Thira stood on the sidewalk in front of her house, clutching her torn hoodie around her body. The morning air felt sharp against her damp cheeks. Her feet dragged as she walked up the driveway, exhaustion and fear weighing her down.

She just wanted to see her father. To explain everything. To tell him it wasn't her fault. That she was tricked.

But when she reached the front porch, her father stood there waiting, arms crossed over his chest. His eyes were cold, like dark stones.

"Papa..." she started, her voice shaking. "Please, just let me explain-"

He raised his hand sharply, cutting her off. "Your sister already told me everything."

Thira froze, mouth open in shock.

"You've ruined this family's name," he said, his words slow and harsh. "Your mother would be ashamed to see what you've become."

Her chest hurt so badly it felt like something was breaking inside her. "Please... it's not true. Vela set me up. I swear. I would never-"

"I don't want to hear your lies," he snapped. "Leave. Now."

Tears burned her eyes as she looked at him, hoping for a flicker of softness. But he turned away, walking back into the house and closing the door behind him without another word.

The click of the lock echoed in her ears.

With nowhere else to go, Thira walked quickly to Darian's apartment. The city felt too big and too cold around her. She hugged herself tightly as she climbed the stairs, her fingers numb against the metal rail.

Maybe he'll listen. Maybe he'll believe me.

His door was unlocked. She pushed it open quietly, stepping inside. The smell of strong cologne and sweet perfume filled her nose. Her heart beat faster with nervous hope.

"Darian...?" she called softly.

No answer. She walked further in and stopped.

Red lace lingerie lay on the living room floor. Her stomach twisted painfully. Her hands shook as she picked it up, then dropped it quickly like it burned her fingers.

Slowly, she pushed open his bedroom door.

The sight hit her like a punch to the chest. Darian was lying in bed, half-covered by the sheets. Vela lay beside him, her blonde hair spread across the pillows, her naked body pressed against his side.

Vela looked up lazily, eyes meeting Thira's. She let out a small laugh. "Why are you so dramatic? He clearly wanted someone real."

Thira's lips parted but no sound came out. Her vision blurred with tears as she stumbled back from the door, then turned and ran out of the apartment, her heart shattering with every step.

When she got back to her house, the front yard greeted her with boxes and bags scattered near the gate. Her clothes lay in a torn pile, some already damp from the morning dew.

A housemaid she barely knew stood beside them, looking uncomfortable. She held out a small backpack to Thira.

"Your father burned your things," the maid said quietly. "I saved what I could before he told me to throw the rest out."

Thira took the backpack slowly, her hands trembling so badly she almost dropped it. She wanted to scream, to collapse on the ground and cry until her chest gave out. But no tears came. Only a deep emptiness.

She looked up at the sky, grey and heavy above her, and started walking. Her feet carried her down familiar streets, past grocery stores and bus stops, until she stood in front of the only place she could think of.

Carden's apartment.

She raised her hand and knocked weakly. The door opened within seconds. Carden stood there, eyes wide when he saw her shaking, with her clothes stuffed into a small bag.

"Thira..." he whispered.

She tried to speak, but only a broken sob came out. He stepped forward quickly and pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest. She clung to him, crying softly, feeling his warmth seep into her frozen skin.

