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."

Elena didn't sleep that night, her mind was all over the place.

At six in the morning, her doorbell rang and Mia was asleep on the other couch, having refused to leave Elena alone. She woke up instantly.

"Who is it?"

Elena looked through the peephole and her stomach dropped. A woman in an expensive suit stood there holding a briefcase.

"Ms. Carter? I'm Rebecca Walsh, attorney for Ethan Blackwood. I need to speak with you."

Elena opened the door but kept the chain on.

"It's six in the morning."

"Mr. Blackwood wanted me here before the children woke up. May I come in?"

"No."

Rebecca didn't look surprised. She pulled papers from her briefcase and held them up.

"This is a petition for paternity testing and temporary custody arrangement. You can accept service now or I can have a process server track you down at work. Your choice."

Elena's hands shook as she took the papers through the gap in the door.

"The paternity test is scheduled for tomorrow at ten AM," Rebecca continued.

"A private lab, very discreet. Both children will need to be present."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then Mr. Blackwood will file in family court and it becomes public record. The media will have a field day. Is that what you want for your children?"

Elena wanted to slam the door in her face but she couldn't. Rebecca was right, if this went public, Liam and Lily would be hounded by reporters and photographers.

"Fine. We'll be there."

"Good. And Ms. Carter? Mr. Blackwood asked me to inform you that he's moved the gala planning meetings to his private residence. Starting today at two PM. He felt it would be more appropriate given the circumstances." She said with her stern face.

"Circumstances?"

"He wants to get to know his children in a comfortable environment. The contract requires your cooperation." Rebecca handed her another document.

"This is a revised schedule. You'll bring the children with you to all meetings until custody is formally arranged." She added.

"He can't do that." Elena whispered forcing the tears already forming in her eyes back.

"Actually, he can. The contract amendment you received yesterday gives him considerable flexibility in how the planning process unfolds. If you breach it, you owe two hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars." Rebecca smiled, but it wasn't friendly.

"I'll see you at two PM, Ms. Carter."

She walked away, and probably intentionallyafe her hills click that hard.

Elena closed the door and leaned against it, the papers clutched in her hands.

"That bastard," Mia said, reading over her shoulder.

"He's using the contract to force you to bring the kids to him."

"I know." She replied gently.

"Can he do that? Legally?"

"I don't know. I need a lawyer but I can't afford one." Elena looked at the stack of bills on her counter.

"The advance he paid barely covered our debts."

Her phone rang and it was an unknown number again.

Elena answered, too tired to care anymore.

"What?"

"Ms. Carter, this is Marcus Webb from New York Family Law Associates. I've been retained to represent you in the matter of Blackwood versus Carter." The person said from the other end.

"I didn't hire you." She replied.

"Someone did. Pro bono. They wish to remain anonymous but they've covered all costs."

Elena's mind raced. Who would do that?

"I don't understand."

"I've reviewed the documents Ms. Walsh just delivered. We need to meet today before your two PM appointment. Can you come to my office at noon?"

"I have to find childcare..."

"Bring them. My office has a playroom."

Elena agreed because she had no other choice. After hanging up, she looked at Mia.

"Someone hired me a lawyer." She replied still surprised.

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"Ethan?"

"Why would he hire me a lawyer to fight against himself?"

They both sat in confused silence until Liam wandered out of the bedroom, rubbing his eyes.

"Mommy? Why are you awake so early?"

Elena pulled him into her lap, breathing in his little boy smell.

"Just some grown up stuff, baby. Nothing for you to worry about."

But she was lying. Everything was something to worry about now.

At noon, Elena sat in Marcus Webb's office while Liam and Lily played in the room next door. Marcus was in his fifties.

"The paternity test is standard procedure," he explained.

"We can't fight it and honestly, I wouldn't advise trying. It'll just make you look like you have something to hide."

"I don't want them to be traumatized." Elena replied.

"It's just a cheek swab. They won't even know what it's for." Marcus flipped through the papers.

"What concerns me more is this custody arrangement he's proposing. He wants joint legal custody immediately, pending the test results."

