* Present *
The phone call came on Tuesday of my second week, right in the middle of filing expense reports. I recognized the daycare's number immediately, and my stomach plummeted before I even answered.
Lisa developed a fever and now I have to pick her up—daycare policy.
The expense reports blurred on my screen. Of course this would happen during my second week—when every move was scrutinized, every minute counted. When proving myself meant everything.
My supervisor Margaret's office door stood open, but approaching it felt like walking toward an execution. She didn't even lift her perfectly coiffed head from her computer screen.
"Family emergency," I said, hating how my voice wavered. "I need to pick my daughter up, but I'll be back as soon as I can arrange alternative care."
Margaret's expression flickered with something between sympathy and irritation. "HR was very clear about the probation policy, Ms. Carter. Attendance is critical during this period."
"I know. I understand completely. I just need…"
"Go." She waved her hand dismissively. "But make it quick. Mr. Hale has a meeting at two that requires full support staff."
I grabbed my purse and practically ran to the elevator.
By the time I reached the daycare, Lisa sat hunched on a bench, her usually rosy cheeks pale except for two bright fever spots. Nina bounced beside her, apparently immune to whatever bug had claimed her twin.
"Mommy! Lisa threw up and everyone had to move away from her and it was really gross but also kind of cool."
"That's enough detail, baby." I gathered Lisa into my arms, her small body radiating heat through her unicorn shirt.
She whimpered and pressed her burning forehead against my neck.
The weight of her settled into my bones—not just physical, but the crushing responsibility of being their only parent. Their only protector. I need to take them home.
Except… I couldn't take them home. I couldn't take the day off. HR had made that crystal clear—three absences during probation meant automatic termination review.
My office was only a block away. I could make this work.
"Okay, girls, listen to Mommy." I crouched down to Nina's level while balancing Lisa on my hip. "We're going on a special adventure to Mommy's office. But here's the important part—we have to be invisible."
Nina's eyes widened with delight. "Like ninjas?"
"Exactly like ninjas. Silent, sneaky, completely undetectable ninjas."
The office building loomed before us ten minutes later, all gleaming glass and intimidation. I'd chosen my battles carefully these past two weeks—arriving early, staying late, never complaining.
Now all that effort is balanced on a knife's edge. I couldn’t let Xander see my girls.
The lobby stretched before us like a minefield. I recognized several colleagues by the elevators, their pressed suits and purposeful strides making me acutely aware of Lisa's fevered whimpers, while Nina clutched my hand and looked around with wide, curious eyes.
The receptionist, a kind woman named Debra, spotted us immediately. Her expression shifted from surprise to sympathy in an instant. "Oh honey, rough morning?"
"The worst possible timing." I shifted Lisa higher, my back already screaming.
Debra glanced around, then leaned forward conspiratorially.
"Side waiting room, second door on your left. It locks from inside and hardly anyone uses it before lunch." She winked at Nina, who beamed back. "I'll tell anyone looking that you stepped out for coffee and won't tell Mr. Hale."
"Debra, you're literally saving my life. Seriously, thank you so much."
"Just remember that during Secret Santa."
I guided the girls into the small room and settled Lisa onto one of the leather chairs. She curled up immediately, thumb finding her mouth—a habit she'd mostly outgrown but returned to when she felt sick.
"Stay right here, baby. Mommy's going to make a quick call."
I pulled out my phone and started scrolling through my contacts. Maybe Charlotte could leave work early, just this once… She could pay tribute to our friendship and remember how I repeatedly covered for her in front of superiors at my previous job.
"Mommy, what's that?"
I looked up. Nina was pointing at something beyond the glass wall of the waiting room, her face pressed against the window like a kid at an aquarium.
"There's a really big fish tank over there! Can I please, please, please go see it?"
"No, sweetheart, you need to… Nina!"
But she was already gone, slipping through the door I'd stupidly left unlatched, her little legs carrying her toward the decorative lobby aquarium with determination.
I lunged after her, whispering her name as sharply as I dared. "Nina! Nina Marie Carter, come back here right now!"
I caught her just as we rounded the corner into the main hallway, grabbing her hand just as a shadow fell across us.
My blood turned to ice.
Xander stood there, tall and immaculate in his charcoal suit, going absolutely still at the sight of us. His gaze locked onto Nina first, her bright eyes turned up toward him with fearless curiosity.
Then it shifted to Lisa, who had apparently followed her sister and now tucked herself into my leg, peeking out shyly.
Something shifted in Xander's expression. Something I couldn't name and didn't want to examine.
“Why are you so tall?” Nina asked point blank.
My insides went cold, but to my surprise, something resembling a smile touched Xander’s lips.
“I drink a lot of milk.” He crouched down slowly, his expensive suit be damned, until he was eye level with my daughter. Our daughter. "What’s your name?" he said quietly.
His voice softened in a way I'd never heard before—gentle, almost wondering. Nina, never shy with strangers, grinned at him like she'd found a new favorite person.
"I’m Nina, and that's my sister Lisa. She's sick but I'm not."
Xander's lips twitched. Almost a smile. "Nice to meet you, Nina." His eyes flickered to Lisa, who buried her face deeper into my leg. "And you, Lisa. I hope you feel better soon."
My stomach twisted painfully. This was too close. Too dangerous. The way he looked at them—studied them—made my blood run cold. I saw the exact moment recognition began to dawn.
Nina's eyes were mirrors of his own, dark and intense with those distinctive gold flecks. Lisa had his mouth, the same cupid's bow that looked adorable on a four-year-old and devastating on a grown man.
"Girls, we need to go." I reached for Nina's hand, trying to keep my voice steady. "Mommy has to get back to work, and Lisa needs rest."
But Xander rose slowly, and his features had tightened into something sharper. Searching. His gaze moved from the twins to me and back again, cataloging similarities I prayed he wouldn't see.
The shape of Nina's jaw. The curve of Lisa's mouth. The dark hair they both inherited from a father they'd never met.
The silence stretched unbearably.
His voice, when it finally came, was low and careful. Almost afraid of the answer. "How old are they?"
My throat closed. I considered telling the truth, but the words wouldn't come, and the pause had already lasted too long.
Xander's expression cracked as if he read everything in my expression.
He said nothing while his eyes burned into mine with an intensity that made my knees weak. And I realized, with dawning horror, that my carefully guarded secret was hanging by a single, fraying thread.