Hiding the Billionaire's Twins (English)

Chapter 13

Without waiting to hear what Rihav had to say, I immediately turned on my heel and yanked Sean along, who was busy exchanging silent, tense glances with Rihav. I hurried my pace while Sean dragged his feet like a tortoise, constantly looking back at Rihav while carrying Hera in his arms.

“Hurry up and walk faster!” I snapped at him, my patience running thin.

He finally complied with my demand. I held Hacov tightly against my chest, though his soft sobs hadn't fully subsided. I soothed him as we made our way out of the mall, casting a quick glance over my shoulder to check if Rihav was following us. A sharp, unexpected pang pierced my chest when I saw that he wasn't there.

That could only mean one thing: he didn't care about my children. I hadn't told him that we had kids together, and he likely felt no instinctual tug of blood toward Hacov when their eyes met, so he didn't bother chasing after us. He already had a child with Dyessie; he had no reason to pursue me.

Perhaps it was better this way…

Once we reached the parking garage, Sean and I exchanged a brief look. I caught his heavy sigh before he opened the rear passenger door, placing Hera inside. She didn't voice any complaints, though confusion was written all over her face. I settled Hacov right beside her, his crying finally coming to a halt.

I took my seat in the front and looked back at the two of them. Hera was pouting deeply; I knew all too well how much she hated leaving the mall so soon.

Truthfully, I wanted to take them around and give them a wonderful day out, too. But the overwhelming fear, anxiety, and lingering anger in my heart won over. Next time, I promised myself. There would be other opportunities.

“Mommy, are we really going home already?” Hera asked, unable to contain her disappointment any longer.

Sean started the engine and backed out of the parking space, driving away from the complex. I watched Hera's head swivel toward the window, her eyes fixed on the receding silhouette of the mall until it disappeared from view. My heart aching for her, this was only her second time stepping foot in a mall, and she hadn't even been able to explore it properly.

“Next time, Hera. Isn't your birthday coming up soon? We'll play all we want on your birthday, just like we planned, okay?” I said gently. She offered a small, hesitant nod. “Don't be sad anymore. I'm staying with you and Hacov tonight.”

Both of their faces instantly lit up. I offered them a reassuring smile. I needed to stay with them for a while and take a break from work. After everything that happened today, the thought of stepping foot in La Fera Dos—especially Club Highden—made my stomach churn. Even if Rihav didn't care about the twins, running into him there would only drag back every painful memory from earlier.

“Really, Mommy?” Hacov asked softly.

“Of course. Don't you want your Mommy sleeping beside you tonight?”

“We do, Mommy!” they chimed together.

I caught the light chuckle from Sean beside me and turned his way. I instructed him to head straight to La Meyanda; he knew the route well since his family owned a estate there. The drive was quiet as we navigated the highway back to our small town. The sun was still high in the sky, a bitter reminder that my children's precious hours in La Fera Dos had been cut short.

Midway through the drive, my phone chimed from inside my bag. I pulled it out and checked the screen: it was Amer. I quickly picked up.

“Where on earth are you guys?” he demanded from the other end.

“We're on our way back home. I'm sorry we left without telling you. Something came up, Amer. Just enjoy the rest of your day there, you've been taking good care of my kids for days anyway.”

“Are you sure? Because I am definitely going out to find a man later, so don't bother calling me! I might not pick up anyway since the Double Z and I are meeting up here at the mall. Alright, bye!” Before I could say another word, he abruptly hung up.

I slipped the phone back into my bag and checked on the two in the rearview mirror. Hera had fallen fast asleep, while Hacov was staring blankly out the window, looking deeply lost in thought.

“Are you okay, Hacov?” Sean asked gently, noticing the boy's quiet demeanor.

Hacov nodded slowly before answering. “I'm okay, Uncle Semon,” he replied politely. “Mommy, can I ask you something?”

“What is it, Hacov?” I asked softly.

“Why did that man earlier have the exact same eye color as me? And why is his hair just like mine and Hera's?” he asked innocently, revealing the exact thought that had been occupying his mind.

Sean and I exchanged a panicked, subtle look in the front seat. My throat went dry at the innocence of his question. I didn't know how to answer him; I couldn't just blurt out that the man was his father. Revealing the truth so abruptly would turn their world upside down.

Especially now, when Rihav already had a legitimate child of his own.

I refused to let Hera and Hacov grow up feeling like they were illegitimate children, mistakes born out of wedlock. I wouldn't allow that weight to be placed on their young shoulders. They were far too young to understand the complicated mess of the adult world. Perhaps when the time was right, I would explain everything to them.

But definitely not today.

“What did that man do to you, Hacov?” I asked, deliberately shifting the subject.

Sean returned his focus to the road, quietly allowing us to talk while keeping a listening ear.

