chapter 2: The Billionaire’s Hidden Heirs
Claire froze as Walter Ashford looked at her pregnant belly.
“When were you planning to tell us?” he asked.
“I wasn't,” Claire replied.
“Does Reid know?”
“No.”
Walter sighed. “Those children deserve to know their father.”
“And I deserved a husband who wouldn't leave me,” Claire answered.
Walter had no response.
The next day, Walter visited Reid.
“Claire is pregnant,” he said.
Reid looked up in shock.
“What?”
“She’s carrying your children.”
“Children?”
“Twins.”
The room fell silent.
Reid couldn't believe it.
While he was building a new life with Marissa, Claire had been carrying his son and daughter.
That evening, Reid went to Claire's apartment.
“You knew and never told me?” he asked.
“You chose another life,” Claire replied. “I didn't think you wanted this one.”
For the first time, Reid realized how deeply he had hurt her.
A few weeks later, Claire went into labor during a snowstorm.
After hours of waiting at the hospital, the doctor finally emerged.
“Congratulations. A healthy baby boy and girl.”
When Reid saw the twins for the first time, he was speechless.
The little girl was named Emma.
The little boy was named Ethan.
Looking at them, something changed inside him.
For the first time in years, he felt what truly mattered.
Over the next few months, Reid visited often.
The twins quickly bonded with him.
Claire remained cautious, but she could see he genuinely loved his children.
Slowly, the tension between them began to fade.
At the same time, trouble was growing at Ashford Meridian Group.
Confidential company information had been leaked.
Investors were pulling out.
The company's stock price was falling.
Billions of dollars were at risk.
Then investigators discovered a shocking lead.
The leaks appeared to be connected to someone very close to Reid.
Someone he trusted.
Someone living in his home.
May you like
Marissa Blake.
And when the truth came out, Reid's perfect new life was about to collapse.
