Kyle's head snapped up from the check to Sinjin's face upon hearing that. He studied Sinjin's face, looking for signs of a prank, but the stoic expression showed that he was dead serious. To keep this amount of money—money he would never earn in twenty lifetimes—he had to relinquish his rights over his children, over Edselyn. He was sorely tempted, but after what Sinjin had said, he knew he had to refuse."I should do that for one and a half billion dollars?" Kyle asked."Is it too small?" Sinjin inquired, arching a surprised brow. "1.25 billion, then.""Would you do that for money?" Kyle asked him. "Let go of your children and let them be raised by another man?""First of all, I wouldn't find myself in that situation at all," Sinjin replied confidently. "And even if I was dirt poor, I still wouldn't do it.""So, you want me to do it," Kyle muttered, chuckling humorlessly."I'm doing what's best for my sons," Sinjin said."Your sons?" Kyle scoffed in disbelief. "They're mine!""By blo
A week laterKyle leaned against his car, waiting for the school bell to ring, when a silver Mercedes Maybach S-Class with tinted windows pulled up next to him. He silently admired the car, wondering who its owner was. His question was soon answered as Sinjin gracefully exited the vehicle, dressed in a navy blue suit and a black shirt without a tie.Sinjin turned his head, surprised to see Kyle. He removed his sunglasses, hoping he was imagining Kyle's presence, but it was indeed Kyle in the flesh. Sinjin had been keeping tabs on Kyle since last week and knew that Kyle had recently started working at Helix Global, a rival of Sinjin's tech company. This was the first time Sinjin had encountered Kyle at the school since Eds informed him that Kyle had been spying on the boys. Sinjin hoped his interaction with the boys would signal to Kyle that his children did not want him around."What are you doing here?" Sinjin demanded as he approached Kyle."I should ask you the same thing," Kyle r
A Month laterSande poked her head through the office door. "Eds, there's someone here to see you," she informed her. "Should I let him in?""Him?" Eds' brows furrowed in confusion. "If it's Sinjin...""It's not Sinjin," Sande interjected. "His name's Ryan Goulding from Baker-Newman & Associates. He's Kyle's lawyer."Eds stared at Sande, paralyzed in her seat. The only explanation for Kyle hiring a lawyer and sending that very lawyer to meet her was clear. She cleared her throat quietly, stood up on unsteady legs, grabbed her phone from the table, and left the office.In the corner booth, a man in a suit was sipping coffee. Eds approached him slowly, trying to steady herself before reaching him. However, the man glanced up from his phone, noticed her, and stood, buttoning his suit jacket."Mrs. Santillan, my name is Ryan Goulding," he said, extending his hand. "I'm representing your ex, Kyle Neeson."Kyle had decided he was no longer willing to wait for her to properly introduce him t
As Sinjin and Eds stood in the dining room, waiting for the boys to come down for dinner, Sinjin asked, "Don't you think we need to tell them?""The news will upset them," Eds replied. "Let's wait.""It'll be worse if we wait longer." Sinjin reasoned. "They need to know what's happening."Behind them, two eager voices chimed in, "We need to know what?" Startled, they turned to find the boys standing there, eyes wide with curiosity."Hmm... What?" Sinjin said, trying to play it off. "Know what?""You said we need to know what's happening, Dad," Troy repeated. "So, what is it? Is it about the surprise you wanted to show us the other day?""Ah... that," Sinjin mumbled, licking his lips nervously. "No, that's still a surprise.""Then what?" Tristan whined. "Tell us already!""Let's have dinner first," Eds suggested. "We're having Mrs. Bale's famous brisket again.""Ooh! Awesome!" The boys exclaimed, clapping excitedly as they rushed to the table to take their seats."So, are we really tel
Two weeks laterKyle sat in the corner booth of a café, staring into his cup of coffee, lost in thought. It had been weeks since he had last seen his sons, and since he had taken Edselyn to court for joint custody. Despite his lawyer's assurances that they had a strong case, he remained skeptical. After all, he was up against the richest man in the world—a man who had everyone in his pocket, who was both feared and admired, and who seemed untouchable. Kyle felt like prey before a predator, and the thought only deepened his hatred for Sinjin.Sinjin could have any woman he desired with just the snap of his fingers, yet out of billions of women on Earth, he chose Edselyn. Kyle briefly wondered when Edselyn had started dating Sinjin, as the last he had heard, Sinjin was in a relationship with an A-list actress. However, that relationship had ended when the actress rejected Sinjin and chose to be with his best friend instead."You just had to go and marry someone like him, Eds," Kyle mut
"Eds!" Sande burst into the office, holding her phone and looking frantic. "Have you seen the news?"Eds glanced up from her computer, puzzled. "No, what news article?" she asked.Sande hurried to her desk and thrust her phone in Eds' face. "Look at what Kyle did. Reporters will be swarming here soon, wanting your opinion."Eds' face went pale as she read the headline, and she felt faint reading the full article. She was stunned by Kyle's blatant attempt to draw attention, dragging his own children into the spotlight. He probably thought it would earn him sympathy from people, not realizing he was harming his children in the process.Ex-Fiancé of Billionaire Sinjin Santillan's Wife, Kyle Neeson, Sues for Joint Custody, Claims Ignorance of Children’s ExistenceBy Damian Knight "In a surprising turn of events, Kyle Neeson, the ex-fiancé of billionaire Sinjin Santillan’s wife, has filed a lawsuit seeking joint custody of their children, claiming he was unaware of their existence until r
