As I made my way down the grand staircase, the morning sunlight streamed through the large windows, casting a warm glow on the polished floors.
Today was significant; my father had summoned me to the company, and my siblings would be there too. While I was looking forward to seeing them, I felt a knot of anxiety in my stomach. They still didn't know about the twins.
I entered the kitchen, where the head maid, Mrs. Jenkins, was organizing breakfast. She turned at the sound of my footsteps, her expression shifting to one of concern. "Good morning, Mr. Hayes. You seem preoccupied."
"Morning, Mrs. Jenkins. I have to head to the office soon. My father wants to discuss some important matters." I paused, glancing around to ensure the twins were still asleep. "I wanted to talk to you about Jake and Lily."
"Of course. What's on your mind?" she asked, her tone reassuring.
"I need to leave for a few hours, but I want to make sure the twins are settled. Can you keep an eye on them? They're still adjusting, and I want to protect them from any stress."
Mrs. Jenkins nodded, her expression softening. "Absolutely. I'll make sure they're comfortable and entertained. What should I tell them if they ask where you are?"
"Just say I had some important business to attend to. I'm not hiding them; I just want to shield them from any unnecessary complications. My family is... curious, and I'm not sure how they'll react."
"Understandable. It's a big adjustment for all of you," she replied, her voice gentle. "I'll keep them occupied with some fun activities. We have a lovely art set they've shown interest in."
"Thank you, Mrs. Jenkins. I appreciate it. I'll be back as soon as I can." I hesitated for a moment, then added, "And if they ask about my family, please keep it light. I don't want them to feel overwhelmed."
"Leave it to me, Mr. Hayes. I'll ensure they have a wonderful day," she reassured me.
I nodded, feeling a little more at ease. As I headed for the door, I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the day ahead And I headed to the company.
Walking into the conference room, I was greeted with warm smiles from my siblings. They were all present, gathered around the large table, chatting animatedly. The atmosphere was light, filled with laughter and the camaraderie that only siblings could share.
"Ryan! There you are!" my sister Emma exclaimed, rushing over to hug me. "We were starting to worry you wouldn't show up."
"I wouldn't miss this," I replied, forcing a smile as I took a seat.
"Dad has some big plans for us today," my brother Mark said, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "I hope you're ready to dive in!"
"Always," I said, keeping my tone light. The conversation shifted quickly to business matters, and I focused on the agenda, pushing thoughts of the twins to the back of my mind.
However, as the meeting progressed, I could sense my siblings glancing at me curiously. "So, what's new with you, Ryan? Any big news?" Emma asked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
I hesitated, feeling the familiar knot tightening in my stomach. "Just the usual, busy with work," I replied, trying to deflect.
"Come on, you know we're here for the gossip too!" Mark teased, nudging me.
I forced a chuckle, but my mind raced. Should I tell them about the twins? I wanted to, but I wasn't ready for the inevitable questions.
"Seriously, Ryan, you look a bit stressed. You can tell us if something's bothering you," Emma pressed gently.
I took a deep breath, weighing my options. "I promise I'll share some good news soon. Just give me some time," I finally said, hoping they would respect my boundaries.
I felt the weight of my siblings' gaze on me. Mark leaned back, a smirk playing on his lips. "So, Ryan, when are you finally going to step up and take over Dad's position? We all know it's time."
I chuckled nervously, trying to deflect. "I'm just focused on my projects for now. No need to rush."
"Oh come on," Emma chimed in, her eyes bright with excitement. "You've been bringing in great results. Dad wouldn't want anyone else."
"Right," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady. "But it's not just about me. You all have your strengths too. We're a team here."
"True, but let's face it—everyone knows you've got that special spark," my sister, Rachel, added. "And with everything going on, it's a perfect time for you to take the lead."
Their words sent a flicker of unease through me. "I appreciate the confidence, but I'm not sure I'm ready for that kind of pressure just yet."
Mark leaned forward, his demeanor shifting."Pressure? Do you mean like the pressure from your ex-wife? We've heard rumors she's claiming that you're the father of her baby."
I felt my stomach drop. "What?" I blurted out, caught completely off guard.
"Yeah," Emma said, her tone is serious now. "There's been talk that Claire is trying to pin a pregnancy on you. Is that true?"
I hesitated, glancing around the room. "It's complicated. I didn't expect this to come up."
Rachel's eyes narrowed. "Ryan, if something is going on, you need to tell us. We're your family—we're here for you."
I took a deep breath, feeling the pressure mount. "Okay, I'll admit it—there are kids involved. But they're not Claire's. They're twins I just found out about."
Mark's eyebrows shot up. "Twins? Since when? You're just dropping this on us?"
"I didn't have a choice," I admitted, running a hand through my hair. "I just discovered they're mine. Well, the DNA test results are not yet received I'm sure they're mine."
Emma leaned forward, concerned etched on her face. "And Claire? What's she saying?"
"She's trying to claim that I'm responsible for a pregnancy, but that's not true. We were never that close." I paused, weighing my words. "It's all a mess."
"Have you talked to Claire about this?" Rachel asked, her voice softening.
"I tried, but she's not exactly being reasonable. She wants to create drama, and I just want to focus on the kids," I said, frustration creeping in.
Mark nodded. "You need to keep your distance from her. Protect the kids, Ryan. They shouldn't have to deal with this."
"I know," I replied, my voice steadily. "I've made it clear to my lawyer that I don't want Claire around the kids. They're my priority now."
Just then, my father entered the room, bringing an abrupt halt to our conversation. "What's all this talk about children? Are we expanding the family business?"
I forced a smile, trying to mask the tension in my stomach. "Just some sibling chatter, Dad. Nothing to worry about."
"Well, if it's important, you need to take care of it," he said, his gaze lingering on me. "Family comes first."
The meeting continued, filled with discussions and plans for the company. I participated, but part of me remained distracted, thinking about how the twins were doing back at the estate. I hoped Mrs. Jenkins was keeping them engaged and that they were finding some comfort in their new home.
As the meeting wrapped up, my father's voice boomed, cutting through the chatter. "Ryan, can you stay back for a moment? I'd like to discuss something privately."
He studied me for a moment, a knowing look in his eyes. "You know you can talk to me about anything. I just want what's best for you."
"I know, Dad. Thanks." I felt a flicker of guilt for not sharing more, but I also knew this was my responsibility to handle.
As I walked out of the conference room, I steeled myself for the challenges ahead, determined to protect my twins while thinking about my family's expectations.
Arriving home, I was greeted by the sound of laughter. I found Jake and Lily at the kitchen table, covered in paint and surrounded by art supplies. Mrs. Jenkins stood nearby, smiling as she supervised their creative chaos.
"Hey, Dad!" Jake shouted, waving his paintbrush in the air. "Look at our masterpieces!"
I chuckled, feeling a sense of relief washed over me. "They look amazing! What do you call them?"
"'The Big Adventure!'" Lily declared, showing me her colorful artwork filled with stick figures and rainbows.
I knelt beside them, my heart swelling with pride. "They're fantastic. I'm so proud of you both."
"Did you have a good day?" Lily asked, her eyes wide with curiosity.
"It was a long one, but I'm glad to be home now," I replied, stealing a glance at Mrs. Jenkins, who winked at me knowingly.
"Next time, can we have a picnic?" Jake asked, his face lighting up.
"Absolutely. We'll plan it soon," I promised, my heart full as I watched them interact, forgetting the earlier stress.