Isla's POV
"Mama, I'm scared."
Ethan's voice breaks through my thoughts. We're in Marcus's car, racing toward the hospital, and both twins are squeezed between us. Aiden hasn't said a word since we left the warehouse.
"I know, baby. I'm scared too." I pull Ethan closer. "But being scared is okay. Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you keep going even when you are."
"Will Daddy be okay?"
The word still sounds strange from his mouth. Yesterday, Dominic was just "the bad man who hurt Mama." Now he's Daddy, fighting for his life.
"I don't know." I won't lie to him. Not about this. "But he's strong. And the doctors are helping him."
Aiden suddenly speaks, his voice tiny. "It's my fault."
Everyone in the car goes still.
"Sweetie, no—" I start.
"Uncle Victor wanted me. He said I was special." Aiden's eyes fill with tears. "If I wasn't here, nobody would be hurt."
My heart shatters into a million pieces. This child—this baby who's been manipulated and lied to his entire life—thinks he's the problem.
I unbuckle my seatbelt and pull Aiden onto my lap, not caring that the car is moving. "Listen to me. None of this is your fault. None of it. Bad people do bad things, and that's on them, not on you."
"But—"
"No buts. You're five years old. The only thing you're responsible for is being a kid." I tilt his chin up so he has to look at me. "And you know what? You're already an amazing kid. You were brave. You helped your brother. And now you're part of this family, which means we protect each other. Understand?"
Aiden nods, but I can see he doesn't quite believe me yet. That's okay. I'll spend every day proving it to him if I have to.
Marcus's phone rings. He answers on speaker. "James?"
"Dominic's out of surgery." James sounds exhausted. "The bullet went through his shoulder. Missed major arteries. He'll recover fully."
I close my eyes in relief. Thank God.
"And Isla's mother?"
There's a long pause. Too long.
"She's alive. But barely. The bullet hit her lung. They've stopped the bleeding, but the next 48 hours are critical."
My throat tightens. I can't lose her. Not again.
"There's something else." James hesitates. "Victor's talking. He wants a deal."
"Absolutely not," Marcus says firmly.
"Wait." I lean forward. "What kind of deal?"
"He'll tell us everything about the Director in exchange for a reduced sentence."
The Director. The person who orchestrated all of this. The one who's still out there, watching us.
"Do it," I say.
"Isla—" Marcus starts.
"I need to know who's after my sons. If Victor has information, I'll make whatever deal keeps my boys safe."
We arrive at the hospital and it's chaos. Reporters are everywhere, shouting questions. Security guards hold them back as we rush inside.
"Ms. Chen! Is it true Dominic Ashford is the father of your children?"
"Were you aware of the kidnapping plot?"
"What about your engagement to Marcus Langford?"
I ignore them all, focusing only on getting the twins somewhere safe.
Lily meets us in a private waiting room. She looks like she's been crying. "Oh thank God you're all okay." She hugs me tight, then kneels to hug both boys. "You two are the bravest boys I've ever met."
"Aunt Lily, Daddy got shot," Ethan says seriously. "But he's going to be okay. Mama said so."
Lily's eyes meet mine over his head. The question is clear: Is that true?
I nod. For now, at least.
A nurse appears. "Ms. Chen? Mr. Ashford is asking for you. And the children."
My stomach flips. "He's awake?"
"Just came out of anesthesia. He's very insistent about seeing his family."
His family. That's what we are now, apparently. Whether I'm ready or not.
"Lily, can you stay with Aiden for a moment? I want to see Dominic first, make sure—"
"No." Aiden grabs my hand. "I want to come too. Please."
He's been separated from us enough. I nod. "Okay. We'll all go."
Dominic's hospital room is quiet except for the beeping machines. He looks terrible—pale, with an IV in his arm and bandages across his shoulder. But his eyes are clear when he sees us.
"Ethan. Aiden." His voice is rough. "You're safe."
"You got hurt because of us," Ethan says, his voice wobbling.
"No. I got hurt protecting you. There's a difference." Dominic tries to sit up and winces. "Come here."
The twins approach his bed carefully. Dominic reaches out with his good arm and pulls them both into a gentle hug. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry I wasn't there before. I'm sorry you got caught up in all this. But I promise—I promise—I will never let anyone hurt you again."
"Even Mama?" Aiden asks quietly.
Dominic's eyes find mine. "Especially your mama. She's the strongest person I know."
Something shifts in the room. In this moment, covered in bandages and barely able to move, Dominic Ashford looks more real than he ever has. Not the cold CEO. Not the man who threw me out. Just a father who almost lost everything.
"Mr. Ashford?" A police officer enters. "Victor Ashford is ready to talk. He's asking for you and Ms. Chen to be present."
"Absolutely not." Lily steps forward. "They're not going anywhere near that man."
"It's okay." I squeeze her shoulder. "We need to hear what he knows."
Marcus volunteers to stay with the twins while Dominic, against his doctor's protests, insists on being wheeled to the interrogation room.
Victor looks smaller now. Broken. He's handcuffed to the table, and there are guards on both sides.
"Hello, nephew. Isla." He smiles, but it doesn't reach his eyes. "Ready to learn the truth?"
"Talk," Dominic says coldly.
"The Director hired me two years ago. Said they'd been watching your family for decades. They wanted access to the Ashford bloodline—specifically, the twins."
"Why?" I demand.
"Because of what they can become." Victor leans forward. "The Director believes certain bloodlines carry... gifts. Special abilities that can be unlocked with the right training."
This is insane. "You expect us to believe this supernatural nonsense?"
"Believe what you want. But the Director is very real and very powerful. They have connections everywhere—government, military, corporations. People you'd never suspect."
"Names," Dominic growls. "Give us names."
"I only met the Director once. Wore a mask. Distorted voice. But I can tell you this—they're someone you already know. Someone close to both of you."
My blood runs cold. "Who?"
Victor's smile widens. "That's what makes it beautiful. I don't know. Could be anyone. Your best friend. Your business partner. Your lawyer. Even your father, Isla."
"You're lying," I whisper.
"Am I?" Victor's eyes gleam. "Think about it. How did the Director always know where you'd be? How did they know about Aiden being different? Someone's been feeding them information for years."
A phone buzzes. The officer's phone. He reads the message and his face goes white.
"What?" Dominic demands.
"There's been an incident at the hospital. Someone tried to access the children's room."
My heart stops. "What?!"
We race back—Dominic in his wheelchair, me running beside him. The hallway is full of security guards.
The twins' room door is open.
Empty.
"No. No no no NO!" I scream, running inside.
There's a note on the bed.
Thank you for gathering them all in one place. The Director sends their regards. Don't worry—the boys are in good hands. Someone they trust implicitly took them. You'll never guess who.
Beneath the note is a photo. A photo taken just minutes ago.
Of Lily, leading both twins down a hallway, smiling.