Now Elena was back, and fate was laughing at her.

Elena stood in front of her tiny bathroom mirror at 6 AM, she woke up early to prepare her kids for school and also herself for the meeting.

She chose a simple black dress with a modest neckline and hem that fell just below her knees.

She twisted her hair into a neat bun at the nape of her neck, pulling it tight enough to hurt. She did a minimal makeup: concealer for the dark circles, mascara to make her look awake, and a nude lipstick. There was no jewelry except small pearl studs that had been her mother's.

She looked like a stranger to herself, which was what she wanted

In the kitchen, Liam, her son was already awake, he'd always been an early riser. His dark hair stuck up in every direction, and when his blue eyes met hers, she just smiled

Those eyes.

Every time Elena looked at her son, she saw Ethan staring back at her.

"Morning, bug," she said, kissing the top of his head.

"Morning, Mommy. Look! It's taller than me!" He said happily as he showed her the block he's been working on.

It was, impressively so. Liam had always been good with spatial things, with building and creating. He got that from his father too.

Lily emerged from their shared bedroom rubbing her eyes, her stuffed rabbit dragging behind her. She was quieter than her brother, more observant too. She climbed into Elena's lap at the kitchen table without a word, and Elena held her close, breathing in her little-girl smell.

"Mommy has a big meeting today," Elena said, keeping her voice light.

"Mia's going to take you guys to school."

Liam looked up from his blocks, his expression suddenly serious in that way four-year-olds could be.

"Is it the important one? The one that's gonna make us rich?"

Elena's heart clenched painfully. Four years old and already worried about money because he'd heard her and Mia whispering about bills when they thought he was asleep.

"It's going to help, baby," she said, pulling him into a hug too. She held both her children close.

"It's going to help a lot." She added

They didn't need to know she was terrified or that she was about to walk back into the past that had almost destroyed her.

When Mia arrived at seven-thirty to take over breakfast duty, she took one look at Elena and whistled low.

"Look at you. All ice queen professional." Mia said.

"Is it too much?" Elena asked, whispering low.

"It's perfect. You look like you eat CEOs for breakfast." Mia paused.

"You've got this, right?" She asked carefully.

Elena picked up her portfolio worn leather that she'd bought secondhand but polished until it gleamed. Inside were her proposals, her designs, and her dreams printed on paper.

"I've got this," she lied.

Mia hugged her, quickly and said

"Text me the second you're out. And Elena? He's just a man. You've survived worse."

Elena stood on the sidewalk outside, tilting her head back to see the top. It was huge

Her phone buzzed. Mia: You've got this. Be the badass I know you are. Love you.

She smiled, Mia was all the encouragement she needed.

Elena typed back a heart emoji,the most she could manage and slipped the phone into her purse.

She took a breath, lifted her chin and walked through the doors.

When she got to the lobby, she looked around at everyone passing by, trying to figure out where to head to.

Elena's eyes went straight to the top: BLACKWOOD ENTERPRISES on the floors 45-52.

She approached the security desk, and when she got to the receptionist, she greeted her

"Elena Carter," she said, proud that her voice didn't shake.

"I have a 9 AM with Mr. Blackwood."

The guard with his name tag read MARTINEZ checked his computer, then studied her face and he handed her a visitor badge with her name already printed on it.

"Forty-fifth floor. Someone will meet you at the elevator."

The elevator was glass-walled, offering a great view of the city as it climbed. Elena watched the numbers tick up, her stomach dropping with each floor. Or maybe that was the nausea, she couldn't tell anymore.

42... 43... 44...

The elevator chimed softly, and the doors slid open, Elena stepped out into a reception area that looked like it belonged in an art gallery. There are white walls, minimalist furniture, a reception desk that appeared to float.

And there, standing near those windows with his back to her, was Ethan Blackwood.

Even from behind, she knew him. The set of his shoulders. The way he stood with his hands in his pockets, his posture and just everything. He was on his phone, as he talked to someone about quarterly projections and market shares.

Elena's feet rooted to the floor and every instinct screamed at her to turn around, get back in the elevator, run.

But then he ended his call and turned, their eyes met.

And Elena watched five years of carefully constructed distance shatter in an instant.