“I saw a toy phone like Obet's from far away, so I walked over to look at it,” Hacov explained softly. “When I turned around, Uncle Semon wasn't there anymore, and I got really scared, so I started crying. The store vendor yelled at me to leave because I was being too loud. Then that man, the one with eyes like mine, came over, picked me up, and calmed me down.”

“He didn't do anything bad to you, right?”

“No, we just looked at each other. For a second, I thought he was my Daddy... because Tata Amer always told me that my Daddy has the exact same eye color as me.”

I closed my eyes tightly, biting my lower lip in frustration over Amer's big mouth. That dramatic friend of mine was truly a disaster waiting to happen. It was a miracle Amer hadn't been standing next to us when we ran into Rihav, or the secret would have been blown wide open right then and there.

“He isn't your Father, Hacov,” I said directly. “There are millions of people in the world who share the same eye and hair color.”

I felt Sean's brief glance from the driver's seat, but I ignored it. I had to keep the truth hidden for now. I couldn't bear to see my children hurt; I would willingly absorb all the pain in the world if it meant protecting them.

“I know, Mommy. He looked very rich... so it's impossible for him to be my Daddy. We just have the same eyes, but he isn't him,” Hacov murmured quietly.

A heavy wave of relief washed over me. Let him believe that for now. It was for the best.

We arrived at La Meyanda just as the sun was beginning to set. Hera had woken up, and Hacov looked a little more rested. Sean pulled up directly in front of our modest house, and I immediately caught the sharp, nosy glares from our neighbors.

Go ahead, spread the gossip all the way to the edge of Isla Fera for all I care!

I unbuckled Hera and carried her out since she refused to set foot on the ground unless I held her. Hacov climbed out on his own. We stepped inside the house accompanied by Sean, who took a quiet, lingering look around our small home.

I set Hera on a wooden chair and unbuckled her sandals before removing Hacov's shoes. Once the kids were settled, I turned to address Sean. Just as I opened my mouth to speak, his phone rang loudly from his pocket. He pulled it out, checking the screen before displaying it to me.

Rihav's name was flashing across the display.

My heart did a nervous leap, but thankfully, Sean didn't answer it. It was time for him to leave before he ended up picking up the call right in front of us.

“Sean, you should probably head back now. It's getting late and...” I cast a glance outside at the darkening sky that was quickly clouding over. “It looks like it might rain soon, and the roads will be difficult. Please... don't tell Rihav where we are. I'm begging you.”

He released a low sigh and placed his hands reassuringly on my shoulders.

“You can trust me, Fay. I won't say a word to him. But are you sure you're okay managing everything here on your own?”

“Yes, I can handle it.”

He nodded slowly. “Alright, I'll head out then. It really does look like a downpour is coming.” He glanced outside before turning back to the children. “Uncle Semon is leaving now, Hera, Hacov.”

“Bye, Uncle Semon!” Hera called out.

“Bye, Uncle!” Hacov added.

I walked Sean out to his car. He raised a hand in farewell before sliding into the driver's seat. The moment his car pulled away and disappeared down the street, I slipped back inside and locked the door behind me.

I turned all my attention to the kids, fooling around with them until their spirits lifted. They had been down about missing out on the mall, and I wanted nothing more than to make them smile while I was by their side.

As night fell, I stepped back into my role as their mother. I prepped our bedding for the night before heading down to the small kitchen area to whip up dinner. When I walked back toward the living room, I found the two of them glued to the small TV screen. I smiled and got to work preparing our meal.

The light drizzle that started when Sean left had turned into a steady, chilly rain. The cold weather meant it would be a comfortable night to curl up together under the blankets. Just as I finished setting the dishes on the dining table, a series of urgent, heavy knocks echoed against the front door.

“I'll get it, Mommy! It's probably Tata Amer!” Hera offered eagerly, scrambling up before I could object.

I laid down the last plate just as Hera let out a startled gasp from the living room.

“Mommy!” she shouted.

My brows furrowed. I rushed toward the front entryway, but my feet came to a sudden halt the second I saw who was standing on our doorstep. The breath caught completely in my throat. My heart hammered wildly against my ribs as our eyes locked.

My eyes stretched wide as I took in the sight of Rihav, his hair drenched and water dripping heavily from his clothes. Before I could utter a single word, Hacov piped up from behind me.

“Sir!” Hacov exclaimed, standing straight up when he recognized Rihav at the door.

I caught the subtle softening of Rihav's expression as he looked at Hacov. In a flash, I rushed forward, placing myself between the kids and Rihav, ushering the twins toward the stairs. They protested initially, wanting to stay and watch TV, but the stern tone in my voice forced them to obey and head upstairs. Once I was certain they were safely out of sight, I turned back to face him.

The lingering anger flared up in my chest as I glared at him.

