Rose gazed at the two children before her, a whirl of conflicting emotions surging through her chest.

They were her children, born three years ago, though she had no idea who their father was.

Four years earlier, at just twenty, she had attended Adrians birthday party. Someone had slipped something into her drink, and before the night was through, she had ended up in bed with a stranger. By the time she returned home, she overheard Adrian speaking with his grandfather about breaking off their engagement.

It was then that Rose knew there was no future for them. So, she made the choice to leave the country.

But barely two months abroad, she learned she was pregnantwith twins.

Initially, she had no intention of keeping the babies. But the doctors told her that ending the pregnancy would likely mean shed never have children. She was prone to infertility, they said.

Rose had imagined that whatever faint connection she had with Adrian was long severed. She also believed she could never marry anyone else. So, against every doubt and hesitation, she gave birth to the twins overseas.

Two years later, Adrian reached out unexpectedly. His grandfather was gravely ill, and Adrian had asked her to return to Southreach City. Yet no sooner had she stepped off the plane than Adrian hustled her to the civil registry and they were married.

Rose hadnt agreed lightly. She had tried to refuse, but news of the old mans fading health had left her no choice. His dying wish, she was told, was to see her and Adrian wed. Reluctantly, Rose acquiesced.

What she hadnt anticipated was that their marriage, forged under duress, would drag on far longer than shed imagined. The old mans health, too, seemed miraculously regenerative. Weeks turned into months, months stretched into a year, yet they remained husband and wifewith no divorce in sight.

During it all, Rose had concealed her childrens existence from everyone, playing the part of Adrians obliging wife.

But tonight, as she looked at the two little ones tumbling toward her with outstretched arms, their laughter as golden as sunlight, she knew she couldnt delay any longer. She had to divorce Adrian and leave. Because ifwhenAdrian discovered the truth about the twins, Rose couldnt fathom the consequences.

"Mommy, Mommy!" they called to her, their sweet voices a balm and a torment all at once.

Despite her roiling emotions, Rose crouched down as they ran to her, gathering them carefully into her arms.

Charlotte Mason nestled into her embrace, a bright, cherubic smile lighting her face. She placed an affectionate kiss on her mothers cheek before asking, Why were you so late coming home today, Mommy?

Charlotte, the older of the two, was the spitting image of a porcelain dolldainty, symmetrical, with big, sparkling eyes that danced with life. Her charm was irresistible.

I'll give Mommy a back rub; she looks so tired, chimed in Mason, her little brother, who was just as endearing in his own way. He was more slender than his sister, his complexion as luminous as an eggshell's smooth surface. Though not yet fully three years old, Mason radiated a wisdom beyond his years, observing those around him and offering subtle gestures of love.

Rose, still crouched, let out a soft sigh as Mason made his way behind her and began patting her back with all the solemnity a toddler could muster. Their small, earnest efforts melted something deep inside her. How could anyone not feel their heart soften with children as thoughtful as these?

Taking each child by the hand, she walked to the sofa, sitting down to read and go over their letters with them. The housekeeper, Joanna, stood nearby, smiling at the touching scene.

Youre so lucky, Ms. Sun," Joanna said, her voice full of warmth. "To have two such sweet, clever, and well-behaved children. Truly a blessing.

It was true; for toddlers, they were astonishingly self-sufficient. While other children their age often left their parents at their wits' end, Charlotte and Mason would quietly read or create little surprises for their mother whenever Rose was absent.

Joanna, who had worked for countless families, had never encountered children as angelic as these. But Rose only offered a thin, perfunctory smile in response to the compliment.

The children, to her, were walking contradictions. Part of her hated their very existencehated their nameless father, hated her own reckless decision to bring them into the world. Yet another part of her could hardly bear the moments she spent apart from them. She worried constantly about their well-being: had they eaten enough, were they safely tucked into bed, did they feel loved?

For these reasons, she had smuggled them back to Southreach City in defiance of all common sense. But as much as she tried to tiptoe around the inevitable, she knew her time was running out.

After an hour spent with the children, Rose glanced at the clock and stood. It was late; she had to return to Adrians home. It was time to finalize their divorce.

When she arrived back at Sun Garden, twilight had long turned to night. Claire, the housemaid, met her by the door with her usual attentiveness.

Why so late, maam? Mr. Reids been waiting for you, Claire whispered conspiringly as she held out Roses slippers.

Rose froze, surprised. Adrian's here? He came back?

Claire nodded. Hes in the dining room. Waiting.

Rose slipped out of her heels and into her house shoes, her mind curling with unease. Claire leaned in and added more softly, He isnt pleased. Youd better go put him in a better mood.

With some hesitation, Rose stepped into the foyer, removing her coat as she made her way past the grand archways toward the dining room. There he was: Adrian Reid, seated with impeccable poise at the enormous table.

He was dressed in a navy vest and black shirt, his every angle oozing wealth and sophistication. Even in the faint glow of the chandelier above, the chiseled planes of his facehis defined jawline, his aristocratic browshone like something carved from marble. His long fingers moved deftly over a laptop keyboard, each motion confident, decisive. There was a detached intensity about him, a restraint so formidable it was almost magnetic.

Adrian was, objectively, everything a woman could want. A veritable prince among men, from a powerful family with more aura than some self-made kings could muster.

Rose didnt deny ithe was the sort of man who could make you fall in love without trying. And yet, heartbreakingly, he'd kissed someone else. And beyond all that, there were her secretsones that made it impossible for her to even start imagining a future with him.

As if on cue, Adrians sharp gaze lifted, pinning her where she stood. He snapped the laptop shut theatrically and only then spoke, his voice cutting through the charged air.

What kind of job has you running in and out all hours of the day? I dont think I work as much as you do.

It had been a year, and Adrian still hadnt figured out where Rose vanished to every day.

Swallowing, Rose straightened her back. I waited for you at the registry all day today. Where were you? she deflected, her heart hammering.

He arched one eyebrow, giving a dry chuckle. I thought you were bluffing. Then, with a perfunctory wave, he pointed to the seat across from him. Eat something. Whatevers bothering youits not worth starving over.

But Rose didnt move. Adrian, I wasnt bluffing. I want a divorce.

Adrian stilled, his earlier tease vanishing. His eyes darkened like an oncoming storm, his voice low and commanding. Rose, youd do well not to test my patience. Stop throwing tantrums like a child.

He couldnt understand her fury. All hed done was attend Yvonnes birthday partyan innocent favor for an old family friend. Did she really think he, Adrian Reid, would entertain more than that? Surely she understood her position as his wife couldnt be so easily replaced.

He sighed, almost indulgent. I know youre young. I'll forgive you for overreacting.

But Rose didnt back down. Determined, she turned on her heel, throwing her next words over her shoulder. Ive made up my mind. If you wont sign the papers, so be it, but Im packing tonight. Were done.