The mansion had finally calm down after the hospital drama. Lila rested on the couch, her
hand gently over her stomach. Ray hovered nearby, still tense but calmer, eyes soft whenever
they met hers. Ethan was playing quietly, occasionally glancing at Lila with curiosity and
awe.
The peace, however, didn't last long.
The front door swung open abruptly.
Ray's head snapped toward the sound. His eyes widened in shock.
"Margret?" he exclaimed, stepping forward. "What are you doing here?"
Margret walked in confidently in her elegant red dress, her red heels and gold bag, a slight
smirk on her lips. "Oh, relax, Ray," she said smoothly. "I'm not here to spoil one of your silly
marriage contracts. I'm just here for business."
Ray's jaw tightened, anger and disbelief flashing in his eyes. "Business? At my mansion?"
Margret shrugged casually, unbothered by his tension. "Business is business, Ray. Don't
make it personal."
Lila froze, glancing at the woman. She had heard the name but never met her before. Ray's
tension was palpable.
Then something unexpected happened.
Ethan's little voice rang out:
"MOM!"
Before anyone could react, he ran across the room and threw himself into Margret's arms.
Lila blinked, stunned. Did he just call her Mom?
Ray's eyes widened in shock. "Ethan…" he murmured, unsure whether to intervene.
Margret hugged him tightly, smiling warmly. "There's my boy," she said softly, ruffling his
hair.
Lila looked at Ray, then back at Ethan and Margret. A strange mix of emotions churned in
her chest - surprise, relief, and… curiosity.
Ray, still tense, finally spoke. "She's… just here for business," he said, more to himself than
anyone else.
Margret arched an eyebrow, glancing at Lila. "And you are…?"
Lila smiled faintly. "I'm… Ethan's stepmom, for now," she said carefully, keeping her tone
neutral.
Ethan's face lit up. "Mummy!" he called again, holding out his arms to Lila this time.
Lila laughed softly, a warm, genuine sound. "Yes, Ethan. I'm your Mummy too."
Ray watched the scene unfold—Margret holding Ethan, Lila smiling softly at his son, and a
new sense of family slowly forming. His chest tightened, realizing how much love and chaos
had entered his life—and how much he didn't want to let go of Lila. Ethan, watching them,
finally sat quietly, leaning against Lila. "I… I like having two Mummies," he said softly,
making her heart melt.
"Me too, Ethan," Lila whispered, hugging him.
After Margret finished her business, she turned to leave. She paused at the doorway, her eyes
flicking back toward Lila and Ray.
"You both look happy," she said softly, looking at Lila with a small, knowing smile. "He…
loves you."
Lila blinked, taken aback. Ray's hand found hers instinctively, squeezing it gently.
Margret smiled, nodded, and began to close the door.
Ethan, quick as ever, ran before the door fully shut and threw himself into her arms again.
"Bye, Mom!" he shouted, hugging her tightly.
Margret laughed, ruffling his hair once more. "Bye, Ethan. Be good," she said, then finally
left, leaving the door ajar for a moment as her smile lingered.
Later that evening, Lila turned to Ray, curiosity mixed with caution.
"Ray… what about Margret? Are you… okay with her?" she asked quietly.
Ray exhaled slowly. "We… separated one night I saw her at the airport. Ethan was angry, he
really loves his mom but we just had our differences."
Lila arched an eyebrow, teasing lightly. "So… you just marry for contracts after then?"
He glanced at her, expression flat, then murmured, "Mmm… just twice."
She raised her brows, smirking. "So you didn't fall in love… how did you now fall in love
with me?"
Ray smiled faintly, tilting his head. "You're… you. You're different. Everything about you is
different."
He stepped closer, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "My rival… I never knew
I'd be in love with this beautiful woman standing here with me."
Lila laughed softly, shaking her head. "Mm… I never imagined in the past weeks that you
could be this vulnerable."
They both laughed together, the tension breaking, warmth spreading between them.
Ray's gaze softened as he leaned back slightly, taking her hand. "I can't believe that that was
us and yet, here we are."
Lila smiled, heart full, still holding his hand. "Together."
Ray then spoke seriously, shifting the topic to practical matters. "I've been thinking. About
our companies. About the chaos, the rivalries, everything… I don't want us to keep hurting
each other or risking what we've built."
Lila tilted her head, curious. "What do you mean?"
"I want our companies to collaborate," he said firmly. "Merge certain projects. Share
resources. So neither of us revives old conflicts… and so we can focus on growth, together."
Lila's eyes softened. "You… want to work with me? After everything?"
He nodded, hand brushing hers across the desk. "Yes. Because it's the right thing. And… I
trust you. More than anyone else I've met."
Her chest tightened. He trusts me…
She smiled softly, her heart swelling. "Then… we'll do it. Together."
That night, as the mansion settled into quiet, Ray stood near the balcony, staring at the city
lights. Lila joined him, hand slipping into his.
"We've been through a lot," he murmured. "But… I wouldn't change a thing."
Lila leaned her head against his shoulder. "Neither would I."
Ray looked down at her, eyes soft and full of emotion. "I love you, Lila. All of you. Every
part of this… this chaotic life."
Her lips curved into a tender smile. "I love you too, Ray. Even the billionaire part."
He laughed, pulling her close. Ethan's laughter echoed from the next room as he played
quietly, calling both of them "Mummy" and "Dad."
For the first time, Ray felt the overwhelming truth: their lives were messy, unpredictable, and
complicated but full of love, family, and hope.
And as he held Lila close, he knew that nothing…business, rivals, or past mistakes—could
ever take this from them.
Surrounded by love, laughter, and each other, the Eliot family finally felt complete.