Chapter Seventy-one Evan Sterling's POV (Present Time)

Her lips trembled and then she whispered, "Evan Elijah Sterling." I nodded with my heart constricting, mighty glad she hadn’t thought to erase me from their lives. Taking a few strides forward, I went to stand about a foot away from her.
"I know now—I know now why you left…”
“What?! You didn’t know why I left?! Your mum—” she exclaimed then paused her beautiful eyes shone with shock, and then her lovely trimmed eyebrows furrowed as she held my gaze. I shook my head.
“I swear it to you, baby, I didn’t know when we met at Jacob’s party. And I am so sorry, beautiful," I said. “I am so sorry, I wasn’t there to protect you. I am so sorry for trusting the wrong person to look out for you… Estera. I am so sorry that you felt you had to run from me and have our children alone—”
She rushed at me and I wrapped my arms around her, pressing a kiss on the crown of her head. I held her tightly to my body. "I am so sorry for what they did to you. I am so so sorry, my love," I repeatedly whisper as I framed her face to press my forehead against hers. God, I wanted so much to kiss her. Her familiar scent was mixed with that of baby powder and some soft, baby scent. My lips hovered over hers and I could feel her trembling against my body. The picture of her and that doctor guy flashed in my head and I wanted to reclaim her; to remind her she was mine and mine alone. I brushed my lips against the corner of her lips and she strained against me. I pulled her closer, cupping her chin as I pressed my lips to hers and she whispered my name with so much longing that made me quiver all over.
"Mommy? Are you crying?" Rolland called in his baby voice, sounding upset. Estera pulled back from me to go and lift him from the stroller, holding him to her chest she rocked him gently
"No, baby, Mommy is just… happy--" she said and I moved closer to hug her from the back, engulfing her and my son in a bear hug. I only drew back when my phone rang. I answered it immediately when I saw it was my mum. Watching has Estera put Rolland back in the stroller, and covered him properly.
"Yes?" I said into the phone, sounding gruff, and then I cleared my throat and tried again. “Yes—”
"Where did you disappear to? Mary Antoinette has been given a room and we are all waiting for the doctors, please come," my mother said.
"I … had to take a call. I will join you now," I replied and ended the call.
Estera too was on a call and when I heard her say, "Okay I'm still here, I will find someone to babysit the boys and join you."
I tensed up, knowing exactly why she was called. When she ended the call, I said, "Charlotte Sterling, Mary Antoinette Dallas, and her parents are inside there. They can't see the boys."
"Your mother is here?!" she exclaimed, and I saw the flash of panic in her eyes.
I framed her face with my hands and said, "she is not the problem…"
"Who is Mary Antoinette Dallas to you?" she asked with apprehension.
"Mary Antoinette Dallas is your new patient—”
“I know that. I have read her medical reports and prepared for her case. I know she has ovarian cancer—”
“Then you should know who she is to me—” I replied. She frowned.
“Cole—Doctor Cole Foster handled that part, and he had only referred to her as Mary Antoinette Dallas… Am I missing something?”
“Cole Foster, huh?” I said, fighting the urge to ask her about the idiot but holding my tongue. It seemed the guy had succeeded in keeping her in the dark about Mary Antoinette Dallas and made sure I come here as well. Whatever he was up to, I supposed I was close to finding out now.
"Why… " Estera said then paused. I could almost see through her beautiful eyes how her brain started to put all the puzzles together, then she swallowed and her eyes darkened with sadness. "Why can't you just say your wife, Evan? I'm aware you are married. I'm aware you married the woman your father wanted you to marry –- the one I almost got fucked for!"
I winced at her last statement. I don’t think I could ever be comfortable hearing that said aloud. I swallowed and replied, "Because, my love, we both know she is not my wife," I said and I watched her eyes widen with shock and then her lips trembled.
"So, it is real—we did get m - married," she whispered.
"Yes," I whispered back.
"Why didn't you tell me, Evan?"
"The same reason why those bastards, Antony Dallas, and Edward Sterling can't know you have my children… to protect you and secure a future for the two of us and our children."
"Evan…" she started to say and her pager beeped. She sighed. "I have to go in there…"
"Of course, do you have someone who can look out for the children till we are done?"
"Yes, I um… have friends I can call…"
"Can they make sure the boys stay hidden?"
"You are scaring me, Evan!"
"Not this time, baby. This time anybody who tries to hurt you or my children would have me to deal with. I just need the children hidden for now," I said. Her eyes darted in their sockets as she searched my gaze and then she nodded.
A minute later, two female doctors busted out of the back of the door and hurried to the Jeep. The two froze when they saw me.
"Hello, ladies. I believe you both know who I am. I haven't the pleasure of your names though," I said.
"Oh shit!" one croaked. Their eyes darted from me to Estera and then to the stroller. And I need not be told they knew exactly that those kids were mine.