All Chapters of DOUBLE HEIR ; A LOVE IN DISGUISE : Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

ALEXANDER'S POV I sat in my bedroom, staring out the window as the city lights twinkled below. The vast expanse of the city stretched out like a glittering sea of possibilities and dangers, each light representing another soul, another deal, another potential threat in the world I navigated daily. My penthouse offered one of the best views in the city, high above the noise and chaos, yet tonight the beauty felt distant and almost mocking. The meeting with the Sinclairs had left a sour taste in my mouth that refused to fade no matter how many times I replayed the conversation in my head or how much expensive scotch I had sipped afterward. Victor Sinclair, the CEO, seemed weird. He was smiling too much, and his eyes were like he was sizing me up, figuring out how to get what he wanted. It felt like he was a lion looking at its prey, and I was the gazelle. The air was filled with tension, and I couldn't shake the feeling that Sinclair was waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

ELENA'S POV “Hi, remember me? I’m the girl who ran away after we slept together. Oh, and I’m pregnant.” The thought of it made my stomach twist.I sat on the edge of my old couch, staring at the business card in my shaking hands. My fingers traced the numbers printed on it over and over again as my heart continued to beat fast. I took a deep breath and picked up my phone, the screen felt cold against my palm. For a long moment, I just looked at the numbers I had already saved. I typed in the numbers and pressed the call button anyway.The phone rang. One ring. Two rings. Three. Four. It kept going, and held my breath, waiting. But there was no answer. The ringing stopped and went to voicemail, but I didn’t leave a message. I couldn’t. My voice would probably break anyway.I called again.It rang even longer this time. Five rings. Six. Seven. Still nothing. No voice. No reply. Just an empty ringing that made the quiet apartment feel even quieter.Frustration built up inside me like

ELENA'S POV “Okay!” I said, stretching my hands. “Today's the day Elena.”The morning came too fast. I woke up with my heart already racing. My eyes felt puffy from crying the night before, but I did not waste time feeling sorry for myself. I had made up my mind. Today I would go to Alexander Grey’s estate and tell him the truth face to face. No more phone calls. No more hiding.I got out of bed and dressed quickly. I chose my best clothes, a simple white blouse and black trousers that looked clean and neat. I brushed my hair until it was smooth and tied it back in a ponytail. My hands shook a little as I buttoned the blouse, but I kept moving. I could not stop now. I slipped on my only pair of good shoes and looked at myself in the small mirror. “You look like shit Elena,” I said to myself. I looked tired, but amidst it all, I looked determined. That was enough. I grabbed the Grey Global business card and put it in my pocket. Then I left the apartment and walked to the main road.

ELENA'S POV As I sat there on the floor of my apartment, my eyes red and swollen from crying, feeling empty and lost, a new feeling started to grow in me. It was not fear anymore. It was a quiet decision.It was the best thing I could think of at the time, and it felt quite right. The thought came clear and strong.I stood up slowly and walked to the window. The sun was starting to go down, painting the sky in soft orange and pink colors. I touched my stomach gently with both hands. There was a tiny life growing inside me. This baby did not ask to be born into my messy world, but it was here now. I had to protect it. I had to give it a chance at a safe and happy life.First, I needed to save as much money as possible. I still had my job at the hotel bar, even though I had missed some shifts because of the collapse. I could work extra hours for the next few weeks. I would sell a few things I did not need, my old watch, some clothes, maybe the small radio. Every little bit would help

Alexander's pov “Maria! How many times do I have to tell you? The eggs must be perfectly fluffy, not this rubbery mess!” Victoria’s sharp voice cut through the quiet morning air of the dining room like a whip.I looked up from my newspaper, my coffee cup paused halfway to my lips. The old cook stood frozen near the table, her hands trembling slightly as she held the plate. She had been with my family for over twenty years, long before I took over Grey Global. She was part of the house, quiet and loyal.“Victoria,” I said calmly, setting my cup down, “be a little more respectful. Maria knows how I like my breakfast. There is no need to raise your voice.”She turned to me, her perfectly shaped eyebrows raised in that way that always signaled trouble. She crossed her arms over her chest, her silk robe slipping slightly off one shoulder. “Respectful? Alex, I am only trying to make sure everything in this house runs properly. If I don’t correct her, who will? You are too soft with the