Althea leaned her back against the cold wooden door. She listened to the howling wind and rain outside. Her chest heaved up and down. She tried to calm her rapid breathing.

Outside, Darren let out a low growl of anger. He pounded his fist against the door.

"Althea! Open the door!" Darren ordered loudly.

Althea ignored him. She walked quickly to the window. She pulled the heavy blackout curtains tightly shut. She made sure not a single ray of light could be seen from the outside.

Rick's voice came from the porch. "Boss, the heating system in the car is completely dead. The kids will freeze if we stay out here."

Darren clenched his jaw. He took a step back. He braced his broad frame and slammed his shoulder hard against the old wooden door. The heavy thuds of impact echoed over the storm, each strike heavier and more desperate than the last. Finally, the fragile, rotting doorframe could no longer withstand the sheer force of his repeated blows. The door burst open, tearing the metal deadbolt completely out of the splintering wood.

Freezing wind and rain rushed into the small living room. Althea turned around in shock and anger. She grabbed a fruit knife from the table and pointed it at the doorway.

Darren stood in the storm. His eyes were dark and dangerous. He completely ignored the knife in her hand. He stepped sideways to let Rick enter first. Rick was carrying a boy wrapped tightly in a blanket.

Rick placed the boy on the old sofa. It was Asher. His face was bright red from the fever. Rick quickly opened the medicine Althea had given them and fed it to the boy.

The other twin, Arthur, walked in behind them. He held tightly to Darren's wet coat. He was shivering from the cold. He looked around the small room with curious eyes.

Althea saw the sick child. Her hand holding the knife trembled. She slowly lowered her arm and threw the knife back onto the table.

Darren took off his soaking wet suit jacket and threw it on the floor. He pushed the broken door shut. He grabbed a heavy wooden chair and jammed it under the door handle to block the wind.

He turned around. His sharp eyes locked onto Althea.

"Is this the freedom you wanted?" Darren mocked coldly. "Living in this dump?"

Althea stared back with ice in her eyes. "It is none of your business. When the rain stops, get out of my house."

Suddenly, a soft mumble came from the back room.

Chloe rubbed her sleepy eyes. She walked out in her bare feet, wearing a pink nightgown and hugging her teddy bear.

"Mommy?" Chloe called out in her sweet, baby voice.

The word exploded in the quiet living room like a bomb.

Darren snapped his head toward the sound. His eyes nailed themselves to the little girl in the pink dress. Every muscle in his body turned to stone.

Althea's heart hammered wildly. She rushed forward and scooped Chloe into her arms. She used her own body to block Darren's piercing stare.

Arthur noticed the little girl. He pulled on Darren's pants.

"Dad," Arthur whispered. "That little sister's eyes... they look exactly like hers." He pointed a small, trembling finger subtly toward Althea.

Darren felt a heavy hammer hit his chest. He narrowed his eyes. He tried to see the face of the girl in Althea's arms clearly.

Chloe peeked over Althea's shoulder. She was not scared. She stared at the tall man with her big, clear eyes.

Darren saw it immediately. The shape of her eyebrows. The slight upward curve of the corners of her eyes. It was a miniature, perfect replica of Althea. An absurd, unbelievable thought exploded in his mind like a detonated bomb.

He took a step forward. He could not believe it. His voice shook.

"Whose child is this?" Darren demanded.

Althea forced herself to stay calm. She lifted her chin. She looked straight into his dangerous eyes.

"She is my husband's daughter," Althea lied coldly.

Darren felt like his chest was stuffed with broken glass. Breathing suddenly hurt. He gritted his teeth.

"Your husband?" Darren repeated, his voice dripping with venom.

On the sofa, Asher started to sweat as the medicine worked. He groaned uncomfortably, breaking the thick tension in the room.

Rick quickly went to the kitchen sink to get warm water to wipe Asher's forehead.

Chloe wiggled out of Althea's arms. She walked on her short legs toward the sofa. She looked curiously at the sick boy.

Darren's eyes followed Chloe's every single movement. His brain was spinning fast, calculating the timeline.

Althea walked over quickly and picked Chloe up again. She glared at Darren.

"Control your people," Althea warned sharply. "Do not come near my daughter."