Chapter 6

SANDRA POV

"Congratulations, ma'am! You're having twins." Another nurse who was watching me cheered, confirming the words that were already ringing inside my ears.

She kept talking, but her words slowly faded as my breath hitched.

My vision began to blur, and my head started aching.

"Ma'am, are you okay?" she asked as her hands found their way to my arm.

But my mind had left my body. The big question popped into my head.

How could I be pregnant? It was not even possible.

And then my eyes flickered with realization.

That night with Eric— that was the only explanation I could give myself because he was the only man I had ever been intimate with.

"What am I going to do?" I gritted my teeth in pain as my hand grabbed my shirt.

"Calm down, miss," the nurse urged with a smile.

After I left the hospital, I went back home to Claire's house. She was my best friend, and I was really grateful she didn't abandon me at a time like this.

As the door clicked open, Claire pulled me into a hug as she soothed my back.

"Are you okay? I saw you walking down the lawn with such a dull face. What did the doctor say?" she asked.

I was this close to bursting into tears, but I clenched my fists together.

"I..." I took a deep breath because I knew admitting it would mean it was true, but I also knew not admitting it wouldn't change the fact that I was with Eric's child.

"I'm pregnant. With twins," I revealed, and Claire froze.

Her eyes searched mine to make sure I wasn't joking. "You're serious?" She arched one of her brows, and I gave a nod in exchange.

"Yeah, I am, and I don't know what to do. I don't even know if I should call Eric. I mean, he already regretted me and reminded me countless times that he doesn't want me." I sank my nails into my hair as my eyes went to the ceiling because I didn't want them to fall as I kept rambling.

"Hey, it's okay. We're okay. I'm here." Claire pulled me into a hug, and we both sighed together.

"He can regret me, but I won't let him reject my babies. That would be too hurtful."

Claire nodded. "So I'm guessing you don't want to tell him about the babies, and you want to keep them, right?"

"Yeah." I exhaled, nodding quickly.

"I'm here for you," Claire assured me, and I let myself sink into her embrace because I knew she meant it.

*****

Five years later

"Mackenzie, what do you think?" one of my designers asked. Her hands were holding a tablet, and I gestured for her to bring it closer.

My eyes ran over the design, and I nodded with pride.

"I think the style is elegant, but the beading at the upper part of the dress looks tacky and outdated. Work on it and submit it for a review," I said with a smile as I passed it over to her.

She pouted slightly, and I almost felt bad, but this was business.

"Don't look so down. I'm sure once you work on the top, your design is going to be a masterpiece. I'll be waiting to launch your design," I said, placing a hand over her shoulder.

She nodded quickly and scurried off.

I took a moment to appreciate my little success over the last five years. After finding out I was pregnant, I knew I had to level up so I could be a better mom for my kids.

So Claire and I decided to start our own fashion house. We started really small, but now we style top models and celebrities, and we are the number one stylists in Glorystar City.

As I walked into my office, I sank into my chair and then exhaled. My eyes darted over to my watch on my wrist.

It was past twelve. I could get a little nap before Claire got here with my children.

My eyelids closed, and then I heard the door crank open.

"Mummy!" I heard them giggling happily as they ran inside my office.

"Hmm." I pinched the space between my brows as I opened my eyes.

The moment I locked eyes with Hayden and Hayley, I couldn't help but smile.

They were quite a handful, but I still loved my kids very much.

They jumped onto my lap as I received them with joy.

"Mummy, where have you been since yesterday? We missed you," Hayley pouted, her big brown eyes giving me the illusion that she could tear up any minute.

"I'm sorry, my sweet pea. Mummy went on a business trip, but I'm back now, and I promise that I won't leave," I cooed, and she giggled.

"Mummy, did you buy any gifts for us?" Hayden said quickly, lashing his blue eyes at me.

He was a replica of his father, even though he took the color of my eyes.

"Of course I did, but they are in my car. So..."

