LOGINThe morning was crisp, a light mist hovering over the streets of London as Maya packed the last of her bags. Layrus, cheerful and oblivious to the storm surrounding his parents' lives, was strapped safely into his travel seat, excited about the prospect of a new adventure. Alicia fussed over every last detail, checking passports, confirming flight arrangements, and making sure Maya had everything she might need for the short trip."I still can't believe I asked Lucas to come with us," Maya muttered, zipping her bag shut.Alicia smiled knowingly. "Well, he's the only one who can convince Dr Cutton to talk. You can't exactly walk into a doctor's office and ask her about Margaret's secrets without proof she's speaking to the right person."Maya exhaled, feeling the familiar knot of tension in her chest. The entire Thoreau saga had left her drained. The twin mystery, the lies, the power struggles-it felt endless. But she couldn't stop now. Not when the truth was finally within reach.By t
Maya asked Lucas to meet her at her place.He didn't delay.When Lucas arrived, he looked tense, like someone already carrying too much on his shoulders. The ongoing drama with the Thoreau family, the media pressure, it was already a lot.And now Maya had called him.That alone meant something serious.He walked in and sat down, resting his elbows on his knees."Maya... what is it?" he asked.Maya stood for a moment, then slowly sat across from him.There was hesitation in her eyes."I'm sorry," she started. "I didn't tell you about what I've been doing these past few days."Lucas frowned slightly."What are you talking about?"Maya took a deep breath."I've been digging... into your birth."Lucas blinked, confused."My birth?" he repeated. "Maya, my birth isn't some kind of mystery.""Yeah... not in that way," Maya said quickly. "That's not what I mean."She paused.Then asked the question that had been sitting in her chest for days."Lucas... do you know if you were a twin?"Silence
Sophie sat in her room, her phone in hand, eyes fixed on the screen as she reviewed the list she had carefully compiled.Investors.Powerful names.People who didn't care about family drama... only profit.A slow smile formed on her lips.This was how the real game was played.She selected Damein's contact and sent the file.A few seconds later, her phone buzzed.Damein: What is this?Sophie leaned back comfortably before replying.Your way into the company.Moments later, his phone rang."Listen carefully," Sophie said as soon as he picked up. "Those are the investors that actually matter. If you can get them on your side, your position in the company won't be temporary anymore."There was a brief silence on the other end."You think they'll support me?" Damein asked.Sophie smirked."They don't care who sits on the chair, Damein. They care about money."She paused slightly."Convince them you won't affect their profits... and they'll choose you."Damein exhaled slowly.For the first
Early the next morning, Maya stood by the window of her bedroom, her phone pressed against her ear.The call rang.Once.Twice.Three times.Then it disconnected.She frowned slightly and pulled the phone away to check the screen.Damein.The call hadn't gone through.She tried again.This time it didn't even ring."Strange..." she murmured under her breath.She typed a short message instead.I'm travelling with Layrus for a few days. Call me when you see this.After sending it, she placed the phone down and sighed.Across the room, Layrus sat on the bed surrounded by his small toys, happily playing without a care in the world.Maya walked over and gently picked him up."We're going on a little trip, baby," she whispered.Not long after, she called Lucas.The line connected quickly."Maya?" Lucas's voice sounded slightly surprised. "Is everything okay?""Yes," she said calmly. "I just wanted to tell you something.""What is it?""I'm travelling with Layrus for a few days."There was a
The city lights of London blurred outside the large glass windows of the bar. It was one of those high-end lounges where powerful businessmen came to escape the noise of their own lives. Soft jazz music played in the background while bartenders moved quietly behind the counter. Damein sat alone at the far end of the bar. A half-empty glass of whiskey rested in front of him. Another sat beside it. His tie was loose, the top buttons of his shirt undone. His eyes were slightly red, and his posture carried the heaviness of someone who had been drinking far longer than he should have. The bartender hesitated before pouring him another drink. "You sure about that, sir?" Damein didn't even look up. "Just pour it." The glass was filled again. He picked it up immediately and swallowed a large mouthful. His mind was spinning with everything that had happened. Henri's press conference. The humiliation. The DNA test. And worse than that... his own mother is doubting him. For year
Late that afternoon, Maya was sitting in the small study upstairs while Layrus slept peacefully in his crib nearby. The house was unusually quiet, giving her a rare moment to think.Her mind had been restless since Henri Thoreau's press conference.His story still didn't add up.The surrogacy.The illness.The pregnancy timeline.And most importantly... the twins.The more Maya thought about it, the more convinced she became that someone in that family was hiding a deeper truth.Her phone suddenly buzzed on the desk.It was Alicia.Maya answered immediately."Alicia?""I found something," Alicia said without greeting.Maya straightened in her chair."What is it?""You remember the hospital records we checked?""Yes.""The ones showing Margaret was pregnant with twins."Maya's heart beat slightly faster."Yes, what about them?"Alicia paused for a moment before continuing."I managed to track down someone who worked closely with Margaret during that time."Maya frowned slightly."Who?"
Damien carried a small container of strawberry ice cream. He placed it gently on the kitchen counter. "Here," he said softly. "I know it won't reach the baby, but... I wanted you to have it."Maya's fingers brushed the lid. She smiled faintly, her lips trembling with exhaustion. "Thank you, Damien.
The cold Swedish night wrapped around Maya as soon as she stepped outside Damien's family's house.The warmth, the laughter, the comfort she had briefly allowed herself to feel vanished the moment the door closed behind her. Snow crunched softly beneath her boots as she walked, her breath uneven, h
The crisp air as Damien and Maya walked up the steps to his family's home. The stairs were neat, Maya felt a nervous flutter. She had never met a host family like this before, and she wasn't sure what to expect.Before Damien could knock, the door swung open, and a tall, warm-faced woman peered out
Maya had adjusted to Swedish life faster than she expected. People were kind, helpful, and curious but never intrusive. Her pregnancy, once a source of quiet fear, was now met with warmth wherever she went.She had the sweetest neighbours, who could always make sure she had enough fruit for the day







