The CEO's Twins

CHAPTER 2

The deception of the Sunnak.

Katherine's POV

Ten years ago. . .

“ What did you just say, Father? Repeat that.”

“I said that you will marry the Warrens' heir, and I don't want any objections, Katherine.”

I stood there, paralyzed, unable to utter a single word. The shock of what I had just heard was overwhelming. I had returned to New York after ten years solely to say goodbye to my nanny—the only woman who treated me like a human being after my mother died.

“I refuse. I will not marry any man, much less a stranger, just because you wish it to be so, Father.”

I was defiant, resolute. I wouldn’t allow them to demand something I didn’t want, not anymore. Those days were long gone—when I was a helpless seven-year-old girl, but not now.

“How insolent! You should be grateful for all we’ve done for you over the years. It’s the least you could do!” my stepmother screamed. She had been my father’s lover even before my mother died, and she wasted no time flaunting her power.

“Katherine, enough is enough,” my father commanded.

“But I didn’t come back here for this, Father! They told me my nanny was dying; that’s why I came back from Mexico!”

“And you won’t be going back,” he interrupted. “You’ll be the wife of one of the most powerful men in the country. You should be grateful. But then again, what can you expect from the daughter of a—”

“Enough, dear, that’s enough,” my stepmother interjected, her tone severe as she glared at me. “Katherine will obey, or her nanny will stop receiving our help. You know what that means.”

Her words were like a slap in the face, and I should have believed my friend Benjamin when he warned me this could be a trap. What kind of father calls his daughter back after ten years of abandonment just to let her say goodbye to her nanny? None.

“Katherine, go with Rogelio. The maids will arrange for you to meet your fiancé and his grandfather.”

“No! I won’t go!” I shouted. Their eyes bore into me with hatred. I knew they couldn’t afford for me to refuse, but where would they find a last-minute bride? My sister Diana? Impossible. If she were the heir to a powerful family, they would have already married her off to him. There was more to this than met the eye.

“Katherine, don’t make me angry.”

“I only want to be sure they will fulfill their promise, Father. I want to see my Nana, make sure she is well, and that she is receiving all the care she needs. Otherwise, there is no deal.”

“But this girl!” my stepmother exclaimed, rising from her seat, fury blazing in her eyes. She marched toward me, raising her hand as if to strike. I could only close my eyes, bracing myself for the blow.

“Stop, Amalia!” my father commanded sharply. “If you hit her, Mr. Warren will notice.” He turned his gaze to me, his expression hardening. “Fine, Katherine, you win. But after seeing your nanny, you will fulfill your obligations and go to the Warren mansion without any complaints. Understood?”

“But, my dear—” my stepmother began, but my father silenced her with a raised hand.

My nanny's life was in my hands, and I had to make a decision. I'm sorry, Benjamin, I thought to myself, we’ll have to postpone that outing to celebrate my coming of age.

“I agree. I will marry the man you want, but first, I want you to swear that my Nana will receive the best care until her death.”

“Fine,” my father replied coldly. “In return, you will obey the rules of your spouse’s family and fulfill your duties as a wife according to the contract you signed—without any objection.”

“It’s a deal,” I replied, unaware of the details of that contract yet, but I didn’t think it would be anything too out of the ordinary.

“Now, leave my presence,” my father ordered, and I obeyed.

What my father didn’t know was that I had no intention of staying here for long. I just needed to find the right moment and plan my escape, returning to Mexico with my Nana. I had faith in that plan because, over the past years, I had started a business that was already beginning to bear fruit in the construction industry.

I left the room, accompanied by Rogelio, our family’s butler, but on the way, I ran into the devil’s daughter.

“So, you’ve arrived, little sister.”

That familiar, grating voice. I forced myself to smile. Do it, Katy.

“Diana, how long it’s been,” I said as she approached me, looking me up and down with that air of superiority. She carried a designer handbag and wore those expensive clothes, nothing about her had changed.

“Still dressing like a child, I see,” she mocked, laughing as she glanced at my simple dress and hair. “Anyone would think you were a 15-year-old brat—useless as a spouse, much less capable of bringing a baby into the world.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, sensing something off in her tone.

