Episode 6: The Man Behind the Mask
Three days passed.
Three long, quiet days.
Since the confrontation in his office, Evan hadn't spoken more than a few words to Abel.
He didn't press her. He never did. He simply gave her space—too much space.
And that's what scared her.
Because beneath all the luxury, the lab access, and the carefully controlled affection…
There were secrets.
And if she didn't uncover them herself, they might swallow her whole.
---
LunaTech Private Archives – Restricted Floor
Evan had never seen a place so cold.
Not in temperature—but in design. Concrete walls. Metal file cabinets. A single terminal.
She used Abel's access code. The one she saw him type once when he wasn't looking.
His name got her in.
But what she found made her sick.
Project AETHER – Internal Notes:
> Subject clearance granted by A. Luna directly.
Three fatalities due to early-stage AI failure. Cover-up filed under misclassified materials leak.
Sealed in Singapore following public backlash.
She scrolled further.
A list of employees blacklisted.
One stood out: Dr. R. Dendelion.
Her father.
She froze.
He'd worked on the project.
Her father hadn't just been a competitor—he was part of Abel's greatest failure.
No wonder he'd fallen apart afterward. No wonder he hated Abel.
And no wonder Abel married her in silence.
He'd ruined her family twice.
---
Later That Night – Evan's Bedroom
She lay curled under her blankets, phone clutched in hand. The screen glowed with the name Nori.
> Girl, tell me why you've been MIA?! Are you still alive or did the Ice King chain you to a lab??
Evan smiled weakly and typed:
> Still alive. Still confused. Still trying to figure out if I married a genius or a monster.
Nori responded instantly:
> Can't it be both? Also… please tell me you've gone to the OB-GYN at least once since moving in.
Evan paused.
She hadn't.
She'd been so consumed by Abel, the company, the threats—that she hadn't even seen a doctor since her first clinic visit.
> I haven't. But I will.
Nori:
> Girl. YOU NEED TO. If you're 12 weeks, you could be having twins and not even know it.
Evan laughed… then froze.
Twins?
No. That couldn't happen. Could it?
Her breath hitched.
She pressed a hand to her stomach.
Maybe it was time to stop worrying about Abel's past—and start protecting her own future.
---
The Next Morning – Secret OB-GYN Appointment
The office was discreet. Quiet. Exactly what she needed.
Dr. Avery, a calm woman in her forties, scanned the monitor as Evan lay tense on the table.
"Good news," the doctor said gently. "Heartbeat is strong. Everything looks normal."
Evan exhaled.
Then—
A pause.
The doctor frowned slightly. Adjusted the probe.
"What is it?" Evan asked, panic rising.
Dr. Avery smiled. "Nothing to worry about. But I do want to schedule a more detailed scan next week."
"Why?"
"Well…" the doctor said, tilting the screen, "because I think there might be a second heartbeat. But I want to be absolutely sure."
Evan stared at the screen.
Two shapes.
Two flickers.
"Twins?" she whispered.
Dr. Avery gave her a gentle nod. "Possibly. We'll confirm at the next visit."
Evan lay back, tears burning her eyes.
She wasn't carrying a child.
She might be carrying two.
And Abel didn't know.
---
Back at the Estate – Abel's Study
Abel stood by the window, fingers clutched around a file folder. His expression unreadable.
Grant approached, discreetly.
"Sir, we tracked the second text to a burner phone used in Singapore last year. The contact history links to… someone from the AETHER division."
Abel didn't blink. "Who?"
Grant lowered his voice.
"Dr. Cassandra Vale."
Abel's jaw clenched.
"I thought she was dead."
"She faked her disappearance."
Abel exhaled. "And now she's targeting Evan."
"Yes, sir."
He turned slowly, eyes dark.
"Then it's time I paid Cassandra a visit."
---
Later That Night – Evan's Room
Evan sat on the edge of her bed, hands over her belly. Not even a bump yet. Just the promise of a future she wasn't ready for.
Two babies.
She thought about telling Abel.
But what if he didn't want them?
What if he used them as leverage?
She couldn't forget the cold way he'd admitted his past.
What if he never truly saw her—only the legacy