Once the babies were down for their morning nap, Keeley helped Alice review her job options. French literature, she explained, was only useful with an advanced degree and a desire to become a professor. Alice, being fluent, decided to focus on French language jobs instead.

"Your best bet is probably tutoring or translation," Keeley said. "The problem will be your resume, since you've never had a job. Have you done any volunteer work?"

Alice nodded, her brow furrowing in thought. "I've organized and participated in various charity drives over the years, but that's about it."

It wasn't much, but it was a start. Keeley, having taken a resume-building seminar in college, felt confident she could make it work. Charity work demonstrated skills like leadership, teamwork, and organization—all valuable assets to highlight on a resume. And Alice had attended an Ivy League college, even if she graduated four years ago.

"List everything you did for those events," Keeley instructed. "I'll make it work. Now, I need a snack. Are you hungry?"

"A snack would be wonderful, thank you!"

Keeley rummaged in the fridge, finding baby carrots and the gourmet ranch dressing Aaron had introduced her to. Sometimes, being rich had its perks. She portioned the ranch into two small bowls to avoid double-dipping—a habit Aaron didn't mind, as they often shared saliva anyway.

She placed the bowls and carrots on the kitchen table beside Alice, who was diligently writing her list. Alice looked up and smiled gratefully.

"There. I think I have it," she said, offering the list.

Keeley examined it closely. "Workable material," she declared. "Leave it to me; I'll create a resume no employer can refuse!"

She munched on carrots as she worked. The resume was nearly finished when baby cries erupted from the monitor. A heavy sigh escaped her.

"I'll handle them while you finish," Alice offered.

"Have you ever changed a diaper? They'll probably need changing."

"No, but it can't be too hard, can it?"

Keeley saved her work, closing the laptop to prevent the cats from walking across the keyboard. "It can be trickier than you think. Let me show you first."

Upstairs, she put on her brightest smile, baby-talking and showering Kaleb and Violet with affection. Both cooed and smiled. She used Kaleb as an example, as he was more squirmy.

"Just make sure the diaper isn't backward and high enough to avoid sagging," Keeley explained. "Think you've got it?"

"I think so," Alice said cautiously. "You might want to watch me, just in case."

Alice's first diaper change was a bit sloppy, but effective. It took practice.

They each took a baby downstairs, placing them in bouncers near the kitchen activity. The babies seemed to prefer being involved in everything.

Dinah, the cat, cautiously sniffed Kaleb, recoiling as he reached for her and hiding under the couch.

Keeley finished the resume less than ten minutes later, advising Alice to print multiple copies for interviews. For now, they needed to focus on applications.

She directed Alice to several online job boards, offering assistance as needed. It was nearing her usual children's story time. They seemed to enjoy it, even if they didn't understand the words.

Ryan Bradley was mixing a new medication batch at PharmaGen when he overheard coworkers gossiping.

"Did you hear about Aaron Hale?"

"Yeah, he stole his father's company! A friend who works at Hale Investments says Alistair Hale hasn't been to the office in weeks."

"He's probably ashamed. Didn't you hear the other news?"

"He cheated on his wife! It's like Aaron and Graydon Meyer planned this. They must hate their father."

"I get the illegitimate son, but why Aaron?"

Ryan suspected it was about Keeley. The Hales wouldn't accept her! Did he take over the company because of their rejection? That didn't make sense; no one topples an empire overnight. He'd been working on it for a long time.

He'd been Keeley's ex-boyfriend, then her husbandhow long ago had they broken up? Did Alistair Hale play a role? That would explain the animosity.

"Probably because of his wife," Ryan muttered bitterly.

His coworkers stared.

"Wife? If Aaron Hale was married, everyone would know!" one exclaimed.

"He is. He married a college friend; they have twins. I saw them in Brooklyn."

His other coworker was skeptical. "Prove it."

"I'm busy," Ryan said, gesturing to the chemicals. "Look up Keeley Hale on Facebook."

Ignoring lab rules, his coworker checked Facebook. Others gathered around. Keeley's profile picture showed her smiling at Niagara Falls with Aaron; her "About Me" section stated she was married to Aaron Hale; her cover photo featured their twins.

"Have you met him?!" a coworker asked.

Ryan snorted. "Unfortunately. He's a human icicle, but different around her. It wouldn't surprise me if he took over the company because his father disliked her."

The lab buzzed with whispers. Ryan rolled his eyes. Who cared about Aaron Hale? He didn't need a reminder of what he'd lost.

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