Catarina’s POV
My heart raced as I watched Lochlan's figure in the distance, his eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. Nadia and Nathan's innocent questions pulled me back to reality, their small hands tugging at my dress, seeking answers I wasn't ready to give. I took a deep breath, hoping to keep my composure in the face of this unexpected encounter.
"He's... a friend," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of nervousness. The twins exchanged a confused glance, sensing the tension in the air. Alex, my fiercely protective partner, stood by my side, his posture tense and ready to defend us if needed. His growl echoed in my ears, a clear warning to Lochlan.
“Get him out of here.” Alex roared and the guards quickly set upon Lochlan, and I turned away not wanting to meet his evil gaze again.
“Catarina, I finally found you after all these years. I love you. Come back to me!” He yelled.
All eyes were locked on the scene unfolding, a mixture of shock and horror etched on everyone's faces.
Lochlan was ambushed by a group of heavily armoured guards. Their eyes glinted with determination, and they wasted no time in restraining him. Lochlan protested vehemently, kicking and screaming to free himself from their grasp, but his struggles were futile against their well-trained captors. They quickly placed chains around his hands and feet.
The guards, unmoved by Lochlan's pleas, dragged him away towards the castle's dungeon. Lochlan's screams echoed through the castle halls, a desperate cry for help and freedom.
As much as I wanted to shield the twins from the truth, I knew that I couldn't keep it hidden forever. The weight of secrecy threatened to suffocate me, and the fear of what Lochlan might do if he found out about our children filled me with a sense of urgency.
Desperate, I placed a hand on Alex's arm, urging him to calm down. "We need to talk," I hissed. He reluctantly nodded. We needed to find a way to diffuse the situation, to protect the twins and ourselves.
Leading Nadia and Nathan away from the commotion, we found a secluded spot where we could speak freely. Alex's eyes bore into mine, a mix of concern and determination. I knew he would do whatever it took to keep our family safe.
"We can't keep hiding the truth from them," he said, his voice a low rumble. I nodded, knowing he was right. The twins deserved to know their own history, to understand the complex web of emotions and secrets that entwined our lives.
Tears welled up in my eyes as I looked at our children, their innocence a stark contrast to the chaos that surrounded us. Lochlan's sudden appearance threatened to unravel the carefully constructed walls I had built to protect them. It was time to face our past, to confront the consequences of our choices.
Taking a deep breath, I gathered the twins in my arms, their small bodies seeking solace and warmth. "There's something we need to tell you," I began, my voice filled with a mixture of trepidation and love. "Lochlan, he... he's your father."
Nadia and Nathan stared at me, their eyes wide with surprise. Their young minds struggled to comprehend the revelation; their innocence momentarily shattered. Alex wrapped his arm around my shoulder, providing both physical and emotional support.
“But Alex is our daddy.” Nathan pointed at Alex, and I felt my heart sink at his words. Oh, how I wish they truly were his children. But I could not lie to them.
"We'll explain everything," he said, his voice gentle yet firm. "But right now, our priority is keeping you safe. Lochlan can't know about you, not yet."
“Ok, we understand.” Nadia nodded and I kissed them both, trying so hard to hold back the tears.
The twins nodded solemnly, their trust in us unwavering.
“Please take the twins to the left wing.” Alex said to Mindy who rushed to our side.
“Yes, of course.” She immediately took the twins and escorted them away to safety. I hoped that Lochlan was under control. I could not let him ruin my life again. I was stronger than before and determined not to let him take away everything that meant anything to me.