Feeling warmth spread through her, she rested her head on his shoulder and heard him whisper:
“My little ones, I’ll see you soon.”
He was rubbing her belly. Sarah knew Ethan wouldn’t reject her or her kids. She’d chosen right. He was the one she’d be happy with, no matter what challenges lay ahead.
They were together now, unbreakable. But Linda, the wicked stepmom, didn’t wait long. She sent her precious Alex to confront Sarah.
He got unlucky—Ethan intercepted him right at the apartment building entrance. Ethan recognized Sarah’s stepbrother instantly:
“Hey, what’s up? Where you headed? To see your sister?”
“Sorry, do we know each other?” Alex mumbled, shrinking back.
Ethan saw he wasn’t expecting this and went for it:
“Not really, but I’ve heard plenty about you and your mom’s dirty work, and I’m not happy.”
“What the hell, let me through,” Alex shouted, trying to bolt into the building.
Ethan grabbed his collar and shook him:
“Listen, punk, I didn’t stop you for fun. I know what you did to Sarah. That’s not just low—it’s criminal. Let’s step aside so we’re not in anyone’s way.”
Some neighbors came out, and Alex tried to call to them. Ethan reacted fast, landing a light jab to his stomach, and dragged him to his car:
“Now no one’ll bother us. Spill it—who told you to frame Sarah and get her locked up? Don’t lie, I’ll find out anyway. And it’ll be worse. I’m not kidding.”
Alex nodded frantically and stammered:
“It was all Mom’s idea. She wanted to take over Johnathan Miller’s business, but Sarah was in the way. So she had me make sure his daughter disappeared for a while.”
“And you couldn’t think of anything better than sending her to prison?” Ethan growled.
“What else could I do? I wasn’t gonna kill her.”
“At least your brain worked right there. What else do you know?”
“I swear, that’s it,” Alex whined.
“I don’t buy it. Wanna know why?”
“Why?”
“Because Sarah’s dad died out of the blue. Doesn’t that seem odd?”
“He was old. Probably his heart gave out,” Alex said, glancing up nervously.
“Really? You expect me to believe that? He was only 54 and in good health. I’ve done my homework, checked you and your mom’s dirt. You’re both on the hook, so don’t try anything stupid.”
Before he could finish, his phone rang. It was Sarah:
“Yeah, babe, I’ll be up soon.”
Her scream came through, mixed with shouts:
“My contractions started! I need to get to the hospital!”
Ethan glared at Alex and barked:
“Get out, I’m letting you go—for now. But your easy life’s over soon.”
Alex bolted from the car and ran off. Ethan raced upstairs, assessed the situation, and called an ambulance.
He went with Sarah to the hospital but wasn’t allowed inside. He waited for the doctor to update him on her condition. Half an hour later, an OB-GYN came out:
“You did great staying calm. Your wife’s staying for observation. The contractions are tough, but she’s likely to deliver soon.”
“Doc, it’s at least two weeks early.”
“I get your worry, but nature decides when the babies come. It’s awesome you’re having twins. Be grateful for this blessing.”
“Thanks, but they’re not—” Ethan started to say they weren’t his but stopped. The doctor had assumed they were married.
Something shifted inside him, and he stepped outside. Just then, a second-floor window opened, and Sarah leaned out. She looked at Ethan and shouted:
“I love you!”
Taking a deep breath, Ethan yelled back:
“I love you too. And our kids. Can you believe the doc thought we’re married?”
“And you didn’t like that?” Sarah asked.
“Nah, I loved it. And I know what we need to do.”
“Don’t go yet. Stay a bit,” Sarah pleaded, leaning against the window frame. “I haven’t done anything yet. We need to keep going and get my company back. What do you think? Maybe let it go?”
“No way, Sarah. You focus on the babies, and I’ll finish this.”
With that, Ethan jumped in his car and sped to the law firm. They were waiting:
“Ethan Parker, have a seat,” the lawyer offered.
“Thanks. Everything ready?”
“We can start the process tomorrow. Also, Linda Harris has driven the company to the brink of bankruptcy.”
“How, Tim?” Ethan exclaimed. “Did we do all this for nothing?”
“Not at all. I’ve got connections who halted the collapse. Sarah should get the company back in decent shape. It’ll need investment to recover, but with her funds, that shouldn’t be an issue.”
“You’re right, Tim, but Sarah can’t deal with it now. She’s in the hospital, could give birth any moment.”
“Got it, Ethan. We’ll work through you, since you know all the documents.”
After Ethan’s run-in with Alex, he’d spilled everything to his mom. They considered going to the police but backed off when they got a court summons. Allies warned them it was serious, and settling out of court was smarter than risking jail.
Linda ignored the advice, thinking she could do whatever she wanted with the company. But Alex quit his roles and started packing. He knew he’d be cornered and forced to talk.
To lessen the fallout, he came clean. He called Ethan and asked to meet. During their talk, Alex admitted his mom poisoned Sarah’s dad.
He hadn’t seen it himself, but after Johnathan’s death, Linda let slip that her “medicine” worked, and the old moneybags was gone. The police got wind of this and arrested Linda. They lacked direct evidence, so she was charged with fraud for now.
For cooperating and confessing, Alex got house arrest. But after the trial, he faced potential prison time. It took days to unravel the mess, and Ethan visited Sarah daily.
He couldn’t imagine life without her, and she was thrilled to be needed. One day, a nurse let them have a private moment. Ethan got down on one knee and proposed. It was so touching, Sarah couldn’t say no.
She said it was her true happiness and kissed him so passionately she grabbed her belly and screamed:
“Contractions again, and I think my water broke!”
The medical staff rushed in, whisking her to the delivery room. Ethan waited downstairs.
He sat still for three hours until the doctor emerged:
“Congrats, Dad! Boys! One’s 8 pounds, the other 7.7.”
Ethan burst into tears and hugged the doctor:
“I’m so happy I’ve got two sons!”
He shouted it again, loud enough for the whole hospital to hear. Even Sarah smiled when she heard. She lay in her room, her babies beside her, tears of joy streaming down her face.
The next day, Ethan returned to the law firm. Tim told him Linda was charged with fraud and wouldn’t see freedom soon. Alex might get probation:
“But most importantly,” Tim added, “we can get Sarah her company back. Documents are almost ready, and we’ll wrap up in a week or two. Congrats on the kids, and I wish you all the best.”
“Thanks, Tim, but—”
“I know, I know. That’s why I’m saying it’ll be okay.”