Hiding the Billionaire's Twins (English)

Chapter 16

Zoe and Zavia were practically bouncing off the walls with impatience. No matter how much they tried to pamper, tease, or baby their older brother, Rihav remained completely unaffected, ignoring their presence entirely. I couldn't even step in to help mediate because Rihav’s full, undivided attention was locked onto Hera and Hacov.

Hacov was practically glowing with excitement; Rihav had handed over his expensive phone, and the three of them were lying together, completely absorbed in whatever video was playing on the screen.

“Rihav, talk to us!” Zavia whined, flopping dramatically across Rihav’s back.

Rihav was lying stomach-down on the bed, flanked by the two kids who were sprawled out in the same position. His twin sisters were doing everything in their power to disrupt the peace, swatting his shoulders, pouting, and making dramatic displays just to force a reaction. But Rihav remained a brick wall. Luckily, Hacov and Hera were far too entertained by the phone to pay any mind to their aunts’ chaotic antics.

“Rihav, come on! Speak to us!” Zavia huffed, lightly hitting him with a pillow.

“Rihav...” Zoe chimed in.

Despite their persistent pestering, Rihav didn't spare them a single glance. Suddenly, Zoe’s sulking face transformed into a mischievious grin. She snapped her head toward Zavia, grabbing her arm to stop the pillow attack, and whispered something hastily into her ear. Zavia’s eyes lit up instantly, and the two traded a swift high-five.

“Fayre!” Zavia called out, flashing a cheeky smirk. “We have something to tell you! We’ve wanted to lay this out for a while now, but someone kept holding us back. But I think right now is the absolute perfect time. Right, Zo?” Zavia placed heavy emphasis on the words someone.

That finally caught Rihav’s attention. His head snapped toward them, his sharp gray eyes narrowing. I bit my lip nervously, sensing the sudden shift in the room.

“Oh, I agree completely, sister! Let’s spill it, Fay!” Zoe declared, grabbing my wrist to pull me up. I was about to stand when a strong, firm grip wrapped around my other wrist, anchoring me in place.

I blinked, looking back and forth between the hands holding me captive. What is happening now?

“Stop it, both of you,” Rihav’s deep voice cut through the tension, firm and stern. “We will talk at the estate when I get back. Stop acting so childish, Zoe and Zavia.”

The twin sisters fell silent instantly, releasing my arm as if stung. Rihav’s low tone clearly intimidated them. Realizing they weren't going to get anywhere today, they announced they had to head back to City for work commitments.

Only then did Rihav soften his demeanor, shifting into a protective older brother to remind them to drive safely. Together with Hacov and Hera, we walked them out to their car. Amer was joining them back to the city, mentioning a joint fashion show project with Zavia.

“What about you, Rihav? When are you coming back to the Mansion?” Zoe asked before climbing into the vehicle, while Zavia had already settled inside.

“I have no plans for now,” Rihav answered simply.

Zoe let out a soft sigh, stepping forward to press a warm kiss onto her brother's cheek. “Alright, Rihav. We’re heading out.”

Hacov and Hera waved enthusiastically as the car pulled out of the driveway, watching until it disappeared down the dirt road. Eager to resume their fun, the kids immediately dragged Rihav back inside by his hands. Hacov wasted no time asking for the phone again, and Rihav handed it over without hesitation, letting the twins squabble playfully as they darted back upstairs to watch their videos.

Left alone in the living room with Rihav, an awkward silence settled between us. I quickly avoided his gaze and retreated to the kitchen. I could hear his heavy footsteps following close behind. His imposing presence scattered my thoughts so thoroughly that I momentarily forgot what I had walked in there to do.

“When are you heading back to La Fera Dos?” I asked, forcing the words past the tight knot in my throat.

“I don't have plans to leave right now,” he replied calmly. “I just want to be with my kids.”

“What about your family in the City? What if they start looking for you?” I pressed.

“Let’s focus on OUR family, Fay,” he stated, his voice dropping an octave, completely serious.

He was dodging the question again. Why couldn't he just give me a straight answer? Why keep hiding behind excuses? I dreaded the thought of a day coming when he’d suddenly disappear, leaving me with no answers to give my children. I refused to let them grow up knowing their father had another life, another family, somewhere else.

Choosing silence over an argument, I turned around and walked into the small living area, taking a seat on the woven bamboo couch and clicking the TV on. The couch shifted beneath his weight as Rihav sat down right beside me. Even though my eyes were glued to the screen, I could feel the intensity of his gaze on the side of my face. I wasn't absorbing a single scene on TV; my entire awareness was consumed by him.

“By the way, I already informed Haiden that you won't be returning to work.”

“What?!” My head snapped toward him, my voice rising in disbelief.

I glared at him, pure anger flaring up. I don't have a job anymore?! How was I supposed to feed my children without an income? That job was my livelihood, and he had stripped it away with a single sentence! The sheer nerve of him to interfere in my life like this! He had no right. If he wanted to spend time with the twins, he was welcome to visit them at my house, but he had no business meddling in my independence.

