Hiding the Billionaire's Twins (English)

Chapter 17

“Hacov! I'm so excited!” Hera squealed restlessly as I helped her get dressed.

Today was the day Hera and Hacov had been eagerly anticipating, our trip to the mall in La Fera Dos. With their birthday just two days away, their excitement was palpable, radiating through their bright, unstoppable smiles. They had wanted to celebrate their birthday at Rihav’s house, a plan I initially resisted. But I eventually caved when the twins began giving me the cold shoulder, sulking in quiet protest.

They had spent hours speculating about what Rihav’s house looked like, making them even more impatient to get there. At first, I kept my distance from their chatter, but with Rihav forbidding me from doing any household chores, I had little else to do except sit back, listen, and eventually join in.

“Mommy, are you happy?” Hera asked, gently cupping my face with her tiny hands.

“Yes, Hera. Mommy is very happy,” I replied, flashing a warm smile to reassure her.

She grinned back, hopping off the bed. Once she was ready, I took my turn to freshen up. After showering and dressing, I stepped out of the bathroom to find Rihav already fully dressed. He wore a relaxed-fitting black polo shirt, black jeans, and a pair of high-end designer shoes, items brought over by his assistant when he decided to extend his stay at my house.

“Are you ready?” he asked smoothly.

“Yes,” I answered briefly.

I kept my face bare, opting for a simple yellow off-shoulder dress paired with sandals Amer had gifted me. Walking toward the bamboo bench where the kids were sitting, waiting for me, I helped them step down and grabbed my shoulder bag resting nearby.

We headed out together. My heart skipped a beat when I felt Rihav’s hand casually wrap around my waist, though my attention was quickly stolen by the neighbors lingering outside our gate, staring at us so early in the morning. Shaking my head quietly, I climbed into Rihav’s car.

During the drive to Isla Fera Dos, I remained quiet while the three of them chatted endlessly in the front, their playful banter filling the vehicle. I simply watched from behind, letting the twins enjoy every second with their father.

Upon arriving at the mall parking lot, Rihav stepped out first to open our doors. The kids jumped out excitedly, with me following closely behind. Rihav held both their hands as he guided them inside, while I trailed behind.

The moment we stepped into the atrium, the twins froze in utter awe. Even though they had been here twice before, the sight never failed to amaze them, though our past visits had been cut short because of Rihav. Today, however, he was right beside them, holding their hands.

“Really, Daddy?! You own this entire Mall?!” Hera gasped in disbelief.

My eyes widened in surprise as well. So this was the business Rihav had mentioned? This entire mall?! It suddenly made sense why he walked around the premises like a king, he literally owned the place. It was also where we had crossed paths again.

“Daddy, carry me!” Hera pouted, reaching up.

Without hesitation, Rihav lifted Hera onto his hip while keeping a firm, protective grip on Hacov’s hand with his other. We wandered through the aisles for several minutes before Hacov suddenly halted, pointing eagerly at a sleek shop window.

“Mommy, Daddy! Over there! Let’s go in there!” Hacov urged, pointing toward a luxury gadget store.

“Alright,” Rihav agreed readily, leading us inside.

My eyes scanned the room, which was lined with row after row of high-end smartphones. Hacov’s eyes were wide with wonder. I stepped closer to examine a phone model identical to the one Rihav used, only to nearly drop it back onto its display stand when I caught sight of the price tag.

Hundred dollars for a single phone?!

That could cover our groceries for years!

Pouting slightly, I messed with the phone for a second before setting it back down, shifting my focus to Hacov, who was already picking out a device.

“Daddy! I want this one!” Hacov announced, pointing eagerly at a display.

I rushed over to check the tag, inwardly wincing at the exorbitant price.

“Hacov, that’s far too expensive. Don’t buy it, Rihav,” I insisted, stopping the saleslady from retrieving the box.

“I’m buying it, Fay,” Rihav said calmly.

“No! It’s way too expensive!” I turned to the employee. “Please put it back, miss. We aren't buying it.”

I turned back to Hacov, who had immediately wrapped himself around Rihav’s leg, treating his father like an invincible shield. I leaned down, scooping him up so we could exit the store. Defeated, Hacov burst into tears, his sobs growing louder as we stepped into the hallway.

“Hacov, shh, stop crying,” I cooed softly, trying to soothe him.

“Daddy... I want Daddy...” he sobbed, squirming in my arms and reaching out.

Rihav quickly caught up to us. Hacov began kicking his feet against me in frustration, accidentally hitting my legs. Seeing this, Rihav quickly set Hera down, stepped forward, and took Hacov directly into his arms.

“Don’t hurt Mommy, Hacov. Hush now,” Rihav gently scolded, cradling his crying son.

