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94
   Selene:

Maximus doesn’t move. He just stands there; frozen. Eyes locked on me like he’s trying to make sense of what he’s seeing. Seconds stretch into what feels like forever, and still, not a single word. Just that same stunned, almost haunted look.

Then his gaze flickers to Anna and Asher... then back to me. Oh, he’s confused, alright. It's written all over his face. Confusion ... and something deeper I can’t quite place. The silence between us turns heavy, almost unbearable, and my chest tightens as I fight to keep my breathing steady.

“Selene… are… are they…” he stops, swallowing hard. “Are they mine?”

Hell. No.

I don’t say a word. Just stare him down, my entire body trembling with anger. I want to yell. To tell him exactly what he deserves to hear. To hit him for all the pain he left me to carry alone.

But before I can do anything, Nelly steps in, her presence calm and grounding. She places a hand gently on my shoulder, and I flinch—still on edge, still reeling.

I force a smile and turn to the twins, holding out my hand. “No, sweethearts, that’s not your daddy,” I say softly. “Let him be, okay? Let’s go home. We still haven’t picked out your presents, and remember what I’ve always told you about talking to strangers?”

I try to keep my voice steady, but frustration slips through the cracks. “Do you want Grandma to be sad? What about Aunt Nelly? Wouldn’t you miss her too?” I pause, taking a shaky breath. “Children need to stay away from people who are dangerous. I’m disappointed in you, Asher… you were supposed to protect your sister.”

God, I hate saying that. The words taste bitter coming out, but they have to understand. I don’t want to yell. I don’t want to be harsh. But I’m scared. I’m so scared. And I can’t let it show. Not in front of Maximus. Not with the way he's watching us like he's already unraveling everything I’ve fought so hard to hold together.

Asher’s gaze lifts to mine, wide and pleading. “But Mommy… he’s our father. Please let him come with us.”

My heart drops. I shake my head slowly, voice cracking. “He’s not your father, baby…”

“But Mum!” Asher blurts. “Anna says I look like him!”

The words hit me like a punch. I force down the lump rising in my throat, blinking rapidly to keep the tears at bay.. I can’t break down in front of Maximus. I won’t give him that satisfaction.

“Mum…” Asher’s voice softens, and he reaches for my hand. “Please… just let him be—”

“Enough,” I snap, cutting off Anna too as she opens her mouth to speak.

I crouch in front of them, gently peeling their small fingers away from Maximus. My touch is careful, but my hands tremble. I can feel his eyes burning into us, but I won’t look at him. 

Still, I sense it. The way he’s staring at them. Not me. Just them. Like they’re the only thing in the world that matters right now. There’s something in his eyes… longing, maybe. Regret. Or something far more complicated.

But whatever it is, it’s too late.

“You can’t have a father because your father is dead.”

I force the words out, each one scraping my throat raw. “I’m sorry I lied to you all this time... but your daddy’s been gone for a long while now. There’s no way this stranger is your father.”

The silence that follows is sharp. Then—

Anna and Asher burst into tears.

Even Maximus gasps. He staggers like I just knocked the wind out of him. But I don’t look at him. Instead, I turn my attention to the twins, who are stomping their little feet, their sobs loud and broken. My heart twists painfully. This… this is killing me.

But I have to do it. For their safety. For my own peace of mind.

I ignore Maximus and the guilt that’s carved into every line of his stunned face. I ignore the aching in my chest, the voice in my head screaming that I’ve just shattered their innocent little hearts.

“Pick them up. Let’s go,” I say quietly to Nelly, who’s already stepping forward.

She nods without question, sweeping both kids into her arms. Their cries echo as she carries them away, their small hands reaching back toward me, toward him. 

I start to turn, ready to walk away and follow my children-when Maximus’s voice stops me cold.

“Selene… please wait,” he breathes, suddenly at my side. “I can explain.”

I flinch and take two steps back, instinctively putting space between us. My hands instantly curl into fists at my sides.

“Explain what?” I growl, my eyes locked on his.

“Please, Selene,” he pleads. “Don’t shut me out of their lives. I deserve to be part of them. They’re my children. I have a right to be in their lives.”

His words hit like daggers.

I feel my chest tighten, the pressure building too fast to contain. He doesn't get it. He never did. And now he thinks he can just show up and claim them? I won’t let him twist this into something it’s not. I won’t let him manipulate me again.

Before I can stop myself, I step forward and slap him. Hard. The sound cracks through the air, and the sting burns across my palm. But he doesn’t flinch. Doesn’t even blink. It’s like he was expecting it all along.

“They’re not yours, Maximus!” I spit, my voice shaking with rage. “Remember? I can’t have children. Your mother made sure to remind me every day that I was barren. So how could they possibly be yours?”

“Selene… I’m so sorry she said that to you. Truly. She regrets it. She’s changed. She wants to make things right. She wants you back too.” He shakes his head, voice faltering. “I—I don’t even know how to begin fixing th-"

“Oh, save me the pity parade,” I snap, cutting him off. “You don't get to play the hero now. If I ever see you near my children again, Maximus Hemsworth, I swear,I’ll have you arrested for attempted abduction. And that’s a promise!”

Without giving him another second, I turn on my heel and walk away. My heart pounds against my ribs, the heat of anger still buzzing in my blood. But I don’t look back.

I’m done looking back.