On our anniversary, I learned my husband killed my Children

Four miscarriages for the last years. But this morning, I stared at the pregnancy test and saw two pink lines. I cried until my throat ached. I pressed the test to my chest and whispered, Please stay. Please stay with me.

I wiped my tears, stood up, and started planning how Id surprise my husband tonight, especially that it was also our anniversary and he prepared a dinner for us. We have been waiting for this baby!

But then a notification popped up on my phone. A charge from our shared credit card. It was 2 million dollars from Tiffany Co.

A smile tugged at my lips. Maybe he bought me a necklace for our anniversary. Maybe hes finally planning something romantic again and forgot that we shared the credit card.

I grabbed my bag, fixed my hair, and rushed out. I cant wait to see his face once he finds out about our baby.

But fate decided to surprise me first.

Halfway down the street, right behind the jewelry boutique, I saw him. Lewis. Standing outside, holding a tiny black velvet boxa necklace.

And standing in front of him

Victoria. My adopted sister whom I havent seen since four years ago because she was busy traveling the world due to her work.

At first, my brain tried to give them innocent explanations.

Maybe hes helping her choose something for me. Maybe they wanted to surprise me with that necklace.

But then Lewis opened the box. Victoria gasped softly, touching her chest. Then Lewis leaned closer. Too close. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe just a brotherly kiss since they always have been close, but then Victoria kissed him on the lips, and they both laughed at each other.

The world blurred. My ears rang. My knees weakened, and for a moment, I thought I was actually fainting.

Lewis my husband

Victoria my sister

I stumbled back as quietly as I could, swallowing the scream rising in my throat. My vision tunneled as I forced myself into a cab and went straight home. I didnt cry. I couldnt. I felt hollow, like someone scooped out my insides and left only air where my heart should be.

That night, my phone buzzed.

Lewis:

Love, Im so sorry. Im swamped. Well celebrate tomorrow instead. I promise.

Tomorrow?

After kissing my sister today?

I turned my phone face-down and crawled under the blanket. I didnt reply.

The next morningthe day our anniversary dinner was supposedly moved toI didnt prepare. I didnt shower, didnt dress up, didnt even brush my hair. I just curled up on the couch in my pajamas, knees to my chest, staring at absolutely nothing.

Every time I blinked, I saw it again. Lewis and Victoria kissing like a happy couple.

My chest tightened until it hurt. A quiet sob escaped, then another, until I was crying so hard I couldnt breathe. I pressed both hands over my mouth, trying to muffle the sound, but it didnt stop. I didnt know what to do. I didnt know what to believe. I just knew my world had cracked open, and I was falling through it alone.

My phone buzzed.

Then again.

And again.

I didnt move.

Lewis:

Nadine? Where are you?

Another message.

Lewis:

Love, please answer me.

Then another.

Lewis:

Im getting worried. Youre not at the restaurant. Whats going on?

And then:

Lewis:

I prepared a surprise for you. Please dont disappear on me like this.

A fresh sob tore out of me.

Surprise. Yes. I got my surprise yesterday.

I squeezed my eyes shut, letting the tears fall until my throat felt raw. I didnt have the strength to respond. I didnt want to hear another lie. I didnt want him to twist the truth or play innocent.

So I stayed where I wasbroken, silent, and pretending I didnt see his calls.

Until later, when the door finally opened.

And Lewis walked in, face stormy with concern.

Nadine! What happened? he rushed over. Why werent you at the restaurant? I said were supposed to have a date. Are you are you mad because it got canceled on our anniversary yesterday? Im making it up to you now

My hand moved before I thought.

SLAP.

His head snapped to the side.

Youre a liar, I whispered, my voice cracking. A disgusting liar.

Lewiss eyes widened. What? Me? A liar? What are you talking about?

Where were you yesterday? I asked, tears finally burning behind my eyes.

In the office! he insisted. Where else would I be? Why?

Stop lying, I choked out. Where is the necklace you bought?

He froze. Just for a second. But it was enough.

My heart clenched. Lewis. I saw you. I saw you with Victoria.

