Celia's heart throbbed as she stood in front of Ezra, her fingers gripping the edge of the door. She was bracing herself for whatever was about to come, but she knew deep down that nothing could prepare her for the weight of his next words.
"We need to talk about the twins," he repeated, his tone low and filled with a seriousness she hadn't heard before.
For a moment, time seemed to stop. The twins. Ezra didn't even know about them, at least not until now. How had he found out? Her throat felt tight, and the familiar tension between them began to build, thickening the air in the small hallway.
"Why now?" she whispered, her voice wavering. "Why are you bringing them up now, after everything?"
Ezra stepped closer, his tall frame casting a shadow over her. His face was unreadable, a mix of frustration and something else she couldn't quite place. His eyes met hers, searching for something—trust, maybe, or an explanation she wasn't ready to give.
"I knew there was more to this than you were telling me," he said, his voice rough, though not without a hint of tenderness. "When I heard you were pregnant, I didn't believe it. I thought it was just another rumor—another lie to keep us apart. But after today..."
His words trailed off, but the unspoken truth hung in the air. He had seen the way she touched her stomach, the protective instinct that had flared up when the bullets had started flying. He knew.
Celia stepped back, her pulse quickening, trying to create more space between them as the walls seemed to close in. She hadn't been ready for this conversation, hadn't wanted him to know the truth yet. Not like this.
"You have no right," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You lost that right the day you let her—let them—ruin everything. You gave up on me, Ezra. You don't get to just show up now and claim my children."
"They're our children," Ezra corrected, his tone harsh but his gaze unwavering. "And I'm not walking away from them. Not again."
Celia clenched her fists, the heat of anger rising in her chest. She had spent so long trying to forget him, to move on with her life without the constant weight of his betrayal pressing down on her. But here he was, barging back in, stirring up the past like it hadn't broken her into pieces.
"You don't get to decide that," she said, her voice sharp. "I've done this on my own. I don't need you. I don't need your protection. I don't need your lies."
Ezra's jaw clenched, the tension between them palpable. His fists were tight at his sides, but he didn't move. He just stood there, as if waiting for her to calm down, as if he could weather the storm of her anger. But she didn't want him to weather it—she wanted him gone.
"I'm not leaving, Celia," he said firmly, his voice unwavering. "I made a mistake. I know that. I listened to people I shouldn't have. But I'm not the same man I was back then. You might not want to hear this, but I'm here to stay."
Celia's breath quickened, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "Why should I believe you? Why should I trust you after everything you've done? You let her destroy me—destroy us—without even asking for the truth."
Ezra's face softened, a flicker of pain flashing in his eyes. "Because I know better now. And I'm trying to make it right. Not just for me, but for them—for the twins."
The sound of his voice, low and pleading, made her chest tighten with conflicting emotions. She wanted to lash out at him, to make him feel even a fraction of the pain he had caused her, but she couldn't. The twins. It wasn't just about her anymore. They were a part of this, too. And despite everything, she couldn't ignore that Ezra was their father.
Celia closed her eyes, taking a deep breath to steady herself. "You can't just waltz back into my life and expect things to go back to how they were. I've changed, Ezra. I'm not the woman you left behind."
"I don't expect you to be," he said quietly, his eyes softening as he looked at her. "But I'm here now. And I'm not going anywhere."
The weight of his words sank into her, and for a brief moment, Celia felt like the walls were closing in again. She couldn't let him stay. She couldn't let herself fall back into his world. But at the same time, she knew she couldn't keep running forever.
Ezra took a step closer, his voice dropping even lower, more intimate. "I know you're scared, Celia. I know you're angry. But I'm not asking for your forgiveness. Not yet. I'm asking for a chance. A chance to prove that I'm not the same man who hurt you."
Celia swallowed hard, her heart now thrumming in her chest. The weight of his words pressed down on her, and she felt herself teetering on the edge of something dangerous—something she wasn't ready to face.
Before she could respond, the sound of a phone vibrating cut through the tension. Ezra pulled his phone from his pocket, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the screen. Without a word, he turned away, answering the call in a low, urgent tone. Celia strained to hear, but she could only pick up fragments of the conversation.
"...no, I'm not leaving...they're after her...yes, I know...I'll handle it."
Her stomach twisted. Whoever was on the other end of that call, it was clear the danger was far from over.
When Ezra hung up, his face was grim. "We don't have much time."
"What do you mean?" Celia asked, her voice tightening with anxiety.
"They're closing in," Ezra said, his eyes flashing with urgency. "The men who attacked us today—they're not going to stop. They know you're connected to me now, and they'll use that to their advantage."
Celia's heart raced, her thoughts spinning out of control. She wasn't ready for this. She had never wanted to be part of his dangerous world again, but now it was closing in around her, threatening to pull her under.
"We need to leave," Ezra continued, already moving toward the door. "It's not safe here anymore."
Celia's pulse quickened, fear rising in her chest. "Where are we going?"
"To another safe house," Ezra said, his voice steady and determined. "Somewhere they won't be able to find us."
Celia shook her head, panic creeping in. "I can't keep running, Ezra. I can't live like this."
Ezra stopped in his tracks, turning to face her. His expression softened, and for the first time in a long time, she saw a glimpse of the man she had once loved. The man who had promised to protect her, no matter what.
"I know," he said quietly, his voice filled with regret. "But right now, it's the only way to keep you and the twins safe."
Celia's breath caught in her throat. The twins. That was what this was all about, wasn't it? Keeping them safe. As much as she wanted to fight him, as much as she wanted to stand her ground, she couldn't risk their lives.
Reluctantly, she nodded. "Fine. But this doesn't mean I'm forgiving you."
Ezra's lips curved into a sad smile. "I'm not asking for forgiveness. Just for the chance to protect what's mine."
The weight of his words hung in the air, and as they stepped out of the penthouse together, Celia couldn't help but wonder if she was making a terrible mistake.
The world outside was just as dangerous as it had been inside, but there was no turning back now. Not for her. Not for the twins.
And not for Ezra.