The CEO's Runaway Baby Mama

You Cannot Run From Me

Ava returned to work with a smile she couldn't feel. She nodded when people greeted her, she answered questions, she even managed to review two reports without making a mistake, but she hadn't truly seen a word on either page. Her mind was still trapped in the ballroom, in Daniel kingsley's voice.

Ava pressed her fingers against her temple. Seven years of building a quiet life far away from Rosewood city and the powerful family she had once believed would crush her . She had told herself that staying away from Daniel had been the right and safest thing to do, but deep down she knew the truth.

Daniel had already known, maybe not everything . But enough, he had looked at the twins, he had calculated their ages and he had recognized the resemblance. Ava stared at the clock, she couldn't stay.

If Daniel had found her once, he could find her again. She reached for her phone and opened the contact list, her finger hovered around an old number, then the office door opened. She looked up, Daniel walked into the office. He wore a black suit, his expression calm and controlled. There was nothing openly threatening about him. The room seemed to shrink around his presence.

Daniel didn't spare more than a passing glance, his eyes remained fixed on Ava. Come with me. Ava stood slowly. No . A few people nearby exchanged nervous glances.

Daniel's jaw tightened. Ava. You have already said enough. No, his voice was low . I haven't, he stepped closer.

You avoided me for seven years, I am not going to let you disappear again. Something inside Ava snapped. You have no right to say that to me. I have every right..

You don't know anything about what happened. Then tell me. Daniel stared at her, you disappeared after that night. I woke up alone. Ava went still. Daniel continued, his voice controlled but strained beneath the surface.

I searched for you, I called every number I could find, I asked questions, but you were gone, he said. She shook her head slowly. You didn't look for me. I did

You knew that I was pregnant. Daniel's expression changed, he was genuinely stunned. Pregnant? Ava immediately realized her mistake.

Daniel stared at her as though she had just spoken another language. You thought I knew. I believed you did. Who told you that? Ava said nothing. Daniel stepped closer.

You told you I knew? she refused to answer. His eyes narrowed, then his gaze shifted to the photograph on Ava's desk, the twins.

Daniel had seen them before. Her fingers curled around the edge of the desk. Daniel inhaled slowly, seven years old. Ava couldn't breathe. I did the math, he said.

She looked at the man standing in front of her, she couldn't give him the words that could change everything. Instead, she whispered you have no idea what I went through when I left Rosewood city. I can't understand what you refused to explain. You don't understand. Then help me to understand.

You think everything can be fixed because you are Daniel Kingsley. No, he took another step, I think I deserve the truth.

Ava swallowed. Why didn't you contact me? Because there had been threats, because her father had discovered the pregnancy, Ava had believed him.

But she couldn't tell Daniel, she wouldn't drag their children into a war between two powerful families.

I had my reasons, she said. Daniel gave a humourless laugh. That's all you have? What do you want me to say? The truth.

I spent five years building a life for my children without you. His eyes flickered. Without me? Yes . Daniel's voice became painfully quiet. Those seven years were stolen from me.

She looked at him for a second, and the anger disappeared. She remembered the night everything had begun , his warmth, the way he had looked at her as though she was the only woman in the world.

Daniel stepped closer. Ava retreated. His eyes followed the movement. Ava don't. He stopped.

The children are the priority. The children? Ava froze. . She knew what she had done. Daniel's eyes sharpened. Our children? I didn't say that. You did. You said the children. You are twisting my words. Then repeat them. Ava couldn't.

Daniel stared at her, a slow realization settled over his features.

He didn't need her confession anymore. If they are mine, I am going to know them. Ava was afraid, no . I will arrange a DNA test. No , her voice rang through the office.

Everyone outside the room went quiet. Ava lowered her voice. I don't want strangers dragging my children through scandals. The test will be private.

You don't understand what your name does to people. Then I will make sure my name protects them. Your world will destroy theirs. Daniel's expression hardened, the only thing that can destroy them is another lie. Ava flinched.

He looked at her for several seconds, then turned toward the door. Before leaving, he stopped. You ran from me once, you won't get a second chance. The door closed behind him

Ava remained frozen, only when she was certain he was gone did her knees weaken, she sank into her chair.

Daniel walked into the elevator without speaking. His assistant Marcus was waiting downstairs. .

The moment the doors closed, Marcus handed him a tablet. I found something. Daniel glanced at the screen. Ava's records are strange. How strange?

She left Rosewood city shortly after the twins were born. That's confirmed. And? Several records from that time are incomplete. Daniel looked up. Incomplete? Altered, some files were removed entirely. His expression turned cold. By whom? We don't know yet.

Daniel stared at the document. For seven years, he had believed Ava had chosen to abandon him, that she had walked away without looking back, but now someone had erased part of her trail and Ava looked genuinely shocked when he had told her he searched for her.

Daniel's mind raced . She hadn't known, which meant someone had made sure she believed he didn't care.

Keep digging, he said. Marcus nodded. There may be more. There will be more . The elevator doors opened. Daniel stepped out. His phone rang. Unknown number. Mr Kingsley? Who is this? . You have been looking for Ava. Daniel stopped walking. Where did you get this number. That doesn't matter. What do you want? . I thought you deserve to see something.

A message appeared on Daniel's phone. An image, he opened it . His entire body went still. Ava pregnant seven years ago, young frightened and unmistakenly carrying the children who now stood at the center of his world.

Daniel's eyes moved beyond her . The photograph had been taken outside a building in Rosewood city and in the background stood a man Daniel recognized instantly. Someone from the Kingsley family's inner circle. The call ended.

Daniel stared at the photograph. Someone hadn't merely kept Ava from him, but had made sure neither of them could find the other and suddenly the question wasn't only whether the twins were his. But who had stolen seven years from him?