MY BILLIONAIRE EX THREW $30 AT ME WHEN I WAS PREGNANT AND SAID: "TAKE IT AND DISAPPEAR!" 10 YEARS LATER, I SAW HIM ON TV TELLING MILLIONS: "MY GREATEST REGRET IS THAT I NEVER HAD CHILDREN." I LOOKED AT THE 10-YEAR-OLD TWINS SLEEPING BESIDE ME—BOTH CARRYING HIS UNMISTAKABLE FACE—AND LAUGHED. THEN I TEXTED MY LAWYER: "GET THE INVITATIONS READY. WE'RE ATTENDING HIS COMPANY GALA."

Three days later, the quiet warmth of our lakeside home in Illinois welcomed us back.

The autumn sun was shining brightly, reflecting off the sparkling blue water of the lake. The air smelled of fresh fallen leaves and morning pine.

Sophie ran out onto the front porch the second our car pulled up, throwing her arms around Noah’s neck so hard they both tumbled onto the porch cushion, laughing hysterically.

"I told you Dad would bring you back!" Sophie squealed, wiping a tear from her cheek. "I made you a double batch of garlic bread!"

Noah laughed, pulling his sister into a headlock. "Save some for me, squirt!"

Ethan and I stood by the car, holding hands, watching our children play on the porch. The heavy weight that had hung over our heads for ten long years—the secrets, the fear, the constant threat of corporate sabotage—had finally vanished into thin air.

Marcus walked over, setting our bags on the porch, giving Ethan a respectful nod. "The perimeter security has been updated, sir. But honestly... I don't think anyone is coming near this house ever again."