Chapter 16
1170 Words
Serena’s Pov
The words hit me like ice water. A twin. Hidden. Given to the Calloways. I stood there in the doorway in my robe, Nate’s arm around me like a lifeline, staring at Dr. Fitch and Diana’s smug face. My legs felt weak. Nate pulled me tighter against his side, his body warm and solid.
“A twin?” I whispered. My voice sounded far away. “I had a brother or sister? And they took them?”
Nate’s hand rubbed my arm, slow and steady. “Serena, look at me.” I did. His eyes were dark and full of love, even now in the middle of this new storm. “We don’t know the full story yet. Breathe with me. In and out. I’ve got you.”
I leaned into him, letting his strength hold me up. His heart beat steady under my ear. “It’s too much, Nate. First the maybe-father thing, now this. I feel like my whole life is a lie. But you… you’re still here. Holding me.”
“Always,” he said quietly, kissing the top of my head. “I love you. This doesn’t change us. Twin or no twin, you’re still the woman I fell for. The one who makes everything better just by being here.”
Diana laughed softly from the hallway. “How sweet. But the records don’t lie. Your mother had twins. One kept quiet, raised as Robert’s. The other… well, Eleanor made sure it stayed in the family. Hidden. Protected. Or controlled.”
Dr. Fitch looked uncomfortable, shifting the envelope in his hands. “I treated Robert years ago. Some notes mentioned complications at the birth. I didn’t connect it until Diana pushed. I’m sorry, Serena. This should’ve come out differently.”
Robert stepped up behind us, his cane tapping. “Enough games. My daughter has been through hell. Show us what you have or leave.”
Nate kept one arm around me as we moved inside. He guided me to the couch, sitting right beside me, our legs pressed together. His fingers stayed laced with mine, thumb rubbing gentle circles on my skin. I held on like he was the only real thing left.
“Tell us everything,” Nate said to the doctor, his voice calm but firm. He squeezed my hand. “We’re listening together.”
Dr. Fitch opened the envelope. “The twin was a boy. Born minutes after Serena. Health issues at birth. Eleanor Calloway arranged private care. Paid for silence. Robert knew parts but not all. The boy was raised under another name. Possibly still connected to the Calloway circle somehow.”
I felt sick. A brother. Out there somewhere. “Why?” I asked, voice cracking. “Why hide him? Why split us up?”
Nate pulled me closer, his free hand stroking my back. “Old money families do cruel things. Secrets, control, protecting the name. But you’re not alone anymore. You have me. Robert. We’ll find him if you want. Or we’ll leave it. Your choice.”
His words helped. I turned my face into his shoulder, breathing him in. “I don’t know what I want yet. It’s too new. But knowing you’re here, not running… it means everything, Nate. I love you. Even when my family tree keeps exploding.”
“I love you more,” he whispered back. He kissed my temple, then my cheek, soft and full of care. “We’ll take it one step at a time. Today, we rest. Tomorrow, we decide. No pressure from them.”
Diana crossed her arms, watching us. “The will clause gets even messier now. Hidden siblings, switched parentage. The executor will want full disclosure. Stocks are crashing, Nate. Marry her quick or lose it all.”
Nate ignored her, focusing only on me. He cupped my face with both hands, eyes locked on mine. “Forget the company for a minute. What do you need right now? Tell me.”
“You,” I said simply. “Just you holding me. Reminding me what’s real. Us. Our love. Not all these secrets.”
He smiled a little, tired but real. “You have that.” He kissed me softly, right there on the couch. It was gentle, full of comfort and promise. I kissed him back, my hand on his chest, feeling his heartbeat. For those few seconds, the room faded. Just Nate and me, choosing each other again.
When we pulled apart, Robert cleared his throat. “You two are good for each other. I see it. Whatever this twin business is, we face it as family. My family.”
I reached over and took Dad’s hand too. Nate’s arm stayed around my shoulders. The three of us sat like that for a while, quiet and together. Nate ordered breakfast—simple eggs and toast. He made sure I ate, handing me pieces, watching me with soft eyes.
“You’re strong,” he told me between bites. “Stronger than all of them. I’m proud of you, Serena. Every day I fall a little more.”
I smiled despite everything. “You make me feel strong. With you beside me, I think I can handle finding this brother. Or not. Whatever feels right.”
We talked low about the future while the others argued over papers. Small things. A quiet wedding. Maybe a trip to the coast where we first met. Normal dreams in the middle of chaos. Nate kept his hand on my knee, warm and steady. Every touch said I’m here. I love you.
Later, when Diana and Victor finally left with warnings about more leaks, Nate pulled me into the bedroom. We lay on the bed fully dressed, just holding each other. His fingers traced my arm, slow and soothing.
“Whatever the next test shows,” he said quietly, “we’re getting married. I don’t need the will’s permission to love you. I want you as my wife because you’re my best friend, my safe place, my everything.”
Tears slipped down my cheeks. “I want that too. So bad. You’ve given me hope when I had none. I love you, Nate Calloway. Real name or not.”
He wiped my tears and kissed me deep. We stayed wrapped up, talking and kissing until exhaustion pulled us under. His arms around me felt like home.
Hours later, a loud knock woke us. Nate sat up, hair messy, eyes alert. I followed him to the door, his hand in mine.
Marcus stood there, face serious. “The independent lab results are back. Confirmed—no Victor link for you, Nate. But the twin… he’s real. And he’s been working at Calloway Financial under a different name for years. Marcus Webb. Your best friend and CFO.”
Nate froze. I gripped his hand tighter.
Marcus—our Marcus—stood behind him in the hallway, looking pale. “It’s true. I just found out too. Serena… you’re my sister.”
- Writer