“Oh, nothing,” she replied with a sly smile. “I just heard that the patriarch of the Warrens chose you to be his daughter-in-law. You’ll marry his grandson, a man known to be evil and cruel. If you don’t please him in bed, he’ll find someone else who will. He’s a notorious womanizer, never satisfied with just one.”

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but I refused to show any fear. There was always more to Diana's words, and I needed to figure out what that was.

So that's what this was all about. She might look innocent, but my parents think she’s a pure, holy dove. I bet they even believe she’s still a virgin.

“Be careful, little sister. I’ve heard he also hits his partners,” she added with a smirk before laughing again. “Well, I’m off. I have a very important appointment, and I can’t miss it. Good luck with your new married life.”

The last thing I heard was her laughter echoing through the room as she strutted out in a black miniskirt and a white top that exposed her waist.

“Miss Katherine, I apologize for the delay. The car is ready. I’ll take you to the hospital,” Rogelio said, his voice a welcome reprieve from Diana’s venom.

I was grateful Rogelio was the one to accompany me. He was the only one who treated me with respect, likely because he knew the truth behind my father’s deception. Diana had been born while my father was still married to my mother, and I came along two years later.

“We’ve arrived, Miss,” Rogelio announced.

I thanked him and went in alone. There was my Nana, so fragile and pale, lying on the bed connected to a respirator.

“Nana,” I whispered, taking her hand gently. “I promise you, I’ll get you out of here. Once I have full control of my coming of age and am appointed CEO of Lunnar Corporation, I’ll make it happen. Until then, I have to endure all of this. Please, just hold on a little longer.”

Yes! If my parents thought I had been wasting my time in Mexico, they were completely wrong. I have an IQ well above my age, which enabled me to found Lunnar Corporation, a Mexican construction company that was gradually making its way in this challenging world. Since I’m still a minor, I couldn’t legally serve as the director, so my best friend, Benjamin, took on the role of CEO for now.

“Miss Katherine, we must return to the mansion—on your father’s orders,” Rogelio reminded me.

I lowered my head in resignation and returned to my parents’ house, flanked by several bodyguards and Rogelio. They weren’t about to risk me changing my mind at the last minute and running away, although the temptation was certainly there.

As soon as I arrived, a group of maids swarmed around me, cleaning, perfuming, and dressing me like a proper lady of class. The entire process was uncomfortable, but they were simply following orders.

They dressed me in a red gown—elegant but far from my style—and applied makeup meant to enhance my beauty. They also styled my hair in a way they believed was more appropriate for my age. According to the maids, I was supposed to impress my fiancé and his grandfather, a notion that didn’t sit well with me at all.

“Miss Katherine,” Rogelio called out.

“Yes, I’m ready, Rogelio. Let’s go,” I replied, bracing myself for what was to come.

“I’m ready, Rogelio. Let’s go,” I said, noticing the way he stared at me.

“Uh…”

“What’s going on?”

“I-I meant to say that the car is ready to take you to the Warren mansion,” he stammered.

I sighed, knowing that once I met them, my fate would be sealed. I had to go through with this; it would only be to see them, greet them, and then return home.

"Welcome, Miss Sunnak. Mr. Warren is waiting for you in the main room," a servant greeted me as soon as we arrived.

"Thank you," I replied, my voice tinged with trepidation. This house was even larger and more luxurious than my family’s, as expected from the Warrens, owners of one of the largest construction companies in the country.

“Mr. Warren, Miss Sunnak has just arrived,” the servant announced.

And now, there was no turning back. Today, I would meet the unfortunate man who would become my husband and his grandfather.

“Come in, make yourself at home,” a voice called out from inside.

With a deep breath, I stepped forward, bracing myself for whatever awaited me beyond those doors.

I thanked him and took a seat.

“You’re even more beautiful than your father described, Miss Katherine,” Mr. Warren remarked with a warm smile.

“Thank you,” I replied politely, my eyes searching the room for the man who would be my spouse. He should have been here.

“Is something wrong?” Mr. Warren asked, noticing my distraction.

