Lahat ng Kabanata ng THE BILLIONAIRE SECRET TWIN HEIR : Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

Jessica's smile faltered. Before she could respond, the sound of tires on gravel caught our attention. A sleek black town car pulled into the driveway, Nelson Walton emerging from the back seat.My father-in-law—ex-father-in-law—stood tall despite his seventy years, silver hair gleaming in the morning light. His eyes, the same piercing blue that my sons had inherited, fixed on the doorway where we stood."Now the real fun begins," Jessica murmured, triumph edging her voice.I turned to my sons. "Boys, go back upstairs with Tina. Now.""But Mom—""Now, Alex."As they reluctantly retreated, I faced the approaching storm. Nelson's purposeful stride. Jessica's smug expression. And somewhere across the ocean, Michael, still unaware that his carefully constructed world was about to implode.Nelson finally walked to the door has his gaze shifted from me to Jessica, his expression hardening. "I thought I made it clear you were no longer welcome at family matters, Jessica."My sister's shoulde

~ Few Hours Later ~ The doorbell rang just as I was pouring myself a much-needed glass of wine. My shoulders tensed, the bottle suspended mid-air. Only one person would show up unannounced at nine-thirty on a Tuesday night. "Mommy?" Austin called from upstairs. "Someone's at the door!" "I know, sweetheart," I called back, setting the bottle down with trembling fingers. "Stay upstairs with your brother. I'll handle it." The boys had been restless all evening, as if they could sense the storm coming. I'd tucked them in an hour ago, but knew they were still awake, whispering in the dark. They were too smart not to notice the tension vibrating through our new house since Elizabeth had spotted us at the park. The doorbell rang again, more insistent this time. "I'm coming," I muttered, smoothing down my shirt and running fingers through my hair. Eight years vanished in an instant, leaving me feeling like that broken woman again. I took a deep breath, squared my shoulders, and strode to

I check my watch for the fifth time in ten minutes. 8:55 AM. Michael would arrive soon, excited to spend the day with the twins. My stomach twists into knots. They're downstairs now, dressed in their matching blue polo shirts and khaki shorts, backpacks ready for the museum trip Michael promised.I take a deep breath, my phone clutched in my hand. The text I sent thirty minutes ago still shows as read, but with no response. *I'm sorry, but plans have changed. The boys won't be available today.*The doorbell rings. My heart pounds against my ribs like it wants to escape. "I'll get it!" Austin shouts from downstairs."No!" I race down the spiral staircase, nearly tripping over the last step. "Stay in the kitchen with Alex."The twins exchange confused glances, but obey. I smooth my blouse, tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, and open the door.Michael stands there, wearing dark jeans and a casual button-down, a stark difference from his usual tailored suits. His face brightens at the

~ Next Day ~ The golden morning light streamed through my office windows as I smoothed down the front of my charcoal blazer. Eight years had taught me to find power in the small rituals—straightening my spine, squaring my shoulders, taking three deep breaths before any confrontation.Today, I'd need all of it."Ms. Collins, the Halgate representatives are here." Tina's voice came through the intercom, using the name I'd built my empire with."Send them in." My voice didn't waver. Not anymore.The double doors swung open, and there he was. Michael. Still devastatingly handsome in his tailored navy suit, but with new lines around his eyes. Those familiar blue eyes—the ones our sons had inherited—widened slightly as he took in the expansive executive suite."Impressive," he said, glancing around at the floor-to-ceiling windows showcasing the Manhattan skyline. "Collins Innovations has certainly made its mark.""We're not just making marks anymore, Michael. We're making waves." I gesture

My phone buzzed against my thigh during a meeting with Tina about our quarterly projections. Principal Davis flashed on the screen. A cold knot formed in my stomach."I need to take this." I pressed the phone to my ear and turned away from Tina's concerned face. "Hello?""Mrs. Collins? This is Principal Davis. There's been an incident involving Austin."The knot tightened. "What kind of incident?""A physical altercation. I need you to come to the school immediately."My hand trembled as I ended the call. "Tina, reschedule everything. Austin's in trouble."The fifteen-minute drive to Westridge Elementary stretched into an eternity. My mind raced with possibilities. Austin wasn't a fighter. That was Alex's domain—quick to anger, quick to defend. Austin calculated, observed, planned. Something must have pushed him beyond his limits.I screeched into a parking space and rushed through the school's glass doors, my heels clicking frantically against the polished floor. The antiseptic smell