I Faked My Death—Then Came Back with His Twins

“Maggie, welcome back!” Madeline Johnston, sharp in a crisp business suit, walked over with a warm smile. Her two children dashed ahead, throwing their arms around Maggie and affectionately calling her “Auntie Maddy.”

Madeline greeted each of them with a kiss and a squeeze, and as the kids pulled away, she couldn’t help asking, “You’ve been doing so well abroad. What made you come back all of a sudden?”

“There was something off about that car accident,” Maggie said, her smile equal parts alluring and assured. “And besides, Aubree’s glory days are numbered.”

The woman standing in front of Madeline was no longer the shy Maggie from five years ago. Everything that had been taken from her, she was going to reclaim—piece by piece.

Madeline let out an impressed whistle. “Look at you, Maggie. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but you came back more dazzling than ever. I bet you’ve got admirers beating down your door now, don’t you?”

“Yeah, and they’re all a total headache,” Wade cut in before Maggie could answer.

“Watch the attitude,” Maggie chided gently, tapping her son’s head with one finger before turning back to Madeline with a grin. “Oh, stop. And look at you—a full-on businesswoman now. Your brother told me you’re still single. Are you ever going to settle down?”

“Men are exhausting. I’d rather spend my time with you, Maggie,” Madeline laughed. Her career meant she couldn’t freely choose whom to love. Besides, she found her work far more captivating than any romance.

As they kept talking, a sleek limousine pulled up behind them, carrying a man with a cold, distant air. It was Braxton Thompson, just back from a business trip.

A familiar face flickered through his mind, and Braxton’s expression clouded. He shook his head at the thought. That woman was supposed to be gone—lost at the bottom of the cliff. How could she be here?

He didn’t even like her. So why did she keep creeping back into his head?

The memory of her accusations five years ago resurfaced, sharp and familiar, bringing the same old pang with it.

“Mr. Thompson, Ms. Foster heard you’re back and would like to invite you to dinner,” his secretary informed him.

“I understand,” Braxton said, shutting his emotions down and slipping back into his icy demeanor.

“The twins are simply adorable. Thank goodness you didn’t—ah, forget it. Don’t worry, I’ll look after them,” Madeline gushed over the two children, her maternal side showing. Even though she couldn’t stand Braxton, she had to admit he had remarkable genes. Wade especially was ridiculously handsome.

Maggie watched them with a soft smile. She understood what Madeline had almost said. After narrowly escaping death, she’d thought about ending the pregnancy. But the moment she found out she was carrying twins, she couldn’t do it.

The children were innocent. They didn’t deserve to carry the weight of Braxton’s name.

She hadn’t come back only for revenge. She also needed to pay her respects to the woman who had once cared for her at the orphanage. The late director had been uncommonly kind to her, and Maggie felt she had to be there for the funeral.

She left the children with Madeline and borrowed a car to visit the orphanage.

“Look—there’s the deadbeat dad who ditched Mom!” Wade jabbed a finger at the headlines.

“So, Wade, how exactly are you planning to pull off your secret plan?” Aspyn, ever the obedient sister, asked, following her brother’s lead.

“What secret plan? What are you two up to?” Madeline asked, walking back in with a bowl of fruit and playfully tousling their hair.

She knew Braxton’s kids couldn’t possibly be as innocent as they looked. Their charm had almost fooled her.

“Spill. If it’s not too insane, I might even help. Otherwise, I’m calling your mom.”

Wade and Aspyn exchanged a mischievous look. Then Wade flashed a charming smile and ran over to rub Madeline’s shoulders. “I knew you were the best, Auntie Maddy! They say beautiful people have kind hearts. No wonder you’re so gorgeous!”

“Yeah, Auntie Maddy, you get prettier every day,” Aspyn agreed with her brother.

Madeline was left speechless.

These kids were a pair of clever little devils.

Still, she couldn’t stand Braxton, and whatever mischief they were plotting sounded like fun she could get behind.

Meanwhile, at a high-end hotel, all eyes and cameras were fixed on a glossy event. The CEO of Thompson Group had rented out the entire venue to throw a birthday party for his rumored girlfriend, Aubree Foster. The hotel’s giant digital screens flashed photos of the couple in an embrace, sending the media into a frenzy.

Braxton, who was usually allergic to tabloids, had the press buzzing with this romantic scandal. Reporters—and even some of his fans—were eager to see for themselves how he spoiled Aubree.

Madeline had been talked into bringing the twins, but the glitz and glam only made her uneasy. She couldn’t stand Aubree.

“You two seriously wanted to come here?” she asked.

“I heard the food here is amazing, and Aspyn was curious. So I figured we’d come,” Wade reasoned, his eyes scanning the room. Madeline was skeptical of his innocent act. Still, she agreed—curious about what Wade was up to.

“Okay. The place is reserved, but I know the hotel manager. You can go in, but don’t wander off!”

Elsewhere, Maggie attended the orphanage director’s funeral. The late director had been a pillar to so many, and the legacy she left drew a crowd of dignitaries and supporters to the memorial.

Maggie wore a black dress, her face half-hidden by a mask, standing quietly at the back. She had come only to pay her respects.

“Did you hear Braxton Thompson might show up here too?”

“Wasn’t he supposed to be at Aubree’s birthday party today? Why would he be here?”

The murmuring of two women nearby drifted to her. Even after all this time, the sound of Braxton’s name still stirred an unwelcome ache in her chest.

Just then, the crowd shifted, and Maggie was jostled forward. Trying not to fall, she turned—and collided with a solid chest.

The distinct scent of tobacco filled her senses, and she knew immediately who it was.

Her hands gripped the tailored fabric of his suit, wrinkling the expensive material. The startled murmurs around them seemed deafening as she looked up into Braxton’s cold eyes.

Just her luck—it was Braxton Thompson.

Thankful for the mask, she pushed her sunglasses up and apologized politely. “I’m sorry—I lost my balance. Thank you for catching me. I can pay for the suit.”

Her voice was familiar, but distant and formal. Braxton frowned and pulled her back toward him, making her stumble into his arms.

His strong hands closed firmly around her arms.

“Maggie Thompson! You’re alive?”