Twins for cold hearted CEO

“Congratulations, Mrs. Black,” Dr. Hart said, smiling as she turned the monitor toward her. “You’re two months pregnant.” Elaina’s breath hitched. The room spun. Her eyes filled instantly. “I... I am?” Dr. Hart nodded, pointing at the screen. “And it’s twins. Two strong heartbeats. See here? And here.” Twins. The word echoed in her hollow chest. Elaina’s hand trembled as she touched her flat stomach. Tears spilled down her cheeks, hot and endless, but she was smiling. Wide. Real. The first real smile in three years. Two babies. His babies. A broken laugh bubbled out of her, choking on hope. Maybe now... maybe with the babies, Damian would finally look at her. Not through her. _At_ her. Maybe he would learn to love her. She clutched the ultrasound photo to her chest like it was her lifeline. Like it could shield her heart. As she left the clinic, her steps felt light for the first time in three years. Today, she was a mother. Today, everything would change. ..................................... The Black mansion was silent when she pushed through the front door. Too silent. Voices drifted from Damian’s study. Male laughter. Her heart lifted, fragile as glass. _I’ll tell him now. He’s in a good mood. He has to listen today._ She took a step toward the door, the ultrasound photo clutched so tight her knuckles went white. Then she froze. “Damian, man,” Cole’s voice carried through the crack. “Vanessa’s back in New York. We all know how much you love her.” Elaina’s blood ran cold. The warmth from the clinic bled out of her in one breath. Mark laughed. “If it wasn’t for your grandma, you’d be married to Vanessa by now. Three years wasted on that gold digger.” _Gold digger._ The word stabbed her. She’d given up everything and still, that’s all she was to them. Silence. Then Damian’s voice, low and flat. Emotionless. “Vanessa understands me,” he said. “She was angry with me and left because I married Ellie. Ellie... she’s just my wife on paper and Grandma favors her.” Just my wife on paper. Thud. The ultrasound photo slipped from Elaina’s numb fingers and hit the marble floor. The sound was deafening. Her other hand flew to her stomach. Protective. Shaking. Apologizing. _I’m sorry, babies. Mommy lied. Maybe with the babies, Damian will learn to love me._ The words curdled in her throat, tasting like ash. Inside the study, Henry’s voice was full of concern. “But Ellie is your wife. She’s beautiful and perfect. Plus, where was your lovely Vanessa when your company nearly went bankrupt? She left you.” Damian exhaled, like the conversation bored him. “Ellie and I, we have a contract marriage. After five years, we’re getting divorced. I didn’t touch her for three years. The other night was just a mistake. Vanessa left because I married Ellie, but if I explain it to her, she will understand.” A mistake. Elaina’s heart didn’t just break. It shattered. Into pieces so small she knew she’d never find them all. All these years. Three years of silent meals, of watching him chase another woman’s shadow. Three years of warming his bed alone, telling herself _one day_. That’s why she agreed to sign that contract. Because she was stupid enough to hope. Flashback Three years ago. Elaina came to New York to see her friend. She spotted an old lady defending herself from robbers. Her heart jumped to her throat, but she pulled out her phone and shouted, “Leave her alone! I’m live streaming. Everyone is watching.” The robbers let the lady go. Elaina ran to her. “Ma’am, are you okay?” Madeline looked at her, eyes warm. “You’re so beautiful and brave. Are you married?” Elaina smiled, embarrassed. “No, ma’am.” Madeline held her hand. “That’s great. Will you marry my grandson? He is 26, CEO of Black Design& Build Company. Worth $56 billion.” Elaina laughed, shaking her head. “Actually, ma’am, I’m not interested. I’m here to—” Before she could finish, Damian called out, “Grandma.” Elaina froze. Her heart stopped. _It’s him. The little boy from the lake. The boy she saved when she was eight._ Madeline smiled. “He is my grandson. You two can get your marriage certificate today.” Damian’s eyes widened in horror. “Grandma, I have a girlfriend.” Madeline asked, “Which girlfriend? That Vanessa Hale? Don’t you see she’s just with you for money? I said you will get married today. This young lady just saved my life, and she’s more beautiful than your gold digger.” “Grandma, stop. She is not a gold digger,” Damian snapped. “If she saved you, we can give her money. That will be enough. No need to marry her.” The word _money_ slapped Elaina. Like she could be bought. Like she was nothing. She was surprised and felt humiliated and angry. _Money? I’m Elaina Reed. I don’t lack money. He doesn’t remember me._ Her chest caved in as she looked at him. At the boy who once promised he’d never forget her. _But if she married him, maybe he would remember her. Maybe he’d see her again._ She forced a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I will marry him.” End of Flashback The memory ripped through her. Tears slipped from her eyes, cold against her burning skin. She held her stomach, her whole body trembling. “Baby... Mommy was wrong. Your daddy... your daddy is in love with someone else.” She sobbed, the sound raw and ugly, tearing from her throat. She didn’t care who heard. “For three years, my marriage was just a joke,” she choked out. “I thought you would love me, Damian. I was so stupid. I was so wrong.” Her voice cracked, splintering into pieces. “I left my home. My pride. My name. I buried Elaina Reed to become Ellie Ray, your shadow. I swallowed my pride and begged my family to secretly invest in your company when it was on the verge of collapsing. I saved you, and you never even knew it was me.” She drew a shaky breath that rattled in her chest. Her tears stopped. And when she looked up, her eyes were dead. “From today...” she whispered, “I’m no longer Ellie Ray.” Her spine straightened. The broken girl was gone. “I’m Elaina Reed. The heiress of the richest family in Switzerland.” Her voice was ice and final. “You made your choice, Damian.” She wiped the last tear from her face with the back of her hands, picked up the ultrasound photo from the floor, and held it against her heart. Then she turned and walked to her bedroom. Without looking back.