Asher woke up to his phone vibrating non-stop on the nightstand.
Seventeen missed calls. Forty-three text messages. Twelve voicemails.
All before 7 AM.
He grabbed the phone with shaking hands, scrolling through the notifications.
ELLIOT: Are you okay? Call me.
MOM (FER-FATHER): We saw the news. We're coming over.
DAD (MER-FATHER): Don't talk to any reporters. We love you.
UNKNOWN NUMBER: How much for an exclusive interview?
UNKNOWN NUMBER: What's it like being a billionaire's baby daddy?
UNKNOWN NUMBER: Did you trap him on purpose?
Asher's stomach turned.
From the living room, he heard the twins' voices. Still half-asleep, asking for breakfast.
Normal. They needed normal.
He forced himself out of bed, splashed water on his face, and went to face his children.
Kai and Lily were sitting on the couch in their pajamas, watching cartoons. Kael's security guard—a stern woman named Rebecca—stood by the window, watching the street below.