"Can he get that?"

"Possibly. He has resources and you kept the children from him for four years. A judge might see that as parental alienation." The Lawyer said.

"I didn't know he was looking for me! His father blocked all my attempts to contact him!"

"Can you prove that?"

Elena thought about the assistant who'd thrown her out, the security guards who'd escorted her from the building, the phone calls that went unanswered.

"No."

Marcus sighed.

"Then we have an uphill battle. But Elena, I need to ask you something and I need you to be honest. Is there any possibility these children aren't his?"

"No. He's the only man I've ever been with." She replied honestly.

Marcus nodded.

"Then our strategy is simple. We cooperate with the test, we don't fight reasonable visitation, but we push for primary physical custody to remain with you. You've been their sole parent for four years. That counts for something."

"What about this contract? Can he really force me to bring them to his house?"

"The contract is tricky. It's unusual but not illegal. However, I can argue that using business leverage to gain access to minor children is inappropriate. It won't break the contract but it might make a judge look unfavorably on his tactics later."

Elena felt a small spark of hope.

"So what do I do?"

"Go to the meeting today. Bring the children, but I'm coming with you." Marcus stood up.

"And Elena? Don't sign anything else without calling me first."

Later that evening, Elena stood in Ethan's penthouse with the twins clutching her hands and Marcus Webb, her lawyer, by her side. Ethan had changed into jeans and a button-down shirt, trying to look less intimidating but it didn't work as his eyes went straight to the twins.

The lawyers introduced themselves while Liam announced he was hungry. Ethan offered cookies, and before Elena could stop him, her son had run off to the kitchen as Lily stayed pressed against Elena's leg, too shy to follow.

Elena followed them to the kitchen and Ethan knelt down to Liam's level, pulling out cookies and juice boxes. Her son asked if Ethan was Mommy's friend but Ethan said they used to be friends but had a disagreement. Liam pointed out that grown-ups always said things were complicated when they didn't want to explain. Ethan smiled and admitted the four-year-old was right.

Elena's throat tightened. She'd expected anger and demands. Not this gentle man talking to their son like he was precious, his voice rough with emotion.

Rebecca Walsh, Ethan's attorney has suggested they discuss custody while the children ate. The proposal was simple to be supervised visitation three times a week, increasing to overnight visits later.

Then came the real shock where Rebecca suggested Elena and the twins move into a property Ethan owned, in the same building as him but separate for security.

Marcus asked what security threat required that and Ethan's answer was one word. His father. Richard had already approached the children at their school, he was unpredictable and saw Elena and the twins as leverage. Ethan wanted them somewhere safe with proper security.

Elena protested that this was manipulation, but Ethan stated facts. Her building had no doorman, no security cameras, nothing to stop Richard. If Elena refused, Ethan would file for emergency custody, claiming she couldn't protect children who were targets because of their father.

Every option led back to Ethan controlling everything and Elena asked for time to think. Rebecca gave her until morning, after the paternity test results came back.

A crash interrupted them. Liam had knocked over his juice box and was crying. Elena rushed over but Ethan got there first, he picked up the boy, cleaned the mess, and soothed him. When Liam wrapped his arms around Ethan's neck, something broke inside Elena. She watched her son hug the father he didn't know he had.

Ethan caught her eyes over Liam's head.

When they left, Liam didn't want to go. He asked if they could come back and Ethan said he'd really like that.

In the elevator, Marcus was honest. Ethan wasn't wrong about security, and he was good with the children. Marcus could fight this if Elena wanted, but he wasn't sure they'd win, and he wasn't sure fighting was best for the twins.

Elena had no answer.

That night, after the twins were asleep, she has gone outside for fresh air.

Blackwood sent a message offering compensation if she left New York immediately and if she stay, she'd regret it.

Another message came from Ethan, it was about a suspicious car had been parked outside her apartment for three hours. The license plate traced to a security firm his father used. He was sending a car for her and the children now.

Elena looked down at the street and a black sedan was there. A man in the driver's seat raised a camera and photographed her window.

She immediately called Mia with shaking hands.

"We have a problem."