The name Gracee rolled through Emilia's mind long after Adrian's calm voice had faded, long after she had walked out of that café pretending the world hadn't just shifted under her feet.
She drove home in silence, her reflection caught in the glass as city lights blurred past. Her thoughts refused to settle. Gracee. A child. Sebastian's child? No. Adrian was trying to get under her skin. That was his way polished lies wrapped in a charming smile. But something about the way he said it... too confident.
When she reached home, the world felt painfully normal. The scent of dinner. The faint laughter of Hope echoing down the hallway. Sebastian was in the living room, his sleeves rolled up, Elian on his lap, the toddler waving a small wrench like a toy hammer.
Her heart clenched — not with doubt, but with the fear of what she might find.
Hey, Sebastian greeted, looking up with a grin that could still melt her in seconds. You're late. Board meeting went that long?
She hesitated, then smiled faintly. Something like that.
He stood, gently setting Elian on the couch before walking to her. You look like you've seen a ghost.
Maybe I did, she said quietly, stepping into his embrace. For a moment, she let his warmth ground her. The rhythm of his heart reminded her what was real.
Sebastian pulled back slightly to study her face. What's wrong, Em?
She shook her head. I just had a strange meeting with Adrian Wolfe.
His jaw tightened. The Titan Dynamics guy? What did he want this time?
To get in my head, she whispered. Then, after a pause, He mentioned someone named Gracee.
Sebastian's expression faltered, confusion first then something else, a shadow of a memory he couldn't quite place.
Gracee? he repeated slowly. Never heard that name before.
Emilia searched his eyes. There was honesty there raw, unguarded. She nodded, trying to hide her relief. Then he's bluffing. Trying to stir trouble.
Sebastian exhaled and kissed her forehead. He picked the wrong couple to mess with.
She smiled at that, but her mind refused to let go of the name. Gracee. It wasn't just a bluff. She could feel it.
That night, after the twins had fallen asleep and Sebastian dozed beside her, Emilia slipped quietly out of bed. She padded across the room, her silk robe brushing the floor, and opened her laptop.
A single light illuminated her face as she typed, her fingers flying across the keys.
Search: Gracee Wolfe.
Then, Gracee Titan Dynamics.
Nothing.
She tried again: Gracee Sarah.
That's when the first hit appeared a birth record. The surname listed under guardians: Evan Hartman. The mother's name: Sarah Dole.
Her breath caught.
Sarah. The woman from Sebastian's past.
The cursor blinked on the screen, patient and unfeeling, as her world quietly tilted
She sat by the window in her robe, city lights still spilling through the curtains, her laptop closed
Each time she tried to breathe, questions followed. Seven years old. Sarah Dole. No father listed.
The timeline was clear Gracee had been born before Emilia ever stepped into Sebastian's life.
Still, the thought unsettled her, not as betrayal, but as a truth too heavy to ignore.
Adrian Wolfe had known exactly what he was doing. He wasn't the cause of this secret; he was the messenger who enjoyed watching the damage unfold.
And Emilia wasn't going to let him win.
By the time the first threads of dawn touched the glass, she'd already decided she needed to hear it from Sebastian himself. No assumptions Just the truth.
She rose quietly and crossed into the bedroom. Sebastian lay half turned toward her, one arm draped across the sheets where she should've been. He looked peaceful, almost boyish in sleep.
Her heart ached.
She brushed a hand over his shoulder. Sebastian, she whispered.
He stirred, brow furrowing. Mm? Em, what time is it?
Almost six. Her voice trembled slightly. We need to talk.
That made him sit up. Instantly alert. What's wrong? Is it the twins?
No, she said quickly. It's… it's something else.
He turned to face her fully now, sleep gone from his eyes. "Emilia, you're scaring me. What happened?"
She hesitated, then forced herself to meet his gaze. I need to ask you something, and I need you to be honest with me.
You know I always am.
Do you really not know Gracee ?
The question hit the air like glass breaking.
Sebastian blinked, confusion cutting across his face. Gracee? He shook his head slowly. No. Should I?
She's seven years old, Emilia said, her voice steady but her hands tightening. Her mother's name is Sarah Dole.
That made him pause — recognition flickered faintly at the name. Sarah
Emilia swallowed hard. I found a record Sarah has a daughter. Gracee Hartman. No father listed."
For a moment, silence stretched between them. Only the faint hum of the morning filled the space.
Then Sebastian exhaled slowly, dragging a hand through his hair. You think she's mine.
I don't know what to think, Emilia whispered. Adrian Wolfe mentioned her. I didn't believe him at first, but then I found the file, and
Adrian Wolfe? His tone sharpened instantly. He's been feeding you this? Emilia, that man lives off manipulation. He's trying to get in your head."
I know what he's trying to do, she said. But I also know what I found.
Sebastian stood, pacing toward the window, his back to her. Seven years ago… He rubbed his jaw, his voice low. Sarah disappeared before I ever knew what happened to her. If there was a child He turned, eyes meeting hers, raw and searching. Emilia, I swear on everything I have, I never knew. Not once.
She searched his face, and the sincerity there hit her like sunlight breaking through a storm. He wasn't lying.
He looked lost hurt, even.
I want to believe you, she murmured.
Then do, he said quietly. Because it's the truth. If that girl exists… I had no idea.
Emilia's throat tightened. Then we need to find out.
He nodded once. I will. I'll call Sarah. Get the truth straight from her."
She hesitated, then stepped closer, resting a hand on his arm. You sure you're ready for what that might mean?
Sebastian met her eyes, steady and sure, even through the storm behind them. Whatever it is, I'd rather face it than live in someone else's lie.
For a moment, they just stood there two people caught between love and uncertainty, dawn washing over them l
Outside, the sun rose higher, spilling gold across the room. Emilia didn't speak again. She just nodded, silent and strong, as Sebastian reached for his phone.
By the time the light touched his face, he'd already decided.
he would call Sarah.