Zeke’s POV

We boarded our separate cars, and they followed me. I stopped at the mall to get necessities for the kids. Zane and Fletcher stayed close as we navigated the aisles, searching for the perfect items.

"Alright, boys, let's get down to business," I declared with a grin, scanning the shelves. The excitement of shopping felt different this time; I was shopping for my kids and the woman who made my heart flutter.

Zane and Fletcher exchanged a knowing look before enthusiastically diving into the racks of clothes and shelves of toys.

"Hey, Fletcher, since you're such a ladies' man, maybe you should be the expert on kids, too," Zane teased, holding up a tiny onesie with a smirk. "You can learn a thing or two from Zeke here before your own little bundle of joy arrives."

Fletcher rolled his eyes, feigning offense. "Please, I'll have you know that I am a natural with kids," he retorted, his tone dripping with mock indignation. "But I'll admit, Zeke here does seem to have a knack for it." They turned to my almost-full shopping cart, and I chuckled at their banter.

We filled our carts with clothes, towels, and toys. My gaze fell upon a soft plush toy: a small orange rabbit with long ears. I instantly recalled Tyris mistaking me for her father on the phone. A warm smile spread across my face as I picked up the toy. I am still her father, anyway.

With the plush toy in my arms, I continued shopping, selecting a towel embroidered with Tyris's name. I was going to make up for lost time.

We had the items sent directly to my penthouse—a subtle way to avoid the haunting memories within its walls.

Turning to Zane and Fletcher, I said, "Let's meet at the hospital in the morning. It's late."

They nodded. "Absolutely. We've got your back, bro. Whatever you need, we're here for you."

We parted ways, drove off in our respective cars, and I let a slow smile spread across my face.

Ellen’s POV

I waited patiently for my father to continue his story. It would be a crazy revelation to learn Grandma Monica wasn't a saint.

"She hated me," my father confessed, his voice heavy with emotion. "And it messed me up so badly. That's why I decided to love all my kids equally."

His words hung heavy in the air. I reached out to him.

"I'm sorry, Father," I said. "Can you tell me what Grandma Monica did? And what happened to Aunt Fiona?"

He shook his head, a haunted look in his eyes. "You shouldn't worry about that," he replied, his tone strained. "It's in the past, and it's better left there."

I pouted, frustrated. I wanted to understand, but I saw the pain etched on his face, and knew some wounds were too deep to reopen.

My father asked gently, "What about your update on the kids?"

I took a deep breath. "Mr. Finley informed me the kids are in London but were born in the US," I explained. "He's still working on finding their birth names and parents."

My father nodded thoughtfully. "That's something, at least," he said, relieved. "Keep me updated."

"What about Zeke?" he asked.

My heart skipped a beat. My failed IVF and uncertain future with Zeke weighed heavily on me. "I… I haven't made much progress," I admitted, my voice faltering. "The IVF didn't work, and Zeke… Zeke doesn't even want to spare me a glance." Disappointment washed over me; the sting of rejection was still raw.

My father showed understanding. "You should have told me," he said regretfully. "If you can't get pregnant through IVF, you'll have to get pregnant physically. But with Zeke's nature, you'll have to make it seem natural."

His words settled over me like a heavy cloak: to seduce Zeke to secure my future. Not a hard task. I'd trade anything for another chance with him.

"I understand," I replied, despite the butterflies in my stomach. "I'll do whatever it takes."

But his expression grew serious. "But first, you have to take care of those children," he said firmly. "They're the key. Once we have them, we'll have the leverage we need to succeed."

I nodded.

"Once Zeke's attention is diverted from the kids, he'll focus on you. Without his intervention, our stocks will keep plummeting until we go bankrupt."

Bankruptcy!

"I can't live without everything I need," I admitted. The thought of losing everything sent a shiver down my spine, but I knew I'd stop at nothing to protect my wealth.

My father's grip tightened. "That's why you have to work faster," he said urgently. "You have to crush anyone who stands in your way. It's a dog-eat-dog world, and nobody cares about anyone else. Only the strong survive."

"Yes, Dad," I replied, despite the turmoil within. "I'll do whatever it takes to protect our family."

He patted my shoulder and left, leaving me alone. I sighed, prepared for the night, and finally fell asleep.