For the CEO position, it would be worth it.
“And where are we supposed to find this person?” I asked.
“Ideally, we hire an actress. I can contact an agency first thing in the morning. If you’re willing to pay a premium, we might have someone by tomorrow afternoon.”
“I’ll pay whatever it costs. But tomorrow afternoon is too late.”
“That’s the best I can do, Logan. Until then, if anyone asks, you make up an excuse. Or just stay in the room with the girls. Your presentation isn’t until three. I’ll be here with the actress after lunch, and the four of you can walk in together—like a modern, happy family with two beautiful daughters.”
The idea was still absurd and risky.
But at this point, what other choice did I have?
Chapter Two
LOGAN
It was a king-size bed... yet somehow, those two tiny girls managed to take up all the space.
I spent the night on the couch, wide awake, just watching them and turning everything over in my mind. Most of that time was spent on my phone, scouring social media and the internet for any trace of Eleanor—anything that might tell me how to reach her.
There was nothing.
How could I possibly be their father? Children weren't part of the plan, not for a long time. I had too much to accomplish in my career; it consumed my every waking hour. And I never wanted to bring kids into the world just to pawn them off on nannies.
My father was a man who rarely had time for his family—though, ironically, he’d always found time forhis countless affairs. My mother, on the other hand, was a superstar before she retired, yet she always made time for us. Even when she was filming abroad, she called every night and would move heaven and earth to get home for weekends. During school breaks, she often took us with her.
It made me wonder if it wasn't the work itself that made a parent neglectful. Maybe it was a choice. My mother was living proof you could be present if you wanted to.
But I was convinced I wouldn't be able to handle it. I’d inevitably end up like my father, which was exactly why I’d chosen not to have kids.
Yet here they were. No takebacks.
What was I supposed to do now? How was I supposed to adapt my life? They were five years old… were they supposed to be in school, or was it still preschool? I couldn't feed them my diet of hospital cafeteria food and takeout. I didn't know what they liked to eat, if they were on any medication, or if they had allergies. I knew absolutely nothing about them beyond their names: Aurora and Anna.
I hadn't even heard Aurora speak. And while Anna had said a few words, it was clear she was just as unhappy with this situation as I was.
"Why did you do this to me, Ellie?" I whispered into the dark, my eyes still fixed on the girls. "Why did you do this tothem?"
I couldn't understand what would drive Ellie—after vanishing from my life for six years—to just dump the girls on me without so much as a conversation. All I got were a few vague explanations in a letter.
I finally drifted off just before dawn; grateful my first conference event wasn't until the afternoon. At least I could get a little more rest after a sleepless night.
I couldn’t have been asleep for more than two hours when a loud clatter jolted me awake. I pushed myself up on the couch to see Anna standing by the open minibar, a soda can rolling on the floor.
"There's no milk in here," she complained, noticing I was awake.
I glanced at the bed and saw Aurora was also awake, sitting up and watching her sister.
"Is juice an option?" I asked, figuring it was the healthiest thing in that fridge.
"We have milk for breakfast," she retorted. "And cereal. And Mom makes scrambled eggs."
"Well... we have no milk, no cereal, and no eggs. So, it's juice and cookies. Take it or leave it."
"We'rehungry."
I sighed, realizing this was a battle I wouldn't win. I was responsible for them now, and I couldn't let them go hungry.
