The CEO's Accidental Bride

DNA Test

Lila didn’t sleep in the master bedroom that night.

She slept in the guest room with David’s tiny hand in hers. Daniel curled up on the other side.

Ethan didn’t knock again.

The next morning, the tension in the penthouse was thick enough to cut. Housekeepers walked on tiptoes. Even the twins were quiet.

Ethan was already dressed when Lila came downstairs. Suit. No tie. Eyes red like he hadn’t slept either.

“The hospital called,” he said without looking at her. “They want to run full tests on David. To rule out anything genetic.”

Lila nodded. “Okay.”

What she didn’t say: And to see if he’s yours.

A car was waiting. Not the usual driver. Ethan drove himself.

For 20 minutes, no one spoke. Only the sound of David coughing softly in the backseat.

When they got to Carter Global Hospital, a nurse met them. “Mr. Carter. We have the forms ready. For the... paternity test.”

Lila stopped walking. “Paternity test?”

Ethan finally looked at her. “Victoria is telling the board the twins aren’t mine. That you’re lying. If I don’t do this, they’ll remove me as CEO.”

So that’s what this was. Not for David. For the company.

“Fine,” Lila said. Her voice was flat. “Let’s do it.”

They took blood from David. From Daniel. From Ethan.

3 vials each. Labeled. Sealed.

“Results in 24 hours,” the doctor said.

24 hours.

On the ride home, Ethan tried. “Lila—”

“Don’t,” she cut him off. “Just don’t.”

That night was worse.

Victoria posted on i********:. A photo of her and Ethan from 3 years ago. Caption: “Some men never change. Still running from his responsibilities. #Truth”

It had 200k likes in an hour.

The comments were brutal.

“Gold digger”

“Where are the real baby daddies?”

“Ethan deserves better”

Lila turned her phone off.

At 2 AM, there was a knock.

Ethan.

“Can I come in?”

Lila opened the door but didn’t move aside. “What?”

“I didn’t know,” Ethan said. “About Lagos. About you. If I had, I would’ve come back.”

“Would you?” Lila asked. “Or would you have sent money and lawyers like you’re doing now?”

Ethan flinched. “That’s not fair.”

“Isn’t it?” Lila stepped closer. “You have everything. Money. Power. And you think that fixes everything.”

“I’m trying,” Ethan said. His voice broke. “I’m trying with you. With them.”

He looked past her to the twins sleeping.

For the first time, Lila saw it. He wasn’t just scared of losing the company.

He was scared of losing them.

“I’m not leaving,” Ethan said quietly. “Not until we get the results. Not until you tell me to.”

Then he turned and walked away.

---

The next day felt like a year.

The twins were bored. Lila was cleaning for the 5th time. Ethan was locked in his office on calls.

At exactly 4:00 PM, the doctor called.

“Mr. Carter? The results are in. Can you come to my office?”

Ethan put the phone on speaker.

“Go ahead,” he said.

There was a pause.

“The DNA analysis shows a 99.99% probability of paternity. Mr. Ethan Carter is the biological father of David Adeyemi and Daniel Adeyemi.”

Silence.

Then David sneezed. And both adults jumped.

Ethan closed his eyes. When he opened them, they were wet.

“Thank you,” he said to the doctor. Then hung up.

He looked at Lila.

“They’re mine,” he whispered. “Our boys.”

Lila’s chest hurt. Because she was happy. And angry. And scared.

All at once.

Ethan took a step toward her. “Lila—”

The front door slammed.

Victoria.

She walked in with 2 security guards and a folder. “The board sent me. If the test proves they’re his, you stay. If not, you’re out. And you,” she pointed at Lila, “are going to jail for fraud.”

Ethan picked up the paper from the table. “Read it.”

Victoria snatched it. Her face went white.

“99.99%...” she whispered.

“Get out,” Ethan said. His voice was ice. “Before I have you arrested for harassment.”

Victoria dropped the paper and ran.

As soon as the door closed, the twins ran to Ethan.

“Daddy! Daddy you’re back!”

And this time, Ethan didn’t freeze.

He picked them both up. One in each arm.

He looked at Lila over their heads.

“Stay,” he said. It wasn’t about the contract anymore.

Lila nodded. Once.

Because for the first time, she believed he meant it