Our private pilot, Mr. Ahmed, greeted us warmly.
“Good morning, Mr. Bonde,” he said politely, also greeting Dad.
“It’s a good time for flying now, but a strong wind and storm are expected later this afternoon,” Mr. Ahmed informed us.
“Good, we need to arrive before the storm hits,” I replied.
After two hours, we finally arrived in Lily’s state. This was only my second time visiting, the first being when I was so in love with her that I followed her here, desperate to win her back, no matter the cost. I couldn’t bear the thought of losing her back then—it felt like it would drive me mad.
“Sir, we’ve arrived at Davis Mansion,” the driver announced.
Despite my efforts to stay composed, my anger and bitterness over what Lily—had done to me were boiling in my veins. She had utterly crushed my heart. I was determined to take my children from her, even without a DNA test, because I was certain they were mine. She had selfishly kept them from me. If she hadn’t lied and deceived me, those children would have grown up with me, not another man.
“You may go in now. Sir David Davis is expecting you,” said the security guard.
The Davis family’s mansion was vast and heavily guarded; no one could easily enter unless their name was known. Fortunately, my name granted us access.
Another guard opened the massive gate, revealing several staff members stationed outside, keeping watch.
“Good afternoon, please come in. Sir and Ma’am are inside,” one of the staff said as he escorted us to the mansion’s entrance.
Dad and I entered the grand mansion together. This was my first time meeting Lily’s real parents.
Lily’s mother stood tall and intimidating, even more so than Dad. She exuded an aura of fearlessness, and her resemblance to Lily was striking.
“Isabela,” I heard Dad mutter under his breath.
They exchanged glances, and I realized she was the woman Dad had intended to marry but couldn’t because she left him.
What the hëll? Like mother, like daughter. Both had done the same thing to us—her to Dad and Lily to me. My anger flared even more.
“Mr. Bonde?” a man addressed me.
It was Mr. David Davis, Lily’s father.
“Yes, please go ahead,” he said.
“Where are my children?” I asked bluntly, wasting no time.
Lily’s father didn’t seem to appreciate my straightforwardness. We hadn’t even sat down, and I had already boldly demanded answers.
“Where are they? I’m taking them with me today,” I said firmly.
“Arlo Bonde, what are you saying? You’re taking my grandchildren? Wasn’t it you who refused to listen to my daughter and drove her away?” he retorted angrily.
“Ma, sir, what’s going on here?” a woman’s voice interrupted.
I turned toward the voice.
“Lily,” I said, unable to contain myself.
She was holding the hand of a little girl, while Nick carried a little boy. To this day, I still don’t know the names of the children because the private investigator’s report didn’t include them.
The little boy looked at me, while the girl, who had an angelic face, smiled sweetly.
“Mommy, isn’t he our Daddy? Isn’t he Grayson’s and my Daddy?” the little girl asked Lily.
Hearing the little girl’s voice brought tears to my eyes.
“Dad , let’s go to my room. Gabriella, he’s not our daddy,” Grayson said, and it felt like my heart shattered at his words. He simply looked at me, while I looked at the twins—Gabriella and Grayson, their names now etched in my mind.
“Arlo, Sir Philip, what are you doing here?” Lily softly asked, her eyes meeting mine.
“Daugther, we’re here because Arlo wants to see his twins,” Dad explained.
“Arlo, have your memories returned? Do you remember me now?” Lily asked, her cheeks flushed and tears streaming down her face.
“Yes, everything,” I replied, struggling to control my voice because the twins were right in front of me.
“Mommy, I want to go to the bathroom,” Gabriella said.
“Okay, child,” Lily replied gently.
“Calm down, son,” Dad whispered to me.
“Put my child down!” I demanded, my eyes fixed on him.
“ Nick ,” Lily murmured, clearly alarmed.
**LILY**
When Nick put Grayson down, he quickly ran to me and hugged my waist. Arlo watched us intently, his gaze unwavering as he looked at the three of us.
Arlo knelt down, and I saw his eyes redden. His Adam’s apple bobbed visibly as he struggled with his emotions. Everyone in the room was staring at him, and it was clear he desperately wanted to hold his twins.
“I have to go, Lily. You two should talk,” Nick said, excusing himself and bidding goodbye to the twins.
When Arlo saw Nick ruffling Grayson’s hair playfully, his jaw tightened. I knew he was holding himself back from starting a fight. If the children weren’t present, he might have already thrown a punch at Nick.
“Dad, Nick, come back soon, okay? We’re still playing tomorrow,” Grayson called out. Nick simply nodded in response.
