~Maya's POV~

I don't know how I feel about this revelation. To my father, I was just a transaction to keep his company. He never once regarded me as his daughter. He arranged marriages for me. I accompanied his business associates on business trips. I was pawned. It pains me, but I can't pay evil with evil. I look at the two women who treated me badly all my life, but I am not them.


'Wait here, I'm coming."

I headed upstairs to put on something more comfortable and headed back downstairs. I grabbed my car keys and said, 'Show me where my father is." They nodded and followed me. We headed to the hotel. I decided to ring him when I was in the reception area.

Father: Cupcake


Maya: I'm downstairs at the hotel. Can you please come down?

He agreed. I didn't tell him I was with my stepmother and sister. After some time, he came down. Looking all strong, we might not have a strong father and daughter relationship, but I know my father very well. Even when he's not okay, he will always try to hide it. He came to a halt when he saw Ivy and my stepmother, but I smiled and walked up to him and smiled. When I hugged him, he didn't want to let go. So I didn't push him. I waited for him to break the hug. When he broke the hug, I looked around and saw a restaurant, but since I knew what we wanted to talk about was very sensitive, I looked around and my father didn't have to ask,


'Follow me."

We followed him to his hotel suite, and to my greatest shock, my husband was there. I looked at him with questionable eyes, but he ignored me and wanted to leave, but my father asked him to stay.

When did he come here, as I thought he was working all along?

We both sat down, and everyone was too quiet, and no one said anything. I looked at my dad and cleared my thoughts, wanting to speak, but he beat me to it.

'Maya, baby, I have wronged you all these years. I don't even deserve to be called a father for what I put you through. I put you out there for my own gain, making you go on unnecessary business trips with men who could have raped you. I am so sorry, Cupcake. Maybe I needed your husband to tell me the truth about what I had been missing out on. This makes me sound like an opportunist because it feels as though I waited for the truth to come out to realize the lie I have been living all these years. The child I neglected turned out to be so great and decent while the one I had been treating turned out to be a disgrace and worse, not even my blood. I have wronged you, Maya, and lied to you about your mother just to make my wife happy. Your mother never seduced me. Chloe and I dated for years before you were even born. We were each other's first loves. But because I wanted a peaceful home, I told a lie. Only a few people knew about your mother and me. But few people thought I cheated on my wife to conceive you, but that was the opposite. I wronged you and your mother, cupcake. I will forever regret this, but no matter how much I'm being offered, even though I have never shown you affection. I will never trade you for any amount."

He paused and looked at my husband, who hasn't even shown any emotions since we got here. This makes me wonder if this is the horniest and funniest man I have ever married. He keeps such a cold face while with people, but with me, he's always playful. I cleared my throat once more.

'Dad, you had your reasons. I am not here to talk about the past. I am here to talk about the future. I don't want my twins to come into this world to find our family a broken family. Yes, we have our differences, but which family doesn't fight? Every other family out there has a secret of their own. Mother was wrong to keep you in the dark. She could have told you everything and let you decide. I love Ivy and I love mother. Though it took me a long time to say this, all I ever wanted was for the three of you to appreciate me and celebrate all my successes with me. We are not perfect, and no one is. It would be a pity to give up on a family you have worked hard to build. Betrayal is hard to forgive, but with time we learn to live with it and slowly forget. I know you love, mother, and I also know the news about Ivy might have crushed you dearly. But Daddy, are you willing to let go of the people you have known for half your life? You once told me that you can't stand seeing homeless people. I've watched you over the years buy a house for beggars on the street. You even told me that adoption isn't all that bad. I helped two people just like you, and I gave them shelter. I learned that kindness from you. If adopting a child isn't such a bad idea, then why can't you accept the only girl you have ever loved all your life? Why can't you forgive, mother, and move on? I'm not asking you to fall back in love with, our mother, but try to work things out and see where it leads you. Even if Ivy isn't yours by blood, Ivy will always be your princess just like I would always be your cupcake."

He looked at me and smiled, 'When did my cupcake get so mature?" I smiled and walked up to sit next to him.

'Your cupcake grew a long time ago, and she can also try to be in everyone's shows." He brushed my head and kissed me on the cheek.

'You look beautiful, cupcake. Did I hear you say, twin?" I nodded my head and he smiled and looked at my husband, who had been quiet all this while and was just staring at us with no expression whatsoever. 'You've done well, cupcake. We are just 4; another 2 would add to the family." I smiled and hugged him. Then I heard someone clearing their throat.

'Cupcake, are you going to wait for me outside while I talk to your dad?"

Cupcake?

Since when does Zion call me cupcake?

Pervert!

