Olivia broke down, and James hugged her, feeling her tremble. He couldn’t let her face this alone. Stroking her hair, he said.
— Okay, I’ll help. I just don’t know how. Your stepfamily’s probably got untouchable connections.
Olivia pulled documents from her purse.
— Here’s all the money in my account.
— But you said they took everything, and now you’ve got a fortune?
— They didn’t just take my company—they took my dad. He died while I was in prison. I found out after he was buried. They didn’t let me say goodbye.
James kissed her impulsively, and she kissed back, their embrace lasting nearly a minute. A spark had ignited.
— I like you, Olivia, James whispered.
— I like you too, James. I knew we’d be together that first day. You didn’t judge me for being an ex-con.
— What was I supposed to do? Kick you out?
— Most people flinch or look down on me.
— I don’t care. Let’s see what we can do about your company.
— I withdrew some money, not all, Olivia said, pointing to the documents. — Needed to fix myself up and pay people to find you.
— Was it Michael who helped you? James asked slyly.
— No idea who that is, Olivia said sharply. — Others helped. Now we need lawyers to force Elizabeth and Noah to give my company back.
James agreed to help, no payment needed. He knew betrayal too well. They hired a top lawyer, Tim Larson, who promised to tackle the case. James learned Olivia’s father had opened an account for her before his death, securing her future. Elizabeth never knew, or she’d have taken it too.
James quit his warehouse job, tracking Elizabeth and Noah. Noah lived lavishly, careless, while Elizabeth ran the company with ruthless precision. James reported to Olivia.
— Good. They’re not expecting me, she said slyly. — We need to move fast, give them no room to maneuver.
— You know best, James replied. — I just want this to work out for you.
The lawyers prepped for court. James and Olivia grew closer, moving into a new apartment with Shadow. Olivia bought their family home with her funds. Neither doubted their future together. The old woman and Rose had been right—James had found his path.
Olivia bought him a sleek new car. James hesitated but accepted, vowing to repay her. As her assistant, he worked with the lawyers, learning Elizabeth and Noah were nervous, sensing trouble. James told Olivia.
— Looks like your moves got their attention.
— Good. Let them know they’ll pay soon. By the way, how’s the car? Did I nail your taste?
— Thanks, Olivia, it’s the best gift I’ve ever gotten, James said, pulling her close.
— My little ones, I’ll see you soon, he whispered, rubbing her belly.
Olivia knew he’d accept her kids. They were unbreakable now. But Elizabeth sent Noah to confront her. James intercepted him at the apartment entrance.
— Hey, where you headed? To see your sister?
— Do we know each other? Noah mumbled, shrinking back.
— Not really, but I know about your dirty work, and I’m not happy.
— What the hell, let me through, Noah shouted, trying to bolt.
James grabbed his collar.
— Listen, punk, I know what you did to Olivia. That’s criminal. Let’s step aside.
Neighbors appeared, and Noah called out. James landed a quick jab to his stomach and dragged him to the car.
— Now no one’ll bother us. Who told you to frame Olivia? Don’t lie, I’ll find out.
— It was Mom’s idea, Noah stammered. — She wanted to take over William Hayes’s business, but Olivia was in the way. So she had me make sure she disappeared.
— And you sent her to prison?
— What else could I do? I wasn’t gonna kill her.
— At least you didn’t go that far. What else?
— That’s it, I swear.
— I don’t buy it. Why?
— Because her dad died suddenly. Doesn’t that seem off?
— He was old. Probably his heart, Noah said nervously.
— He was 54 and healthy. I’ve done my homework on you and your mom. You’re both on the hook.
James’s phone rang. It was Olivia, screaming.
— My contractions started! I need the hospital!
— Get out, James barked at Noah. — I’m letting you go—for now.
Noah fled, and James raced upstairs, calling an ambulance. He went with Olivia to the hospital but had to wait outside. A doctor emerged after half an hour.
— You stayed calm, great job. Your wife’s under observation. Contractions are strong—she’ll deliver soon.
— Doc, it’s two weeks early.
— Nature decides. Twins are a blessing. Be grateful.
— Thanks, but they’re not— James stopped, realizing the doctor assumed they were married.
Something shifted in him. Olivia leaned out a second-floor window.
— I love you!
— I love you too, James shouted. — And our kids. Doc thought we’re married!
— And you didn’t like that?
— Nah, I loved it. I know what we need to do.
— Don’t go yet, Olivia pleaded. — I haven’t done anything. Should we let the company go?
— No way. You focus on the babies, I’ll handle this.
James sped to the law firm.
— Everything ready, Tim?
— We start tomorrow. Elizabeth has tanked the company, but my connections stopped the collapse. Olivia can recover it with her funds.
— She’s in the hospital, could give birth any moment.
— We’ll work through you, Tim said.
Alex confessed to his mom, who ignored a court summons, thinking she was untouchable. But Alex quit his roles, admitting she poisoned Olivia’s father. The police arrested her for fraud, lacking evidence for murder. Alex got house arrest for cooperating.
James visited Olivia daily. One day, he proposed on one knee. She accepted, overwhelmed. During another contraction, she was rushed to delivery. Three hours later, the doctor emerged.
— Congrats, Dad! Boys! One’s 8 pounds, the other 7.7.
— I’m so happy I’ve got two sons! James shouted, hugging the doctor.
Olivia smiled from her room, her babies beside her. The next day, Tim confirmed Linda’s fraud charges and Alex’s probation. The company was nearly Olivia’s again.
A week later, James picked Olivia up in his car with flowers and champagne. Michael appeared, driving a cab.
— Back to driving? Who trusted you with that car? Michael shouted.
— Good to see you, James laughed. — It’s my car. Yours looks like it needs a mechanic.
— No way.
Olivia emerged with the babies.
— Sweetheart, tired of waiting?
— Nope, darling, I’d wait forever, James said, kissing her.
— How’d you go from boss to cabbing? he asked Michael, smirking.
They didn’t wait for an answer. A week later, Olivia thanked the lawyers. Her company was hers, and she and James ran it together. He became her part-time driver and assistant. Linda got the maximum sentence, and Alex vanished to a rural town.
James and Olivia married quickly, inviting Rose and the doctor. The babies took James’s last name. They rebuilt the company, replacing hostile staff. Olivia visited her parents’ graves, crying but grateful. Fate had been cruel but had also brought her love.