I shook my head but hesitated before speaking. “Well, yes… I was told that I would meet your grandson today.”

Mr. Warren let out a long sigh, his expression shifting slightly.

“I’m sorry to inform you that he had a minor incident with his flight and couldn’t make it in time. But don’t worry, you’ll meet him on the wedding day. He’s a bit lively, but he’s not a bad guy. I’m sure that when he sees you, he’ll fall in love with you.”

My heart sank. No! I wanted to set things straight with him from the very beginning.

“And tell me,” Mr. Warren continued, changing the subject, “are you certain about taking this important step in your life? Remember, having a child is no small matter.”

“A child?” I echoed, my mind reeling.

“Of course! Once you’re married, I’m looking forward to having a great-grandchild. Whether it’s a girl or a boy, I’ll be pleased.”

I was left speechless. What was he talking about? A child? I was just about to turn 18. I had so many plans, dreams to fulfill—a baby was not part of them.

“I-I think that could come later,” I stammered. “I want to study and accomplish several things first, Mr. Warren.”

“But dear, you can do all that while you have the baby. You’re a young woman—you can have several children. We’ve already selected a group of nannies who will take care of my great-grandchildren,” he said, now speaking in the plural.

“B-but I…” I trailed off, unable to find the words to express my growing dread.

This was all moving too fast, and the expectations being placed on me were overwhelming. My life, my dreams, were slipping away, and I was being forced into a future I hadn’t chosen.

“Furthermore, my grandson is in full agreement with the idea,” Mr. Warren continued, his enthusiasm unabated. “You and he will, I imagine, make a charming pair. I can’t wait to hold my great-grandchild in my arms.”

“But, Mr. Warren,” I interjected, struggling to keep my composure, “I am only 17 years old. I believe a baby should be brought into the world with love. I don’t even know your grandson yet.”

“Hmm, you’re right,” Mr. Warren conceded. “But it’s not a problem. After the wedding, you’ll have the chance to get to know each other better. I’m sure you’ll fall in love with him. You’ll see, you two will make a beautiful couple.”

This man seemed out of touch with reality, but I had no choice but to go along with him.

“I’m sure of it,” I said, trying to sound convincing. “Yes, of course.” He spoke so confidently about his grandson, as if he were a s*x symbol who would make every woman fall at his feet. Well, I wasn’t about to be one of those women.

After a brief conversation about his son, my family, and his own, I had to lie about a few things. I didn’t mention that I had been living in Mexico and had only returned today; revealing that would feel like deceiving him. He told me that the wedding would take place the day after my birthday—in just two days! Clearly, this was all part of a coldly calculated plan orchestrated by my father.

After an hour, I returned to my parents' house, only to find it filled with an array of gifts, including the wedding dress and other very expensive clothes.

“Wow, little sister, how attentive your future husband is. You’re so lucky,” Diana said with a smirk.

“And why don’t you marry him?” I shot back defiantly. “I think you two would be perfect for each other.”

Her response was swift and brutal. She slapped me across the face before I could even react, with my stepmother looking on as a silent observer.

“Look at who you’re speaking to, Katherine,” Diana said with cold disdain. “I am your older sister, the only heiress to the Sunnak fortune. You, on the other hand, will be nothing more than Franco Warren’s old, worn-out shoe. Once you give him a child, he’ll cast you aside. His grandfather will be pleased, and you’ll be left as a divorced woman with nothing—except, of course, a child.” She laughed, a sound that grated on my nerves.

It was always like this. I had always been the abandoned daughter, the one left behind, the one deemed worthless. I was the unwanted child, burdened with labels and hurtful judgments that I would rather forget. And now, it seemed I was falling back into the worst of their lies. I would be used and discarded once again, just as they had always treated me.

I thought I had changed, that I had some value in my ability to refuse, but I was wrong. I’m still a minor, still under the control of this family that despises me, the Sunnaks. Despite my deep resentment, I was still a part of this family.

But there was a glimmer of hope. I just needed to meet my “fiancé” and make sure everything went according to plan. Even though the situation was far from ideal, I resolved to face it head-on.