Anna’s POV
On the ride ho, Marcus’s warnings echoed in my head. That man-why was he fussing so much when he wouldn’t even be around? Who did he think he was to ? Yet in that mont, I could have sworn he wanted to kiss . That familiar yet foreign feeling had my heart racing in a way I wasn’t prepared for.
I woke the next morning to Catherine’s text—Marcus had left. Sitting up in bed, I found myself glancing out the window, an inexplicable emptiness settling in my chest. From the Phoenix project onward, he’d been my unexpected ally. Without him, I wouldn’t have secured Skylake District, and this project wouldn’t be launching so quickly.
It hit suddenly that I’d grown dependent on him. Now that he was gone, I felt unsettled, almost lost.
This isn’t good. Get it together. I ran fingers through my hair, irritated at my own weakness. _I’m Anna Shaw. I don’t need Marcus Murphy to thrive in Skyview City._
I’d barely made it downstairs when Elizabeth waved over to listen to so classical music.
"You should listen too," she insisted, confiscating my phone. "It’s good for the babies when you all listen together."
I sank into the couch with a sigh. With twins growing inside , there wasn’t ti for lancholy anyway.
---
On July first, Paradise Valley Estates’ groundbreaking ceremony proceeded under brilliant sunshine. I wore a tasteful ensemble with flat leather shoes, my loose jacket cleverly concealing my slightly rounded belly.
No one would guess I was five months pregnant with twins based on appearance alone.
After the ceremony, I changed into a looser, more comfortable dress for the reception, collapsing onto a sofa from exhaustion.
Catherine eyed with concern. "Why don’t you head ho? Samuel and I can handle things."
I shook my head firmly. "How could I?
Samuel doesn’t know half the partners here in Skyview City, and you—I’d be grateful if you didn’t cause chaos."
"I’m not *always* a disaster," Catherine protested. "You should be thrilled I’m helping. I don’t even attend my family’s own events."
"Yes, yes, the great Catherine Murphy graces us with her presence. I’m eternally grateful," I mocked.
Mid-sentence, I felt a strange fluttering in my abdon. I yelped, quickly covering my mouth.
Catherine’s eyes widened in panic.
"What is it? Don’t scare like that— you’re not going into labor, are you?"
"Your kids are born at five months?
Shut up," I snapped, slapping her arm lightly. But inside, I was overco with an indescribable sensation.
"I misspoke, sorry, sorry! What happened? Why are you freaking out like that?" Catherine hurriedly apologized.
My eyes filled with wonder and emotion. "Just now, they... moved." An unprecedented maternal joy blossod in my heart. This was the first ti I truly felt my babies’ presence, that miraculous blood connection making my heart lt. The miracle of life— they carried my blood, and in this world, only I could feel their existence.
How extraordinary!
As I entered the reception, my loose but lightweight dress revealed my pregnant state as I moved. The n might not have noticed, but won’s eyes miss nothing. Soon, whispers spread through the corners:
"Anna’s pregnant, isn’t she? Look at that belly—must be several months along." "Pregnant? Who’s the father?"
"Who knows? She’s been with so many n. But definitely not Marcus Murphy’s. When Marcus made that grand gesture with the old mansion, we thought they had sothing, but apparently we were wrong. I knew Marcus wouldn’t be interested in a divorced woman."
These malicious speculations reached my ears, but I decided to face them head-on. Samuel approached, looking exasperated. "You did this on purpose, didn’t you? Choosing today to announce it to the world."
I placed one hand on my belly, deliberately striking a very pregnant pose, making no attempt to hide my pride and determination. "Yes, I did it intentionally. My children don’t have a father. From now on, I want everyone to acknowledge their existence, so no one’s shocked when they suddenly appear." I raised my voice deliberately — wanted everyone to hear that Anna Shaw didn’t care about their idle gossip.
Samuel pointed at , surprised.
"You’ve got guts. Aren’t you worried people will say you’ve lost your mind?"
I clinked my glass of water against his, my eyes gleaming with determination and ambition. "Let them think I’m crazy. Once Skylake District is developed, the Shaw family won’t be at the bottom of Skyview’s elite anymore." I glanced at him slyly. smiling. "Mr. Griffin, don’t forget to include in profitable ventures in the future. Let’s make a fortune together."
Samuel smiled aningfully. "You’re taking George Simpson’s path and leaving him nowhere to go, aren’t you?"
