CHAPTER 130: CROSSED PATHS

Over the following month, reports flowed in daily as Doyle’s empire crumbled piece by piece. His businesses, properties, and networks fell into my hands or dissolved entirely. His allies were bought, intimidated, or eliminated. His financial resources were frozen or appropriated.

Anna’s POV

I lay back on the examination table, trying to ignore the cold gel spreading across my abdomen as the doctor maneuvered the ultrasound wand with practiced precision. The monitor beside us flickered with grainy black and white images—my twins, their tiny forms becoming clearer with each passing week.

"These babies will likely have prominent nose bridges definitely beautiful features in the making," the doctor smiled, her fingers rapidly recording data on the keyboard.

My nose bridge isn’t particularly high, so they must take after their father.

Unbidden, my mind conjured the half-profile I’d glimpsed that morninghis nose bridge was indeed prominent.

Then, Marcus Murphy’s image suddenly intruded into my thoughts— his nose bridge is high too. The realization made me tense, and I quickly redirected my attention to the doctor.

"Everything looks perfect," she continued, oblivious to my internal turmoil. "Both babies are developing right on schedule. Would you like to know the gender?"

"Not yet," Mother answered from her chair beside me, her eyes fixed on the monitor with undisguised awe. "We Want it to be a surprise."

I nodded in agreement, though part of me ached to know everything about these two lives growing inside me. My hand instinctively moved to my slightly rounded belly, a protective gesture that had become second nature.

After the examination, Mother and I walked through the hospital’s hushed corridor, our heels clicking against the polished floor. Security personnel maintained a respectful distance, ensuring the privacy that Skyview City’s elite demanded from their medical care.

"Annie, I think we should arrange for more comprehensive genetic testing," Mother suggested, adjusting her cashmere scarf as we approached the exit. "Just to be safe."

"The doctor said everything looks normal," I replied, pushing through the revolving door into the crisp spring air.

Mother’s steps suddenly faltered. "Is... is that Marcus?" Her voice filled with surprise. "It’s been months since we’ve seen him. When did he return?"

My heart lurched painfully against my ribs. Standing near a sleek black town car was Marcus Murphy, his tall figure unmistakable even from a distance.

The early afternoon sunlight cast his profile in sharp relief.

"I don’t know. Catherine hasn’t mentioned anything," I replied calmly, though I felt a strange strength building inside me. Perhaps it was the two little lives giving me courage to face past heartbreak with composure.

The memory of flying across the ocean to find him now seemed like just another harsh lesson reality had taught me.

Seeing Mother’s nervous expression, I couldn’t help but smile. "Mom, act normal. Why do you look so guilty?"

Mother’s face betrayed her thoughts— she clearly still suspected the children were Marcus’s.

He approached us, his gaze lingering on my face before politely shifting away.

"Mrs. Shaw," he greeted my mother first, his tone gentle yet somewhat distant.

Then he turned to me: "Annie."

Hearing this affectionate nickname sent a pang through my heart. How could he still use it so naturally? Once that name carried so much tenderness, but now only awkwardness and distance remained.

"Oh, Marcus! You’re back again? When did you arrive?" Mother’s smile looked forced, her emphasis on "again" almost revealing her suspicions.

"Last night," Marcus answered briefly, his gaze inadvertently glancing at my slightly rounded abdomen—just for a moment, but enough to make my heart skip.

I forced myself to maintain a smile. "I visited your grandfather William a few days ago. He was just talking about you. He’ll be delighted you’re back."

My tone was deliberately formal, using respectful terms as if reminding him of the unbridgeable gap between us.

Marcus’s POV

I stood frozen, watching Anna’s profile in the afternoon sunlight. Seeing her again aroused of emotion through me so powerful I nearly staggered. My children—our twins—were growing inside her, and she had no idea I knew.

"Just picking up some medication for my father," I said smoothly, forcing my voice to remain casual. "He’s feeling a bit under the weather today."

Elizabeth Shaw studied me with barely concealed suspicion, her protective stance beside Anna speaking volumes.

"We just finished Anna’s checkup. She was feeling a bit dizzy this morning."

My chest tightened with concern. I wanted to step forward, to offer my arm for support, to be the one she leaned on. Instead, I maintained my careful distance, this charade of polite interest killing me by inches.

"Would you like me to recommend a specialist? I have connections here." Murphy Global owned a significant stake in this hospital.

"How’s William doing? Is it serious?" Anna asked, her genuine concern for my father warming something inside me. Even now, even after everything, her kindness remained intact.

