Blake's Cooperation
Dr. Michael arrived at the company swiftly, his medical bag in one hand and a compact fetal monitor in the other. Security didn't stop him—he was expected, summoned by Ryce's call himself. In a place like this, when Dr. Michael was called, it wasn't routine. It was serious.
Inside the office, the air was heavy. In the adjoining private bedroom, Bree Meadows lay curled slightly on the bed, cradling her belly. Her face was pale, twisted with pain.
Avery sat close to her on the edge of the bed, holding her hand tightly and whispering calming words through her own rising panic. Ayden stood near the foot of the bed, arms folded, face hard. But his stance gave him away—his shoulders were tense, and he was shifting in place.
To the outer office, Xander and Adrian stood by the windows, both unusually quiet. Xander rubbed his hand across his jaw repeatedly while Adrian kept glancing toward the door, fists clenching and unclenching.
When Dr. Michael entered the bedroom, he took everything in with a single glance—Bree's condition, the tension in the room, the emotional temperature rising like steam.
"I need the room," he said immediately, his voice firm. Avery looked up, worry etched on her face. "I just want to stay until—" "I understand," Dr. Michael said more gently. "But she needs to calm, and that means I need to work alone." Avery nodded reluctantly and stood. Ayden hesitated, his eyes locked with the doctor's. "You too," Dr. Michael added, "please." Ayden's jaw tightened, but after a pause, he gave a single nod, turned, and walked out behind Avery, closing the door behind them.
Dr. Michael moved fast. He checked Bree's pulse, applied the fetal monitor, and whispered softly to her. Within minutes, her breathing began to settle, and the pain in her abdomen eased. She drifted off into sleep after he gave her a mild sedative—safe, gentle, but necessary.
Outside the room, Ayden paced like a caged animal. Xander stood near the minibar, arms crossed, eyes narrowed, while Adrian leaned forward in a chair, bouncing his knee anxiously. Avery sat quietly, hands clasped, still shaken.
Then the bedroom door opened. Dr. Michael stepped out and looked directly at Ayden. "Come in." Ayden entered, his steps heavier than usual, his imposing presence now dimmed by something else—concern, maybe even fear.
Dr. Michael gave a small nod, then suspected as much. He stepped closer to Ayden, his tone shifting—less clinical, more personal. "I know now you're right now!" he said gently. "Finding her like that—after all this time. But you need to take things easy, Ayden, for her sake and for yours!" Ayden's jaw clenched again, but he didn't argue.
Dr. Michael glanced briefly toward Bree before returning his gaze to Ayden. "You lost her once. I don't think you want to lose her again—especially now that she's carrying your children." That hit harder than anything else he had.
Ayden didn't reply, but his silence spoke volumes. For a long moment, the only sound in the room was the quiet beep of the fetal monitor. Ayden's hard expression wavered. He turned back toward Bree, staring at her small, resting figure. His hands slowly curled into fists at his sides. Guilt clung to him like a shadow.
Dr. Michael spoke again, more quietly this time: "Ryan told me the reason you selected her among those candidates. So she's truly the woman from five months ago?" "Yes," he said quietly, "she is."
Dr. Michael placed a hand on his shoulder—a rare gesture from a man who didn't often reach for comfort. "Be careful with her, Ayden!" he said. "Not every second chance comes with a warning."
With that, Dr. Michael gathered his equipment, gave Bree one last check, and quietly left the room. Moments later, the bedroom door creaked open again. Xander, Adrian, and Avery stepped in hesitantly. Avery rushed to Bree's side, checking her with worried eyes. "Is she okay? What did the doctor say?"
"She is resting," Ayden said simply, not looking away from Bree. Xander crossed his arms, eyeing Ayden closely. "What the hell happened in here? Did you mean it to take things easy with her? She was fine when she arrived for the interview, and then she's on the bed clutching her stomach like she's about to pass out!"
Adrian asked, "Yeah, man, what happened?" Ayden didn't respond. Avery turned her head, still holding Bree's hand. "Wait… what's going on?"
Xander stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "Ayden, you know I hate silent treatment. Can you please talk to us?"
But the flicker in her eyes was dimming. "The body doesn't separate stress from pain, Ayden. When she's scared or overwhelmed, her body floods with cortisol. That amount passes through the placenta straight to the babies. They feel it—every spike is in her heart rate, every moment of fear or grief. And prolonged exposure? It can cause complications, premature labor, stunted growth, even lifelong issues after birth!" Ayden looked down. He hadn't known it went that far.
"I know you didn't mean for this to happen," Dr. Michael continued. "But if you care even a little about what happens to her—or to those babies—you need to understand. Arguing with her, yelling, throwing accusations? That's damaging. It's dangerous."
Ayden finally turned to face them, his expression cold but great unreadable. "Not here," he said, voice low. "We'll talk in the office." He walked past them, not waiting for a response. "Let's go," he added without turning around.
Xander exchanged a glance with Adrian. Avery hesitated, then looked back at Bree once more before following them out
AYDEN'S OFFICE
The door closed with a soft click behind them. The atmosphere inside Ayden's office was tense, but no one dared speak first.
Ayden stood behind his desk, hands resting lightly on the glass surface, cold eyes fixed ahead. He didn't invite anyone to sit.
Xander leaned against the far wall, arms crossed. Adrian stayed close to the door, silent but alert. Avery hovered near the couch, her arms folded, mind spinning.
