Kayden's POV

"What?!" the chorus of voices exclaimed in unison, echoing through the room.

"Oh, honey. Congratulations!" my mother said, her voice thick with emotion as she enveloped me in a warm embrace.

After my mother's heartfelt congratulations, my father, twin brother, and Clara followed suit, offering their well wishes one by one.

"Our children will be peers," Jayden commented, his expression brimming with happiness.

"Yes," I replied, unable to contain my own joy. "But I need to mend things with Hazel as soon as possible. I want to be there for every milestone of our child's life – their first word, their first steps, and beyond. I won't miss a moment," I declared, determination shining in my eyes.

My mother gently stroked my arm, her touch a comforting presence as she offered soft words of encouragement. "Don't worry, Kade. Just give her some time. She'll give you a chance once she understands how much you truly love her. Be patient and don't lose hope." I nodded, taking in her wisdom with a sigh of relief.

***

I was deeply engrossed in my office tasks when Jayden entered, a file in hand detailing our latest investment venture.

After carefully scrutinizing the paperwork, I closed the file and handed it back to my identical twin.

"This looks promising. Mr. Gomez is due here in an hour," I informed him, my tone businesslike yet congenial.

"Everything is set for the meeting," Jayden assured me, though his gaze seemed distant as he absently flipped through the file.

"Is everything alright?" I inquired, noting the furrow in his brow and the tension in his demeanor.

"Clara... She's been experiencing cramps again," he confessed with a worried sigh. "It happened yesterday on our way home after dinner."

"Have you consulted a doctor? What did they say? Is this normal?" I pressed, genuine concern lacing my words.

"Clara didn't want me to contact the doctor because the pain subsided quickly. But this morning, it recurred," he replied, his voice tinged with anxiety.

"If you'd like, I could take over the meeting for you. It's crucial for the doctor to check on her," I offered.

"Clara's always been stubborn, you know that," my brother remarked with a sigh. "She hates hospitals and refused to go. Insisted it was just a minor pain."

"Hand me the file," I said, flashing him a warm smile as I reached for it. "You go and talk some sense into Clara. I'll handle the meeting. Don't fret. Just focus on Clara and the baby. Both of you need to take care of my nephew," I added firmly.

"Thank you, Kade. I'm really worried about Clara and the baby. I hope I can convince her to go to the hospital."

"Don't worry," I offered, hoping to ease Jayden's distress. "Perhaps Clara is right, and everything is fine. But it wouldn't hurt for the doctor to check on her, just to be sure."

"Yeah," Jayden sighed, clearly torn with worry. "I don't think I'll be able to stop myself from fretting until then."

"Keep me updated," I requested earnestly.

"Of course," Jayden nodded in agreement. "I'll let you know. See you later." With that, he left the office, his troubled expression etched in my mind.

As I was about to immerse myself in work, the chime of my phone interrupted the silence. Glancing at the caller ID, I saw it was my assistant. She informed me that Joshua had requested a meeting. Instructing her to send him in, I rose from my seat and casually slipped my hand into my pocket as I awaited my future brother-in-law's arrival.

The door swung open, and Joshua strode into the room, shutting it firmly behind him. He crossed the space between us, extending his hand in greeting.

"By the way," he began, a warm smile spreading across his face, "Hazel shared the news about the baby with us yesterday. Congratulations!"

A surge of joy filled me at his words. "Thank you," I replied, unable to contain my grin. "I'm over the moon."

"Don't you dare break my sister's heart again, especially now that she's carrying your baby," he cautioned, his tone stern. I nodded solemnly, offering him a reassuring smile.

"You're one lucky bastard, you know," he continued, a hint of envy in his voice. "This baby could be your chance to mend things with Hazel. You'll have a reason to be around her, and she won't be able to push you away. Make the most of this opportunity, but don't mess it up."

"I understand," I replied, determination lacing my words. "I'll do whatever it takes to make things right with her."

"Good," he said, nodding in satisfaction.

"Would you like something to drink?" I inquired politely as we settled into our seats.

"No, I'm short on time," Joshua responded firmly, his gaze shifting away with a sigh.

