Chapter 153

Angela POV

Olivia reached for her water glass as her phone lit up with a notification, briefly revealing a familiar avatar-the same stylized silhouette I'd seen in my chats with Mr. Night.

During the rest of dinner, I watched Olivia closely. She checked her phone often and smiled slightly when new messages came. Each time her phone lit up, I tried to peek at the screen to make sure I wasn't imagining what I saw before.

When Olivia excused herself to order dessert for the twins, I found my opportunity. Her phone lay unattended on the table, and before I could reconsider, I tilted my head just enough to see the notifications banner.

"That was lovely," Olivia commented as we walked toward the exit. "We should do this more often."

I took a deep breath. "Olivia, I couldn't help noticing the profile picture on your phone. The one with the black silhouette against the gray background."

Her steps faltered almost imperceptibly. "Oh? Which one?"

"In your WhatsApp messages," I pressed. "It looked familiar."

"Really?" Her voice pitched slightly higher. "It's probably just a generic avatar. You know how these messaging apps are-limited options for profile pictures."

"May I see your phone?" I asked directly.

Olivia clutched her bag closer. "What for? It's just a random contact."

"I'm curious, that's all," I insisted, maintaining a light tone despite the tension building between us.

"Angela, we should get the children to the car," she deflected. "It's getting late."

I nodded, conceding temporarily.

The parking garage was dimly lit, casting long shadows between the rows of cars. I spotted Olivia helping Ethan with his seatbelt through the rear window of my car.

"All set?" I asked, approaching them.

"Yep! They're ready to go," Olivia replied, closing the door and turning to face me.

With the children safely in the car, I took my chance. "Olivia, I need to see your phone. Please."

Her expression tightened. "Angela, why are you so interested in my contacts?"

"I'm concerned about someone who's been messaging me online," I explained, keeping my voice low so the twins couldn't hear.

"Someone who calls himself Mr. Night. He's been following my children's social media accounts, sending them money. I just want to make sure it's not the same person."

Olivia's face paled in the harsh fluorescent lighting. "I'm sure it's nothing to worry about," she said, but her voice lacked conviction.

"Then you won't mind showing me," I insisted gently. "I just want to check the profile picture."

After a long moment of hesitation, Olivia sighed in defeat.

"Fine. Here," she muttered, unlocking her phone and reluctantly handing it to me.

My hands trembled slightly as I navigated to her WhatsApp. There it was-the exact same avatar I'd been communicating with for months. I pulled out my own phone, opening my conversation with Mr. Night, and placed the two screens side by side.

"It's him," I whispered, my suspicion confirmed. "How do you know this person, Olivia? Who is he?"

Olivia shifted uncomfortably, avoiding my gaze. "We've only talked a few times. It's really nothing."

"Then why are you so nervous?" I challenged, my voice hardening. "Look, I'm not trying to pry into your personal life. But this man has been strangely interested in my children. He's donated thousands of dollars to their accounts. He even visited their school. I need to know who he is."

Olivia's eyes widened in alarm. "He went to their school?"

"Yes, Aria mentioned meeting 'Mr. Night uncle' there. He apparently introduced a new student-some distant relative of his." I studied her face intently. "Olivia, please. If you know who this person is, tell me. I'm worried about my children's safety."

Something in my plea seemed to break through her resistance. Her shoulders slumped as guilt washed over her features.

"You really don't know who he is?" she asked incredulously.

I shook my head, confusion mounting.

Olivia took a deep breath. "Angela, it's Sean Shaw. The man we met at the bar last month-the one you said was harassing you before we realized it was a misunderstanding."

The world seemed to tilt beneath my feet.

"Sean is Mr. Night?" I whispered, my voice barely audible over the distant sound of cars.

Suddenly, everything clicked into place-the generous donations, the interest in my children, the coincidental meetings. The mysterious online benefactor who had seemed to appear from nowhere after my return to New York was the same man I'd spent five years trying to leave behind.

"How..." I managed, leaning against my car for support.

"Two weeks ago, he called me after seeing a photo I posted of the twins," Olivia admitted, her words tumbling out in a rush of confession. "He asked about Aria and Ethan-their ages, where they go to school, their personalities. I thought he was just being friendly, showing interest because we'd met before."

The implications hit me like a physical blow. If Sean had been asking about the twins' ages, then he must know-or at least suspect-the truth about their parentage.

"He knows," I murmured, more to myself than to Olivia. "He knows the truth."

Olivia stepped closer, confusion etched across her face. "What truth? Angela, I'm so sorry if I've caused problems. I had no idea you were trying to keep anything from him."

"But why does he care so much about your twins?" Olivia continued to ask.

But I didn't directly answer her question.

I shook my head, trying to process this revelation. All those comments from Aria about "Mr. Night uncle" visiting their school, the new student he'd sponsored, the special attention he'd shown them-it had all been Sean, methodically inserting himself into their lives while I'd maintained the story that their father had passed away.

"Olivia," I said, struggling to keep my voice steady, "if Sean contacts you again, please don't tell him anything more about us. Not where we live, not our routines, nothing. Can you promise me that?"

She nodded solemnly. "Of course. Angela, I truly am sorry."

I managed a weak smile. "It's not your fault. You didn't know."

As I drove home that night, the twins chattering happily in the backseat about their desserts, my mind raced with implications.

Sean knew about Aria and Ethan. The secret I'd guarded for five years had been discovered.