Shaking my head, I took Hera’s hand instead. Rihav continued his attempts to soothe Hacov, who refused to settle without his new toy. As I took a few steps forward, I felt Rihav’s hand gently wrap around my waist, pulling me close.

“Let’s just buy it for him. I can’t stand seeing him cry,” he whispered near my ear.

I shot him a stern look. “No. He’ll calm down soon enough. He’s just overwhelmed by everything here. Besides, if he breaks it, your money goes down the drain.”

“He won't break it. He really wants it, Fay. Please, just to make him stop crying.”

“Are you embarrassed by the scene he’s making?” I asked, reaching out. “Give him to me, I’ll handle him.”

Rihav gently shifted Hacov away from my reach. “No, that’s not what I mean. I just hate seeing my son cry. If I have the means to buy it for him, I want to give it to him, just like I would for Hera.”

“I just don’t want a day to come where you throw this back in our faces,” I confessed softly, my voice laced with vulnerability. “We aren't like that, Rihav. I’m scared... because if things go wrong, I won't be the only one getting hurt this time. You’ll break my children's hearts too.”

His gaze softened instantly, his grip on my waist tightening with gentle reassurance. I knew I might be jumping to conclusions, but I had to protect my heart and my kids.

“No, I would never do that,” he swore softly. “Like you said, it’s not just about you anymore, it’s about our children too. I don’t want to hurt them, and I don’t want to hurt you ever again. I won't repeat my past mistakes.”

Sighing deeply, I turned my attention to Hacov, whose tear-streaked face was resting against his father’s shoulder. I gently stroked his small hand, pulling his attention toward me. Seeing his red, puffy eyes broke my heart. I wiped the tears from his cheeks and leaned in to press a gentle kiss against his temple. As I did, I felt Rihav press a soft kiss onto the top of my head.

“Alright, Hacov. Mommy agrees,” I relented gently. “But you have to promise not to stare at the screen all day, or your eyes will get bad.”

Hacov’s face lit up, and he immediately leaned out of Rihav’s arms to hug me tightly around the neck. I closed my eyes as I held him. Just like Rihav, I couldn't bear seeing my children upset.

“Thank you, Mommy! I love you!”

“I love you too, sweetheart.”

Rihav guided us back toward the phone store, his arm resting securely around my waist. Before we walked through the glass doors, he leaned down and pressed a tender kiss against my cheek. I let it slide, focusing instead on the kids. Inside, Hacov excitedly finalized his choice while Hera and I browsed quietly. Hera didn't seem interested in gadgets, she was content just observing, unlike her tech-obsessed brother.

Once the phone purchase was wrapped up, our next stop was the department store. The moment we walked through the entrance, store employees immediately bowed and greeted Rihav. He offered a curt nod in response, still carrying Hera, before a sharply dressed manager stepped forward to confer with him.

Hera wriggled down while her father was occupied, running over to where Hacov and I were standing. Hacov was staring at his boxed phone, unable to play with it yet since it lacked installed apps.

“Mommy, look! I want that!” Hera squealed, pointing toward a vibrant display of designer children's dresses. It seemed Zavia and Amer’s fashion sense had definitely rubbed off on her.

“Come on, let's pick one out. Mommy will buy it for you,” I said, leading both twins toward the rack.

“Wow! Shining like a star!” Hera gasped, pointing at a pair of sparkly, knee-high boots.

Even I had to admit they were stunning. They would reach just up to Hera’s knees, featuring a low, sturdy heel that wouldn't trip her up. I pulled the boots off the shelf to check the price tag, only for my stomach to drop.

Is everything in this store ridiculously expensive?!

“Mommy, what’s wrong?” Hera asked, noticing my expression.

“Mommy can’t afford this right now, sweetie. It’s too expensive,” I admitted with an apologetic wince.

“Really?” She pouted slightly, though she quickly tried to put on a brave face. “Aww, okay... maybe next time.”

Before I could say another word, a heavy pair of arms wrapped around me from behind, pulling me into a tight chest.

“God, I found you!” Rihav breathed out, his breath coming in ragged hitches as sweat beaded at his forehead.

I frowned, turning slightly in his grip. “What happened? Why are you out of breath?”

“I thought you left me... I thought you ran away again,” he admitted, his voice laced with genuine panic. “When I lost sight of you after finishing with the manager, I thought you had walked out.”

My mouth dropped. I had never seen him so worried in all our years inside their mansion. I bit my lips before I speak.

“We didn't leave,” I reassured him gently. “Hera just wanted to look at something over here. I’m sorry I didn't tell you, you looked busy with important business.”

“It’s alright,” he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to my cheek before turning to our daughter.

“What caught your eye, Baby? What does my Hera want?”

