Bob's voice thundered through the air, "You guys are pathetic. Do you know that?" His harsh tone snapped at the three men, who lowered their heads in shame.Arsalan's jaw clenched, his presence far more intimidating than Bob's outburst. He didn't need to shout. One sharp glance from him had all four men flinching in unison. But Arsalan said nothing, holding back the growing frustration gnawing at him. Instead, without a word, he turned away and strode toward the mansion.The frown on his face deepened. *How does she afford to live in a place like this?* he thought as he reached the front door and pressed the bell. Moments passed. Nothing. Growing impatient, Arsalan pressed the bell again, this time more insistent.Finally, the door creaked open, revealing an elderly woman with a kind but puzzled expression. From behind her, a shrill voice echoed, accompanied by the clatter of hurried footsteps."I've had enough! This time I'm calling the bobbies!" the voice threatened. "I've learned my lesson. Never again—" The words died in her throat as her eyes landed on Arsalan. She stared at him, her mouth slightly open.The younger woman, clearly wealthy, let her eyes linger on Arsalan in a way that made him peeved. While he was used to such attention, a quiet part of him—something deep, instinctive—always urged him to steer clear of such interactions. Something in his very nature recoiled from indulgence in such acts. He cleared his throat and adjusted his posture, subtly signaling his disinterest. The woman, however, either missed the message or chose to ignore it, her cheeks flushing red as she gave him an almost comical flutter of her fake lashes.The elderly woman beside her cleaned her glasses and put them back on, squinting as though trying to match his face with something in her mind. "Are you Sahira's husband?" she asked cautiously.Before Arsalan could respond, the younger woman, Rachel, cut in, her voice falsely sweet and bubbly. "Of course, he isn't. He's here for me." She turned to the older woman. "Catherine, why don't you go make arrangements for our guest?" She tucked a lock of hair behind her ear, batting her lashes again. "So, how can I help you?" Her tone was all pretense.Arsalan's face remained cold. "I'm here to collect my children.""Children?" Rachel frowned, confused."Yes," Arsalan replied firmly. "I'm Sahira's husband. Can you please tell me where my children are?"Rachel's face contorted with disbelief, her mouth struggling to form words. "You... her... husband?" she stammered. "But... she said..." She was utterly baffled.The older woman, Catherine, sighed at Rachel's behavior. "Come inside," she said quietly, her tone kind.Arsalan nodded, stepping into the mansion without acknowledging Rachel's presence. His patience was wearing thin, but he kept his composure. His hands slipped into his pockets, his expression unreadable as he followed Catherine through the halls. Rachel stood frozen, her mind struggling to process the revelation. After a moment, she spun around and hurried after them."Wait!" Rachel's voice called out as she reached a hand toward Arsalan. He stopped and turned slightly, his expression betraying no emotion. He tilted his head, regarding her with a faint, polite smile, though his patience was clearly waning."I don't believe this," she blurted, her tone exasperated. "You can't be her husband. She told me her husband was poor! Look at you—there's no way a man in a Savile Row suit is married to that... that *poor* woman." Her words were drenched in bitterness.People like Catherine takes her enjoyment from belittling other people. She is one of them who's blinded by her wealth and status. People whoRachel had spent years belittling Sahira, finding pleasure in putting others down, especially those she considered beneath her. The idea that Sahira, whom she saw as weak, could be married to someone like Arsalan—a man who exuded strength and wealth—was unthinkable to her.Catherine sighed, clearly embarrassed by Rachel's outburst. Arsalan, on the other hand, remained unshaken, his tone firm but measured. "I am indeed Sahira's husband, Arsalan Ansari," he said calmly. "Whatever lies she told you were for her own protection, and for the safety of our children. Now, if you could kindly show me to my sons, I would appreciate it."His gaze turned sharp, flicking to Rachel. "And as for your insults, refrain from speaking of my wife that way. You have no right."Rachel's face drained of color, her eyes widening. She hadn't expected such directness. Most people