“I am here now, Fay. You don't need to work,” he said gently, trying to soothe my temper. “I can provide everything for you and the twins. You don't need to exhaust yourself working manual labor when I can take care of all of you. Please don't argue on this. I want to make up for everything I did to you before...” He paused, letting out a heavy, weary breath. “I’m sorry...”

“Make it up to your children, Rihav,” I snapped bitterly. “Don't give them false hope, and don't you dare hurt them, because if you do, I will make sure you regret it.”

I watched as his breath caught, his throat working as he swallowed hard. “I want to make it up to you too, Fayre. Not just our children, you. I want you back, Angel.”

“Have you lost your mind, Rihav?!” Pain and frustration laced my words. “You have a wife! Do you really have the audacity to turn me into your mistress now?!”

Now that his fever had broken and he was feeling stronger, he had the nerve to utter such insane proposals. If he hadn't been sick and shivering in the rain last night, I never would have let him step foot inside this house to begin with.

“I have no intention of ever making you a mistress,” he said firmly, leaning closer. “You are the only woman I have ever loved, Fayre, so clear that toxic thought out of your head right now. Dyessie has nothing to do with us. We are not talking about her, we are talking about us.”

“Nothing to do with us?!” I scoffed, tears pricking my eyes. “Have you forgotten everything you said that night in front of everyone at your mansion?! You announced your engagement! And what did you do to me right before that?! You called me cheap! You accused me of using you for money! You threw the most painful, cruel insults at my face! And now you expect me to just run back into your arms like none of it happened?!”

My chest heaved as I fought for air, the heavy weight of those memories suffocating me. The tears I had been desperately holding back finally broke free, tracing hot tracks down my cheeks.

He closed the distance between us, shifting closer while I instinctively shrank back until my spine hit the armrest of the couch. Cornering me gently, Rihav reached out and captured both of my trembling hands, lifting them to his lips to press a tender, desperate kiss against my knuckles.

The pain etched across his handsome face was raw and unmistakable.

“I am so sorry,” he whispered hoarsely, his voice breaking. “I was blinded by my emotions... my mind was dark, and all I could see was rage over you and Amer. I let toxic words get to my head. I’m so sorry I didn't give you a chance to explain... I acted like an absolute douche, a self-centered jerk. I am begging for your forgiveness, Fayre. I’ll wait as long as it takes... Just please, don't leave me again.”

He held my hands tightly against his lips, refusing to let go. I tried pulling back a few times, but his hold was unwavering. We locked eyes in the quiet room. The words died in my throat; I was completely stripped of defense. Part of me was terrified to believe him, while another part desperately wanted to.

He had broken my heart into a thousand pieces once before. The lingering ache in my chest flared up, a confusing storm of lingering affection and deep-seated pain. Yet here he was, standing before me, the exact man I had loved so fiercely.

“I want you back, Angel... I want you back...” he murmured softly, leaning in until his breath brushed against my ear.

He wrapped his arms around me, pulling me into a firm embrace. I closed my eyes as my tears soaked into his shirt. Incapable of fighting the overwhelming pull any longer, I wrapped my arms back around his neck, sinking into his warmth. Surrounded by his broad frame, I felt so tiny, so fragile, he felt even broader, more muscular than I remembered.

“Please tell me you want me back... I will do everything to earn your forgiveness. I’ll give you my everything...” he whispered against my hair.

I pulled back slightly, drawing a shuddering breath. “Then prove it, Rihav. Prove it to me... and prove it to your children.”

“Our children,” he gently corrected, leaning down to press a soft kiss against my tear-stained cheek.

By evening, the four of us gathered around the small table for dinner. I had spent most of the afternoon silently watching him with the kids from a distance, choosing to give them the space they needed to catch up on the years they had lost together.

I had initially planned to take a laundry job for a neighbor earlier, but Rihav had stepped in and forbidden it, refusing to let me work. So instead of slaving away, I ended up spending the day relaxing alongside them.

“Mommy, this chicken is so delicious!” Hera chirped happily, her mouth full of fried chicken that Rihav had ordered through his driver.

I hadn't even needed to cook dinner because of him. I was so used to running myself ragged every single day, but today... I hadn't done a single chore. As unfamiliar as it felt, I couldn't deny how nice it was to catch my breath for once.

I smiled warmly at Hera, reaching over to wipe a stray grain of rice from her rosy cheek. I glanced across the table at Rihav, who was watching her with an affectionate expression.

“Daddy, I wish we could eat like this every day!” Hacov piped up between bites.

Rihav set his fork down, focusing on his son. “Why? Eating fried chicken every day isn't very healthy, Hacov.”

