The tension snapped the moment Xander stepped fully into the room.
He ignored me entirely, his focus locked on Archie with cold fury. The warmth that had existed moments ago, the laughter, the easy conversation, evaporated like morning mist.
"Stay away from them." Xander's voice was low and dangerous, each word precisely cut.
Archie rose slowly from his crouch, that infuriating smirk spreading across his face. He didn't look intimidated. If anything, he looked amused.
"Interesting," Archie drawled, brushing off his knees. "Getting territorial over children you barely know, Xander? What's the matter—worried they might like me better?"
Xander went rigid. The implication hung in the air, heavy and pointed—a grenade with the pin pulled.
Nina tugged at my sleeve. "Mommy, why is the Tall Man angry?"
Lisa pressed closer to my leg, her eyes wide and confused. They could sense the grown-up tension crackling through the room, even if they didn't understand it.
"Not here," I hissed, stepping forward. "Not in front of the girls."
Neither man acknowledged me. They were locked in some silent battle, years of rivalry and resentment surfacing in the small conference room.
Then Debra appeared in the doorway, a stack of folders in her arms. Her gaze darted between me, Xander, and Archie, clearly sensing something was very wrong, but she wisely said nothing.
I seized the opportunity like a drowning woman grabbing a lifeline.
"Debra, could you please take the girls for a few minutes? I need to sort something out." My voice came out steadier than I felt. "Maybe some hot chocolate from the break room?"
Debra nodded, her expression carefully neutral. "Of course. Come on, sweethearts. I heard there might be marshmallows hiding somewhere."
"The tiny ones?" Nina's attention shifted immediately, the promise of sugar overriding her concern.
"The tiniest ones," Debra confirmed, holding out her hands.
Lisa hesitated, looking up at me. "Mommy, are you okay?"
"I'm fine, baby. Go with Debra. I'll come get you in a few minutes."
Lisa casts an almost sad glance at the two men glaring at each other and gestures farewell with her fingers in the most innocent and childish way. “Bye, bye…”
The twins followed Debra out, the last glance over their shoulders. I smiled at them gently, but as soon as the door clicked shut behind them, any joy washed from my face.
Archie also dropped all pretense. His pleasant expression hardened into something sharper, more calculating.
"Let's be honest here, Xander." He crossed his arms, positioning himself between me and Xander like a shield. "After five years, you've suddenly become interested in your own children? That's quite a change of heart."
Xander's whole body went rigid. Shock flashed through his features, raw, undisguised, before fury replaced it. "What did you just say?"
Archie's smile sharpened, predatory now. "Oh yes, I know everything. The night at the bar. The fake name. The twins you didn't know existed until a few weeks ago."
He deliberately stepped closer to me, his posture protective, possessive.
"Daphne and I have become very close. We share our secrets and truths." His eyes met Xander's with an unmistakable challenge. "Can you say the same?"
"You told him?" Xander's voice was barely controlled, his gaze snapping to me. "You told him about Nina and Lisa?"
"I needed someone to talk to," I said, hating how defensive I sounded. "Someone who would actually listen without…"
"Without what? Without having a right to know?" Xander stepped forward, and Archie matched him, the two men circling each other like wolves. "They're my daughters, Daphne. Mine. And you told him? Just like that?"
"You didn't exactly make yourself easy to find," Archie cut in. "Alex from construction, wasn't it? Very clever disguise."
"Stay out of this, Archibald."
"Why? Because you don't like hearing the truth?" Archie's voice rose, years of rivalry boiling over. "You lied to her. You abandoned her. You let her raise those children alone while you built your empire. And now you want to swoop in and play father?"
"I didn't know!" Xander's fury was volcanic, his control finally cracking. "I didn't know they existed!"
"Because you fooled her before disappearing forever!"
They were inches apart now, voices rising, fists clenched. I could see the violence simmering beneath the surface, decades of competition and resentment finding its flashpoint.
"Enough!"
I stepped between them, pushed them away from each other, placing my palms on their chests. My voice is steady but fierce. Both men froze.
"Enough, both of you." I repeated, quieter but no less firm. "Nina and Lisa are the most important thing in my life. The only thing that matters. And I will never, ever, allow anyone to drag them into whatever this is."
I looked at Xander, then at Archie. "They are not pawns in your rivalry. They are not prizes to be won. They are children. My children."
The room fell silent.
I took a breath, steadying myself. "I've finished my assignments for today. I'd like to leave early."
Xander pursed his lips and nodded tightly. "I'll drive you and the girls home."
"No."
Archie stepped forward. "Then I'll drive. My car is right outside—"
"No." My tone left no room for argument.
I looked at both of them—these two powerful men who thought they could decide my future between themselves.
"I can handle my own life. I've been doing it for a long time without either of you. Both of you need to figure out what you actually want—but the decision remains solely mine."
Neither of them spoke.
I gathered my things and walked out without looking back. Debra had the girls in the break room, both of them sporting hot chocolate mustaches and playing with the marshmallows.
"Thank you," I told her quietly. "For everything."
"Anytime, honey." Her eyes were knowing. "You take care of yourself."
I led Nina and Lisa through the lobby, keeping my head high despite the exhaustion threatening to collapse me. But when we pushed through the front doors into the afternoon light and found a black car waiting at the curb.
"Ms. Carter?” A driver in a neat uniform stepped out, opening the back door. “Mr. Hale arranged transportation for you and the children."
I stopped short, irritation flaring.
Of course he did.
"Mommy, it's so cool!" Nina pressed her nose against the tinted window. "Can we ride in it? Please-please-please?"
Pride warred with exhaustion. The subway would take an hour. My feet ached. The girls were tired and sugar-crashed. And it wasn't Xander himself—just his driver. Just a car.
"Fine," I said quietly. "Just this once."
I buckled the twins into the backseat, Lisa already yawning against the leather seats, Nina chattering about how she felt like a princess. The driver closed the door and pulled smoothly into traffic.
A small compromise. One I could live with.