Watching.

Waiting.

Wondering.

At 2 PM, James came out again. This time, the boys ran to him, both of them shouting "Daddy!" as they launched themselves at him.

Julian's heart stopped.

Daddy.

They called him Daddy.

James picked them both up, one in each arm, laughing as they chattered about their day.

Elena came out onto the porch, watching them with a soft smile.

They looked... like a family.

A real family.

Julian's hands trembled on the steering wheel.

He had no chance.

No chance with Elena.

No chance with the boys.

Because James was already here.

Already part of their lives.

Already their father.

He drove home in silence.

Didn't speak to Marcus. Didn't speak to anyone.

Just sat in his office, staring at the wall, his mind stuck on one thought.

She'd moved on.

She'd built a life without him.

With another man.

With children who called that man Daddy.

And Julian...

Julian was just the stranger from four years ago.

The one she'd never wanted to see again.