His expression shifted through a dozen emotions in the span of a heartbeat, of shock and disbelief, something that might have been pain before his face shuttered completely, going cold and unreadable.

But his eyes. God, his eyes were exactly as she remembered. That piercing blue that seemed to see straight through every defense she'd built.

They stared at each other and for a moment the receptionist had disappeared, leaving them alone.

He looked older no, but more manly now. He was the man who'd held her as she fell asleep in his office, too exhausted to go home.

He was both, and neither, and Elena couldn't breathe.

"Elena." He finally said her name, but she really wishes he hadn't

"It's been a long time." He added.

It was not long enough though. It's been forever. A five years that felt like yesterday and a lifetime ago.

She found her voice somewhere beneath the panic.

"Mr. Blackwood." She said professionally and distant. Like he was just another client.

"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me."

Something flickered in his eyes, like anger, maybe, or hurt... before his expression hardened further.

He moved then, crossing the space between them slowly and Elena forced herself not to back away, to hold her ground even as every cell in her body screamed danger.

He stopped close enough that she could smell his cologne, different from what he used to wear, it was something expensive.

Now he was close enough that she had to tilt her head back to maintain eye contact.

His gaze traveled down slowly over her and when his eyes finally met her eyes back.

"My office." His words with his voice soft, but it wasn't a request..

"Now." He emphasized on that last word.

He turned and walked toward a hallway, clearly expecting her to follow.

Elena's hands clenched around her portfolio so hard the leather creaked. She wanted to run, wanted to tell him to go to hell, wanted to protect herself and her children. But she couldn't.

She needed this contract, needed the money and needed to survive.

So she followed Ethan Blackwood into his office, and prayed she'd make it out with her heart intact this time.

Ethan's office was massive, my mouth widened in surprise just as we got in.

The door clicked shut behind Elena and she felt trapped.

"Sit," Ethan said, gesturing to the chair across from his desk.

Elena sat down and opened her portfolio, determined to keep this professional. Her hands were shaking but she hid them in her lap.

"Mr. Blackwood, as outlined in my proposal, the charity gala will need..." She was saying but he interrupted her.

"How long have you been back in New York?" he said.

Elena's jaw tightened.

"Three months. Now, about the venue..."

"Three months." He leaned back in his chair, studying her for a while before he finally said

"And you didn't think to reach out?"

"Why would I?" The words came out sharper than she intended.

"You made it very clear five years ago that you wanted nothing to do with me." Elena hadn't intended to respond that harshly but she did anyways.

"I tried to find you," he said quietly.

"After you left. I looked everywhere."

Elena's heart stuttered but she forced herself to stay calm.

"Well, I didn't want to be found." She replied, looking away.

"Why did you leave?" He asked with his gaze still fixed on her and she could feel it.

"You fired me. Or did you forget?" She replied.

"I didn't forget anything." His voice was hard now. "I remember every single moment of that day. Every word I said to you and every look on your face."

Elena stood up abruptly.

"I'm not doing this. If you want to hire my company, fine. If not, I have other meetings."

"You're lying." Ethan stood too.

"I had you investigated. Your company is struggling and you need this contract."

Heat flooded Elena's face. It was anger and humiliation mixed together.

"You had me investigated?" She asked trying very much to sound normal.

"I investigate everyone I do business with."

"This isn't business!" Her voice rose despite herself.

"This is you trying to control everything like you always did!"

"Control?" Ethan moved around the desk toward her.

"You think I controlled you?" He asked.

"You fired me without explanation! You ended everything and threw me out like I was nothing!"

"My father gave me an ultimatum!" The words burst out of him.

"You or the company. He threatened to destroy your career, your reputation, everything. I thought I was protecting you."

Elena froze as the room now seemed to tilt.

"What?"

"I ended it to protect you," Ethan said, his voice raw now.

"I thought if I was cruel enough, you'd leave and never look back. You'd move on and be safe from him."

Elena couldn't breathe. It was five years of pain and anger were crashing over her, but she couldn't let him see it. She really couldn't let him know how much he'd destroyed her.

"It doesn't matter," she said, forcing her voice steady.

"That was five years ago. This is business. Do you want to hire me or not?"

Ethan stared at her for a long moment, then nodded slowly.

"Yes. I want to hire you."