"I asked her who the father was," Ayden began flatly. "She denied it. So I gave her two optionseither tell the truth, or I'd handle it my way."
Adrian's jaw flexed, but he said nothing.
"She broke," Ayden continued. "Said it was me. And that she's carrying twins."
Avery's face twisted in shock. "You're... you're the one?"
Ayden's stare didn't waver. "Yes."
She took a step back, struggling to keep her voice steady. "Ayden. why would you push her like that? She was terrified-she
collapsed!"
"Because I needed the truth," he said coldly. "And I got it."
Xander ran a hand over his jaw. "You realize what you did almost sent her into early labor, right?"
"She's alive. So are the babies. And now that I know they're mine, I'll make sure they stay that way."
Adrian lifted his eyes. "What are you planning?"
Ayden straightened. "She's moving in."
"What?" Avery blurted. "You can't just"
"l'm not asking" Ayden cut in sharply. "She's carrying my children. She's going under my roof, under my security, under my watch."
"Bree won't agree to that," Avery said, shaking her head.
"She'll adjust" Ayden said calmly. "I don't compromise on things that are mine."
Avery's lips parted, fury flashing across her face-but one look at Ayden and she backed off. That cold glint in his eye wasn't up for debate.
Xander didn't say anything. He knew better than to argue when Ayden made a call like
"You all care about her?" Ayden asked, his voice smooth, almost quiet.
They nodded slowly.
"Then let me be clear" he said, stepping around the desk. "If you care about Bree, keep her calm. No more lies. No more surprises. No interference."
Avery's voice dropped. "What if she refuses to go with you?"
"She won't" Ayden replied. "Because I won't give her a reason to run again."
A tense silence followed.
A knock tapped against the door again, lighter this time. Ryan stepped in, looking slightly puzzled.
"Sir" he said, "your sister Eden is downstairs She says she came to see the new
nutritionist."
Ayden's brow furrowed slightly, but Xander smirked, already knowing the real reason.
"She's here for you" Ayden muttered to Xander, cold as ever.
Xander shrugged, not denying it.
"Bring her up," Ayden said with a wave of his hand. "But keep her away from Bree's room.
"Yes, sir," Ryan replied and left.
Moments later, the elevator dinged.
The door opened and Eden Blake strolled in, cheerful and radiant, her curls bouncing with every step. She was dressed in a sleek white jumpsuit and wore her confidence like perfume. Her eyes lit up the moment she spotted Xander.
"Xanny!" she beamed, walking straight past everyone and throwing her arms around him.
Xander caught her easily and chuckled. "You really came all the way here just to see the nutritionist?"
"Oh please" she scoffed, pulling back to grin at him. "Like I care about what diet plan my cold-hearted brother's trying now."
"I can hear you" Ayden said from behind the desk.
"Good. I wasn't whispering" Eden shot back
playfully. then turned to Avery with a warm smile. "Hi! You must be the nutritionist. I'm Eden."
Avery hesitated, eyes flicking to Ayden and Xander. "Uhm... actually, that's my friend. Bree"
Eden's brows rose. "Oh? So where is she?"
"She's.. resting," Xander cut in smoothly. "It's been a stressful morning."
Ayden said nothing. He was watching Eden closely now, like he already knew where this was heading.
But Eden, being Eden, wasn't one to miss signals. Her eyes narrowed slightly.
"Wait," she said slowly, turning toward the direction of the private room. "Is she... is she tall? Light-skinned? Soft brown eyes?"
Avery looked alarmed.
"Yes, Adrian said before anyone could stop
him.
Eden gasped, a hand flying to her mouth. "Oh. My. God."
"Eden," Ayden warned.
She spun toward him. "You mean to tell me the woman who's been haunting this house, causing fights between you and mom and dad for months-the woman no one knew anything about this entire time... she's here?"
"Eden" Ayden repeated, colder now. "Don't say another word."
But Eden wasn't listening. She looked from Ayden to Xander, then to Avery, and back again.
"She's the woman from five months ago, isn't she?" Eden's voice dropped to a whisper, eye wide.
Ayden didn't respond.
Eden squealed. "Oh my God, I knew it! I told mom! I told her you were hiding something big!"
"Enough," Ayden snapped. "You will not breathe a word of this to them. Not yet."
Eden folded her arms and lifted a brow. "You think you can keep this a secret? Ayden, our parents have been accusing you of destroying that poor girl's life and you want me to stay silent?"
"Yes" Ayden said. "Until I say otherwise."
She stared at him for 'nng moment, then sighed.
"Fine. But only because Bree's probably still recovering. I'|l hold off-for now. But I want to talk to her myself before the day ends."
"You'll wait" Ayden said simply.
Xander stepped in before things escalated. "Eden, let's take a walk. Ill explain everything outside."
Eden nodded reluctantly, stealing one last glance at Ayden. "You're lucky she's still here."
She followed Xander out of the room, her mind already spinning with excitement.
Back in the office, Ayden looked at Adrian and Avery.
"Make sure Bree don't get overwhelmed when she wakes up. And from this point on, she's not returning to that apartment."
He looked directly at Avery.
"She's coming with me."
Avery swallowed hard but said nothing.
Ayden walked to the large window overlooking the city. His voice dropped.
"They're my blood. I won't lose them. Not again."