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

Every time she closed her eyes, she saw Samantha's name flashing across the screen, the article taunting her. It didn't matter that Adrian was still in the dark—he was getting closer, and she was running out of places to hide.

By morning, the weight in her chest was unbearable.

Mia stepped out onto her apartment balcony, phone in hand, as the first rays of sunlight spilled over Everdale. She hesitated, then finally pressed call.

Lily picked up after the second ring. "Mia?"

"Something's wrong," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

Silence. Then, "Tell me everything."

Mia exhaled shakily. "Samantha's back."

Lily cursed under her breath. "What does she want?"

"I don't know yet, but I think she knows about Liam."

Mia clenched her jaw. "I don't know, Lily. But I need to find out."

There was a pause. Then, in a softer voice, Lily asked, "And Adrian?"

Mia swallowed hard. "He knows I'm hiding something. But he doesn't know the truth. Not yet."

"Then you need to be careful," Lily warned. "Samantha will do anything to make herself the victim in all this. She'll turn Adrian against you if she can."

Mia closed her eyes, exhaustion sinking into her bones. "I know."

And that was what terrified her the most.

Mia could feel the shift in the air the moment she stepped into the office. The stares. The hushed whispers.

Her fingers curled around the strap of her bag as she forced herself to move forward. She wouldn't give them the satisfaction of seeing her crumble.

She had barely made it to her desk when Eleanor's voice cut through the tension.

Mia stiffened. Slowly, she turned, forcing a neutral expression. "Yes, Mrs. Sinclair?"

Eleanor's sharp gaze held hers. Then, without another word, she turned and walked toward her office.

Mia's heart pounded as she stepped inside and closed the door behind her.

Eleanor sat behind her desk, fingers steepled. "You and I need to have a conversation."

Mia lifted her chin. "About what?"

Eleanor's lips curled into something that wasn't quite a smile. "Don't insult my intelligence, dear."

Eleanor leaned forward, her voice dangerously soft. "You think I don't recognize a storm when I see one brewing? Samantha Carter's sudden reappearance. The whispers in this office. And you—looking like a woman about to bolt."

Mia's nails dug into her palm. "I have no connection to Samantha Carter."

Eleanor hummed. "And yet, she seems to have one to you."

"What is it that you're hiding, Emily?"

Mia forced herself to meet Eleanor's gaze. She had spent years perfecting this lie. She wouldn't crack now.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

Eleanor studied her for a long moment. Then, she smiled, and it sent ice through Mia's veins.

"Very well," she said smoothly. "But know this—secrets have a way of coming to light."

Mia didn't breathe until she was out of the office.

She barely made it to her desk before her phone buzzed.

Her stomach twisted as she hesitated, then answered.

A voice she hadn't heard in seven years sent a chill down her spine.

Chapter Twenty-Four: Cracks in the Foundation