Shania thought she had it all—her husband Adrian, her home, her future. But that illusion shattered the day her twin sister, Stephanie, appeared on her doorstep, cradling a baby that looked unmistakably like Adrian. The triumphant glint in Stephanie’s eyes delivered the truth: betrayal. Two facts now defined Shania’s life: 1) Her husband, whom she gave up everything for, had slept with her sister. 2) She became pregnant by a stranger after a drunken night, just 240 days after Adrian struck her. Enter Stefan—an enigmatic billionaire with his own dark past. He needed a woman whose name began with 'S' to carry his child. Unbeknownst to Shania, Stefan had been orchestrating her life from the shadows, drawn to her for reasons she could never have imagined. And now, a baby is involved, divorce papers are moving from one home to the lawyer, and a fresh new contract marriage is being drafted. Will Stefan reveal his secrets before it’s too late? And can Shania find the strength to confront her past and embrace the unexpected bond forming between them?
View More“Adrian isn’t the only one who’s been keeping secrets”
Stephanie's words cut through me like a dagger, each one piercing and deliberate. She stood on my doorstep, holding a baby with bright blue eyes - eyes that clearly belonged to Adrian. I felt my stomach tighten as I gazed at her, at the existence she cradled in her arms. Is this actually happening?
I tried to talk, but no words escaped my lips. The betrayal weighed heavily on the words, trapping them. Stephanie's lips were adorned with a victorious smirk that made me feel like screaming. However, I remained motionless, feeling a combination of anger and shock running through me.
Stephanie continued, her voice filled with satisfaction, describing the expression on his face when she revealed she was pregnant. "He didn't think twice about picking me instead of you."
The world whirled around me, my thoughts lagging behind as I tried to grasp the meaning of her words. How long? How long had they been carrying on behind my back? How long had I been the fool?
I inhaled deeply, attempting to calm myself. "What was your reason?" I finally inquired, speaking at a barely audible volume. It was all I could manage.
Stephanie shrugged, the motion casual, as if she hadn’t just torn my world apart. “Why not?”
She looked quickly at the baby in her arms, lips twisted into a smile. “Shania, you have always been the one with the flawless life. It was high time you experienced the feeling of losing something.”I held tightly onto my fists by my hips, holding back the temptation to pounce on her. The years of dedication and bonds of family now felt insignificant.Stephanie had never cared. She’d only ever wanted what I had—and now she had it. Adrian’s child.
I took a step back, pushing the door open wider. “Get off my porch.”
She laughed. “Oh, Shania, you think you can just shut me out like that? Adrian and I are tied together now—forever. This baby... he’s not going anywhere.”
“Neither are you,” I snapped, my voice rising with anger. “I’ll deal with Adrian. You… you’re nothing to me anymore.”
She hesitated, but she remained still. "You are unable to alter what has already been completed. He belongs to me now. Perhaps you should examine your life and determine where you made mistakes.”
I shut the door on her abruptly, cutting off any further words. I felt my heart pounding in my chest, and my vision became blurry as tears filled my eyes. I leaned against the door, sliding down until I was sitting on the floor.
It wasn't only the betrayal that was significant. The humiliation was the cause. The pain of realizing that all my efforts and beliefs were based on a falsehood. How could Adrian have done this to me? How could Stephanie?
As the sobs began to shake my body, another realization crept in—one I had been trying to bury since that fateful night at the hotel. I had my own secret. One I hadn’t told anyone. Not even Adrian.
I wasn’t just broken. I was pregnant.
The memory of that night hit me like a tidal wave. The bar, the alcohol, the stranger. Adrian had hit my face in anger 240 days ago. That was the moment I departed from the house, desperate to get away, to erase my thoughts. I had accidentally ended up in a hotel, in the embrace of a man whose face I couldn't recall. A night of reckless abandon, and now… I was carrying his child.
I let out a bitter laugh, wiping my tears. Could anything else go wrong?
A knock on the door snapped me out of my spiral. I stood, swallowing hard, and opened it. Rather than finding Stephanie's smug face, I encountered a tall, unknown man. He stood out in the suburban neighborhood with his sharp, dark suit and piercing green eyes, as if he didn't fit in.
“Mrs. Hayes?” His voice was deep, authoritative.
I nodded, my guard instantly up. “Who are you?”
“I’m here on behalf of Stefan Barrett,” he said, his tone professional but cold. “He’s asked me to give you these.”
I accepted the thick envelope he gave me, handling it carefully. I felt my fingers shake as I opened it, quickly scanning the words that popped out from the page. Divorce papers. My heart sank.
It wasn’t just the divorce papers though. There was something else, another document attached. A contract.
“But why was a stranger handing me divorce papers, instead of my husband?” I asked the strange man on my porch.
“We’ll, let’s just say Mr Barrett intends to fasten your plight. Mr. Barrett is interested in discussing the terms of a new arrangement with you,” the man said, his eyes studying my reaction. “A contract marriage.”
“What?” I blinked, completely thrown off. “What are you talking about?”
“Mr. Barrett believes you meet his specific… requirements. He would like to arrange a meeting to discuss this further.” He glanced at the papers in my hands. “In exchange for your cooperation, he’s willing to offer full financial support and more. It’s all detailed in the contract.”
I looked at him in disbelief. I have no idea who this man is. What reason could I possibly have to agree to this?
He lifted one eyebrow. "Mr. Barrett has a personal stake in your situation, to put it simply. It is to your advantage to listen to what he has to say.”
Before I could continue debating, he gave me a business card containing Stefan Barrett's contact details. With no further comments, he turned around and left, leaving me in disbelief.