Confusion filled his facetoo perfect. Too practiced.

Then his expression shifted.

A quiet exhale.

A dramatic sigh.

Okay, he murmured. Im sorry for lying.

My chest tightened.

But Nadine that wasnt me.

I blinked. What?

It wasnt me you saw, he explained softly. It was Maxon.

Maxon? I frowned. Your twin brother? Lewis he drowned. Years ago.

I thought so, too. We all did, he said quickly. But he survived. Lost his memories. He came back weeks ago. I didnt know how to tell you because I wanted it to be special. He met Victoria by accident and theyre dating now. We planned to surprise you yesterday but I got busy with work, and was supposed to be today but you didnt come to the restaurant.

I stared at him.

So it wasnt you? I whispered.

Of course not, he laughed shakily, pulling me into his arms. I would never hurt you. I love you so much.

My arms remained stiff at my sides, but he didnt seem to notice.

A moment later, the front door opened.

Hey, a voice said.

I turned. And there he was. MaxonLewiss identical twin you wont even know the differencestanding beside Victoria.

They waved awkwardly.

Something in my chest twisted painfully.

Lewis kissed the top of my head. See? Everythings fine now.

But something wasnt.

That night, Lewis thought I was asleep.

I wasnt. I heard him in the hallway, voice low, smug.

Come on, twin brother, he said on the phone, chuckling. Shes stupid enough not to know we switch places, and even foolish not to know I was the one killing our child so she had miscarriages for the last years.

Come on, twin brother, he said on the phone, chuckling. Shes stupid enough not to know we switch places, and even foolish not to know I was the one killing our child so she had miscarriages for the last years.

My entire body went cold.

Killing Our child? That four miscarriages werent an accident?

I almost collapsed right there even though I was lying in bed.

On the other end of the call, a familiar voicethe real Lewislaughed. A sharp, dismissive sound that sliced through whatever remained of my heart.

Well, Nadines always been clueless since we were young, he said. Let her be.

Maxon continued casually, as if discussing the weather: Are you sure you wont regret leaving her to me? You used to love her.

The real Lewis snorted. Honestly? No. I only wanted her back then because you wanted her. I just wanted to beat you. But now that she chose medamn. He clicked his tongue.

I dont even like her. Its always been Victoria. And its no fun when I beat you, you know. Ive always loved Victoria, and so I even faked my death just to chase her because surely grandma wouldnt agree if I left her. But its a win-win now because you have her and you owe me.

My stomach twisted so violently I had to grip the sheets to stay grounded.

Well, then, if she gets pregnant this time, I will not allow you to kill the baby! Weve been killing it for the last four years, and I want a child with her now!

Lewis replied, Sure. Nadines pregnant already with our child. The only reason I was killing her child cause Victoria doesnt want me to have a child with Nadine before her. She didnt even know the child has always been yours. So, yeah, its all on you, too. From now, do whatever you want with the child.

A broken sound escaped me before I could stop it.

Four miscarriages. All because of them.

Maxonpretending to be Lewislaughed softly. Then leave her to me. She wont ever know her most hated twin brother is the one warming her bed. This is her punishment for rejecting me back then over you. Now, she would never be able to leave my side.

I slapped a hand over my mouth again, tears already blurring my sight.

I always fought with Maxon. We clashed about everything. He was the playboy. The troublemaker. The boy who pushed my buttons until I screamed.

But nevernot oncedid I imagine he would do this to me.

Maxon continued on the phone: By the way, Grandma wants us home for her birthday. She warmed up fast when she heard youwell, Maxon, came back from the dead. Cant believe it. She always hated me and said would not even give me my inheritance!

Lewis snorted. Of course she did. After all, shed been missing Maxon when she thought you died. But for Lewis, shes going to hand me the company. For that party, Ill be Lewis. We keep switching. Family matterswe play our parts. But when it comes to the sisters, we switch depending on the situation but I should always be with Victoria. Victoria hates it when Im with Nadine.

They both laughed. My vision swam. I just didnt know what else to do. How could they do this to me?

