Alexander listened in silence, guilt gnawing at him. He glanced at the boys again. There was no denying the truth. They weren’t just Emily’s children—they were his.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked, his voice low, almost broken.

Emily’s eyes flashed with anger, then softened. “Because men like you don’t look back. I thought you’d see me as a mistake, something to erase. And I wasn’t going to beg for your charity.”The room went quiet. The twins looked between them, confusion in their innocent eyes.

Finally, Alexander leaned forward. “Emily… they’re my sons, aren’t they?”

Tears welled in her eyes, and she nodded silently.