were too intimidated by her wealth or status to speak to her that way. But Arsalan's bluntness—his refusal to cater to her arrogance—left her speechless.Without another word, Arsalan turned back to Catherine. "Ma'am, would you mind taking me to my children now?"Catherine nodded quickly. "Yes, of course." She shot Rachel a disapproving look before leading Arsalan down the hall.As they reached a locked door, Catherine turned to him with a hesitant smile. "Your boys... they're a bit... spirited," she warned. "They don't listen to anyone except their mother."Arsalan raised an eyebrow but smiled faintly. "I wouldn't expect anything less."Catherine opened the door, and Arsalan's reflexes were immediately tested as a dart flew straight toward his forehead. His hand moved swiftly, catching it in midair before it could hit him.A collective gasp filled the room. Three pairs of wide, astonished eyes stared back at him in awe."He caught it!" one of them whispered, disbelief coloring his voice.The three boys, identical in their mischievous grins, clutched water guns to their chests, while a bucket of water balloons sat at their feet."Wait, isn't that...?" One of the boys started to say before all three squealed in unison, "Dad!""Daddy!""Abba!"They rushed toward him, arms wide open. Arsalan knelt down, enveloping them in a strong but gentle hug. Despite his usual coldness, something stirred inside him. Though he couldn't fully identify the feeling, it was as if something had quietly shifted in his heart. *Was this what fatherhood felt like?*One of the boys, adjusting his spectacles, looked up at him. "Did you finish your work, Baba?" he asked, his voice filled with hope."We missed you," another whispered, hugging him tighter."I'm here now," Arsalan said softly. "I've come to take you to your real home."Their faces lit up with joy, their excitement boundless. "We're going to live in a big house!""We'll go to funland!"Arsalan chuckled lightly, ruffling one of their heads. "Did your mother tell you this?"Arhab, the youngest, nodded eagerly. "Yes, Mommy said you'll take us home. We don't have to stay with Aunt Catherine or that mean lady anymore."Arsalan's smile faded slightly, concern creeping into his mind. *Why had Sahira kept them here for so long? What was she afraid of?* He glanced at the calendar on the wall, noticing a date circled in red. *Today?*A sense of urgency gripped him. He needed to leave, but something in his gut told him this wasn't over.Bob's voice broke his thoughts. "The car's ready, sir.""Good." Arsalan turned to his sons. "Go with Uncle Bob to the car, boys. I'll be right behind you."The boys obeyed without protest, their chatter filling the hallway as Bob and the other men escorted them outside. Catherine followed, giving Arsalan a kind smile before she left.Just as Arsalan was about to leave, Rachel blocked his way again, her jealousy now boiling over."You?" she hissed. "There's no way she's your wife. You're far too handsome for a woman like her. How can someone like you be married to *that*?"Arsalan's expression remained unchanged. Without a word, he gently pushed her aside and walked toward the door.Furious, Rachel shouted after him, "I'm not done with you! Your wife was nothing but a maid to me! She took money from me—thousands! I'll sue her if I have to!"Bob, who had been waiting by the door, quickly stepped forward . "I handle all financial matters on behalf of Mr. Ansari," he said. "How much do you claim Mrs. Arsalan Ansari owes you?"Rachel crossed her arms, her face twisted in anger. "Thirty-three thousand, six hundred and fifty-five dollars."Bob pulled out his checkbook, quickly writing the amount. "It's all settled now," he said, handing her the check. Rachel was too stunned to respond, her mouth opening and closing wordlessly."And just to clarify," Bob added with a polite but firm smile, "Mrs. Ansari will no longer be working for you. She doesn't need to hide anymore."Without waiting for her response, Arsalan and Bob turned and left, leaving Rachel fuming behind them.---As the car drove away, Arsalan stared out the window, his mindracing. His sons' excitement filled the vehicle, but his thoughts were elsewhere. *Does she hate my so much that all these years she kept my own children hidden? What was she protecting them from? Me?*He clenched his fists, his emotions—though still distant and unclear—gnawing at him. He couldn't feel fully, but something wasn't right. And now, more than ever, he needed answers.But for now, all he could do was wait.