I stepped out, closing the door gently behind me, my heart swelling with a mixture of joy and responsibility. I had never anticipated this life, but now I was determined to be the father they needed. As I walked down the hallway, I felt a sense of purpose set within me.
"Collins!" I called as we entered the main hall. The butler appeared almost instantly, his demeanor calm and attentive.
"Yes, sir?" he responded, ready to assist.
"The twins have some ideas about making this place feel more like home," I began. "They want a playground and a swimming pool."
"A playground and a pool?" Collins repeated, raising an eyebrow. "That would certainly enhance the estate's appeal for them."
"Exactly. They mentioned feeling unsafe without a place to play back at their old home. I want them to have a space where they can be kids," I explained, my heart swelling with determination.
"And I believe that would foster a sense of belonging for them," Collins said thoughtfully. "It's important to create an environment where they feel secure and happy."
"Can we get estimates for what it would take to build a playground? Something safe with swings, slides, and maybe a climbing frame?" I asked, picturing the space filled with laughter.
"Of course, sir. I will arrange for a landscaping team to come by tomorrow," Collins assured me. "And as for the pool, I can consult a contractor who specializes in residential pools."
"Thanks, Collins," I said, feeling a sense of relief. "I really want them to feel at home here."
"I'll ensure it's done promptly," Collins replied. "The children deserve it, and I'll make it a priority."
"Anyways, I need to talk to you about Claire," he added, glancing around as if to ensure we were alone.
I sighed, bracing myself. "What now?"
"I've been gathering information, and it's not good," he said, his voice low. "Claire's been involved with her secretary. There are photos from various outings that clearly show they've been more than just colleagues."
My heart raced at the implication. "Are you sure? I thought she was focused on her business."
Collins nodded. "I wish I was wrong, but the evidence is solid. It seems she's been planning to leverage her relationship with Max Donovan as well."
I stopped for a moment, processing what he was saying. "You mean me? How will she do that? "
"In the voice recorder... It said that she plans to sleep with you and tell you that you're the father of the baby," Collins replied.
"What? How sure is she that I'll meet her up? How many months has she been cheating on me?" I said,
"They've been dating before you got married, but they stopped when both of you got married then it looks like Claire's family was hiding this" He replied,
I clenched my fists, anger boiling inside me. "So, all this time, I've been supporting her while she's been betraying me?"
"She's been using you for your connections and resources," Collins said. "And it gets worse—she's pregnant, but it's likely not your child, it's probably her assistant."
The weight of his words hit me hard. "What are you suggesting?"
"We need to gather everything we can and prepare for the fallout. If you confront her, she'll try to manipulate the narrative," he advised, opening the door to my office.
I stepped inside, shaking my head in disbelief. "This is unbelievable. I can't let her drag me into her lies. The twins don't deserve to be caught in this."
Collins nodded, his expression resolute. "You have to protect them. The sooner we act, the better."
"I'll handle it," I said, determination flooding through me. "Claire won't get away with this."
As I settled into my chair, I felt a surge of clarity. The truth needed to come out, and I was ready to face whatever came next.
"Claire doesn't know that you're Max Donovan," Collins began. "If she finds out, it could complicate things even more. But we need to establish the twins' legitimacy as your heirs."
"Legitimacy?" I echoed, feeling the pressure rise. "You mean we need a DNA test?"
"Yes. The elders will want proof that they're your children. Even if they bear a striking resemblance to you, without that test, they won't accept them," he explained. "And if they're not biologically yours, you can still adopt them, but we need to be prepared."
"Alright, anyways have we found any information on their mother?" I asked, feeling a sense of urgency.
"Yes," Collins replied, pulling out a file. "Her name is Rebecca. She passed away a few months ago. From what we gathered, she was in a brief relationship with you. They say she was a free spirit, an artist. She had a strong connection to the coast, where she often drew inspiration for her work."
I ran a hand through my hair, the memories flooding back. "I remember that night. I didn't think… I didn't know she had children."
"She wanted to keep the twins safe from the circumstances of her life. She never reached out after that night," Collins said, his tone somber. "But we might be able to find out more about her and the circumstances surrounding the twins."
"Let's do that," I said, my resolve strengthening. "I need to know everything. For their sake."
Collins nodded. "I'll start looking into it right away. And as for the DNA test, we should schedule it soon. It's a crucial step."
"Agreed," I replied, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on my shoulders. "No matter what the results show, I'll protect them. They deserve a chance at a stable life."
"About Claire's business and the support we've been providing."
He raised an eyebrow, sensing the seriousness in my tone. "What do you mean, sir?"
"I want to cut all ties with her since we are already divorced," I declared my voice firm. "No more financial support, no more connections to her family or her business."
Collins looked taken aback for a moment. "Are you sure about this? She's built quite a lot with your backing."
"Exactly. And what has it gotten me? A betrayal and lies. Also, create a magazine saying that I, Max Donovan, Cut my connection to her business, make sure my photo was also there," I replied, my frustration boiling over.
He nodded slowly, understanding the weight of my decision. "If you cut support, it could impact her business significantly. She may retaliate."
"Let her. I'm done playing the role of the supportive husband while she schemes behind my back," I said, my jaw clenched. "It's time for her to face the consequences of her actions."
"Very well," Collins replied, straightening up. "I'll begin the process of severing our connections to her immediately. But we need to be prepared for her reaction."
"I don't care," I said, a newfound determination filling me.
"Understood," Collins said, making notes. "I'll draft the necessary communications and inform our partners that we're pulling back."
I sat at my desk, tension coiling in my stomach." Also, I want to ensure that Claire has no access to the estate," I stated.
"The twins don't know who she is, and I want to keep it that way. Their mental health is crucial right now."
Collins nodded, his expression serious. "That's a smart move. They've just come into your life, and exposing them to her could be confusing."
"Exactly. I want them to feel safe and secure here," I continued. "They need to adjust without the threat of her drama looming over them."
"We can set up measures to keep her away," Collins suggested. "I'll inform the staff to deny her entry and ensure she can't get in touch with you."
"Please do," I replied, feeling a sense of relief washed over me. "I want to create a bubble of stability for them. They deserve that after everything they've been through."
Collins hesitated for a moment. "But what if she tries to reach out? We should have a plan in place."
"I don't care what she tries," I said, my tone is steely. "I won't let her disrupt our lives. If she shows up, I want to be ready to confront her."
"Understood," Collins replied, taking notes.