Julian didn't speak for three full minutes.
He just stared at the screen — the trust account, the birth certificate, the child — like the world had tilted and hadn't righted itself since.
Cassandra stood behind him, silent, watching as her billionaire husband unraveled one string of secrecy at a time.
"Her name is Lena," he whispered, voice hoarse.
"And she's yours," Cassandra finished. "Isn't she?"
Julian closed the laptop, as if shutting it would erase what he now knew.
"I didn't know," he murmured. "I swear to God, Cassandra. Miranda never told me."
Cassandra's arms folded. "She didn't need to. She knew this would destroy you more later. That's the kind of monster she is."
Julian dragged a hand through his hair. "What do I even do with this?"
Her eyes softened. "You start by meeting her."
★★★★★
One Week Later – Zurich, Switzerland
It took days of legal gymnastics and secret flights, but Julian stood now in a quiet schoolyard in Switzerland.
The little girl was easy to spot. She had Miranda's dark eyes, but the stubborn set of her jaw… that was all Ashford.
He watched as she sketched something in the snow with a stick.
"A snow castle," she explained to her nanny. "Because princesses deserve their own."
Julian almost choked.
Cassandra squeezed his hand. "Go."
★★★★★
Inside the School Office
Julian sat across from Lena, his heart pounding like a teenager on prom night.
She eyed him skeptically. "Are you my new teacher?"
"No," he said, smiling gently. "I'm… Julian."
She tilted her head. "That's a silly name."
He laughed. "You're not wrong."
Pause.
Then: "Are you my dad?"
Time stopped.
He nodded.
Lena blinked, then looked at Cassandra. "Are you his girlfriend?"
Cassandra hesitated.
"She's my wife," Julian answered.
"Oh," Lena said, frowning. "So you took him."
Cassandra burst out laughing.
"I like her already," she said, wiping a tear.
★★★★★
Later That Night – Zurich Hotel
Julian sat on the balcony, whiskey untouched, guilt heavy.
Cassandra joined him in a silk robe, hair damp from a shower, skin glowing like moonlight.
"You think I'm going to walk out on you now?" she asked softly.
"I gave another woman a child."
"You also gave her nothing else," Cassandra replied. "She raised that child in secret to destroy you. You don't get to feel guilty — you get to fix it."
He pulled her into his lap. "Do you want children?"
She blinked. "Where did that come from?"
"I need to know," he whispered. "Because the thought of you pregnant with my child just… ruined me in the best way."
Her cheeks turned pink. "One step at a time, Mr. Ashford."
He kissed her slow, deep, unhurried.
"But yes," she added breathlessly, "maybe someday… when we're not fighting corporate wars and crazy exes."
"Deal."
He carried her inside.
The night was slow. Sacred. Healing.
★★★★★
The Next Morning – Ashford Penthouse, New York
A delivery box sat on the kitchen counter. No sender. No note.
Cassandra opened it while Julian showered.
Inside was a USB. And a red envelope.
She slipped the USB into her laptop.
Video footage loaded.
Her breath caught.
It was Miranda. Sitting in a sleek chair. Holding a gun.
And behind her?
Lena.
Tied to a chair. Crying.
Then Miranda spoke directly into the camera:
> "Did you really think you could steal him and get away with it?
You can keep your wedding ring, Cassandra.
I have something far more valuable.
And if you want her back… you'll come alone."