Hacov pouted slightly. “But it tastes so good, Daddy! We only get to eat like this when Tata Zoe, Tata Zavia, or Tata Amer visit. When they aren't here, we just eat canned food whenever Mommy runs out of money. Canned food is yummy too, though! Have you ever eaten canned food, Daddy?” He blinked innocently, awaiting an answer.

Rihav froze, his gaze shifting slowly to me. Growing up in extreme wealth, Rihav obviously knew what canned goods were, but he had certainly never relied on them. Back when I lived at the Madreal estate, the meals served were gourmet, customized down to exact temperatures and dietary preferences. His mother had been notoriously strict about food quality, a fact she used to humiliate me over repeatedly.

“Not yet,” Rihav answered gently, turning back to Hacov with a warm smile. “But if your Mommy prepares it, I’d love to try it.”

“Mommy is the best cook, Daddy!”

“Yes, she really is,” Rihav murmured softly, his eyes lingering on me.

We resumed eating as the twins chatterbox endlessly with their father. Eventually, the topic turned to their upcoming birthday. Rihav’s eyes widened slightly upon learning that their special day was just around the corner. I realized then that I had completely forgotten to mention it to him earlier.

“Yes, Daddy! In just a few days, Hacov and I are turning four!” Hera declared excitedly. “We really want to visit the big Mall in La Fera Dos! Whenever Mommy takes us there, we always have to leave so quickly.”

Rihav glanced at me again, prompting me to look away awkwardly.

“Why do you have to leave so quickly?” Rihav asked, before turning to the twins with a bright idea. “Would you two like us to go to the Mall together for your birthday?”

“Yes! Yes, Daddy!” Hacov cheered, clapping his hands. “We want to play in the arcade! The other kids here said the arcade at the big mall is super fun! Please, Daddy!”

“Of course. If that’s what you want, we’ll spend your whole birthday at the Mall,” Rihav promised, gently stroking both of their cheeks.

The kids broke into celebratory squeals. I stayed quiet, not wanting to play the villain and ruin their excitement. Once we finished dinner, the twins scampered off to wash their hands, their shirt cuffs messy from food.

Rihav headed upstairs, returning moments later carrying fresh clothes and towels for their bedtime routine. He took charge of bathed them, taking the weight completely off my shoulders while I cleared the dining table. For the first time in four years, a strange sense of peace settled over me, the crushing fatigue of non-stop survival felt remarkably lighter.

By the time I finished putting away the dishes, the three of them emerged from the bathroom. Rihav’s shirt was splashed with water, clearly the result of a playful water fight with the kids. The twins were giggling uncontrollably as Rihav scooped them both up in his broad arms, hoisting them into the air before gently tossing them onto the mattress. I couldn't stop the soft smile that touched my lips as I watched them.

“Mommy, can we visit Daddy’s big house?” Hera asked as we settled into bed.

All four of us were squeezed onto the mattress together. It was a snug fit, but warm and manageable. Hera was snuggled against my left side, while Hacov was curled up against Rihav on the right, keeping the twins safely tucked in the middle.

“No, Baby. We can't,” I answered softly.

There was no way I was letting my children step foot near the Madreal mansion. Dyessie and her child were there, and I refused to invite that kind of chaos or expose my kids to cruel words.

“Why not, Mommy? Daddy’s house is just over in La Fera Uno,” Hera insisted.

My head snapped toward Rihav, who was holding Hacov close. My jaw slackened slightly. Rihav was born and raised in City, deeply rooted in his corporate empire, why on earth did he own a private residence here on Fera Island? He hadn't even known I was living here, so it couldn't have been built for us.

“You have a house here?” I asked him directly.

“I do,” Rihav replied quietly, looking at me over the kids’ heads. “I didn't want to stay in City, so I had a private property built here in La Fera Uno a while back.”

I nodded slowly, processing the information. Hera immediately resumed her sweet-talking, pressing tiny kisses against my cheek and using her best puppy-dog eyes to wear down my resolve, with Hacov joining in the begging. I squeezed my eyes shut, letting out a long, defeated sigh before finally nodding.

I was hopelessly outnumbered.

“Yes!” Hera squealed, popping up and throwing herself over Rihav’s chest. “Daddy, Mommy said yes! We’re going to your house!” She cupped her father’s cheeks with her small hands.

Rihav wrapped his arms around her securely, laughing softly. “Yay!”

He peppered her face with affection before gently easing her back into her spot beside me. Hera snuggled tight against my side, whispering a quick goodnight before closing her eyes. I leaned down and kissed her forehead softly, then reached over to plant a kiss on Hacov’s head as well.

I adjusted my pillow, feeling the mattress shift slightly as Rihav settled in. A second later, his long arm reached across the back of the kids, gently resting over my waist, pulling all three of us into a warm, protective circle.

“Good night, Angel. I love you,” his deep voice whispered softly through the quiet room.

I didn't offer a response, choosing instead to close my eyes and let the rhythmic sound of the rain pull me into a deep, peaceful sleep.