Hera pointed toward the sparkly boots. “I wanted those, Daddy... but Mommy said they’re too expensive, so we’ll just get them next time.”

“I’ll buy them for you right now, my love,” Rihav said with a warm smile.

He retrieved the boots and handed them to a nearby sales assistant, instructing her to bring out Hera’s size. I was surprised he knew her exact shoe size, perhaps from buying gifts for his other child, Dion, or simply because Hera shared a similar build.

“Yay! You know what, Daddy? Tata Zavia said if I become a model, I’ll get tons of shoes and clothes!” Hera babbled happily. “I want to be a model so I can have a huge closet!”

Rihav knelt down in front of Hera, taking the freshly unboxed boots from the sales lady.

“Is that so? You want to be just like Zavia?” he teased gently with a smirk. “You can be a model, but just make sure you don't copy her dramatic attitude.”

I bit my lower lip to suppress a laugh. Ever since we were younger, Rihav had always picked on his younger sisters, a habit that only stopped when they discovered our secret relationship. Back then, Rihav had no choice but to give into his sisters' demands, fearing they would expose us. I used to think his sisters would be the reason we broke up; little did I know how wrong I was.

Rihav carefully slipped the sparkly boots onto Hera’s feet. She squealed in delight, striking a series of dramatic poses she had clearly learned from Zavia and Amer, drawing fond chuckles from passing shoppers.

“You look absolutely gorgeous in those boots, baby,” Rihav praised softly.

Hera blew her father a dramatic flying kiss in return.

Unsurprisingly, Rihav’s shopping spree didn't end there. He grabbed a massive shopping cart, pushing it around as the twins rode inside.

“This suits you, Hacov. Try this on,” Rihav said, holding a navy-blue polka-dot polo shirt against Hacov’s chest. “Perfect!” he declared, tossing it into the cart.

“Angel, come here. I want your opinion on these outfits for the kids,” he called out, pulling me close by my waist as soon as I reached his side.

We swept through the entire children's department. Hera pointed at literally everything that caught her eye—shoes, bags, matching outfits—half of which she didn't even need. Yet Rihav happily approved every single item. He and Hacov were complete opposites; Hacov simply nodded along to whatever Rihav picked out, entirely nonchalant.

“That’s enough, Rihav. The cart is practically overflowing,” I protested gently, pouting at the mountain of clothes.

The pile was so high the twins had to be taken out of the cart because there was no room left for them to sit. They couldn't possibly wear all these clothes before outgrowing them, and I hated seeing things go to waste.

Rihav yielded to my plea, wheeling the cart toward the checkout counters. A group of attentive employees quickly stepped in to assist with bagging. Hera, meanwhile, refused to take off her new sparkly boots, proudly wearing them out of the store.

“Daddy, are you paying for all of this?” Hera asked, watching the cashier scan the items.

Rihav kissed her cheek softly. “Yes, sweetheart. Daddy pays for everything.”

Hera’s brows furrowed in innocent confusion. “But don't you own this whole place? Why do you still have to pay?”

“Daddy still has to abide by the rules, Hera. Owning the mall doesn't mean I get to take things without paying for them,” Rihav explained patiently.

“Ahhh...” she nodded, understanding clicking in.

We spent the rest of the day exploring the mall. Rihav took them to the popular arcade, where Hacov and Hera squealed with delight riding the moving carousels. They also tried their luck at the claw machines, and to my surprise, Rihav turned out to be an absolute expert, winning five plush toys in a row.

I pulled out Hacov’s new phone and secretly snapped photos of the three of them, capturing the pure, uninhibited joy radiant on their faces. The kids cheered wildly every time Rihav snagged another toy, making me chuckle softly from the sidelines. A sweet warmth bloomed in my chest as I watched them, though a faint prickle of anxiety lingered beneath the surface.

I let out a quiet sigh. Sometimes, feeling this happy makes me terrified of the heartbreak that might follow.

“Daddy, can we go home to your house now? I’m super tired,” Hera mumbled, fanning her flushed face before wrapping her arms around her father’s legs.

Rihav scooped her up, gently wiping the sweat from her forehead with his thumb. “My little princess is exhausted, huh? Did you have fun today?”

“Yes, Daddy! I had the best time ever!” she beamed, planting a big kiss on his cheek.

Rihav turned to Hacov, asking him the same question.

“Yes, Daddy. Thank you so much,” Hacov replied with a warm smile.

“Anything for my babies...” Rihav whispered, kissing both of their foreheads in turn.

Looking at them, I found myself silently praying for the days ahead, hoping they would be filled with peace, laughter, and genuine love, free from the pain of our past. If Rihav truly meant every promise he made today... then maybe, just maybe, I could find the courage to give him a second chance.