“But back then? I was pregnant with four babies and completely alone.”
Julian ran a hand through his hair, pacing once like a caged animal.
“My family wouldn’t—”
“They would,” she cut in.
And he stopped.
Because deep down—
he knew.
“They didn’t want me,” she said. “And they definitely didn’t want heirs they couldn’t control.”
His blood turned cold.
Behind them—
the boys had started arguing.
“Logan, you’re not the captain!”
“I am! Mom said yesterday!”
“You cheated!”
Julian turned.
Watched them.
His sons.
Loud.
Alive.
Real.
And suddenly—
something else hit him.
Harder than everything before.
“They look like me.”
Eliza didn’t answer.
“They act like me.”
Still silence.
“I missed five years.”
That one—
that one broke.
Eliza’s expression softened.
Just slightly.
“You didn’t miss them,” she said quietly.
“You were kept from them.”
That difference mattered.
But it didn’t hurt any less.
“Do they know?” Julian asked.
Eliza shook her head.
“No.”
“What do you tell them?”
“That their father isn’t around.”
His jaw tightened.
“That changes today.”
Eliza stepped forward instantly.