Cupcake

4 months later,

~Maya's POV~

A whole 8 months have passed and I'm still pregnant. Didn't they say twins arrive faster than one child? I swear I need to deliver; I am tired. My stomach feels like a soccer field. I sometimes feel like they are not two but three. The kicks are way out of this world. I am going to lose it if I don't run away from this house and go far away. Yeah, right? Emma and Sophia could be a good distraction. I was told that once your legs get swollen; you are almost close. I think I was lied to. I mean, my legs have been swollen for two months now. I picked up my phone and called Mishka to meet me for lunch. She told me she had something important to tell me, too. So I changed my clothes and drove out. If I don't get out of this house, I'm going to go crazy. I arrived at the restaurant and waited for Mishka. This is new, I said to myself. I always have Mishka waiting for me, but here I am. I am early. I have never been early for anything. I looked at the menu and ordered an orange juice while I waited. As the orange juice came, I noticed Nathan walking in, and he cast a glare my way.

Just what I need.

I sighed and drank my juice. He better not fucking ask me about his sex video because I didn't put it out there. He kissed my cheeks and sat down.

'Hey, cupcake."

The orange juice I'm currently drinking suddenly started to taste bitter. I hate being called that by him. I mean, we are no longer an item, so he shouldn't be calling me that. Then he continued,

'Oh come on Maya, I know you hate me. But I'm not here to talk about the past. I mean, those twins are literally my nieces now. You know." I choked on my drink. At just the right time, Mishka walked in, followed by my stepsister and mother. Mishka rushed to pat my back, along with my sister. My mom started rushing to get me some water.

'Oh sweet girl, you should be more careful, baby." I looked at her and apologized. Ever since the scandal, my family has been so supportive and we are now a normal family, and the love they have shown me is priceless. Ivy hit Nathan so hard.

'What did you do to my sister? You pervert!" Ivy yelled.

'Oh come on, sis, I just told her the twins were going to be my nieces, and she choked on her drink." Ivy brushed my hair back and made me drink water again.

'You feel better, sis?" I nodded. She turned to face Nathan and said, 'We booked table 10. What are you doing here?"

'Am I not allowed to check on my nieces?"

'Right, they are not yet born. Now, table 10."

'Yes, ma'am." As she stood up, but then Nathan said, 'See you around, cupcake." If I said the juice tasted bitter before, it's even beyond bitter now.

'Baby, please don't leave without seeing me. We'll be over there."

'Okay, mom." She kissed my head and left with Nathan and Ivy. Now I'm here with the curious Mishka, who doesn't seem to understand anything.

'What was that all about? Why are they being nice to you? They hated you. Are you sure the water isn't spiked? I don't trust them, Maya.' I took her hand in mine.

'It's okay, my family and I sorted out differences, so what did you want to talk about?" I watched as she rubbed the back of her hair. She normally does that when she's nervous about something. She looked at me and then back at the menu.

'It's best if we order food first. I'm kind of hungry." I looked at her and sighed. Whatever this is, it better be good.

We placed our order and waited, but she kept on looking at me. That's it.

'Enough, Mishka, what is it? I will not eat till you tell me what is making you nervous."

'Okay, so. I-you not angry? Are you?"

'Why would I be angry when you haven't told me anything?"

'Right, so, the day that you were at the hospital, I met a guy I like. He asked me out a couple of times. But then I don't know if you will like that."

'Did my husband ask you out?"

'Oh my God, no! Why would you think that?"

'Well, that's the only thing that can make me mad, so who asked you out? Nathan?"

'Nathan wasn't at the hospital that day. It's Lucas." My eyes went wide, Lucas. Well, I've never seen him with a woman before, and I almost thought he was gay. 'I know what you are thinking, Maya. I like him, but we haven't done it yet, because I wanted to make sure you were okay with me dating him. Please, Maya, I like him. He makes me happy." I burst out laughing.

'Is this what's getting you all worked up and nervous? Listen, I thought Lucas didn't like women. If he makes you happy, why would you wait for me to pop the cherry?"

'I'm not a virgin, Maya!"

'Whatever you people call it, he's a great guy and I'm glad you found someone like him, but Lucas is like his master, you know, all cold."

'Well, he's not cold with me. He's like a kid in a candy shop." It reminded me of my husband. We both started laughing. Our lunch arrived. I ordered a lot of food for myself and Mishka was staring at my plate. 'Is that going to be enough? You sure look like you are eating for four." I laughed. She was right. I don't think I'm carrying two, but I have a feeling I'm carrying three. But I can't tell anyone because people would think I'm crazy, as the doctor confirmed. 2. Mishka and I ate, and she got a call and started smiling,

'Listen, babe, I hate doing this to you. But you need time with your family, so I have to run." She left me at the table by myself. The audacity of that girl. I really need company, and by the look of things, I am not sleeping in J-City tonight.