"Is Hazel alright? And the baby?" I asked with concern, noting his unusual demeanor.

"Yes, they're both fine," he assured me.

Relief flooded through me, and I exhaled audibly. "So, what brings you here? I doubt it's just to offer congratulations," I remarked, suspicion creeping into my voice. "What do I owe the honor of your sudden visit?" I inquired, curiosity piqued.

Joshua nervously rubbed the back of his neck, his breath hitching as he spoke. "I need your help," he admitted, his tone uneasy.

I arched an eyebrow, taken aback. "You're not seriously suggesting I pretend to be you and date someone, are you?" I furrowed my brow, shooting him a puzzled glance. "We're not even identical twins."

Joshua rolled his eyes. "Dumbass! Of course, I wouldn't ask you to do something like that."

"Then what's this about?" I inquired, my interest piqued.

Taking a deep breath, Joshua ran a hand through his hair nervously before beginning to explain.

As I reclined in my seat, his words washed over me, and I couldn't help but suppress a smile, pressing my lips together to conceal my amusement. It was surreal to think that we were conversing like old friends. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine that this once cocky individual would seek advice from me, especially considering the deep-seated animosity he harbored towards me since the day we met.

But as they say, in life, anything is possible.

Jayden's favorite motto came to mind, a mantra he often repeated: "Never say never."

As Joshua concluded his explanation, I leaned back in my chair, intertwining my fingers on the desk before offering my advice with a casual air. "Just get her pregnant," I suggested offhandedly.

"What?! Are you out of your mind?" Joshua's brow furrowed in disbelief, his annoyance evident as he shook his head.

"Why not? Didn't you say earlier that having a baby is my chance, an opportunity I shouldn't pass up?" I reminded him pointedly. "Perhaps it's time for you to create a similar opportunity for yourself. After all, you're still engaging in... shall we say, intimate activities with her. So why not have a little fun with it?" I added mischievously, flashing him a playful wink.

"If I intentionally got her pregnant and she found out, I'd be six feet under before I even got to hold my baby," he remarked grimly, his expression tense with apprehension. "Don't even think about comparing her to Hazel. My sister is easygoing, nothing like my fiesty," he added with a sigh.

"Easygoing? Your sister?" I couldn't help but scoff, arching an eyebrow incredulously. "Dude, she left me standing at the altar for revenge. And let's not forget the audience: my entire family, relatives, high-profile businessmen, A-list celebrities, and a swarm of paparazzi. The whole world had a good laugh at me after that fiasco."

"That's on you. You're the one who created that monster. Before you, my sister was nothing but sweet and easygoing," he retorted arrogantly.

I shrugged nonchalantly and spoke candidly, "Consider what I've said. It's the wisest decision."

"I'm not so desperate that I'd resort to using a baby to keep her by my side," Joshua retorted firmly, rolling his eyes. "Hold on! Are you implying you deliberately got my sister pregnant?" he questioned, his suspicion evident in his scrutinizing gaze.

"No, it wasn't planned. It was an accident, but if I had known she'd be this upset after discovering I wasn't Jayden, I might have considered it without a second thought. All's fair in love and war," I declared boldly, adding a playful wink.

Joshua murmured, shaking his head with a sigh, his hand massaging his forehead as thoughts swirled in his mind.

"Stop overthinking it," I urged, my tone firm and decisive. "Just take action. You know it's the right move."

With a heavy exhale, Joshua met my gaze, his expression resolute. "No," he declared firmly, determination lacing his words. "Don't try to sway me. I'll find another solution."

"Suit yourself," I shrugged, my tone casual yet suggestive. "But if you're asking for my opinion, it might be wise to sleep on it before refusing." His fingers grazed his chin, lost in contemplation.

"Come on, buddy," I teased, a mischievous grin dancing on my lips. "I always thought you were fearless, but it looks like even the mighty Joshua Sullivan is intimidated by a mere woman." I punctuated my words with a playful smirk.

"Cut the crap! I'm not scared of her," Joshua snapped, irritation evident in his scowl.