I feigned innocence. "While that wasn’t my intention, it’s certainly worked out that way. Circumstances forced my hand." I knew I was getting away with sothing while playing innocent, but that was a necessary skill in business.
Samuel still harbored doubts about our investnt. "Did Marcus really tell you Skylake District couldn’t fail? With such a large investnt, what if—"
I narrowed my eyes, interrupting him confidently. "Marcus didn’t tell anything. My source is confidential, but trust -we won’t lose." _Trying to trick information out of ? Im not that easily fooled._
Seeing he wouldn’t get anything more, Samuel walked away with his drink.
Just then, a familiar voice ca from behind :
"Anna."
I turned to see Logan Porter. The entire Porter family had co, but earlier I’d only noticed Oscar and Doris. I hadn’t expected him to show up. Nearby, Rachel and Clayton stood on high alert, watching us vigilantly.
"Mr. Porter, thank you for coming," I acknowledged politely, raising my glass while feeling a touch of unease.
Logan’s gaze fell to my abdon, his eyes filled with surprise and disbelief.
"Whose is it?"
Anna’s POV
"Mine." The word left my lips with more confidence than I felt. I t Logan’s gaze directly, desperately trying to appear unfazed while my heart pounded a thunderous rhythm against my ribcage.
His expression shifted from shock to suspicion, eyes narrowing behind his fras. "Marcus Murphy? Or Samuel Griffin?" His voice carried an edge that sent an involuntary chill crawling up my spine.
"That’s none of your business." I kept my tone even, but a flicker of unease sparked in my chest. Logan had always been unpredictable when it ca to . I caught Clayton’s eye across the room, subtly signaling him to approach.
Logan stepped closer, his cologne suddenly overwhelming. "I’m willing to be the children’s father."
"What?" The question escaped before I could compose myself. Had I heard him correctly?
"Your children need a father. I’m willing to take that responsibility." His voice was steady, confident, as if he’d just offered to pick up coffee rather than commit to a lifeti of parenting.
My mind whirled with confusion.
Logan Porter—heir to the Porter fortune offering to father children that weren’t his? Was this pity? So bizarre power play? Either way, I didn’t need his charity.
"No, my children don’t need a father." I stood my ground, though inwardly I marveled at the absurdity of this entire conversation.
Clayton materialized beside us, his firm grip closing around Logan’s arm. "Mr. Porter, you’ve had too much to drink.
Let walk you to your car."
Logan didn’t resist, but his eyes remained locked on mine. "I’m not joking, Anna. I’m truly willing to be the father of your children. Please consider it."
I watched him being led away, a mixture of irritation and bewildernt churning in my stomach.
Catherine appeared at my elbow, her eyebrows arched with amusent.
"Another one volunteering to be daddy? I’m shocked!"
"Logan doesn’t seem to be joking. This is not good, I need to figure sothing out." I massaged my temple, then caught the implication of her words.
"What do you an ’another one?
Who else?"
She flashed a mischievous smile.
"Nobody. My mom was just gossiping yesterday about soone from her side of the family." Her evasiveness was obvious, but I’m not in the mood to ask.
I approached a visibly pregnant woman standing near the champagne fountain.
"How far along are you?" I asked, deliberately loud enough for nearby guests to hear.
"Seven months," she replied, surprised at my directness.
"I’m just at five months," I said, resting a hand on my belly. "’ve scheduled a detailed anatomy scan for next week.
Have you done that yet? Is there anything I should know about the procedure?"
Our conversation continued, and I could feel curious eyes watching us.
Let them stare. Let them whisper. This was my choice, and I was proud of it.
---
Back at Shaw Estate, Betty had prepared a nutritious dinner that actually tasted delicious. I savored each bite, grateful for the quiet evening after the chaos of the reception.
"The babies are developing perfectly," Betty reassured , noticing my hand constantly returning to my stomach.
"You have nothing to worry about."
But worry I did. Would my twins be healthy? Would I be a good mother?
Would they resent growing up without a father? Questions swirled endlessly until sleep finally claid .
---
The following morning, Oscar and Doris Porter arrived unannounced at Shaw Estate. Oscar barged in with his typical lack of grace, eyes imdiately dropping to my midsection.
"So you’re really pregnant?" His exaggerated surprise made roll my eyes.
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