A tear slipped down my cheek. Then another and another.

Just then, I felt arms wrap around me from behind as the bed moved.

Warm. Familiar. The scent of Lewiss cologne. Except it wasnt Lewis.

It was Maxon pressing his chest against my back.

Love? he murmured. I love you.

I squeezed my eyes shut, trying not to sob. Trying not to scream. Trying not to break right there.

I used to think our story began the day Lewis told me he loved me. But the truth was it began long before that.

We were childhood friendsme and the twin boys, Lewis and Maxonbecause our parents were inseparable. Business partners. Vacation buddies. The type of adults who talked about raising their kids side-by-side the way other people talked about backyard gardens.

I practically grew up at their beach house.

I remembered those summers so clearly it hurt. Lewis smiling shyly at me, always the gentler twin, offering me seashells as if they were precious diamonds. Maxon chasing us with water balloons, loud, stubborn, and cocky even at ten.

The adults used to tease us constantly.

She will marry one of those twin boys someday, theyd laugh.

Then Victoria arrived in our lives for real. She wasnt just a playmate anymore; she became part of the family when her parents died in an accident. She was six. Lost. Quiet. I remember feeling so much pity for her, so much instinctive protectiveness, that when my parents said shed be spending most holidays with us and the twins, I didnt complain.

We all grew up together like thatan unbreakable circle.

Or so I thought.

Maxon was the first to break it.

He confessed to me when we were fifteen. Brazen and stupid, that boy. His cheeks were red, but he still smirked like he wasnt scared.

But I was.

Youre a playboy, I had said sharply. You dont know what love is.

He had laughed, pretending it didnt matter, but I saw itjust for a flashin his eyes: the hurt. Or maybe his pride shattering. Ill never know.

Still, I tried. At first. I tried to see where it might go.

But then Lewis happened. Quiet, careful Lewis. The one who didnt make grand gestures but made me feel safe. Seen. Wanted in a way that wasnt loud or exhausting.

Little by little, all my attention shifted toward him. I didnt even notice Maxon drifting away until the day he snappeduntil he became angry, almost violent in his frustration.

That was the last time we spoke.

By twenty, Maxon had left, the entire family treated him like the black sheep. Even their grandmother couldnt stand to hear his name.

And by twenty-three, I married Lewis.

Except now

Lewis wasnt Lewis. He was Maxon. The real Lewis was gone, stolen from me long before I even had a chance to understand it.

I felt myself breaking in half, then in quarters, then into dust. Everything everything I thought I knew was a lie.

I wiped my tears with the back of my hand and stood up abruptly.

Maxon was finally asleep on the couch, breathing peacefully. Peacefully, when he had destroyed my entire world.

I grabbed my phone and walked out the door before I could think.

My hands were shaking as I dialed.

It rang once.

Hello? my mother answered, her voice thick with sleep.

I swallowed the lump in my throat.

Mom, I whispered, my voice cracking. Please take me home. Im going to divorce my husband.

Morning came slowly, like my body was trying to delay the moment I had to wake up and face reality. I opened my eyes, but I didnt move. And that was when I heard it muffled voices coming from the guest room down the hall. I recognized them instantly.

Lewis and Victoria.

My blood froze.

I know, Victoria hissed, voice sharp with frustration. I get it. You needed to use your brothers identity to be with me. Fine. I accepted that. But shouldnt we end this? Im tired of sneaking around. I want to date you as Lewis, not as Maxon.

My stomach coiled, sick and tight.

Lewis replied with a low, annoyed sigh. Victoria, relax. I told youwell fix everything at Grandmas birthday party.

Fix? How?

Lewis chuckled, the same laugh that used to make me feel safe. Now that sound curdled my insides. Well frame Nadine. Make it look like she cheated on me. Grandma adores her since our families have always been closeshed never allow a divorce unless Nadine messed up. But if she thinks Nadine betrayed me? Shell kick her out herself.

I covered my mouth, tears burning hot behind my eyes.

Victoria scoffed. And Maxon? He wont agree to any of this. Hes unpredictable. What if he ruins it?