I shut the door, holding the papers tightly against my chest.
“What in the world was happening?”
Adrian had disappeared. Stephanie emerged victorious. Now, a wealthy individual was giving me a chance for survival with certain conditions attached.
I placed the envelope on the kitchen counter, then sat down in a chair, gazing at the divorce papers and the contract. The pressure of everything bearing down on me made my thoughts race.
But one thing was clear. My life, the life I had known, was over.Instead, a new, mysterious and unpredictable situation was emerging.
My fingers shook as I reached for the card and dialed the number. It was time to find out who this Stefan Barrett really was.
Shania stood on the balcony of their villa, the ocean breeze playing with her hair. Below her, the waves crashed against the rocks, a rhythmic melody of nature’s power. She closed her eyes, letting the serenity of the moment wash over her. The last few months had been a whirlwind of change, but here, in the stillness, she found a rare moment to breathe.From behind, Stefan’s voice broke the silence. “I thought I’d find you here.”She turned to see him leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed, his gaze warm and steady. Even now, after everything they’d been through, there were moments when she still couldn’t believe he was hers.“Couldn’t sleep?” he asked, stepping closer.She shook her head. “Too much on my mind.”He tilted his head, studying her. “Want to talk about it?”She hesitated, then gestured for him to join her. As he settled beside her, she leaned against the railing, her eyes fixed on the horizon. “Do you ever think about what life would have been like if things had
163Shania stood on the edge of the playground at the newly inaugurated community center, watching the children race down slides and swing high into the air. The sound of their laughter filled the crisp morning, a melody of hope and joy. She wrapped her arms around herself, letting the moment sink in. This was what all the long nights and hard decisions had been for—a tangible change in the lives of those who needed it most.Stefan approached from behind, his footsteps light but familiar. Without looking, she could feel his presence, a grounding force she had come to cherish. He placed a hand gently on her shoulder, the warmth of his touch seeping through her coat.“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” he said, his voice low and calm.She turned her head slightly to glance at him. His eyes were fixed on the children, but there was a softness in them she had grown to recognize. “It’s everything I hoped for,” she admitted. “And more.”“You did this, Shania. Don’t ever forget that,” he said, his v
162The first sign of spring brought with it a sense of renewal that mirrored Shania's state of mind. She stood in the middle of the new community center site, the crisp air filled with the scent of fresh earth and budding flowers. The construction crew was hard at work, laying the foundation for what would soon be a safe haven for dozens of underserved children and families.Shania closed her eyes, letting the sound of hammers and drills wash over her like a symphony of progress. This center was the first step toward the expansion she and Stefan had dreamed about—her vision coming to life in ways she hadn’t dared to hope for a year ago.Stefan appeared beside her, his hands tucked into the pockets of his tailored coat. "You’re quiet," he observed, his tone teasing but warm."I’m taking it all in," she said, turning to him with a smile. "It’s surreal, seeing it come together like this."He looked at her with a mix of admiration and pride. "It’s because of you. None of this would exist
Chapter 161Shania stood in the middle of the small bookstore she had frequented as a child, the familiar smell of aged paper and wood polish wrapping around her like a comforting hug. The memoir’s galley proofs were clutched tightly in her hands, her fingers trembling ever so slightly. She hadn’t been in this store in years, but it had always been a place where her dreams felt tangible.The owner, a spry older man named Mr. Colton, shuffled over with a warm smile. “Back again, are we? Thought I might see your face soon, especially with all the buzz.”“Buzz?” she echoed, puzzled.Mr. Colton grinned knowingly. “Your memoir. Word travels fast in this town. Some of the kids from your center were in here a few days ago, saying how you’ve been working on something big.”Shania’s cheeks flushed. The thought of her story already being talked about, even before it had been officially published, was both exhilarating and terrifying.“I just wanted to bring a copy by,” she said, handing him the
160The morning light seeped through the curtains of their bedroom, bathing everything in a golden glow. Shania stretched, her body warm and content beneath the covers. Stefan lay beside her, his breathing deep and even, his arm draped protectively over her waist.For the first time in a long time, Shania felt an unfamiliar but welcome sense of calm. There was no immediate crisis, no shadow of doubt looming over her, and no lingering remnants of the past clawing at her peace.Still, her mind buzzed with ideas.She slipped out of bed, careful not to wake Stefan, and padded to the kitchen. The house was silent except for the faint hum of the refrigerator and the chirping of birds outside. She brewed a cup of coffee and took it to the patio, where the garden was alive with color and life.Her notebook, always nearby, sat on the small table. Shania opened it, flipping past pages of sketches, notes, and plans for the center. On a fresh page, she began to list her new goals:Expand the cent
159The evening breeze carried the scent of fresh earth and wildflowers as Shania stood on the balcony of their estate. The city twinkled in the distance, a blend of movement and stillness that mirrored her life. Behind her, Stefan emerged from the shadows, a glass of wine in each hand.“You’ve been quiet since the ceremony,” he said, handing her a glass.“I’ve just been thinking,” she replied, her gaze still fixed on the skyline.“Good thoughts, I hope?”She turned to face him, a small smile playing on her lips. “Mostly. It’s just… I feel like I’m finally living my truth, but there’s this voice in the back of my head asking, ‘What now?’”He leaned against the railing beside her, his expression thoughtful. “That’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? There’s no script. You’ve built the foundation; now you get to decide where it leads.”She sipped her wine, the cool liquid grounding her. “Do you ever feel that way? Like you’ve reached the peak of one mountain, only to realize there’s another, t
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