“What are you doing here? How did you find out where I live?” I demanded tightly.

“How I got here doesn't matter. I want to hear the truth directly from your mouth, Fayre. I want to know if those two kids are mine,” he said, bypassing any pleasantries.

I shook my head instantly. “There are no children of yours here, Rihav! Leave right now!” My voice rose in sheer panic and anger.

I wanted to physically push him out, but I refused to lay a single finger on him.

What is he doing here? If he had suspicions about the twins, why didn't he pursue us at the mall? I won't allow him to barge in here now acting as if he has any right to care about my children.

I tried to slam the door shut, but his palm shoved against the wood, blocking it. “No, Fay. The second I saw Hacov, I knew he came from me. His eye color, his face shape, his hair, he is mine. Tell me the truth, Fayre!” The raw intensity in his eyes was terrifying.

I saw his jaw clench tightly as his arm muscles strained against the door, preventing me from shutting him out.

“You have a family, Rihav! You belong with them!” I yelled back.

“Damn it, just tell me the damn truth!” he roared, his composure breaking.

“If you knew Hacov was your son from the very beginning, why show up only now?! Why didn't you chase after us at the mall?! Was it because you were too busy worrying about your legitimate family?! You can leave, Rihav, we don't need you here!”

Our raised voices clashed over the sound of the falling rain. I knew all too well that despite the weather, nosy neighbors were likely listening in from behind their curtains. I didn't care about their gossip anymore, I just needed Rihav gone immediately.

“I needed to be certain of what I felt, Fay! That’s the reason why I didn’t run after you at the mall! And now that I know the truth, you can’t run away from me anymore,” he declared, his words hitting me like a ton of bricks.

The absolute certainty in his voice terrified me.

“What do you mean? What 'truth' are you talking about, Rihav?!” I spat out.

“Amer told me everything. He confessed everything to me earlier, all of it. This is all my damn fault... if only I hadn't listened to—”

“The past is in the past, Rihav!” I cut him off harshly. “You can't rewrite what happened! Please, just stop showing your face here, especially around my children. You have a family now, Rihav. You have a wife and a child!”

“Bullshit! You are my family, Fayre!” he yelled back, suddenly stepping forward and pulling me into a fierce, suffocating embrace.

The ice-cold moisture from his wet clothes instantly soaked through mine. I stood frozen in shock, completely caught off guard as his arms locked tightly around me. He had been standing out in the pouring rain the entire time I kept him at the doorstep, and now the water transferred onto my clothes. I pressed both of my hands firmly against his waist, applying every ounce of strength I had to push him away.

After a desperate shove, I managed to break his hold.

“Please, Rihav... I don't want any more trouble. I don't want my children getting hurt, and I can't take any more pain myself. Just leave so we can have peace. You have a life, a wife, and a child elsewhere. Don't worry about my twins, we don't need you. Please, just leave us alone.” My voice broke down into a desperate whisper.

If his family and Dyessie's prominent relatives found out about this, everything would blow up in our faces. My children would be caught in the crossfire of a massive scandal. The safest option for everyone was for Rihav to walk away before anyone else found out.

“When you told me that night to let you go, I was willing to do it if it meant giving you peace, Fay. Seeing you cry because of me tore me apart,” he said, his voice cracking as he paused to catch his breath.

I shook my head in disbelief at what he said.

“I know how deeply you hate me, and I know you're fully capable of throwing me out of your life without a second thought. But now that I know the truth, no matter how many times you push me away, I am never leaving your side again. I refuse to be separated from you and our children. Losing you was agonizing enough, I won't lose my children, too. Please forgive me... I will do whatever it takes for you to forgive me.” He paused, his breath hitching, before slowly sinking to his knees right in front of me.

Rihav kneel… infront of me.

“On my bended knees... please forgive me...” he choked out in a whisper.

A sharp gasp escaped my throat. Tears poured uncontrollably down my cheeks as I stared down at Rihav kneeling at my feet. He reached out, taking both of my trembling hands and pressing them desperately against his rain-slicked cheek, whispering endless apologies. The guarded, angry facade I had built up completely shattered at the sight of him lowering himself like this.

This was the first time he had ever dropped to his knees before me. Throughout our past relationship, he was always the one in control, the dominant one. I had never imagined our hidden romance would even last as long as it did back then. While I knew he loved me dearly, his controlling nature was always present. Seeing him like this left me utterly speechless.

In the Madreal Mansion, he was treated like royalty, a king. And now, that very king was kneeling at my feet, sobbing in the rain…

“Let's sort out our lives first, Rihav,” I whispered softly, wiping my tears. “Right now, I don't want my twins growing up believing you have another family. I don't ever want them thinking they are illegitimate.”

With those final words, I gently pulled my hands from his grip and slowly pulled the door shut between us.