EVA
I stared blankly at the paper in front of me after thirty minutes of thorough reading, my hands suddenly trembling slightly.
Why did I feel like I was making a huge mistake and things wouldn't go as planned?
I had read through the documents thrive but nothing seemed off but the smirk on Mason's face made me feel like something was.
The terms were fair enough. We both equally got 50 percent each of the total profits our partnership gained. We both stood together, unbeatable in the markets. I even stood the chance to gain an extra 20% shares from his company, but my eyes widened—
"If I have a child for you!" My voice was high-pitched in horror. "What is this? You could have told me you were looking for an heir or a surrogate or something! This is purely contractual. It's not real. We won't be doing any nuptial stuff behind closed doors."
He stared at me like a child he was tired of explaining something to, further annoying me. "Maybe you don't understand, sugar, but I am going to give you 20% of my company's shares on account of that. It's more than anyone has been able to get. Many people will give anything just to have that."
My face grew hot as I glared at him, speechless. That was a mouthwatering offer though, but did I really want another child? Well, this one would have a father though.
"And the child?" I croaked, overwhelmed by the thought.
A chilling sensation crawled up my spine at the glint in his eyes and his words, "You wouldn't have to worry about him. I think you have enough to worry about at the moment."
I froze. "Excuse me? Is that another way to say you're not going to give me access to my child?"
He glanced at his watch. "I never said that. After all, shared custody is possible."
A wave of relief washed across me, but a question still tugged at my mind. "Why do you want to marry me, though?" I asked, staring into his eyes like I hoped to see the answers there.
But they were hooded and mysterious. "That's for me to know and for you to keep your nose out of, princess."
I rolled my eyes. Just great. With a deep breath, I appended my signature on the document.
Now there was no going back.
*
As the day of the wedding drew closer, I struggled to remain at ease. I couldn't break down or show any hint of stress. As much as I wanted to, I was still the strong, kickass CEO of White's Dynasty.
Mason didn't waste time. The wedding was fixed to hold in two weeks time, making me wonder what the hurry was but I cooperated anyway. The faster we got married, the faster we could begin to work together, I guess.
"Mum, are we really going to have a daddy now?" Nathan questioned, his big eyes wide as he watched me pack their lunchbox for school.
This was my morning routine. I just couldn't trust anyone with my children, especially not after the last maid I got planned to kidnap my sons.
Thankfully, they were smart enough to understand her sneaky behaviour and report it to me even though they were both just three. I had her monitored and truly, she had evil intentions. I fired her before she could blink.
I let out a heavy breath. "Yes, honey. You are getting a new dad."
He was silent for a moment and then suddenly, he pumped his fist in the air with a loud shout of hurray!
I struggled to hide my smile but failed miserably. "Don't hurt yourself now," I chided softly, my heart skipping a beat as he danced around the exotic living room.
Noah sat back with a book, barely listening but Nathan was quick to bump him slightly.
"Mum says we're getting a new dad!" He squealed but I could see how fake the smile Noah had on was fake—motherly instinct.
"Noah, what's wrong?" I asked, pausing my task to face him. "Don't you want a new daddy?"
I didn't mind pausing the whole wedding asking to break the contract if Noah was unhappy with it.
He shook his head. "Mummy, are you my real mummy and is Nathan my real brother?"
My heart skipped a beat. "What? Honey, why are you asking those kinds of questions? Of course you're my real son and Nathan is your real brother. Who told you you weren't?"
I watched him struggle to hide the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks and it broke my heart because they rarely cried—ever since someone told them girls were the ones who cried. Some jerk.
"Come on, honey. What's the matter?" I asked, wiping his tears.
He sniffled. "Then why do I not look like you or like Nathan? Isn't he my twin?"
That was ridiculous. If anyone should even be doubted as regards if they were my child, it would be Nathan because he was dirty blond just like Jake but Noah had my hair colour.
Nathan scoffed. "Of course you look like me, you weirdo. You're my twin!"
"Stop it, Nathan. Don't call your brother a weirdo," I called. "Apologise to him."
He huffed but smacked Noah's shoulder. "I'm sorry, bro."
Feeling satisfied, I turned to Noah. "Now, tell me why you would even think like that."
He shrugged. "Someone saw a birthmark by the side of my pinky and asked why neither you nor Nathan have it. He said the birthmark is generic to a particular set of people."
My heart skipped a beat. The birthmark. The mark that had left me puzzled for the five years of Noah's existence.
Neither I nor Jake had the mark so I had hoped that it was just a biological error of some sort but it made no sense.
Were my kids the stranger's sons? Because what better explanation could there be?
Who was this stranger?