"Just a minor cold," I replied softly, unable to tear my eyes from her face.

Elizabeth adjusted her grip on Anna’s arm. "We should be going. Annie needs to rest."

Anna nodded, squaring her shoulders with that quiet determination I’d always admired. "It’s getting late. We shouldn’t keep Uncle Marcus from getting William’s medicine." She paused, her voice growing more formal. "T’ll visit him soon. Goodbye, Uncle Marcus."

"Head home soon," I managed, struggling to maintain my usual tone.

"Come by for dinner sometime."

She nodded politely-the kind of meaningless social gesture exchanged between casual acquaintancesbefore turning away, flanked by her mother and their security detail. I remained rooted to the spot, watching their silver car pull away from the curb and disappear into the afternoon traffic.

"Sir?" Peter’s voice broke through my trance. "Should we follow them or...?"

I forced myself to turn toward the hospital entrance. "Let’s get the medicine."

- - -

William looked genuinely confused when I handed him the packages later that evening. We sat in his study at Murphy Estate, the amber glow of table lamps casting long shadows across the antique furniture.

"What’s this for? Who’s sick?" He examined the cold medicine with furrowed brows.

"The weather’s been unpredictable.

Just stocking up for you." I passed the packages to the housekeeper, my mind still fixed on Anna’s pregnant form, the gentle curve of protection her hand had formed over her belly.

A peculiar expression crossed my father’s face—touched, perhaps, by what he perceived as thoughtfulness.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. These medicines were merely a pretext to see Anna, yet they’d inadvertently created this moment of apparent filial devotion.

"I saw Anna today," I said finally, my voice low. "At the hospital."

William’s eyes sharpened instantly. "Is she alright? The babies?"

’They seemed fine." I moved to the window, staring out at the manicured grounds of Murphy Estate. The words I needed to say next lodged in my throat like broken glass.

"Dad," I began, the informal address feeling strange on my tongue, "while I’m away, please look after her for me."

His stunned silence confirmed my suspicion—I rarely addressed him so personally.

"Have you gotten yourself into trouble overseas?" he asked, concern evident in

his weathered features.

I turned to face him, allowing some of my burden to show. "Something like that. I won’t be able to return often until matters are resolved." I swallowed hard. "I’m sorry to burden you with this."

William’s expression softened in a way I hadn’t seen since childhood. "Those are your children, my future grandchildren. Id risk my life to protect them."

Unexpected warmth spread through my chest. For years, I’d believed an unbridgeable chasm separated us, but in this moment, I felt his profound fatherly love.

"Resolve things quickly and return to marry Annie," he said firmly, authority returning to his voice. "Your children deserve their father’s name."

Anna’s POV

I stared at my phone screen for what felt like hours, my finger hovering over the contact labeled simply "3303." The ride home from the hospital had been quiet, with Mom shooting me those knowing glances that made my skin crawl. Meeting Marcus Murphy in the hospital parking lot had thrown me off balance more than I cared to admit.

Once alone in my bedroom, I kicked off my shoes and sank onto the edge of my bed. The twins stirred inside me, a gentle fluttering that still took my breath away each time. My hand instinctively moved to cradle my slightly rounded belly.

The memory of Marcus’s face when he spotted me outside the hospital replayed in my mind. The flash of something in his eyes—was it longing?

Regret? Whatever it was, it had disappeared so quickly I might have imagined it.

My phone screen illuminated with a notification. Catherine asking about nursery colors. I ignored it and instead opened the messaging app, finding the conversation with "3303."

Our last exchange had been weeks ago —a simple rejection from him when I’d suggested continuing our arrangement, followed by my equally simple "It’s fine." Nothing since.

Now, with twins growing inside me his twins, though he had no idea—the time had come to close this Chapter permanently.

I began typing: "This arrangement ends here. You’re free to find someone else."

My thumb hovered over the send button. Was I being fair? This nameless, faceless man had unknowingly fathered my children.

Did he deserve more than this cold dismissal?

_No. I stole his seed, plain and simple.

We never agreed to create life together._

The thought sat uncomfortably in my chest, a weight that pressed against my lungs. But that had been my plan all along, hadn’t it? Find someone, get pregnant, raise my heir alone. Keep the Shaw legacy intact without the complication of love or commitment.

I hit send before I could second-guess myself.

Three dots appeared, disappeared, then nothing.

I waited five minutes, ten, fifteen. No response came.

Next thing I know, I deleted his contact information and blocked him.