Barren Heiress Returns With Quadruplet

Zeke’s POV

As I sat in the car, a flood of memories washed over me, pulling me back to the conversations I’d had with my grandfather.

He had been adamant about me marrying Kamille, but why? Was it because he foresaw the dangers that now threatened her and her family? Did he know what was coming or was he only making me marry his friend’s daughter?

Questions swirled in my mind, did Kamille’s grandmother know about the danger that lurked in the shadows, waiting to strike? Was that why she had urged us to marry? I felt lost in between worlds.

If that was the case, then I had failed everyone, most importantly Kamille.

Closing my eyes, I tried to push aside the feelings of guilt and regret that threatened to overwhelm me. Memories flooded my mind, pulling me back to the times when I had wanted to take Kamille to the hospital to check her fertility status.

It had been a persistent concern, fueled by the revelation from her family that she had suffered a devastating accident at the age of ten. They claimed it had left her with a ruptured womb, rendering her unable to conceive.

They had shown me pictures and presented what appeared to be convincing evidence.

I had wanted to take Kamille to the hospital myself, to verify the extent of her injuries and maybe explore any possible treatments or options.

But each time I broached the subject, her family had been quick to dismiss my concerns, insisting that there was no need for further medical intervention.

I believed their lies and waited for Kamille to confide in me, to share the details of her accident and its effect, but her silence had gnawed at me, fueling a sense of doubt and suspicion.

Her kindness and good-heartedness began to seem like a performance, a facade designed to lure me into marriage under false pretenses.

That’s how I began the children’s foundation, donating sperm in the hopes of fathering children who would carry on my legacy.

I had convinced myself that if she couldn’t accept my decision to seek children outside of our marriage, then perhaps our union wasn’t meant to be. It seemed like the only solution.

Not until that conniving bitch came back.

Ellen’s presence made me completely turn my back on Kamille when she needed me the most, abandoning her in her time of need.

I had allowed my own fears and insecurities to cloud my judgment, to blind me to the truth that had been staring me in the face all along. And in doing so, I had betrayed not only Kamille, but my-damned-self as well.

I fucking played the perfect pawn role.

I decided to comfort myself that accident four years ago, did not kill her. I would never have forgiven myself, especially in light of the revelations about the Manor family and their deceitful ways.

“I’m surprised Ellen hasn’t resurfaced with her fabricated pregnancy story.” I muttered to myself, my voice tinged with disbelief. “I knew she was just a bloody bitch and a liar, but to stoop so low as to lie about something as sacred as pregnancy…”

The words trailed off, at the harsh truth of her true nature. “She’d lie with anything, lie with a person’s life, lie with anything.” I continued, my voice filled with disgust. “There’s no limit to her deceit.”

Leaving the car, I made my way inside the house, my footsteps echoing in the quiet hallway. I approached the room the kids stayed, pushing open the door, I stepped inside and paused, my gaze falling upon the children who lay sleeping peacefully.

My hunch was so fucking right.

The resemblance was undeniable, but it was more than that. I recalled the sight of Royer’s bloodied face and how it struck me like a physical blow, causing my heart to fall to the pit of my stomach.

I approached the children, my gaze caught Tyris clutching her doll tightly to her chest. I smiled, then I reached for the controls of the air conditioner, adjusting the temperature in the room to provide them with some comfort.

As I turned towards the beds again, a sudden realization hit me like a bolt from the blue, causing me to freeze in my tracks. The memory flooded back with startling clarity, like a puzzle piece clicking into place.

I remembered that night vividly. I had come home drunk that night and had woken up the next morning disoriented, my head pounding with the remnants of a hangover, only to find myself in our room. But she was not there.

“It had to be that night.” I whispered to myself, my voice barely audible over the rush of realization coursing through me. “The night I returned home drunk was the night everything changed.”© 2024 Nôv/el/Dram/a.Org.

As the realization sunk in, my heart shattered into a million pieces, the weight of it all crashing down on me with unbearable force. Tears welled up in my eyes, tracing a silent path down my cheeks.

I did not think anything happened that night, but looking at my kids proved me wrong. I could only imagine how much Kamille went through alone.

Not even Kamille’s closest friends could be there for her in her time of need. She had hidden herself and the children away so well that no one knew they were alive, except for me.

I had searched tirelessly for her, combing through every lead and following every clue, but she remained elusive. It pained me to think of her alone, struggling alone to survive with the kids. I know I sent her a lot of money after the accident, but I don’t think it was enough.

I cannot let Kamille find out that I know the truth about the kids. I sighed.

I wiped away the tears that stained my cheeks. The Manors had to be taken care of once and for all, if Kamille and the kids were to be freed from danger.

The Manors were faced with public scrutiny, but that did not stop their dirty activities.

I made my way to each of my children’s beds, a mixture of love and sadness welling up inside me. I planted gentle kisses on their heads.

As I reached Reon, his eyes fluttered open, and we locked gazes for a moment, a silent understanding passing between us.

“How is Royer and mum?” Reon asked, breaking the silence with a soft voice filled with concern.

“They’re both fine and asleep.” I reassured him, my own worries momentarily pushed aside by the need to comfort my son. “You should be asleep too, Reon.”

A small smile tugged at the corners of Reon’s lips as he closed his eyes once more, trusting in my words and finding solace in the knowledge that his family was safe.

With a heavy heart, I lingered for a moment longer, taking in the sight of my children sleeping peacefully. Then, with a final glance, I turned and made my way out of the room.

As I stepped out of the room, Belle emerged from the other room, her presence unexpected yet not unwelcome.

“Mr. Reid, I’m sorry, I didn’t know you were here.” She said, her voice tinged with surprise and a hint of concern.

“It’s fine, Belle.” I reassured her with a gentle smile, “I was just checking on the kids. I’m on my way out already.”

Belle nodded in understanding. “Couldn’t sleep?” I asked casually, noting the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes.

“No, I just wanted to get some water.” She replied quickly, her response too quick to be entirely convincing.

I could sense that she was hiding something, but I chose not to press the issue. Instead, I offered her a reassuring smile. “Well, it’s late. You should get some rest too.” I said softly, before turning and making my way out of the penthouse.

I need a drink.