"Fine." Elena sat back down, opening her portfolio with shaking hands.

"The gala is in eight weeks. Here's what I'll need."

They spent the next twenty minutes going over details, the venue, the catering, the guest list. Elena kept her voice professional and her eyes on the papers in front of her. Ethan asked questions and made notes.

It almost felt normal until his phone rang.

He glanced at the screen and his expression hardened.

"I need to take this."

"Of course."

Ethan answered, his voice immediately cold and business-like.

"Olivia."

Elena's stomach dropped at the name. Olivia Bennett, his fiancée. The woman he was supposed to marry.

"I'm in a meeting," Ethan said into the phone.

"Can this wait?" He paused, listening.

"No, I told you, the venue is already booked." Another pause, then his jaw clenched.

"Because I'm handling the charity gala personally this year."

Elena tried not to listen but it was impossible in the quiet office.

"That's not your concern," Ethan said, his voice getting colder.

"I'll see you tonight at dinner." He ended the call and tossed his phone on the desk.

"Sorry about that," he said, but he didn't sound sorry. He sounded irritated.

"Your fiancée?" Elena asked, hating herself for asking.

"Yes."

"Congratulations."

Ethan's eyes snapped to hers. "It's a business arrangement."

Elena felt something twist in her chest but she ignored it.

"None of my business." She replied casually.

"Elena..."

The office door suddenly opened and a woman walked in without knocking. She was tall and blonde and stunning in a way that made Elena feel small. She has on designer clothes, a perfect makeup, and one could immediately know she was luxury. It was Olivia Bennett.

"Darling, I know you said you were busy but..."

Olivia stopped when she saw Elena. Her smile didn't falter but her eyes went cold.

"Oh. I didn't realize you had company."

"I'm in a meeting," Ethan said flatly.

Olivia's gaze swept over Elena, assessing and dismissing her in seconds.

"This is the event planner?" She asked

"Yes. Elena Carter, this is Olivia Bennett." He replied not giving her a glance.

"Charmed," Olivia said, though her tone suggested otherwise. She turned back to Ethan.

"We need to discuss the seating arrangements for the gala. Mother insists on being at the main table."

"I'll handle it." He replied casually.

"And we need to coordinate our outfits. The press will be there and..."

"Olivia." Ethan's voice had an edge to it now.

"I'm in the middle of a business meeting. We'll discuss this later."

Olivia's smile tightened but she didn't leave. Instead, she walked over to Ethan's desk and perched on the edge, effectively positioning herself between him and Elena.

"I'm sure Ms. Carter won't mind," Olivia said sweetly.

"After all, I am the hostess for this event. I should be involved in the planning."

Elena felt a headache building behind her eyes. This was exactly what she didn't need, drama and complications.

"Actually," Elena said, gathering her papers, "I think we've covered everything for today. I'll send over the contract and we can schedule another meeting next week."

"Perfect," Olivia said before Ethan could respond.

"I'll make sure to attend that one as well."

Elena stood, holding her portfolio up and trying to stare into neither of their eyes.

"Mr. Blackwood, thank you for your time." She said, making to go.

"Elena, wait..."

But she was already moving toward the door. She needed to get out before she said something she'd regret. Before Olivia saw too much, before Ethan asked more questions she couldn't answer.

She made it to the elevator and pressed the button repeatedly, willing it to come faster.

"Ms. Carter!"

Elena turned to see Ethan's assistant, Jennifer, hurrying toward her with a folder.

"Mr. Blackwood wanted me to give you this," Jennifer said, slightly out of breath.

"It's the guest list and venue specs. He also authorized the fifty percent upfront payment. It should hit your account by end of day."

Elena took the folder.

"Thank you."

The elevator finally arrived and Elena stepped inside, grateful to be alone. She leaned against the wall and closed her eyes.

What had she just agreed to? Eight weeks of working with Ethan, of seeing him regularly, of pretending the past didn't exist. And now Olivia would be involved too.

This was a mistake. A huge mistake.

But she needed the money and she'd already signed off on it verbally. She couldn't back out now.

Elena's phone buzzed and it was a text from an unknown number.

"Don't think this is over. We need to talk. - E" was what it read.

She stared at the message, her heart pounding. Before she could respond, another text came through.

