Afolabi_Esther_4626

Title: unexpectedly your's 

Seven years ago, Mia Carter made the biggest mistake of her life, falling into the arms of a mysterious stranger after a night of heartbreak. What she didn’t know was that the man she made an unforgettable mistake with was Adrian Sinclair, heir to the powerful Sinclair empire. When that single night leaves Mia pregnant, she vanishes without a trace, determined to build a new life for herself and her son, Liam.

Now, fate drags her back into the storm.

Under a new identity, Mia finds herself working as the assistant to the formidable Eleanor Sinclair, Adrian’s calculating grandmother, who quickly grows fond of both Mia and her son. But Eleanor's kindness hides a dangerous truth, she knows exactly who Mia is… and the secret she's been keeping.

When Adrian returns to the company, he’s drawn to the quiet assistant and her son in ways he can’t explain. The more time he spends around them, the more familiar Liam seems — his habits, his expressions — until a devastating truth unravels before him.

Liam is his son.

As Adrian confronts the betrayal, Eleanor schemes to erase Mia and Liam from Adrian’s life — pushing him toward a loveless engagement with a woman of "status." But Adrian refuses to lose Mia again. With their love reigniting and their son caught in the crossfire, they must fight against secrets, lies, and the weight of the Sinclair legacy.

But just when it seems they might find their way back to each other, a shocking accusation from Mia’s former best friend threatens to destroy everything — leading to an explosive ending that will leave hearts broken and fates uncertain.

Because some secrets refuse to stay buried… and some love stories are far from over.

unexpectedly your's

Mia's heart pounded as she stared into Eleanor Sinclair's eyes.

The realization sent a sharp jolt of fear through Mia's body, but she forced herself to stand her ground. Running now would only confirm Eleanor's suspicions.

Eleanor tilted her head slightly, her lips curving into the faintest hint of a smirk. It wasn't amusement—it was triumph.

"You look pale, Emily." The name rolled off her tongue with quiet mockery.

Mia swallowed the lump in her throat. "I'm fine."

Eleanor hummed as if she didn't believe her. "You seem rather… tense." Her gaze flickered toward the daycare room where Adrian was still inside. "I wonder why."

Mia's fingers curled into her palms. She's testing me.

If she let her panic show, Eleanor would press harder. She had to act like she had nothing to hide.

Taking a steady breath, she forced a polite smile. "It's been a long day. If you don't need anything else, I should get my son home."

Eleanor's expression didn't change. "Of course," she said smoothly. "A mother's duty."

Something about the way she said it made Mia's skin crawl.

Before Mia could turn away, Eleanor stepped closer. "You're an intelligent woman, Emily. You must know by now that secrets never stay buried forever."

Eleanor leaned in just slightly, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Especially in my family."

A chill crawled up Mia's spine, but she forced her expression to remain neutral. She nodded once, then turned on her heel and walked straight into the daycare.

Not when she felt Eleanor's eyes burning into her back like a silent warning.

Adrian hadn't felt this restless in years.

He had imagined countless scenarios where he'd find Mia. But never had he considered that he'd first find… a child.

There was something about the boy that unsettled him. He couldn't quite place it, but the moment he looked into those deep brown eyes, something shifted inside him.

A nagging feeling he couldn't shake.

But before he could think too hard about it, soft footsteps approached from behind.

Adrian turned—just in time to see her.

The name on her ID badge was different. Her hair was shorter, styled differently. But he'd know those eyes anywhere.

For a split second, everything else faded away.

She stopped abruptly, her breath hitching as their gazes locked.

Adrian's heart slammed against his ribs.

Seven years. Seven years of searching. Seven years of questions. And now, she was standing right in front of him.

Mia's lips parted slightly, but no words came out. He saw the panic in her eyes, the desperate urge to run.

Adrian stepped forward, his voice low, rough. "Mia."

And then—without a single word—she grabbed Liam's hand and bolted.

Adrian cursed under his breath and moved to follow, but a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

Adrian clenched his jaw as Eleanor's grip tightened, her voice cool and composed. "Not yet."

Adrian shot her a sharp look. "Not yet?"

Eleanor's eyes gleamed with something unreadable. "You're smart enough to see it, aren't you?"

Adrian's blood ran cold. "See what?"

Eleanor's lips curved into the smallest smile. "Look at the boy again."

She didn't say more. She didn't need to.

Because suddenly, the weight of that familiar, nagging feeling crashed over him like a tidal wave.

The dark hair. The sharp jawline. The way his little fists had curled—just like Adrian's always did when he was angry.

Adrian's world tilted beneath him.

He turned toward the daycare entrance, but Mia and Liam were already gone.

Adrian inhaled sharply, fists clenching at his sides. But this time, he wouldn't let her disappear.

And when he did—she was going to tell him the truth.

Chapter Eighteen: A Game of Shadows