Lewis laughed again. Hell agree because hes too stupid not to. And if he doesnt? Then we arrange it in a way that makes him look unaware. Maybe even betrayed. Thatll break him enough to cooperate on disposing Nadine.

My entire body trembled. I thought they had reunited as brothers. I thought they had healed.

But no.

Lewis continued, colder now. I never made peace with Maxon. I just like using him. And Nadine. Then, with disgustingly casual confidence: Both of them are tools.

Something crashed inside me the last fragile piece of hope.

Then Victoria whispered something I couldnt hear, and Lewis groaned. Their voices grew softer, breathier, then dissolving into hungry moans that made bile rise in my throat.

I couldnt listen anymore.

When I finally left the bedroom, eyes red but dry, I found Maxon in the kitchen. Pretending to be Lewis.

He was humming while setting plates on the table. When he saw me, his smile brightened. Good morning, love. Did you sleep well?

A lie wrapped in honey.

I stared at him, numb. Fine.

His brows pulled together, concerned. You look pale. Are you feeling sick? Do you want me to take you to the doctor?

I shook my head quickly. No. Im okay.

Before he could ask anything more, the front door opened and in walked the monsters themselves Lewis and Victoria. Laughing. Touching. Radiating happiness as if they hadnt been plotting to destroy my life an hour ago.

You two are early, Maxon said lightly.

Well be staying here for a bit, Lewis answered, dropping a bag by the couch. Family bonding and all.

Victoria hooked her arm with Lewiss and grinned. Lets make the place lively!

I nodded quietly, swallowing down the scream clawing up my throat. There was no point exposing what I knew not now. Not with the three of them circling me like wolves.

Later that day, Victoria found me alone in the living room. She sat beside me, too close, the smugness radiating from her like perfume.

You look tired, she said sweetly. Is married life already dragging you down?

I bit my tongue. She leaned in, voice dripping venom. Or maybe Lewis is getting bored of you. He always said you were the dull one.

My palms trembled.

And honestly? she whispered. You never deserved him. Or anything you have.

Something inside me snapped.

Shut up, I said through clenched teeth.

Victoria smiled slowly, like shed been waiting for this. Make me.

She shoved my shoulder a weak, childish push meant to provoke but I shoved her back. Harder. She staggered, let out a dramatic shriek, and intentionally crashed into a side table. The porcelain vase toppled and shattered into glittering shards.

Right on cue, Lewis stormed in.

What happened? he demanded, eyes darting between us.

Victoria ran straight into his arms, trembling like an abused kitten. She pushed me! she cried.

I stepped forward, heat flooding my face. She started it

Lewis lifted his hand sharply the gesture alone enough to cut my voice off. His eyes were glacial. Nadine, what is wrong with you?

Wrong with me?

Victoria sniffed loudly and buried her face into his chest. I think she hates me, she whimpered. Ever since my parents died and hers adopted me shes never liked me. She always bullied me. I tried so hard to be her sister, but sheshe never wanted me.

My jaw dropped.

That was a lie. I opened my mouth to defend myself, but Victoria pressed on, voice breaking at all the right places.

I didnt do anything wrong. I just wanted to be part of the family. Maybe she thinks I stole her parents love but I never tried to. I just I just want to belong.

Lewis tightened his hold on her, protectiveness flaring in his eyes. Not for me. Never for me.

Victoria, he murmured, brushing her hair. Its okay. Ill protect you.

I stared at them, speechless. My pulse pounded like it was trying to rip out of my skin.

Thats not what happened, I managed to whisper. I never

Lewis turned to me with a look that could slice flesh.

Shes pregnant, he snapped before I could finish. You should calm down. What if something happened to the baby? If anything happens to the baby, thats on you.

Victoria hid behind him, peeking over his shoulder with a look of victory so thinly veiled it made nausea crawl up my throat.

Lewis continued, voice filled with manufactured disappointment. You should apologize. Victoria didnt deserve that.

Victoria clutched his arm. Its okay, Lewis dont blame her. Shes probably stressed. I know she doesnt like me. I understand. Lets just go. They left.

