The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire's Ex-Wife novel Chapter 96

2/2

The Secret Pregnancy of the Billionaire’s Ex–Wife

Chapter 96: The Twins

Angela Pov

-Year Later

“Mama, is it time? Can we start now?” Aria bounced on her toes, her dark curls dancing around her cheruble face as she peered up at me with wide, espectant eyes.

I checked the time on my phone before nodding. “Yes, sweetheart. The Instagram Live can start now.” I adjusted the camera angle on the tripod, making sure the rustic Tuscan kitchen was properly framed behind my eager five–year–olds.

These cooking livestreams had been entirely Aria’s idea–my little social butterfly had seen a child chef on television six months ago and declared she wanted to “be famous on the internet too. I always stayed carefully out of frame, preferring to keep my own face off social media.

“Remember our rules?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at both children.

“Be polite to viewers, Ethan recited solemnly, his emerald eyes serious as he straightened his little chef’s hat. “No shouting. Follow the recipe steps.”

“And have fun!” Aria added with a giggle, already reaching for her matching hat.

Fimiled, touching each of their cheeks affectionately. “Perfect. I’ll be right here if you need me.”

I stepped back, tapping the screen to start the broadcast. Within seconds, viewers began flooding in, sending cheerful greetings and heart emojis as the twins cooking show began.

“Buongiorno, everyone!” Aria waved enthusiastically, her smile revealing a missing front tooth. “Today, Ethan and I are making risotto ai frutti di mare!”

“That’s seafood risotto, Ethan explained more formally, already measuring rice with practiced precision. “It’s one of Mama’s special recipes.”

I watched from behind the camera, a warm glow of pride spreading through my chest.

The twins had taken to these weekly cooking sessions with surprising enthusiasm, each bringing their distinct personalities to the show that had unexpectedly gained a dedicated following over the past few months.

The broadcast continued smoothly until Aria, in her excitement to add the shrimp, accidentally knocked one onto the floor.

“Oh no!” Aria’s bottom lip trembled as she stared at the fallen shrimp. She glanced up at the camera, then at her brother, eyes

suddenly swimming with tears.

Before I could intervene, Ethan was already beside his sister, his small hand on her shoulder.

“It’s okay, Aria,” he said firmly. “But you shouldn’t eat the shrimp anyway. Remember what happened last time? puffy

n? Your face got all

Aria’s lip quivered. “But I love shrimp.”

“Your health is more important,” Ethan replied with a seriousness that seemed beyond his years. “No shrimp for you. Ill eat you portion.”

I watched the exchange with a mixture of amusement and something deeper, a faint ache that never quite disappeared.

1/3

Chapter 96: The Twins

Ethan was so much like him idenetimes-

brother

Aria pouted momentarily before nudding, repting her heather set with sirprising greenee extra seating

Comments flooded the live feed: “These kids are 50 prekost this set a perfection Mother Ans out in erytNE

I smiled, scrolling through the stream of messages until notificat caught my eye: Hightow besinned.

Nightstiedow

Almost immediately, virtual gifts began appearing on screen fodder, animated apples, and premium mispered in–att

from the same user,

Ethan noticed immediately. “Mr. Shadow is here again, he announce straightening his little chef hat. Thank you for the gifts, sir, but Mama says you don’t need to send so many”

Aria, however, beamed directly into the camera. Thank you, super eos Shadow mister hands. “We’re making your favorite risotto today!”

1 felt a familiar tension creep up my spine.

made a beart shape with her tiny

NightShadow had been following their broadcasts for several months now, never commenting but always sending extravagant gifts. Id tried to block the account once, only to have both twins upurt over losing their “biggest fan

Something about this anonymous donor made me uneasy, though I couldn’t exactly pinpoint why.

The cooking demonstration continued, with Ethan methodically sting the risotto while Ana added ingredients with flair. As they plated their creation and took ceremonial bites for the camera, the view count surpassed twenty thousand.

“Delizioso!” Aria declared with an exaggerated Italian accent.

“Thank you for watching,” Ethan said politely. “See you next week for our special chocolate cake

I ended the broadcast and both children immediately slid from their kitchen stools

stools, rushing into my waiting arms.

“Did we do good, Mama?” Aria asked, her arms tight around my neck.

You both did wonderfully,” I assured them, breathing in their familiar scent–a mixture of baby shampoo and the garlic they d been cooking with. “Perfect little chefs.”

Ethan pulled back first, his expression serious. “Mama, Mr. Shadow sent a lot of gifts again. I told him not to, just like you said.”

I nodded, smoothing back his dark hair. So much like his fathers, thick and slightly wavy when it grew too long. “I know you did,

sweetheart. Some people just like being generous.”

“He’s my favorite viewer, Aria announced, still clinging to my side. “He always watches, even when it’s super early in New York.”

My

hand stilled on Ethan’s head. “How do you know he’s in New York, little one?”

Aria shrugged, already distracted by the remaining risotto. “His profile says so. Can we have real dinner now? I’m still hungry.”

What would you li

you like?” I asked, carefully setting aside my unea

unease about NightShadow for the moment.

“Lobster!” Aria declared immediately. “The fancy one with butter sauce!”

Ethan shook his head slightly. “Anything is fine, Mama. You don’t have to cook twice today.”