"It's okay," he murmured into her hair. "I've got you. I've always got you."

~~~

Vela sat cross-legged on her pink velvet bed, filing her nails while humming to herself. Her phone buzzed beside her. She glanced at the unknown number and rolled her eyes, answering with a bored voice.

"Hello?"

"Good morning. May I speak with Miss Vela Calderon ?" a formal male voice asked.

"Speaking," she said, smirking. "Unless you're a debt collector, then I'm the President's daughter."

"This is Julius from Dax Holdings," the voice continued smoothly. "I'm calling to let you know Mr. Riven Dax would love to meet with you today,"

Vela froze, her nail file dropping onto the bed. "I... excuse me? Meeting? With Mr Riven? Are you some cheap scam?"

"It's regarding the room you booked last night," Julius said calmly. "We have you registered as the guest who reserved it."

Her mind spun. Room? Last night? Then it clicked - the setup. The man Thira slept with... it was Riven Dax?!

Her chest filled with hot excitement and cold fear at the same time. She sat up straighter, heart pounding wildly.

"Ah... yes. Of course," she said quickly, switching to her sweetest voice. "I'll be there."

When the call ended, she grinned at her reflection in the mirror. "Oh, Thira. You had no idea what you gave me.

One hour later, Vela sat across from Riven Dax in a private dining room of an expensive French restaurant. She wore a pale pink dress that hugged her curves, her hair curled perfectly over her shoulders. She watched him as he read through some files on his phone, his face serious and cold.

He looked up at her finally. His dark eyes were unreadable.

"I apologise for the confusion last night," he said in a low voice. "The truth is... I don't remember much."

Vela blinked slowly, tilting her head. "Neither do I," she said softly, pretending to look embarrassed. "I... I might have had too much to drink."

He studied her for a long moment. Something flickered in his eyes. He's suspicious, she realised. He remembers dark hair. But she's blonde.

Still, he nodded and slipped a black card holder onto the table. "If you need anything. Clothes, counselling, compensation..."

She pushed it back gently. "No. I don't want money. I... I think we could be friends instead."

He paused, his gaze narrowing slightly. Then he nodded slowly. "Fine."

When she got home, Vela closed her bedroom door and pressed her back against it, grinning at the ceiling. Friends with Riven Dax. She laughed softly to herself.

"Let's turn that into a wife," she whispered.

Her phone buzzed again. An email notification.

Subject: Appointment Confirmation - Dax Holdings

She clicked it open and her heart jumped. She had been appointed to a position at Dax Holdings. She never even applied.

She smiled wide, her teeth flashing under the crystal chandelier. Darian's name popped up on her screen, calling her again.

She declined it without a second thought.

"It's time to scale up the ladder," she said to herself, tossing her phone onto the bed and walking towards her vanity mirror. Her reflection smirked back at her, eyes glinting with victory.

Thira sat by the window, watching as the airplane dipped through thick white clouds. The skyline of New York City appeared below them - tall silver towers rising out of the morning mist. Her heart beat faster in her chest. Five years ago, this city had swallowed her whole and spat her out in pieces. Now she was coming back, stronger, but still holding old wounds. Sometimes, she wondered if it was all worth it.

"Mum, are we in New York?" Kai asked from beside her. He is the most inquisitive of Thira's triplets and a tech genius.

She glanced at him and smiled tightly. "Yes, sweetheart. We're almost there."

Kai leaned forward, his eyes scanning the cityscape with focused excitement. "Is Daddy here too?"

Thira's fingers tightened around her seatbelt. That particular question sliced through her chest like it always did, but she tried to keep her calm. She swallowed and heart skipped at his question.

Kai nodded like it didn't bother him, already turning to tell his twin brother Niko about the bridges and highways they could see below. Niko pressed his nose against the window while Elara, curled against Thira's arm, hummed a little tune under her breath.

Behind them, Carden chuckled softly. "You three look like baby hawks hunting mice down there," he teased.

Niko grinned. "I'd catch the biggest mouse."

Elara wrinkled her nose. "Ew, no. I'd design a dress for the mouse."

Kai shot her a look. "Mice are meant to be mice. No catching or playing dress up."

Carden laughed warmly, and Thira felt her chest loosen a little. His voice always felt like a gentle shield between her and the world.

As the plane began its slow descent, Thira's mind drifted back to the day she met Carden again. Five years ago, she had knocked on his apartment door, broken and trembling, after her father threw her out. She remembered how he pulled her into his arms without a word, his strong chest steady and warm against her sobs.

When he told her he was relocating to Florence for work, he offered to take her with him. She had refused at first, too ashamed to accept. But he simply smiled and said, "You deserve better than this place."