"And Elena? Stay away from Olivia. She's more dangerous than you think." It read again.

The elevator doors opened to the lobby and Elena stepped out, her mind racing. What did that mean? Why would Olivia be dangerous?

She was halfway across the marble floor when she heard her name being called. Elena turned to see a man in an expensive suit approaching her. He was older, maybe sixty, with silver hair and cold eyes that reminded her of a snake.

"Ms. Carter?" he said, his voice smooth.

"I am Richard Blackwood. Ethan's father."

Elena's blood turned to ice. This was the man who'd threatened to destroy her five years ago, the very man who'd forced Ethan to choose.

"Mr. Blackwood," she said carefully.

"I understand you're planning our charity gala," Richard said, smiling but it didn't reach his eyes.

"I wanted to introduce myself personally." He added

"That's very kind of you." She managed to say.

"I also wanted to give you some advice." He stepped closer and his voice dropped.

"My son has a tendency to confuse business with personal matters. I trust you'll keep things professional."

It wasn't a suggestion. It was a warning.

"Of course," Elena said, keeping her voice steady even though her heart was racing.

"I'm only here to do a job."

"Good." Richard's smile widened.

"Then we'll get along just fine. Welcome to Blackwood Enterprises, Ms. Carter."

He walked away toward the elevators, leaving Elena standing in the middle of the lobby.

Her phone buzzed again. This time it was Mia saying how did it go?????

Elena looked back at the building, at the gleaming tower where Ethan worked, where his father controlled everything, where she'd just agreed to spend the next eight weeks of her life.

She typed back quickly.

Got the contract. But we have a problem.

Another buzz, this time an email notification. Elena opened it and saw a bank transfer confirmation.

$75,000 deposited into Carter Events business account.

Fifty percent of the fee. Just like Ethan promised.

The money was real, the contract was real. There was no backing out now.

Elena walked out of the building into the bright New York sunshine. People rushed past her on the sidewalk, everyone busy with their own lives, their own problems.

She had eight weeks to plan a perfect gala. Eight weeks to keep her secrets hidden and eight weeks to survive being near Ethan without falling apart.

She could do this, she had to.

Her phone rang and it was an unknown number. Elena almost didn't answer but something made her pick up.

"Hello?"

"Elena Carter?" A woman's voice, professional but urgent.

"This is Karen Mills from Little Steps Preschool. I'm calling about your son Liam."

Elena's entire world stopped.

"What's wrong? Is he hurt?"

"No, no, nothing like that," Karen said quickly.

"But there's been an incident. A man came to the school today asking questions about him. About you. We didn't give him any information but I thought you should know."

"What man? What did he look like?"

"Older gentleman. He has silver hair and an expensive suit on. He said he was a family friend but we have protocols..."

"I'll be right there," Elena interrupted, already running toward the subway.

"Don't let anyone near my children. I'm coming now."

She ended the call, her hands shaking so badly she almost dropped her phone.

Richard Blackwood had found her children.

Elena burst through the preschool doors twenty minutes later,

The receptionist looked up, startled.

"Ms. Carter..."

"Where are my children?" Elena demanded.

"They're fine, they're in the playroom with Ms. Karen. This way."

Elena followed her down the hallway, her mind racing. How had Richard found them? How did he even know they existed?

The playroom door opened and Liam came running over.

"Mommy! You're early!"

Elena dropped to her knees and pulled him into a hug, then reached for Lily who was coloring at a table.

"Are you okay? Both of you?"

"We're fine," Liam said, confused.

"Why wouldn't we be?"

Karen Mills, the school director, approached. She was a kind woman in her fifties who'd always been good to Elena.

"Can we talk in my office?"

Elena nodded, kissing both twins.

"Stay here with Miss Sarah, okay? I'll be right back."

In Karen's office, Elena sat down and tried to control her breathing.

"Tell me exactly what happened," she said.

Karen pulled out a visitor log.

"A man came in around eleven this morning. He said he was a family friend and wanted to confirm which children were yours. He specifically asked about twins."

"What did you tell him?"

"Nothing. We have strict policies about student information. But Elena, he was very insistent. He left this." Karen handed her a business card.

Elena stared at the name, it was Richard Blackwood, Chairman, Blackwood Enterprises.

Her hands started shaking.