I walked to the bedroom on shaking legs and started shoving my clothes into a suitcase. I didnt care if they heard. I didnt care if they stopped me.

They destroyed me.

But Id be damned if I stayed here long enough for them to finish the job.

I left the house without a word.

At the first red light, I froze. A massive billboard towered above me the face of Isaac Halt staring down, sharp jaw, cold blue eyes, confidence radiating from every angle.

Lewiss enemy. Maxons rival. The man the twins hated more than anyone.

And suddenly, a smile curled on my lips.

Maybe I didnt have to run. Maybe I could fight.

Fifteen minutes later, I strode into Halt Corporations marble lobby, hair messy, eyes swollen, emotions burning like wildfire.

The receptionist blinked. Maam, do you have an appointment

No, I said, lifting my chin. But tell Isaac Halt that Nadine Colton wants to see him. Now.

They mustve recognized my last name, after all Coltons a rival family, because panic flashed across the receptionists face before she scrambled to the phone.

Minutes later, Isaac appeared tall, severe, intimidating. His gaze swept over me, taking in everything.

He frowned. And whats my rivals wife doing in my company? Did he send

I need a husband, I said.

His jaw tightened. Excuse me?

I met his eyes dead-on.

Can you marry me?

Isaac stared at me like Id just told him the sky was green. Then he laughed.

Let me get this straight, he said, leaning back in his leather chair. You barged into my building without an appointment, demanded to see me, ignored my secretary, and now youre asking me to marry you.

Yes, I said, lifting my chin.

He blinked once. Twice. Youre still married, Nadine.

Not really. I slid a thick envelope across his desk. I already filed for divorce.

His brows rose. You filed this fast?

My mother helped, I said simply. So yes. Im free. And you I looked him straight in the eye you can marry me now.

His lips curved. Not kindly. Not mockingly. More like someone fascinated by a fire spreading across a field. Why me?

Because Lewis once told me to stay away from Isaac Halt. Because Lewis hated him. Because Isaac was the one man Lewis never beat, never intimidated, never matched. Because Isaac is everything Lewis pretends to be. But I didnt say that.

Instead, I said, I heard you were looking for a wife.

That got his attention. A slow, assessing look swept over me.

And what exactly, he asked, voice dropping, do you think you can offer me?

Everything.

Isaacs brows arched slightly.

Ill do anything you want, I said. Anything you need. Just I swallowed hard marry me.

He pressed his fingers together. I want a child.

My heart paused.

My father has been demanding one, he continued, tone cool. An heir. Thats the only deal Im offering. Marriage in exchange for a child. Everything else in the contract is negotiable. But that part isnt.

My pulse throbbed in my ears. I placed a hand over my stomach, feeling the fragile flutter of life inside me.

Good, I whispered. Perfect timing, actually. Im pregnant. For the first time since I walked in, shock flickered across his face. I was supposed to abort this baby, I said quietly, because he isnt safe with the man I married. But I wont. The baby is innocent. And if you need an heirthen we can use this.

The silence that followed was heavy, intense, cutting.

Okay, he said. Lets get married. When?

Tomorrow, I said without hesitation. A shotgun wedding.

I turned and walked out of his office, feeling his eyes on my back until the elevator doors closed.

The hotel room felt too large, too quiet, too painfully safe after the house Id escaped.

My mother sent the finalized divorce papers. I signed them immediately. I spent the afternoon gathering evidencespeaking to people who owed me favors, employees who had seen too much, friends of the family who remembered what really happened the night Maxon allegedly died, why Victoria left, and every rumor they tried to bury.

By evening, I had what I needed.

All of it would be sent to Grandma Madeline on her birthday during her celebration in front of every powerful business partner, friend, board member, and socialite shed ever invited.

Let them taste humiliation.

Let them feel the ruin they crafted for me.

My phone rang. Maxon still pretending Lewis. I let it ring until it went to voicemail.

Where are you? he asked immediately, voice strained. You disappeared. You didnt come home. Ive been calling

I just needed air, I said softly. Needed space.

A beat of silence.

