Chapter 140

Sean POV

The black Bentley idled at the corner of the street, strategically positioned to observe the school's entrance while remaining inconspicuous. I sat in the back seat, eyes fixed on the elegant brownstone building where Angela was dropping off the twins.

She knelt to straighten Ethan's uniform collar, her movements gentle and practiced. The morning sunlight caught in her hair as she leaned forward to accept Aria's enthusiastic goodbye kiss.

"Bye, Mama!" Aria called, waving energetically.

"Remember to wait for me right here after school," Angela reminded them, her voice carrying that tender firmness I'd once known so well. "Go on now."

As they disappeared through the large wooden doors, Angela stood for a moment, watching them go. Something in her posture-the slight tension in her shoulders, the way she suddenly glanced around-told me she sensed something. Her eyes swept the street, lingering momentarily in our direction before she turned and walked away.

I lowered the window slightly, watching her retreating figure until she disappeared around the corner.

"Ms. Wilson seems remarkably perceptive," Thomas observed from beside me. "We're just sitting here, yet she appeared to sense something. Fortunately, she didn't spot us, but... Mr. Shaw, why don't you want her to know you're here?"

I shot him a cold glance. "If she knew, do you think I'd ever get to see those children?"

Thomas nodded slowly. "Indeed. If those children truly are yours... the fact that Ms. Wilson never told you of their existence clearly indicates she doesn't want you to know. If she discovers you're aware, she might immediately disappear with them. The risk is considerable."

"Excuse me, sir, may I ask who you are?" The security guard's tone was polite but firm as he blocked our path to the school entrance.

Thomas stepped forward smoothly. "I'm Thomas Smith, executive assistant to Shaw Group. This is Mr. Sean Shaw, who's here to make a generous donation to your institution."

The mention of my name and "donation" worked their usual magic. Within minutes, we were being escorted to the principal's office, where a middle-aged woman in a tailored suit greeted me with barely contained excitement.

"Mr. Shaw, what an honor to have you visit our school!" The principal beamed, extending her hand. "Your donation is incredibly generous. We cannot thank you enough."

I maintained my neutral expression, shaking her hand briefly. "Principal, now that the donation has been arranged, I'd be interested in seeing the educational environment you provide. Would it be possible to tour the classrooms?"

"Of course!" she exclaimed, clearly thrilled by the request. "I'd be delighted to show you around personally. Please, follow me."

As we moved through the hallways, the principal enthusiastically detailed the school's curriculum and facilities. I nodded at appropriate intervals, but my attention was elsewhere, scanning each room we passed for two specific faces.

After visiting three classrooms, we approached a bright corner room with colorful artwork adorning the windows.

My heart rate quickened as I caught a glimpse of dark curls through the glass-Aria's unmistakable bouncing energy as she danced around a table where several children were engaged in an art project.

"This is our kindergarten special activities room," the principal explained. "The children come here for creative projects and-"

"Those children in the corner," I interrupted, gesturing toward the twins. "Who are they?"

The principal followed my gaze. "Ah, Aria and Ethan Wilson. They're quite the little celebrities, actually. They have quite a following on social media with their travel videos."

I moved closer to the door, drawn by an invisible force I couldn't resist. The principal continued talking, but her words faded into background noise as I stepped into the room, my eyes locked on the two small figures.

Aria noticed me first, her head snapping up with recognition flashing across her features.

"It's the handsome mister!" she exclaimed, dropping her crayon and pointing at me.

Ethan turned more slowly, his green eyes-my eyes-widening slightly as he recognized me too.

I crouched down to their level, my heart thundering so loudly I was certain everyone could hear it. The world around us seemed to blur as I focused entirely on these two small humans who, I was now certain, carried my blood.

"Ethan, he's the gentleman I met on the airplane, remember I told you?" Aria bubbled, tugging her brother's sleeve.

Ethan nodded, his expression guarded as he regarded me. "Hello, sir," he said, his tone polite but distant.

"Don't call me sir," I replied with a small smile. "You can call me Mr. Night, or Mr. Twilight."

"Mr. Twilight?" Aria's eyes grew round.

"Are you that Night person from our videos?" Ethan asked skeptically, his gaze shrewd and assessing in a way that felt like looking into a mirror.

"Don't I look like him? Or don't you believe me?" I kept my voice gentle, fighting to control the surge of emotions threatening to overwhelm me.

"Mr. Night!" Aria cheered, instantly accepting, while Ethan maintained his distance, studying me with those piercing eyes that were so unnervingly familiar.

I turned to Ethan, respecting his caution. "You can look more carefully to be sure. There are many imposters online, so it's good to be cautious."

After a moment of scrutiny, Ethan spoke again. "I've confirmed it's you, but why didn't you tell us who you were before?"

"Mr. Night," Aria interjected excitedly, "are you here to register your children for our school?"

The question hit me with unexpected force. I swallowed hard before answering softly, "My children are already at this school."

"Really? What are their names?" Aria bounced on her toes.

"I'll tell you next time," I said mysteriously, though my heart ached with the truth I couldn't yet share.

Twenty minutes later, I slid back into the Bentley, my mind reeling from the encounter. Thomas handed me a warm thermos.

"Mr. Shaw, it's cold today. This will help protect your stomach," he said, gesturing for me to drink.

I accepted it wordlessly, taking a careful sip of the honey-infused milk.

"Mr. Shaw, please drink more," Thomas urged. "Your health is particularly important now, especially with the potential changes coming to your life."

I nodded. "Indeed."

"Seeing you with those children was quite touching," Thomas continued. "I couldn't resist taking a photo."

"Photo? Send it to me," I demanded immediately.

As I examined the image on my phone, something unfamiliar happened-a genuine smile spread across my face. The photo captured a moment when both children were looking up at me, Aria with open fascination and Ethan with thoughtful curiosity.

"You seemed to connect well with them," Thomas observed, "though I noticed the boy was quite wary of you. Remarkable caution for someone so young."

"It's good that my child has such vigilance," I replied, approval evident in my tone. "It will protect them from harm."

"Mr. Shaw, you've already determined they're your children? Without DNA testing?"

"Is that necessary?" I countered, my gaze unwavering.

"And now, do you plan to tell Ms. Wilson?"

"No," I said decisively. "Not yet."

As the car pulled away from the curb, I took another look at the photo, my chest tight with an emotion I hadn't allowed myself to feel in years.

My children. Mine.