Rhett, Adella, and Eds turned when they heard Sinjin’s voice. His eyes were fixed on Adella with a fierce intensity, making her go pale and causing her mouth to open and close like a fish as she struggled to speak. Sinjin slammed the door behind him and strode towards the desk, placing his hands on it in the same manner Eds had earlier. This time, however, Adella’s eyes widened with fear at the barely restrained fury in her boss’s gaze. The last time Sinjin had been this angry with her was over his mother’s blind date arrangements, but even then, she had never felt fear like this."I asked you a question," Sinjin said through clenched teeth. "Who do you think you're talking to like that?""Um... I'm sorry, sir, I was only..." Adella stammered, swallowing nervously. "I thought she was lying.""Look at my left hand and tell me if you've ever seen me wearing a ring before last year."Adella had noticed the ring when Sinjin returned from his trip this year; it resembled a wedding band, b
Billionaire Sinjin Santillan warns reporters: leave my wife and family alone, or face the consequences“In a stern message to the media, billionaire Sinjin Santillan has urged reporters to respect the privacy of his wife and family. Santillan expressed his concern over the increasing media attention directed at his family, emphasizing that he would not tolerate any further intrusions.The business mogul made it clear that there would be consequences for those who fail to heed his warning. "My family deserves their privacy," Santillan stated. "Any reporter who bothers my wife or children will face serious repercussions."The billionaire's statement comes after increased media attention and speculation around his family's activities. Santillan emphasized the importance of separating his public life from his family, stressing that their well-being is his top priority.This move by Santillan has sparked discussions about the boundaries of press freedom and the protection of privacy for pu
Two weeks later Sinjin stepped out of his car and shut the door, glancing at his father's house with a shake of his head before rounding the vehicle and making his way inside. The butler, Fred, had passed away months ago, and they hadn’t bothered to hire a replacement.Kyle had died in a car accident while fleeing from the police, and Lucas was arrested at the airport just as he was about to escape the country. Taron, his boss, along with the entire gang, had been sent to prison. Mallucia had found a wealthy French man to latch onto, and Sinjin ensured that Adella paid for hurting Eds by exiling her to Africa.He and Eds named their boys Emilio and Emeliano, and their daughters Annabelle and Phoebe.Striding down the hallway, he opened the door to the living room and stepped inside, shutting it behind him. His parents and sister were seated, watching his press conference, and he was relieved to find them all together.“Sinjin!” Camilla gasped, rising to her feet. “Oh, my baby!” She
Sande blinked once, twice, and then a third time, staring at Sinjin in disbelief. The man in front of her had blue eyes and dark hair, resembling her best friend's husband, yet Sande was uncertain if she was hallucinating."Dad?" the boys chorused, shock evident on their faces. An audience had gathered, all equally astonished at the sight of a supposedly dead man alive."Hi, boys. Missed me?" Sinjin grinned."Dad!" they exclaimed, rushing to hug him before Sande could intervene. They burst into tears as he enveloped them in his arms.Onlookers recorded the miraculous scene, still struggling to comprehend what they were witnessing. Sande approached Sinjin, stopping a few feet away. She noticed the faded bruises on his face and a small scar near his hairline that hadn't been there months ago."You're Sinjin Santillan?" she asked, needing confirmation."Hey, short stuff. You look good," he replied. "Married life suits you.""What's my middle name?" she pressed."Phoebe," Sinjin answered
Two weeks later Eds was sitting in the family room, watching TV with her boys, when Mrs. Bale entered to announce Camilla's arrival. She quickly instructed the boys to go upstairs, and they hurried off just as Camilla walked in with Emma by her side.Eds knew they were angry at her for refusing to attend Sinjin’s funeral, but she didn’t care. What bothered her more was the smug smile plastered on Emma’s face, leaving her uneasy as to why Emma looked so pleased."Hello," Eds greeted awkwardly. "Please, have a seat. Can I get you anything?""There’s no need for that," Camilla said coldly. "I’m here to take possession of my son’s house. I want you and your boys out of here in the next two hours."Eds stared at her in shock. "Excuse me? What right do you think you have to do that? This is my husband’s house, and you can’t just throw us out.""You insolent brat," Camilla hissed. "Your husband? Did you ever love my son, or were you just pretending all along?""I don’t need to prove my love
