SURPRISED
1300 Words
I was overcome with nostalgia as soon as I got off the plane. Years had passed since my last visit; I had left behind everything that had comprised my once ideal life, including my home, friends, and career, only to return years later with nothing more than two tiny hands gripping mine in a familiar place.
"Where are we going, Mom?" Like him, Ivy asked me, her bright blue eyes looking up.
I brushed her stray curl away from her cheek and told her, "Let me put your father here." "Come along."
She furrowed her little brows and looked uncertainly at her twin brother, Hugo.
"But I thought Alistair was our dad!" Hugo exclaimed abruptly. Hugo c****d his head to the side in response.
"Yes," I said quietly, then forced myself to remain calm, "but today we are meeting your current father." I asked my son how he would feel when we met all of his relatives for dinner later that evening, since I had already met his family, which included many of my real dad's siblings. He gave a soft nod. "Okay," was the answer. "Just make sure everyone is acting appropriately!" We'll get to meet his whole clan!
Ivy pursed her lips, and Hugo averted his gaze.
I quickly turned around when I noticed a flash of movement close to the airport exit. The television screen there bore the headline, "Lord Reginald Wyndham Celebrates 75th Birthday at The Sterling Manor Hotel."
Perfect. With a gentle smile, I grabbed both of my kids and walked them over to our waiting car.
Magnificence glistened in the ballroom. The sea of immaculately dressed guests was illuminated by chandeliers, champagne flutes clinked, and pleasant conversation filled the air, but it all stopped the moment I walked in.
Throughout, there were murmurs of disapproval and gutter sounds. Then there were sighs, whispers, widened eyes, and breathless gasps!
I allowed my eyes to roam over everyone in the room, taking in their astonished looks, especially my parents'. But what truly grabbed my attention was Sebastian Hawthorne himself, standing motionless as if he had come across a ghost of some kind, his lips slightly parted and his grip tightening around his drink.
"I--I'm not the father of these children!" His voice, urgent and desperate, pierced the quiet with alarm. "She's lying."
His sharp jaw and grey-blue eyes were exactly like Hugo's. It was nearly humorous.
As her voice trailed off, Charlotte sobbed in Sebastian's arms and asked him to explain why she thought their neighbour's accusations were accurate. "Tell me she's lying."
He shook his head wildly as he turned back to her. "I always wore protection! I will never turn on you."
Charlotte withdrew her hand, tears welling in her eyes as the betrayal stung; I had not gone through what she had.
Everyone's attention was on me at that moment, but only one viewpoint mattered. I then established eye contact with the head of the Wyndham family, who held absolute authority.
With unreadable intensity, Lord Reginald looked directly into my eyes before saying, "I need a DNA test.
Quiet. "Certainly, Lord Reginald," I said, my lips curving into an artificial smile.
My response caused Sebastian to stiffen, and my parents' faces turned colourless as their joy subsided. How much I enjoyed this moment!
Charlotte abruptly swayed and turned white as paper, tumbling to the ground in a conflagration of chaos as though to demonstrate her point.
As I got back up, Sebastian rushed over to her and embraced her. My face was emotionless and unreadable as I faced my mother's enraged stare, which was like fire to me.
It was their responsibility to clean up this mess that they had made.
Without pausing or turning around, I took Hugo's and Ivy's hands as we walked out of the ballroom.
On a night I will never forget, I stood on the terrace of my hotel, watching the stars twinkle over London. My skin was lightly brushed by a chill, but I didn't mind—in fact, I welcomed it.
We have taken a significant step, but there are still many more to come.
There is no going back now.
I was startled out of my slumber by a sudden, unrelenting knock on my door.
I wiped sleep from my eyes and swung my legs over the bed groggily. Their presence wasn't welcome here either, and whoever it was didn't seem interested in using their doorbell.
I opened the door hastily.
Sebastian's suit was wrinkled, his jaw was clenched, and he had dark circles under his eyes. His face was expressionless and lacked vitality. It created a picture that looked like something from Hell.
He pushed past me and into the room before I could react.
He glanced quickly around the suite, focusing on the twin beds that were asleep. He inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. After a while of silence, he turned to face me, and we greeted each other.
"Explain your desires to me."
A grin pulled at my mouth. "What am I wanting?" I asked myself.
Gritting his teeth, he grunted, "Just name your price." "Just take it and go." "I'll give you anything, from money to a house."
"Cash? Do you truly believe that money is the only factor at play here? I chuckled.
"What else could it be?"
My mouth was open and my arms were crossed as I leaned against the doorframe. I asked, "Do you really want to know?"
My remark caused him to twitch a little. "Obviously."
"All right. You are what I want. Get rid of Charlotte and come with me.
"No," he said, his cheek muscle sounding incredulous.
"Well," I said resignedly, "then there's nothing else for us to discuss."
He sighed with relief as he brushed through his hair. "Don't be concerned. Just go; I'll take care of everything, including their education and future needs."
"It's your turn now; you raised them by yourself for five years." I moved in closer and murmured.
His mouth opened to reply, but a tiny voice cut him off with a follow-up query.
"Mum?"
Ivy was rubbing her eyes when I looked up, and Hugo was sitting quietly beside her.
Sebastian made the decision to back off.
"Perfect timing," I whispered. "You ought to greet your dad."
Sebastian took a deep breath. He turned and stormed out, slamming the door behind him without saying another word.
My fists tightened as I exhaled slowly.
Just a little while longer... until they fully trust me and let me in.
Then?
I would demolish them all.
Before we left on our adventure, I dressed the twins and assisted them with breakfast as the morning broke with groggy protests and laughter.
A friendly receptionist at Aldrich Royal Infirmary gave us a sympathetic glance.
We have been patiently awaiting your arrival, Miss Fairchild.
We followed her into a sterile laboratory. The doctor entered shortly after. He declared, "We will need blood samples."
"Hair should be enough." I let out a sigh.
When Ivy saw the needle, she objected, saying, "Blood is more accurate." "Mom, will it hurt?" she asked.
"Just a pinch," I reassured her.
Hugo looked scared and pale, so I petted his hair instead.
I thought about going to Charlotte's room as we were leaving, but I knew that would only make me appear weak.
When I checked in again at the hotel, the receptionist gave me my key and said, "You have a visitor," with a strange smile.
He was there when I turned.
The twins' excited shrieks filled the lobby as they ran up to Alistair, who was ecstatic.
With gentle eyes and fingertips, he reached for my hand and whispered, "I came to take you home."
"Home was wherever he was." I acknowledged that thought with a smile.
- Writer