Was it because of Victoria? he asked, voice gentler. Im sorry. I shouldve been there. I didnt know she would

Its fine, I lied. Im okay. I just needed a night away.

Youll come back tomorrow? he asked, sounding relieved.

Yes, I whispered. Tomorrow.

Okay, he said warmly. Take whatever rest you need. We also have to prepare for Grandmas birthday.

I closed my eyes. We said goodbye, and I dropped the phone onto the bed, my hands trembling.

The next day, I stood in my wedding dress. I glanced at the man beside mea stranger, someone I had known for less than a weekbut a strange calm settled in my chest.

I do, I whispered, the words barely a breath.

He echoed them without hesitation.

The ceremony lasted barely fifteen minutes. No flowers, no family, no celebrationjust a piece of paper binding me to a man who didnt pretend to love me, didnt use me, didnt destroy me.

A clean slate, sealed with ink.

Days blurred together after that.

I moved through the house like nothing had changed. I smiled when spoken to. I laughed when expected. I joined breakfasts, dinners, and little conversations in between.

Maxon stayed mostly gentle and warm, checking on me like I was fragile glass. Lewis and Victoria floated around like a guilty secret trying too hard to seem innocent.

Then came Grandma Madelines birthday.

A day big enough. Formal enough. Public enough.

Perfect.

In the morning, I approached Maxon with a soft smile.

You go ahead, I told him. Ill bring Mom with me. She needs extra time to get ready.

His face lit with relief and affection. Okay. Ill save you a seat next to me.

Please do.

He kissed my foreheadwarm, trusting, undeservedand left without a shred of suspicion.

The moment he was gone, my entire posture shifted. My breath steadied. My eyes sharpened. This was it.

I slipped out the back entrance with a single suitcase, and left a message to my butler to send the gift to Madeline.

When I arrived at the private hangar, Isaac was already there.

He leaned casually against the stairs of the jet, hands tucked in his pockets, looking like trouble and salvation wrapped into one. Youre right on time, he said with a faint smirk.

For once, I answered. My voice no longer trembled.

He offered his hand. I took it.

The plane door shut behind us with a soft thudlike the closing of a chapter I would never revisit.

As the engines hummed to life, I gazed out the window. The city stretched below me, familiar and cruel, then slowly began to shrink as the jet ascended.

I pressed a hand to my stomachsteady, certain.

At the party, everything would unfold exactly as planned. The truth in that gift box would carve through their lies like glass. Grandma Madeline would know what theyd done.

Everyone would.

And by the time the murmurs spread across the ballroomby the time faces turned, shocked and whispering they would also know one more thing:

I wasnt theirs to break anymore.

I had married Isaac Holt.

And the moment my name was announced their entire world would burn.

Remember, he said under his breath, voice calm but edged with warning. We play the role. No cracks. No hesitation.

Maxon paused just outside the ballroom doors, the low hum of conversation and clinking glasses leaking through the polished wood. He adjusted his cufflinks onceslow, deliberatethen turned to Victoria.

Victoria crossed her arms, jaw tightening. I am trying, okay? she hissed back. But youre not Lewis.

Maxons eyes flicked to the doors, then back to her. Not here. Not now.

Her laugh was brittle. And when does this stop? When do we stop pretending? Her voice dropped, frustration spilling through. I didnt sign up to play house with a ghost. I want this to end, Maxon. I want to be with Lewis as soon as possible, so we better end this.

He held her gaze, unreadable. It ends when it has to.

A beat of silence stretched between them. Then Maxon straightened, the mask sliding back into placecomposed, distant, controlled.

Smile, he said quietly. Theyre watching.

Victoria exhaled sharply, then forced her expression into something soft, affectionate. She slipped her arm through his, fingers curling possessively as if it were naturalreal.

Inside, though, her thoughts were anything but calm. She was already searching the room for Lewis, instinctively, desperately, as if he might appear and make sense of the mess theyd created.

She hated the waiting, the pretending, the way this charade refused to end. She wanted it overwanted her life back, wanted clarity instead of lies layered over lies.