Two weeks after arriving in Florence, Thira found out she was pregnant. Her world tilted with fear, but Carden never let her fall. He helped her through every wave of sickness, every scan, every silent crying night. He refused to let her give up on herself. When people asked if he was the father, he never corrected them. But the kids always called him "Uncle."

With his support, she studied hard, earning top certifications in finance, branding, and luxury management. He never let her forget who she was meant to become.

Now, here she was - flying back to New York with a job offer from Dax Holdings. When their HR manager first called her about the position, she had almost refused. How could she work full-time while raising three five-year-olds?

But the company insisted. They offered her a four-bedroom apartment in one of their high-security estates, assigned her a company vehicle, and tailored her contract to fit her family's needs. There was literally no way out of it.

"You're running again," Carden told her one evening in Florence, his voice quiet but firm. "This job is your chance to stop running."

She was conflicted, yes, but the pros were looking far more than the cons. So she accepted it, clutching her fear and hope together like threads of the same fabric.

At the arrivals gate, a cheerful man in a clownish yellow tie stood holding a placard with her name. "Miss Calderon?" he asked brightly. "Welcome to New York. I'm your driver for today."

"Thank you," she said softly, guiding the kids towards him.

The driver led them to a shiny Toyota Highlander parked outside. Kai slid in first, scanning the seats and dashboard with sharp eyes.

"Mum, this car is outdated," he said seriously, tapping at the seatbelt buckle. "They should've gotten the 2025 model."

The driver chuckled as he helped Elara into her booster seat. "That sounds like something my boss would say."

Thira smiled politely but barely heard him. Her mind was busy counting backpacks, water bottles, and snack bags, making sure nothing was left behind.

Carden climbed into the backseat beside the kids while Thira settled into the front passenger seat. As they drove away from the airport, the city rushed past her window in a blur of silver towers, bright billboards, and busy crowds.

Soon, the roads quieted as they entered a gated community. A large sign read: Dax Holdings Private Estate – D Avenue.

The guard waved them in, and the car rolled down smooth brick roads lined with tall trees. Thira felt her chest tighten with mixed emotions - fear, excitement, nostalgia. It was beautiful. It was powerful. And it belonged to the world that once broke her.

She glanced back at the kids. They were whispering to each other suspiciously, their little heads huddled close together.

Without warning, Kai looked up with bright, triumphant eyes.

"Yes!" he said loudly. "And I found him!"

Thira turned in her seat, startled. "Found who, Kai?"

But before he could speak again, Niko clamped a hand over his brother's mouth. Elara shook her head quickly, her curls bouncing.

"Nothing, Mum," Niko said with a quick smile.

"Yeah," Elara added softly, blinking her innocent eyes. "Nothing at all."

Thira studied their faces, her heart ticking faster with unease. What are you hiding from me? she wondered silently, turning back to the window as the car rolled deeper into the estate, towards a future she could no longer run from.

The drive from the airport to their new home had been filled with giggles, questions, and little fingers pointing at every passing street sign. But once they arrived and settled in, Thira noticed something strange. Kai was unusually quiet, his eyes darting around thoughtfully.

"Kai?" she asked gently as he stood by the window, staring out into the tree-lined estate. "What's on your mind?"

He turned and blinked at her, his small face carefully blank. "Just checking out the nearby parks, Mum."

Before Thira could say anything, Niko jumped in awkwardly. "Yeah, we... um... we wanna see where we'll play after school."

Their voices sounded too rehearsed. Thira raised an eyebrow but said nothing, deciding to let it go for now.

The apartment provided by Dax Holdings was breathtaking. Surrounded by tall trees and guarded gates, it felt peaceful yet imposing. The ceilings were high, the floors dark polished wood, and the windows tall enough to make even the towering oaks outside seem small.

While Thira and Carden began unpacking boxes in the living room, the triplets ran through the halls, their laughter echoing off the walls.

Elara twirled in the entryway, her dress fanning out like soft petals. "It's beautiful, Mummy," she declared. "Just like Florence, but with more magic."

Later, in the kitchen, Thira stood holding a clean glass, staring at her reflection on the smooth surface. Her fingers trembled slightly.

Carden entered, carrying folded towels for the pantry shelves. He paused when he saw her expression.

"Do you think I can do this?" she whispered without turning.

He walked over and placed the towels down before gently taking the glass from her hand. "You've already done the hard part," he said quietly. "You survived."

She looked up at him, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. After a silent moment, she let out a shaky breath and gave a small nod.

