Chapter 1
In her sixth year of marriage to Seth Sterling, Silicon Valley royalty, Fiona Sterling wanted to set up a trust fund. A gift for her twin boy and girl.]
The financial advisor scanned her documents, then shook his head. “Sorry, Ms. Sterling. This type of fund can only be established by the biological parents for their children.“[]
Fiona blinked. “I provided the birth certificates. I am indeed their mother.“[]
The advisor’s gaze turned pitying. “Ma’am, records are digitized now. Fake documents won’t fly. The system is crystal clear: the father is Seth Sterling. But the mother…” []
He paused. “It’s listed as Eleanor Snow. Not you.” []
“These children… have zero connection to you.“]]
Fiona froze. Her mind went blank.[]
Eleanor Snow. Seth’s unforgettable first love. []
Torn apart by a bitter, generations–old blood feud between their families. They have already ended any connection.[]
Yet now… the children she carried for nine months, almost died birthing… were legally Seth and Eleanor’s?[]
How? How is this possible?!]
She needed answers. Now.
Fiona stormed into Sterling Enterprises, swiping her access card straight to the penthouse CEO suite. []
The door was ajar. Inside, Seth’s best friend, Alex, was talking.]
“Hey, Seth. Eleanor’s flight lands tonight. You sure about throwing her a welcome bash? Remember the whole Sterling–Snow blood feud thing?”
“Not forgotten.” Seth’s voice was low, controlled, but strained. “Family decree: ‘Never wed a Snow.‘ I have a wife now. Eleanor’s just a friend.”
“Just a friend?” Alex scoffed. “Who was the wreck when she left for Paris? Swore you’d never love again?” []
“And Fiona…Wife? Please. You married her ‘cause she’s Eleanor’s spitting image. Had her carry Eleanor’s eggs via IVF. Genius, really. Kids look like mom? Fiona’s none the wiser. Just pours her heart out loving them forever.” []
“Honestly? I almost feel bad for the stand–in. She adores you. Finding out she’s just a glorified incubator and free nanny? She’d lose it.”
Seth’s voice was thick with a pain Fiona had never heard. “Couldn’t have Eleanor. But having her blood, her children… that’s enough. As for Fiona–“[]
His voice hardened, turning cold. []
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“She’ll never know. Her compensation? A lifetime as the enviable Mrs. Sterling.“[]
On the other side of the door, Fiona’s world spun violently. A sharp, tearing pain exploded in her chest.[]
She stumbled back, fleeing the building. Rain crashed down, mirroring the storm inside her.]
Six years ago. Fresh out of college, Fiona was tricked into a blind date. []
The guy was old, greasy, lunging at her with foul breath. []
A trap. Her parents, desperate for her brother’s $20k dowry, drugged her drink. Pushed her towards the fire.]
She fought her way out, dizzy and burning up, crashing blindly into a private lounge – straight into a man’s arms.
Feverish, her body screamed. She tore at her clothes, pressing against his solid chest.]
“Please… help me.“]
He frowned, trying to push her away. Then he saw her face. Recognition flickered, then something darker.[]
“I can help. But it’s quid pro quo.”
His grip tightened, voice rough. []
“There’s someone I love… can’t have. You look like her. I’ll be your antidote. You be her stand–in. Marry me?“[]
Ice water doused Fiona’s fever. She was poor, but proud. No stand–in.[]
But then she saw him clearly. Sharp suit. Unbearably handsome. Intense gaze fixed solely on her.[]
Seth Sterling. Her college crush. For seven years, he’d been the unreachable sun. And now… he was looking only at her.[]
Every shred of reason snapped.]]
“…Deal,” she whispered, voice trembling.
Seth’s hand cradled her head. His kiss, soft as spring rain, sealed her fate. []
Knowing she was just a substitute, Fiona surrendered. Because he was Seth Sterling.
He gave her a fairy–tale wedding. []
For six years, he played the perfect husband. No scandals,
She had everything the other society wives had, and more – the auction house’s crown jewels always went to Mrs. Sterling. []
When she got pregnant with twins, the hands that signed billion–dollar deals made her meals. He canceled meetings for doctor’s appointment, patiently talking to her belly.[]
After the twins were born, no matter how late, he came home to them.]]
Love me, love my children, she’d thought. His devotion to the kids meant he loved her. []
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Chapter 1
That time had softened his heart. That she wasn’t just the stand in anymore.[]
But he did love their mother. Just… their mother was Eleanor Snow.[]
And Fiona? The stand–in. The tool. Nothing more.[
Sobbing in the downpour, Fiona still called the house manager. Pick up the twins from preschool.
Not hers by blood, but she’d poured five years of her soul into them. They were her life. []
Now… how could she face them?]
Drenched and shattered, Fiona finally made it home.
“Mommy’s back!”
“Mommy’s wet! Bath time! No sickies!“]
Connor and Chloe Sterling scampered over, tiny hands tugging her towards the stairs. [
Fiona’s eyes stung. “It’s okay, sweet- AH!!]]
She never saw it coming. Two small hands shoved hard against her back.
She pitched forward, tumbling down the polished steps. Blood bloomed hot on her forehead. Pain forced her eyes shut.[]
“Yay! Mommy’s bleeding! She’s sleeping! Won’t bug us for Aunt Eleanor’s party!“]
“Daddy! Let’s go! I love Aunt Eleanor! Wanna see her now!”
Fiona, feeling desperate.
Through blood–matted lashes, Fiona saw Seth. He frowned slightly. That was all. Calm settled back on his face.
“Take care of Mrs. Sterling,” he told the staff.
Then he took Connor and Chloe’s hands, walking away.
“I told you, kids, always choose Aunt Eleanor over Mommy. But next time… maybe be gentler?”]]
Connor shook his head, sounding far too grown–up. “Nah. Mommy’s just a dumb housewife. We trick her all the time. She’ll believe whatever we say.”
“Yeah! Don’t worry!” Chloe chirped. “If Aunt Eleanor could be our real mommy? We wouldn’t just push her. We’d make her disappear!”
The three figures walked away. Not one looked back.]
Agony ripped through Fiona, blood and tears mingling on her face. Yet… a slow, chilling smile curved her lips.
This is the husband I gave my heart to.
Two Men One Choice My Happy Ending
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These are the children I nearly died for.[]
If they were never hers to begin with… then she didn’t want them anymore.[]
Any of them.]