"Mrs. Santillan, are you alright?" Dr. Carmichael inquired, her brows knitting together with concern as Eds stared back at her, silent and unmoving."I can't be pregnant," Eds blurted out suddenly, her voice tinged with panic. "I can't be pregnant."Dr. Carmichael hesitated. "I thought... it might be good news for you, considering... after your husband's passing."Eds’ eyes narrowed. "If you were in my shoes, would you be happy?""Maybe... just a little," Dr. Carmichael admitted softly. "A part of me would find comfort, knowing his baby was growing inside me. Whether boy or girl, I’d have something of him to hold onto." She paused, her voice turning solemn. "I understand, Mrs. Santillan. I lost my husband and unborn daughter on the same day. There were moments I didn’t want to go on."Eds looked at her with surprise. "How did you manage?""With the help of my friends and family, I found my way back. I returned to being a doctor, and though the pain never fully goes away, it gets bett
A month later Breaking News: Global Shockwaves as Sinjin Santillan's Jet Crashes into Ocean: Tragic Incident Stuns the WorldAnchor: "Good evening. This is Starline News, and I'm Jayce Hammond. Our top story tonight: 'Global Shockwaves as Sinjin Santillan's Jet Crashes into Ocean: Tragic Incident Stuns the World.' We now go live to June Littleton for the latest updates."June Littleton: "Thank you, Jayce. I'm June Littleton reporting for Starline News. In a devastating turn of events today, the world has been left in shock following the crash of a private jet owned by the renowned entrepreneur Sinjin Santillan. The aircraft, en route from Los Angeles to Tokyo, went down in the ocean under still-unknown circumstances, sending shockwaves across the globe.June Littleton: "Santillan, widely known for his influential role in various industries, was on board the jet when the incident occurred. Preliminary reports suggest that the aircraft lost contact with air traffic control shortly befo
Kyle's eyes widened when he checked the intercom and saw Simon standing alone at the door. His heart sank slightly, as the boys weren't with him. He hurriedly unlocked the door and stepped into the hallway."Where are the boys?" Kyle demanded, his voice edged with irritation. "It's my turn to have them."Simon stood firm, holding up an envelope. "The boys are sick. Mrs. Santillan sent me to give you this."Kyle snatched the envelope, ripping it open. His brow furrowed as he unfolded the paper—a court-issued restraining order. His blood boiled."What the hell is this?!" Kyle spat, thrusting the paper toward Simon. "She can’t stop me from seeing my sons!"At that moment, the elevator doors slid open, revealing Sinjin. He strolled toward them, catching the tail end of Kyle’s outburst."Maybe she can’t stop you," Sinjin remarked coolly, bending to pick up the discarded paper. "But the court can. And it just did."Kyle's face reddened, his fists clenched. "You bastard! This was your plan a
Tristan unbuttoned his shirt and slid it off his shoulders, his eyes dropping when he noticed the horrified expression on Eds' face. To his surprise, instead of recoiling, she grabbed his hand, pulling him to his feet and dragging both him and his brother out of the room."Sinjin!" Eds called urgently as she hurried down the stairs. "Sinjin!"Sinjin emerged from his home office, his curiosity piqued by the alarm in Eds' voice. His eyes widened in shock as he noticed the bruises marking the boys' bodies, who were beside her, trailing closely."What on earth... How did this happen?" Sinjin crouched down, his voice filled with concern. "Who did this to you?" he asked the boys."No one," they replied in unison."That's all they keep telling me," Eds said, frustration lacing her words. "I called Kyle, and he said Troy was being bullied at school, but I didn’t believe him. Then I told Tristan to take off his shirt, and look! Their bruises are identical." She gestured at the boys as she expl
Over the following weeks, Kyle made every effort to get the boys to call him "dad," but they stubbornly stuck to using his name, which frustrated him. His attempt to eliminate Sinjin had failed, and each time he passed by Eds' shop, he was irritated by the sight of her laughing with Sinjin.What truly set him off was seeing them dancing and singing together in her shop, with customers cheering them on and recording the moment to post online. The video quickly went viral, amassing ten million views in just 24 hours.It was the same video that Troy and Tristan were watching on their phones, the volume loud and disruptive, while Kyle tried to concentrate on work. It grated on his nerves."Turn it off," he demanded."What?" Tristan asked, confused."I said, turn the damn thing off!" Kyle snapped."We're watching it," Troy responded, his tone defiant.Kyle shot up from his seat at the kitchen counter, marched over to the boys in the living room, and ripped the phones from their hands, hurl
A week later Kyle walked into Haven's Brew and Bakery during his lunch break and was pleased to find it empty. He had noticed that the busiest times were in the morning and occasionally when school let out, so he made it a point to come during lunch when Eds was usually free.He spotted Madison behind the display case, placing a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies and muffins, and greeted her with a smile."Hi," he said."Hi, Kyle," Madison replied. "Here to see the boss?""Yeah. Is she in?" Kyle asked.Just then, a squeal from Eds' office caught his attention. He was about to rush behind the counter to check what was wrong when Eds burst out of the office, laughing and trying to evade someone."No, stop!" she called out, still laughing.Kyle was puzzled about who she was with, but his confusion turned to shock when he saw Sinjin approaching with his hands raised in a peace gesture. Kyle couldn't believe his eyes—a blind man walking as if he could see."Santillan?" Kyle called out,