Claire finally walked in, looking like she hadn't slept a wink. "Finally, you're here."

She groaned with exhaustion, and I chuckled. "You look stressed."

"Try raising two grown-up kids for a week without any assistance. Plus, I had to run this huge empire all by myself." She rolled her eyes as she dropped onto a seat.

"How did the meeting with the Perkins go? I heard they are really something," Clarie asked with concern.

My shoulders puffed with pride as I held my kids close.

"I don't think there's a situation that I can't handle," I grinned.

"So you closed the deal?" Clarie asked, and I gave a proud wink.

"Wow! With this deal, the company is going to receive a lot of promotion because the Perkins are a household celebrity name, not just in Glorystar City but the world."

"Yeah, which was why I gave it my all."

"Mummy, we should go celebrate your new success!" Hayley cheered.

"Are you sure you want to celebrate, or do you just want ice cream?" Hayden rolled his eyes.

Oh boy, I knew they were about to get into it when I saw Hayley’s face turn red.

"Why don't we all go celebrate with ice cream? How does that sound, huh?" I said quickly because I was definitely not ready for their twin drama.

They nodded quickly, and then I turned to Clarie to see if she wanted to go with us.

"As fun as that sounds, I want to take the rest of the day off from babysitting and fashion designing." A yawn escaped her lips as she stretched.

"I need sleep," she added, shaking her head.

"Sure, go ahead. I'll handle the rest. Thank you once again," I retorted after blowing her a kiss as she shook her head playfully.

"Bye, Aunt Clarie! We'll miss you!" Hayley and Hayden waved at her.

After we left the office, we stopped at Hayley's favorite ice cream spot. It was a cozy diner that felt warm and welcoming.

"Hey, little missy!" One of the waitresses greeted Hayley as she bounced proudly inside like she owned the place.

"Hey, Aunt Evey!" Hayley cheered, greeting almost everyone as she walked inside, while Hayden clutched tightly onto my arm as we followed. The more we moved further in, I could feel his grip tightening as he cast wary glances around.

"Calm down, Hayden. People won't bite you," I chuckled, but his face only turned red as he moved closer to my feet.

My eyes scanned the place as I tried to pick out the perfect table for us. Hayley was busy chatting with the old lady who owned the place. Sometimes, I couldn't help but wonder what their conversations were about.

"Mum, there's a table," Hayden pointed toward the corner, and my eyes followed closely. There was a table big enough for the three of us, but—

"Hayley, come over here," Hayden ordered as he yelled.

"Bye, Granny," Hayley waved as she skipped over to where we were.

After making sure they were seated, I decided to ask them what they would like to order.

"I want a vanilla ice cream with strawberry frosting and a donut with dip," Hayley answered quickly.

I turned over to Hayden and noticed he was distracted. His eyes were locked onto a table on the other side.

"Hayden, what are you staring at?" I asked curiously.

"Mom, look," Hayden’s eyes lit up as his fingers pointed toward the table.

"It's Dad!" he cheered.

I chuckled nervously as I rolled my eyes. But the moment my eyes fell onto the person he was referring to, my heart sank.

That was when his calm voice echoed in my ears. The sound of his laughter still had the ability to make my heart race.

Nothing prepared me for the sight of him sitting there, talking to a woman by his side.

"Mom, that's Dad, isn't it?" Hayden asked, and I swallowed hard. How did he know?

I never told them anything, nor did I ever show them what Eric looked like.

"Hayden, do you have a fish brain? How can that man be Daddy? See his wife? His wife! Does that woman look like money?" Hayley scoffed, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Grow up, baby brain."

I darted my eyes over to Eric's table, praying he hadn't seen me or the kids. Who knew what he would do?

Now, all I had to do was keep a low profile and get my kids out of here before Eric noticed us.

"He's Daddy, and I can prove it," Hayden said with a frown that surprised even me.

"Daddy!" Hayden screamed at the top of his lungs, and my eyes widened as I stumbled back.