Once inside, money solved the immediate crisis quickly. Eleanor arranged a warm nursery, stocked formula, and found clean clothes. When the babies finally fell asleep, Ethan brought Olivia into his study.
“Tell me the truth,” he demanded, pouring himself a drink. “Where’s their father?”
Olivia lowered her gaze, tears breaking through.
“His name was Daniel. He was a good man. He died in a highway accident when I was four months pregnant.”
Ethan’s jaw tightened.
“Then how did you end up on a bench? Why the hell didn’t you call me?”
She looked up at him, her eyes burning with anger and fear.
“Because Daniel’s mother, Victoria Hayes, is powerful—and ruthless. She kicked me out of his apartment. Two days ago, she cornered me on the street. She offered me five million dollars to hand over the babies and disappear.”
Ethan’s grip tightened on his glass.
“When I refused,” Olivia continued, her voice shaking, “she threatened to take them from me using judges she’s already bought—or make them disappear if she had to. I ran. I’ve been hiding them ever since.”
Ethan felt his blood run cold.
The nightmare had only just begun.
And no one could imagine what was coming next.
PART 2