"Do you know him?" Karen asked gently.

"He's... it's complicated."

"Is there something I should be worried about? Do we need to update your pickup authorization list?"

Elena's mind raced. She needed to protect her children but she couldn't explain why without revealing everything.

"Yes. Please add a note that only I can pick them up. No one else, no exceptions." She said quickly.

"Of course. And Elena? If this man comes back, I'm calling the police."

"Thank you."

Elena collected the twins and practically ran to her car. She kept checking over her shoulder, half expecting to see Richard or worse, Ethan waiting for them.

How much did Richard know? Had he seen the children? Did he tell Ethan?

Her phone rang and Ethan's name flashed on the screen.

Elena's stomach dropped but she let it go to voicemail.

It rang again immediately.

She answered, her voice sharp.

"What?"

"Where are you?" Ethan sounded angry.

"You left the building and then..."

"I had an emergency." She lied.

"What kind of emergency?" He asked.

"None of your business."

"Elena, my father just told me something very interesting," Ethan said, his voice dangerously quiet.

"He said he met you today. He also said he stopped by a preschool in Brooklyn."

Elena's blood turned to ice. She pulled over to the side of the road, her hands shaking too badly to drive.

"Did you send him?" she asked.

"What? No! I didn't even know he was..." Ethan stopped.

"Why would my father go to a preschool?"

Elena couldn't breathe, this was it. Everything was about to come crashing down.

"Elena. Answer me. Why was my father at a preschool?" He asked again

"I have to go." She replied.

"Don't you dare hang up on me. If this is about..."

She ended the call and turned off her phone.

In the back seat, Liam was quiet for once.

"Mommy, who was that man at school?" He finally asked.

"What man, baby?" She asked now looking at him curiously.

"The one who looked at me through the window during recess. Miss Sarah said he was just visiting but he kept staring."

Elena's vision blurred with tears. Richard had seen them. He'd seen Liam.

There was no way he missed those blue eyes.

She drove home in a daze, checking her mirrors constantly. When they finally reached their apartment building, she practically carried both children inside.

Mia was already there, pacing in the living room. "What happened? You said there was a problem and then you disappeared!"

Elena waited until the twins were in their room playing before she told Mia everything. Richard at the school, Ethan's phone call and the business card.

Mia sank onto the couch.

"Oh god. Elena, what are you going to do?"

"I don't know." She said confused

"He knows. Ethan's father knows about the twins."

"Maybe not. Maybe Richard was just..."

"Just what? Randomly visiting preschools in Brooklyn?" Mia shook her head.

"He knows. And he's going to tell Ethan if he hasn't already."

Elena's phone buzzed when she'd turned it back on and now there were seventeen missed calls from Ethan and six text messages.

We need to talk. Elena, answer your phone.

This isn't a game.

My father mentioned twins.

ANSWER ME.

I'm coming to your office. We're having this conversation whether you like it or not.

The last message was sent five minutes ago.

"He's coming to the office," Elena whispered.

Mia stood up.

"Then don't be there. Stay here with the kids. I'll go deal with him."

"No, he'll just..." She was cut short as a knock on the door made them both freeze.

"Elena Carter?" A man's voice called through the door.

"I have a delivery."

Mia looked through the peephole and said.

"It's just a courier."

She opened the door and a man in uniform handed her a large envelope.

"Sign here please."

After he left, Elena opened the envelope with shaking hands. Inside was a legal document. She scanned the first page and felt the room spin.

"What is it?" Mia asked.

"It's a contract amendment." Elena's voice was hollow.

"For the gala. It says I have to work directly with Ethan. Daily meetings and also full access to his schedule."

"That's insane. You can't..." Mia was saying before Elena interrupted.

"There's more." Elena flipped to the next page.

"It says if I breach the contract, I owe them triple the advance payment." She read.

"That's over two hundred thousand dollars!"

"I know."

"He's trapping you."

"I know."

Another knock on the door, harder this time and more insistent. Both women froze.

"Elena." Ethan's voice came through the door.

"I know you're in there. Open the door."

Mia's eyes went wide.

"How did he find your address?"

Elena didn't answer. She was too busy panicking about ger children who were twenty feet away in their bedroom. If Ethan came inside, if he saw them...