And more than anything, she couldnt wait for Nadine to be gone from their lives entirely, erased like an inconvenient chapter. Then, she told herself, everything would finally fall into place.

The doors opened.

The ballroom of the Madeline Estate glimmered beneath crystal chandeliers, every surface polished to perfection for the matriarchs birthday. Old money, old power, old bloodlineseverything Madeline stood for was on full display.

Madeline approached them slowly, her sharp eyes never leaving his face. Age had silvered her hair, but nothing dulled her instincts. She studied him the way she always hadlike a chessboard shed memorized decades ago.

So, Madeline said at last, her cane tapping lightly against the marble floor. Youre really back.

Maxon inclined his head respectfully. Yes, Grandma.

And your memories? she pressed. You told me on the phone you remembered nothing.

He exhaled, as if the subject still weighed on him. The accident damaged most of them. I woke up confused. Disoriented. If it werent for Victoria He glanced at the woman beside him. I wouldnt have survived. She saved me. Took care of me.

Victoria straightened immediately, eyes shining. I did what anyone wouldve done, she said softly. I couldnt leave him alone.

Madelines gaze shifted to Victoriaslow, assessing, unkind.

Are you sure about this? Madeline asked bluntly. About her, Maxon.

Victoria stiffened.

Madeline didnt stop. I wont lie. I dont think shes the right woman for you. Im sorry, Victoria, but Ive always imagined my grandson with someone like Nadine.

The name landed heavily.

Maxons fingers twitched at his side.

Speaking of Nadine Madeline turned, scanning the ballroom. Where is she?

A pause followed. An uncomfortable one.

She isnt here yet, Victoria said quickly, forcing a smile. Maybe shes just late.

Madeline cut her a sharp look. Nadine is never late.

Victorias smile faltered. Inside, irritation boiled. Why is it always Nadine? she thought bitterly. Why her and not me?

Madeline turned away from her and pulled out her phone. Lewis, she snapped into the call. Where is your wife?

Lewis arrived moments later, breath slightly uneven. Ive been calling her, Grandma. She hasnt answered yet.

Madelines eyes narrowed. Did you hurt her?

What? No! Lewis said immediately. We didnt fight. Everything was fine.

Then why isnt she here? Madeline demanded. On my birthday. After everything Ive done for her?

Before Lewis could answer, footsteps echoed behind them.

The butler approached, holding an ornate gift box.

A delivery for you, Madam, he said. From Ms. Nadine.

Madelines expression softenedfor half a second. At least she remembered.

She accepted the box, her fingers deft as she opened it in front of everyone.

The room seemed to hold its breath. Inside were documents, photos, printed messages, medical records, bank transfers, and a neatly typed letter resting on top.

Madelines eyes scanned the contents once, then twice, each line carving deeper into her expression. The color drained from her face, shock giving way to something far more dangerousunderstanding.

Her hands began to shake, not with weakness, but with fury barely contained. Slowly, deliberately, she looked up, her gaze moving from the twins to Lewis, then to Maxon, and finally to Victoria, her eyes sharp, wounded, and burning with betrayal that cut through the ballroom like a blade.

You she whispered.

Then

SLAP.

The sound echoed across the ballroom.

Lewis staggered back, stunned.

SLAP.

Maxons head snapped to the side.

You traitors, Madeline hissed, fury blazing through her veins. You switched identities. You lied to everyone. You destroyed that girl.

She turned to Lewis, her eyes burning. You hurt Nadine. You cheated. You poisoned her body with liesand now shes divorced you!

Lewiss mouth fell open. Divorced?

Madeline laughed bitterly. From this moment on, both of you are no longer my grandsons.

The room erupted in gasps.

Maxon blinked, stunned. What what do you mean she left?

Madelines voice was ice. Where else would she go? She left both of you.

Before anyone could react, another butler rushed in, holding a tablet.

Madam, he said urgently. This just broke.

The screen displayed a headline in bold letters:

BUSINESS TYCOON ISAAC HOLT MARRIES IN SECRET CEREMONY

Beneath it

A photo.