Chapter Six

Ann walked her way home as she dry her eyes from the tears. She muttered to herself, How could they be so cruel? What did I ever do so wrong to them?

She had enough.

When Ann got back to Emily’s place, she saw Charles and Emma were playing with a bright red ball in the living room. They were laughing along with soft vintage music.

The twins looked up and saw Ann. They stunned for a second, then instantly ran towards her and gave her a big hug. They must have had seen her swollen and reddish eyes.  

Charles asked softly, “What happened, mommy? Did you trip on your way home?”

“Were you caught in some fences outside? Don’t cry, mommy. We can fix it together,” Emma said in her sweet voice.

Ann squatted down and hugged the twins back. More tears fell down from her eyes when she heard the twins’ words. She hugged them tightly. The twins were so innocent and caring, unlike the harsh world she just experienced outside.  Her heart got warmer.

Ann lied to the twins, “Yeah, mommy had a rough night because I was clumsy. Sorry to make you two worry.”

“It’s okay, mommy. You can cry for now,” Charles said seriously, just like a little adult.

Emma added, “You always hug us when we cry, so for now, you can cry, and we will hug you.”

“Geez, you two,” Ann chuckled with tears, “What would I do without you?”

Emily saw them gathering in the doorway, so she came and spoke to them, “Hi you guys. Why are you squatting here? Come inside.”

Then, Ann brought the twins to the couch in the living room. They leaned on each other in a soft blanket.

Emily sat beside Ann. She spoke gently, “Ann, are you OK? Was there anything wrong during the party?”

 “I am,” Ann smiled, with her gaze trailed towards the twins. “I feel like everything in the world could go against me, but as long as I have these two, I’ll be okay.”

“Your courage is admirable, Ann” Emily said.

Ann shook her head and said, “I wouldn’t be without them.”

“As they wouldn’t be without you, Ann. Learn to take a compliment or two,” Emily said softly.

“Thank you, Aunt Emily,” Ann replied.

During the whole night, Ann and the twins talked and laughed. It was so peaceful that Ann felt extremely warm and happy. As long as the three of them were together, everything would be fine. Ann didn’t need anyone else, just the twins.

Then, they fell asleep, sound and safe, by the living room with blankets scattered all over the floor.  

The next morning after the twins woke up, they all had a fancy breakfast which was made by Ann and Emily. There were omelet, sausage, toast, beans, and milk.

At the table, Emily said happily, “Ann, Charles, and Emma, good news. You already have 500 thousand followers on TikTok. I’d say you are TikTok influencers now.”

Ann knew it was all because of Emily. Emily was fond of the twins very much and spent plenty of her spare time helped her take videos of the twins for TikTok. Ann knew all these, but she was too busy to pay more attentions to it. She had a lot of work recently.

“Thank you, Aunt Emily,” Ann smiled.

“Thank you, Grandma Emily,” Charles and Emma said loudly.

For Ann, every day would pass with loads of work on her desk recently. She barely had time to rest.

Around two weeks after that terrible engagement party, Ann received a strange phone call. It was about 6 pm, the time she was about to got off from work. Her phone rang.

Ann hesitantly answered the unknown number.

“Excuse me, are you the owner of this TikTok account?” The caller asked immediately.

The caller sent Ann a screen shot. She looked at it.

Ann felt surprised, and asked suspiciously, “What if I am?”

“I will send you a location. You go there and meet someone,” The caller replied calmly.

“Why would I?” Ann asked, with her tone louder.

“We have the clues of the father of the twins, if that’s what you are looking for too. And if you want to know the clues, accept my invitation,” the caller said.

It seemed like Ann had no other choice but accept the invitation. She checked the location given by the caller, realizing it was very close. Ann considered calling the police or Aunt Emily, but if the caller was telling the truth, she couldn’t drag anyone else on this.

So, Ann was going to go to that place and meet the secret man.

According to the location, Ann was brought to a fancy building in the Upper East Side. It was a richer place than the Upper West Side, and A-listers lived there.

She was taken aback by the fancy building. Then, Ann entered into that building after she regained her composure.

A guard appeared in the doorway and led her way silently. Ann didn’t speak anything either. She just followed the silent guard.

When coming out from the elevator, Ann went into a fancy penthouse. Ann looked around, and found everything here was exquisite and upscale, including all the furniture and decorations.

Ann went inside the living room. Surprisingly, she saw Simon -- the fiance of Vivian and the CEO of the Santorini Group. Simon sat on a black leather couch, and was gazing towards her intimidatingly.

Ann asked in shock, “Simon... what, what are you doing here?”

“What am I

doing here?” Simon asked back, “I own this place. I live here.” Saying, he stood up and gradually walked towards her.

“What? So that means you’re the….”

“I asked my assistant called you.” Simon said. “I have to talk to you immediately.” 

Ann could barely process the fact that Simon was there and he was the one who called her? That was just insane. Was this a prank?

Ann disguised her worries and laughed awkwardly, “Oh, I get it. Is this the part where Vivian comes out with a camera and says this is all a prank?”

“This is not a laughing matter, Ann.” Simon said directly. “What are the twins’ names? Are you their mother?” He was very straightforward.

“How did you even know about that?” Ann asked. Then, she frowned and questioned, “What if I am?”

“What are their names?” Simon continue to demand. Saying, he came in front of Ann. He was much taller than her, and gave her a sense of oppression.

“Charles and Emma. Why do you even care?”  Ann asked.

Simon squinted his eyes and said with a deep voice, “I wonder why. Do you seriously have no idea?”

Simon continued to draw his face closer. Ann could barely breathe. Her heart was beating like crazy.

“Should I come in closer for you to realize it?” Simon continued while looking straight into Ann’s eyes.

Ann instinctively looked away. She felt shy, and her face was burning up.

However, Simon grabbed her chin and moved her head back. He said loudly, “Look at me, Ann. Does this not ring any bell? I… look exactly like those twins.”

Ann gasped as she finally realized. She noticed Simon’s uncanny resemblance to the twins. They looked so much like him as if—

He was their father. Was he―Was Simon really the father? Was he the secret man who made love with her 5 years ago?

Ann was so shocked. She was so overwhelmed that she felt weak in her knees.

A thousand questions almost immediately popped into her head.

Why did it have to be Simon- her half-sister’s fiancé? Ah, that’s right. Vivian, Vivian must have had something to do with this.

Was it a conspiracy then? Was it some plan to get rid of Ann? Ann felt like crying just thinking about it. She continued to wonder.

Was it some sort of agreement they had? Ah… no wonder he got engaged with Vivian. For all she knows, Simon could be as evil as them.

But in the end, all Ann could utter was, “Why… why would you do something like that?”