"Please," Ethan said, his voice softer now.

"I just want to talk."

Elena walked to the door slowly. She opened it just a crack, keeping her body blocking the entrance.

Ethan looked furious. His hair was messy like he'd been running his hands through it. His tie was loosened and his eyes were wild.

"What are you doing here?" Elena asked.

"What am I doing here? You hung up on me. You won't answer my calls. My father is acting strange and making comments about twins and preschools." He pushed against the door.

"Let me in." He said gently.

"No." She replied maintaining her stance.

"Elena..."

"You need to leave."

"Not until you tell me what the hell is going on."

"There's nothing to tell. Your father is paranoid. He probably investigated me like you did and found out I have.." She stopped herself just in time.

Ethan's eyes narrowed.

"Found out you have what?" He asked curiously.

"Responsibilities and a life. Things that don't concern you."

"Everything about you concerns me." He said and that really disgusted Elena.

"It's been five years, Ethan. You don't get to show up at my home and demand answers."

"My father saw children today," Ethan said slowly, watching her face.

"At a preschool in Brooklyn. They were twin children and he said one of them had blue eyes."

Elena's heart stopped.

"Lots of children have blue eyes," she said, but her voice shook.

"Elena." Ethan's voice dropped to a whisper.

"Are they mine?" He asked all of a sudden.

Before Elena could answer, Liam's voice called from inside the apartment.

"Mommy? Who's at the door?"

Time froze and Ethan's expression changed from anger to shock to something Elena couldn't name.

"You have a child," he said.

"Here. Right now."

Elena tried to close the door but Ethan pushed it open, stepping inside before she could stop him.

Liam came running out of the bedroom and stopped when he saw a stranger in their apartment.

"Who are you?" Liam asked.

Ethan stared at the little boy, at his blue eyes and at his dark hair. At the way he tilted his head, exactly the way Ethan did when he was curious about something.

"Oh my god," Ethan breathed.

Lily appeared in the doorway, shyer than her brother. She held her stuffed rabbit and looked at Ethan with wide hazel eyes.

"Twins," Ethan said, his voice breaking.

"You have twins."

Elena stepped between Ethan and her children. She ordered him out of her house but he had only persistentlyvasked him how old they were until she was forced to tell him they're four years old.

Ethan did the math in his head. She could see it happening.

"Four years old," he said quietly.

"You've been back in New York for three months. You've been raising my children for four years and you never told me."

"They're not..."

"Don't." His voice was hard as steel. "Don't you dare lie to me right now. Look at him and look at his eyes. He's mine."

Liam looked confused. "Mommy?"

"Go to your room, baby," Elena said, trying to keep her voice calm.

"Both of you. Now."

Lily took Liam's hand and they disappeared into the bedroom, but Elena knew they were listening.

The moment they were gone, Ethan turned on her.

"Four years," he said, his voice shaking with rage.

"You kept my children from me for four years."

"You didn't want me! You threw me away!"

"I didn't know you were pregnant!"

"I tried to tell you!" Elena's voice rose.

"I called. I came to your office. Your security threw me out! Your assistant said you never wanted to see me again!"

"Because my father told them to! I never said that!"

"How was I supposed to know?"

Ethan ran his hands through his hair, pacing the small space like a caged animal. "You should have tried harder. You should have..."

"I was twenty-one years old, pregnant and alone! I had nothing! You had everything!" Elena's voice broke.

"You think I wanted to raise them alone? You think I wanted them to grow up without a father?"

"So you just decided I didn't deserve to know?"

"You made your choice five years ago."

"I made that choice to protect you!"

"And I made mine to protect them!"

They stared at each other, both breathing hard, years of pain and anger between them.

Ethan spoke first, his voice deadly calm. "I want a paternity test."

"No."

"It wasn't a request."

"You're not taking my children's DNA without my permission."

"Our children," Ethan corrected. "

And I don't need your permission. I have lawyers, eesources. I can get a court order by tomorrow morning."

Elena felt her world crumbling.

"Please don't do this."

"You did this," Ethan said coldly.

"You kept them from me. You lied and you made me miss four years of their lives."

"Ethan..."

"I'll have my lawyer contact you in the morning. We'll discuss custody arrangements after the paternity test confirms what we both already know."