Chapter 28
Emma gobbled up the cupcakes on her plate and chugged her orange juice like a champ.
Shawn blinked in amazement at the little girl’s appetite. Her tummy was as round as a ball, and he couldn’t help but worry she’d overdone it.
“Okay, kiddo, got a way for me to reach your folks? I’ll get you home safe,” Shawn said softly.
“You’re my daddy, aren’t you? Don’t tell me you don’t like me. Was it because I finished the strawberry cupcakes? I promise I’ll save you some next time,” Emma said, her voice quivering just a bit.
“Sun’s going down. Your folks will be fretting. Did you wander off by yourself?” Shawn asked, concerned she might be lost.
*Nope, Zayn and Vanessa are holding down the fort downstairs. Zayn sent me up to check if you’re really done with us. If you’re hitched and got a new family, we’re heading back to Yvengard with Mom,” Emma said, her eyes big and sincere.
Hearing Emma’s gentle voice, Shawn felt a pang in his chest, like he was on the brink of losing something precious.
So, Dad, are you hitched? Got a new little one running around? Emma asked, her eyes sparkling with hope.
“Nope,” Shawn replied, his voice steady.
“That’s awesome! I knew you wouldn’t ditch us. Gotta call my bro right now,” Emma said, bouncing off the couch with glee at the news. She whipped out her phone watch and dialed Zayn in a flash.
“Bro, hurry up! Dad’s all alone. No new wife or baby in the picture. We’re good to go,” Emma shouted, her excitement bubbling over as she relayed the news to Zayn.
C
Shawn was at a loss, not sure how to tell a three–year–old that being single didn’t automatically make him her father. But Emma seemed to have her mind made up.
‘Are today’s kids that savvy, playing matchmaker for themselves and finding a stepdad all on their own?‘ Shawn wondered, his mind blown by the thought.
“Have your brother chill at the front desk. I’ll send someone to fetch him. He might get turned around on his own,” Shawn said, plotting the next
move.
“Bro, Dad says hang tight at the front desk. He’s sending a guide,” Emma said, her voice ringing out.
Emma’s loud and clear announcement made Shawn feel like he’d stepped into the father role.
Downstairs, Zayn and Vanessa were getting antsy, wondering if this was another wild goose chase again.
Just as Zayn was about to call it quits and head home, Emma’s call came through with the good stuff–he was about to meet Shawn. Zayn tried to play it cool after ending the call, but the grin tugging at his lips gave him away.
*Zayn, what’s your dad’s gig in this big company?” Vanessa inquired, her curiosity piqued. She’d tagged along for the lark, thinking the twins were on a wild adventure, but she didn’t expect them to find their old man.
“He’s the CEO of this company,” Zayn boasted, with a spark of pride in his eyes.
Once, Zayn bought the story Natalie fed him about his father having a job on the moon. But after stumbling on their divorce decree with his father’s name and seeing his photo, Zayn did some digging in Yvengard.
Online sleuthing led him to Shawn, the big cheese behind Evercrest Group, not some lunar exile. The truth hit Zayn: his parents weren’t just separated by distance—they’d split for good.
Zayn, wise beyond his years, got what divorce meant: no more family dinners, his father possibly starting over with a new crew. That was why he tagged along with Natalie to Janisburg, to piece together why they broke up and why Shawn seemed to have bailed on him and his sister.
Zayn was aware that Natalie kept an old photo of Shawn on her phone, something she’d look at during the quiet of the night, a silent testament to her lingering feelings. Even though Courtney had tried to set her up on dates, Natalie hadn’t been interested in any of them.
Zayn figured if he could get Shawn and Natalie back on track, they could patch things up, and he and Emma wouldn’t be the kids without a father
anymore
But if Shawn was already in a new family, Zayn planned to meet him with Emma and then head back to Yvengard with Natalie, promising to look out for them both when he got big.
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Chapter 28
Young as he was, Zayn had big thoughts on his mind. The revelation that Shawn, his biological father, was right there in Janisburg, had stirred something deep inside him. He felt that Shawn was the father figure he and his sister desperately needed. No other man could take that place in their hearts.
“Are you… serious?!” Vanessa gasped, never in her wildest dreams imagining their father as a top executive at a powerhouse company, let alone the head honcho at Evercrest Group.
‘It’s the guy I’ve only spotted on TV, and Zayn says he’s his old man. That’d make him Nat’s spouse. Holy smokes. Can’t believe I’m dealing with low–key bigwigs, Vanessa thought, her mind racing.
“Vanessa, you can head back. I’ll find Emma, and my dad will drop us off later,” Zayn said, already moving inside the building.
“But…” Vanessa hesitated, feeling the weight of responsibility for the twins. Even if Evercrest Group had a clean rep, she couldn’t just bail.
“I’ll come with you. After making sure your dad’s the real boss at Evercrest Group, I’ll bounce,” Vanessa said, needing to see it for herself to ease her
mind.
“Cool, let’s do it,” Zayn agreed, leading the way.
Together, Vanessa and Zayn reached the front desk where Lucy was waiting to greet them.
‘Mr. Guzman’s really something, keeping a son and daughter under wraps and both are stunners. I’m completely in awe of him now, Lucy thought, impressed by Zayn’s resemblance to Shawn.
“You must be Zayn. Emma’s with Mr. Guzman. He asked me to show you up,” Lucy said, her smile warm.
“Yep, thanks. This is Vanessa. She’s with me,” Zayn replied, introducing Vanessa.
“Hi,” Vanessa said, offering a quick wave.
“Hi there, and thanks for bringing them. Let’s head up,” Lucy said, already picturing the family portrait with Emma and Zayn in it. She’d never seen Shawn so taken with kids, and Zayn was his spitting image.
“Sure,” Vanessa managed to say, her nerves jangling as they stepped into the elevator. This was her first visit to the legendary Evercrest Group, and she was about to meet the man at the top. She followed closely, her heart thumping as they ascended to the top floor.
Once out of the elevator, Lucy guided them straight to the CEO’s office.
A murmur rippled through the office as they passed.
“OMG, is he the CEO’s son? He’s handsome! I’d love to hug him.”
“Adorable! Is it too early to ask for his number?”
“Mr. Guzman’s killing it, popping out a son and a daughter out of nowhere.”
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