Shut Up, Claire

I was sitting at my desk in the estate office, reviewing the latest marketing strategies for the firm, when my phone buzzed with an incoming call from Collins.

"Ryan, we have a situation," he said, his tone urgent.

"What's happened?" I asked, feeling the knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach.

"It's about Claire. She's gone public with some statements about you and the twins," Collins replied, his voice steady but tense.

I felt my heart drop. "What did she say?"

"She's claiming you're trying to erase her from their lives and painting you as a neglectful father," he explained.

"What? That's ridiculous!" I exclaimed, my frustration boiling over. "She's not their mother! I've done everything to provide a stable environment for the twins."

"I know, but you know how these things can escalate. She has supporters, and some people are starting to believe her," Collins warned.

I leaned back in my chair, trying to process this new chaos. "What are the next steps?"

"We need to get ahead of this. I suggest a press statement clarifying the situation. We can highlight your commitment to the twins and how you're trying to build a life for them," Collins said.

"Fine. Let's draft something, but I want it to be clear that Claire's involvement is not what she claims it is," I replied, already feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me.

After hanging up, I took a deep breath and decided to talk to the twins. I needed them to understand that this was just noise and that they were safe.

"Hey, you two," I called out as I found them in the garden, playing with their toys. "Can we talk for a minute?"

They looked up, and I could see the innocent curiosity in their eyes. "What's up, Dad?" Jake asked, a smile lighting up his face.

I knelt down to their level. "I need to tell you something important. You might hear some things about me and a woman named Claire. She's saying things that aren't true."

Lily frowned. "But we thought she was nice."

"She used to be in my life, but she's not connected to you. You guys are my priority, and I want to make sure you feel safe," I explained gently.

"What did she say?" Jake asked, his brow furrowed with concern.

I sighed, choosing my words carefully. "She's trying to make it seem like I don't care about you, and that's not true. I love you both very much, and I would never do anything to hurt you."

Lily's expression softened. "We know you love us, Dad."

"Yeah, you take care of us," Jake added, nodding earnestly.

I smiled, grateful for their trust. "Exactly. And we'll get through this together. If you ever hear anything that worries you, you come to me, okay?"

They both nodded, and I felt a surge of pride. I needed to protect them, not just from Claire's words but from the potential fallout in our lives.

Later that evening, I met with Collins again to finalize the press statement. As we crafted the message, I couldn't shake the feeling that Claire wouldn't let this go easily. But I was determined to stand my ground. The twins deserved a peaceful life, and I wouldn't allow Claire's actions to disrupt that.

As we wrapped up, Collins looked at me with a hint of concern. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

I took a deep breath. "I have to be. For the twins. Whatever happens, I'll handle it."

After finalizing the press statement with Collins, I couldn't shake the feeling that this was just the beginning of a storm. Claire was relentless, and I knew she wouldn't back down easily.

The next morning, I woke up to a flurry of notifications on my phone. News outlets were picking up Claire's claims, and social media was ablaze with speculation. I took a deep breath, knowing I had to stay focused for Lily and Jake.

As I walked into the kitchen, I found the twins sitting at the table, enjoying their breakfast. Their laughter was a welcome sound amidst the chaos swirling outside.

"Good morning, kiddos!" I greeted them with a smile.

"Morning, Dad!" Jake exclaimed, shoveling cereal into his mouth.

Lily looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. "Did you see the news, Dad?"

My stomach dropped. "I did. But don't worry about it. It's all just noise. What matters is our family, right?"

"Right!" they chorused, though I could see a flicker of doubt in Lily's eyes.

I made a mental note to keep the lines of communication open. As we finished breakfast, Collins called to say we had a press conference scheduled later that day. I knew I had to address the situation head-on.

___

Standing in front of the cameras later that afternoon, I felt the weight of the world on my shoulders. I took a deep breath and began.

"Thank you all for coming. I want to address the recent statements made by Claire regarding my family and myself. The truth is, she is not connected to the twins in any way. I love Jake and Lily more than anything, and I'm committed to giving them a stable and loving home."

As the questions started flying, I felt a surge of adrenaline. "Mr. Hayes, what do you say to Claire's claims that you're trying to erase her from the twins' lives?"

"I'm not erasing anyone. Claire is not even the mother of my twins, and I'm focusing on what's best for my children," I replied firmly.

A guy raised his hand, "Then are you admitting that you cheated?" I can't help myself but to laugh.

"Oh, I'm sorry.... I didn't cheated, in fact I can show a photo of what really cheating means, well if Claire would allow that" I replied while smirking.

Another one spoken, "What's the purposes of having a two names?"

I gaze at him as I crossed my arms, "That's the most stupid question I heard, well I'll just answer that what so ever" I started as I tilted my head.

"My full name was Ryan Max El Hayes Denovan, El is the Denovan sign of living. Everyone in the Denovan Family has two names, mine was Ryan Hayes or Max Denovan. We don't use our full name all the time, we only use that if it's needed" I continued,

"And yes it was approved by the president of this country, since we all know that my family gave up the throne" I added, looking at them seriously.

"Why should we believe you?" another reporter pressed, skepticism evident in his tone.

I leaned into the microphone, my gaze steady. "Because I'm standing here, taking responsibility for my life and my family. I'm not running away from this situation." I started

"Claire's attempts to twist the narrative won't change the truth. I've always been transparent about my past, and I'm not afraid to share it."I added,

A woman piped up, "What about the custody battle? Are you prepared for the fight?"

I laughed, my resolve hardening. "Custody? That might be possible if the twins know her really well, but sadly Claire the twins still remember how you shouted at them, and how you called them some strangers."

"Are you saying you'll take Claire to court?" another reporter asked, the room buzzing with anticipation.

"Nope, she's not even worth the time," I admitted. "But if necessary, I will protect my children. They are my priority."

As the questions continued, I felt a mix of anger and determination. I couldn't let Claire's accusations define me. "Look, I'm not here to vilify Claire. This is about the twins. We can't let personal issues interfere with their well-being."

"Are you worried about how this will affect your public image?" someone shouted.

I smirked again, a hint of defiance in my voice. "I've been in the public eye long enough to know that people will judge no matter what. I'm more concerned about what my kids think of me in the years to come."

As the final question loomed, I prepared myself to face whatever came next. The truth was on my side, and I would fight for my family, no matter the cost.

After the conference, Collins pulled me aside. "You handled that well, but I'm worried about the backlash. Investors are already asking questions."

"Let them ask," I said, my frustration bubbling to the surface.

"I'm not letting Claire dictate my life or the lives of the twins."