Chapter 3: Her Secret Twins

Three days later, Cassidy stood at the airport, her chest tight, her mind filled with echoes of Dylan and Selena’s voices.

They were engaged now.

Cassidy clenched her fists, pushing the thought away.

“I’ve arranged everything abroad,” Rodel said beside her. His voice was steady, careful. “If you need anything, just call me.”

Cassidy turned to him. For the first time in days, her eyes softened. She hugged him tightly.

“Thank you, Rodel,” she whispered.

Without looking back, she boarded the plane.

Six years later,

Inside a bright kitchen in a mansion abroad, the smell of warm bread filled the air.

A little boy stood at the counter, watching the bread-making machine spin. He had jet-black hair and sharp features, looking far too serious for his age.

“Noel, we’re going to be late. Wake your mom up,” the boy at the kitchen said as he sliced the bread.

On the living room couch, another little boy sat cross-legged, looking nearly identical to the one in the kitchen—except he had a small mole near his eye.

That was Noel.

He slipped on his tiny slippers and dashed up the stairs.

“Mommy!”

Cassidy groaned as Noel jumped onto the bed.

“Mom, if you don’t get up, we’re going to miss the plane.”

Cassidy peeked at him from under the blanket. “Five more minutes.”

Noel’s eyes narrowed with determination. His tiny fingers found her sides and began to tickle.

Within seconds, Cassidy shot up, her hair messy but her face still beautiful.

She stumbled down the stairs, half-asleep.

“Mommy, breakfast is ready,” Noel announced. “Daddy Helton’s driver will be here in half an hour to take us to the airport. We’ll be home this afternoon.”

“What? Half an hour? Oh no! I haven’t even packed yet!” Cassidy panicked.

The boy at the kitchen counter, Nardy, rolled his eyes like a little adult. “Relax, Mommy. We packed everything already.”

Cassidy’s eyes widened when she saw the neatly arranged suitcases by the door—one large, two small.

She scooped Nardy into a hug. “I love you so much!”

Nardy and Noel exchanged sighs, looking at their flustered mother.

“She’s still learning to be a mom,” Nardy muttered under his breath.

“When we find our real dad, he’ll take care of her,” Noel whispered back.

The twins had always been curious about the man their mom missed so much.

At first, they believed Helton was their father. But little by little, they discovered the truth—the man who left their mom wasn’t worth admiring.

Cassidy glanced at the clock. “Nardy, how long until the driver arrives?”

“Twenty-seven minutes and forty-six seconds,” Nardy replied with a straight face.

Cassidy smiled faintly, though her eyes darkened with mixed emotions.

Six years.

Six years away from home.

She never wanted to go back, but her boys begged to see their hometown.

They didn’t know the real reason she left.

They didn’t know Dylan Edwards was their father.

Cassidy told herself not to worry. Dylan had moved on. Selena was pregnant now.

The driver arrived in exactly twenty minutes.

At the international airport, the three of them attracted curious stares the moment they stepped off the plane.

Two handsome, identical boys in stylish clothes, each carrying a small suitcase.

And in the middle, their beautiful mother, holding their hands tightly.

They were home.

As soon as they spotted the tall man in the brown coat, the twins bolted forward, shouting, “Daddy Helton!”

Rodel laughed, scooping them both up with ease.

“Daddy Helton, you’re hugging the wrong person,” Noel pouted, wriggling. “I’m not Mommy!”

Chuckling, Rodel set them down and pulled Cassidy into a warm hug. His arms lingered, his voice low.

“Are you tired?”

“It was just a flight,” Cassidy replied with a faint smile. “I’m not that fragile.”

Rodel’s gaze softened. “You’re not leaving again, right?”

Cassidy hesitated for a breath but nodded. “No. The boys want to stay.”

Rodel offered to grab her luggage, only to glance around and frown. “Where’s your suitcase?”

Before Cassidy could answer, Noel piped up cheekily, “Daddy Helton, you’re silly. You can buy everything for Mommy. But if your hands are full of luggage, how can you hug her?”

Rodel ruffled the boy’s hair, feeling both helpless and amused at how fast they were growing.

“Do you two need help?” he asked.

“Nope! We’re strong!” Noel declared proudly.

Clutching his suitcase, Noel dashed ahead, straight into a crowd of people.

“Noel, be careful!” Cassidy called, panic rising in her throat.

But it was too late. Noel tripped, landing hard on the ground.

Cassidy rushed over. “Are you okay?”

“I’m fine, Mommy,” Noel said bravely, brushing dirt off his pants. But then he turned and glared at the crowd that hadn’t stopped for him.

“Are you all blind?” he shouted. His voice, though childish, carried anger. “You dress so fancy, but not one of you knows how to be decent!”

Several people in the crowd turned, startled.

Cassidy quickly covered Noel’s mouth, forcing a polite smile. “Sorry, my son can be a bit outspoken.”

Rodel joined her, his voice dropping as he whispered, “They’re from the Edwards family.”

Cassidy’s heart stopped. Her arms instinctively tightened around Noel, holding him close. Her eyes darted around the crowd,

And then she saw him.

Dylan.

Tall. Sharp features. Impeccable suit. Cold, unreadable eyes.

Cassidy’s breath caught. She took a step back, her body tensing as she tried to hide behind Rodel.

Dylan’s gaze swept over them, landing briefly on Cassidy before turning to Rodel.

“Mr. Helton,” Dylan greeted coolly. “Is the rumor true? That she’s yours now?”

Rodel’s expression didn’t flinch. “Since when do you care about gossip, Mr. Edwards?”

Dylan chuckled. “We’re nearly the same age. I’m getting married soon. You’ll get an invitation.”

Cassidy’s head shot up before she could stop herself.

“Getting married?”

Dylan’s eyes flickered to her, his voice cutting. “Surprised? You shouldn’t be.”

Cassidy shrank back, clutching the boys tightly. Her heart raced, the words in her mind tumbling over themselves.

He can’t find out. He can’t know they’re his. If I lose them, I’ll have nothing left.

Dylan’s gaze narrowed, bitterness seeping into his tone.

“Mr. Helton, I didn’t know you had such peculiar taste,” Dylan sneered. “You seem fond of women I’ve already discarded.”

Rodel smiled calmly, unfazed. He took Cassidy’s hand and pressed a soft kiss to the back of it.

“Thank you for letting her go,” Rodel replied. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t have met the love of my life, and these two little miracles.”

Dylan’s jaw tightened, though he masked it with a smirk.

“Really? Well, enjoy her.”

His eyes slid to the twins, pausing just a moment too long. Cassidy’s heart jumped to her throat.

Dylan’s gaze lingered on Noel and Nardy, their identical eyes, their features, but then he looked away, cold and dismissive.

“Cassidy,” he added with a cruel twist of his lips, “six years ago, when I divorced you, the man you clung to wasn’t him. I hope this time, you actually marry him.”

He leaned in, his voice like ice against her ear.

“If I hadn’t seen it myself, I’d never believe what a filthy woman you’ve become.”

Before Cassidy could react, Dylan’s eyes swept over the boys one last time, unreadable,  then he turned and walked away.

Cassidy stood frozen, her heart pounding, her mind spinning with one terrifying question.

Did he suspect?