"Let's cook dinner," she said, her voice steadier. "I want the kids to feel at home tonight."

In the triplets' new room, sunlight streamed through wide windows onto their fresh beds and stacks of unopened boxes. Kai sat cross-legged on his mattress, typing quickly on his small laptop.

Niko watched him from his desk. "What are you doing?"

"Checking what the driver said," Kai replied calmly, not looking up. "He said I looked like his boss."

Elara, sitting at her art table, lifted her head. "Do you think his boss is... you know... Daddy?"

Kai's fingers paused on the keys. Niko blinked. "Wait... what if he is? Have you found him yet?"

Kai's lips curled slightly. "Almost. One moment."

A minute later, he turned the laptop towards them. On the screen was a photo of Riven Dax, standing at a podium in a black suit, addressing a crowd.

Niko leaned in, eyes wide. "His ears... they're shaped like yours. And his hair too."

Kai's gaze didn't waver. "And the eyes."

Elara tilted her head thoughtfully. "We don't know if he's our dad. He's just Candidate 1," she said calmly, folding her hands on her lap. "We need evidence."

All three nodded in silent agreement. Their mission had just become real.

Morning sunlight filtered into the apartment kitchen as Carden zipped his suitcase closed. Thira stood nearby, helping Kai adjust his backpack straps while Elara braided Niko's hair into a neat little ponytail.

Carden knelt down to hug each child tightly. Elara clung to him for a moment longer, burying her face in his neck.

"Uncle, will you come back soon?" she asked softly.

"Of course, Princess," he said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Just call if you need me."

Kai tugged his sleeve before he stood. "Can I still message you if I need help with my codes?"

Carden chuckled, ruffling Kai's hair. "Anytime, buddy."

Thira walked him to the door. They hugged tightly, her cheek resting against his chest. "We'll miss you too," she whispered.

"I know," he said quietly. "But this is your time now."

Carden dropped the kids off at their new school while Thira prepared for her first day at Dax Holdings.

Thira stepped into the gleaming lobby of Dax Holdings, dressed in a simple but elegant navy dress. The marble floors reflected her heels with every step, and the tall glass walls rose endlessly above her. Her heart thudded in her chest, but she kept her back straight and her chin lifted.

"Miss Calderon?" a staffer called out, holding a clipboard. "Welcome. I'm Julius. Please follow me to the CEO's office."

She nodded silently, following him through quiet, sleek hallways lined with minimalist art. Her pulse quickened with every step

Riven sat at the end of the long boardroom table, flipping through a proposal file. When Julius led Thira in, he didn't look up at first.

"Mr. Dax, this is Miss Thira Calderon."

He raised his eyes, and for a brief second, his entire body froze. Her face, her eyes, her dark hair - something about her cut through him like lightning through stone. A flicker of a memory he couldn't place.

He cleared his throat, stood, and extended a hand. "Welcome, Miss Calderon."

She shook it firmly, her touch light but confident. "Thank you for the opportunity."

"Let's introduce you to the team," he said, his voice returning to its calm authority.

They walked into the boardroom. Thira's eyes scanned the polished table, lined with executives and assistants.

At the far end sat Vela Calderon.

Vela's face turned pale at the sound of Thira's name. Her eyes widened, and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

Thira approached her, a faint cold smile curling on her lips.

"Still working at Club Altere?" Vela hissed under her breath.

Thira tilted her head slightly. "Not since you resigned. How's your mother?"

Vela's jaw clenched, her eyes flashing with anger before she smoothed her expression and turned towards Riven with a syrupy smile.

Riven sensed the tension instantly. His gaze moved between both women, sharp and unreadable.

"That concludes introductions," he said abruptly. "Miss Calderon, please come see me in my office."

As Riven turned and walked out of the boardroom, his mind buzzed with questions about Thira's face, her voice, the strange pull in his chest.

In the lobby, Elara suddenly shouted, "Mummy!"

Riven turned around sharply. He saw a little girl with thick dark curls run towards Thira, wrapping her small arms around her waist. Two boys followed, identical except for their expressions - one calm and serious, the other smiling with quiet mischief.

Behind them walked Carden.

Riven felt his chest tighten unexpectedly. She has triplets? She's married? He frowned slightly. Why didn't I notice this in her file?

His heart twisted in a way he didn't understand, but his face remained smooth and expressionless.

While Thira and Riven walked away towards his office, Elara pulled out her small pink tablet and opened their secret sibling group chat.

She typed quickly with her thumbs:

Elara: This is Candidate 1's office.

Niko: Mission update?

Elara: We need evidence to prove if he's our dad.

Kai: Working on it.

She pressed send and looked up with a quiet smile. Their investigation had begun.