“Mom, He’s My Brother!” The Little Boy Told His Millionaire Mother. Then…
The Journey Home
The four of them got into the car. Luke shrank a little in the seat, used to the freedom of the streets, but at the same time feeling a strange sense of security. Ashton sat next to him, offering him a reassuring smile. Hazel chattered on about how everything was going to work out, how she already envisioned them all having fun together at school.
Theodore started the engine and drove towards Penelopey’s mansion. On the way, everyone’s heart was racing, each one lost in their own thoughts. What would happen when they arrived? What would the meeting be like? Was Luke really Ashton’s twin brother, or was it all just a huge and painful coincidence? The wind blew against the windows as if it also wanted to follow that story that was about to change everyone’s lives forever.
Meanwhile, Penelopey, after a long afternoon touring the city with Michelle, finally arrived home. She sighed with relief as she walked through the mansion’s garden and commented, smiling.
“You were right, Michelle, I really needed this afternoon to get these crazy ideas out of my head.”
The false sister-in-law, with that cynical smile that she mastered perfectly, replied.
“Now you have to focus on yourself and your only son, Ashton, the only one you carried in your womb.”
Penelopey agreed with a slight nod. “Speaking of him, he should be arriving soon.” Before she could finish the sentence, Michelle looked out the mansion window and saw Theodore’s car entering the garage.
“Speaking of my handsome nephew! Look, he’s coming now,” she said, forcing a tone of enthusiasm.
Outside, Theodore parked the car. Hazel turned to Ashton and gave him his final instructions.
“Go on, tell your mother that you have a new friend to introduce, then bring her out here.”
Ashton nodded, his heart pounding. Inside the car, Luke was trembling. Hazel held his hand firmly.
“Everything will be all right,” she said, smiling to comfort him.
Ashton ran out of the car. He walked into the house excitedly, passing by Michelle as if she were invisible. He ran straight to his mother and hugged her tightly.
“Hi, my love,” Penelopey said, embracing her son. She pulled back slightly and asked.
“Where’s Hazel? Didn’t she want to come in?”
Ashton shook his head, excited.
“She’s out there with a new friend. You’ll love meeting him.”
Penelopey frowned. “New friend?” Before she could ask more, Ashton grabbed her hand and pulled her outside.
“Come on, Mom, you have to see.”
Michelle, curious and with a strange discomfort growing in her chest, followed them. At that exact moment, Robert’s car also entered the mansion’s garden. Robert got out of the car with firm steps, frowning at the commotion. He was still adjusting his suit jacket when he saw Hazel open the car door and Luke get out.
Upon seeing the boy, Robert froze. His face paled immediately. He stood motionless, unable to conceal his shock. Ashton, full of enthusiasm, pointed at Luke and said.
“Mom, look, he looks just like me.”
Michelle brought her hand to her mouth, completely speechless. Penelopey in turn felt her heart race. Her eyes fixed on Luke without saying a word. She began to walk toward the boy. Each step seemed to weigh a ton. She stared intently at that dirty little face, at those blue eyes identical to hers and Ashton’s.
When she finally got close, she knelt slowly in front of the boy. She brought her trembling hand to his face and at the touch her eyes filled with tears. Luke also felt his eyes welling up.
Without thinking, Penelopey hugged him tightly against her chest, feeling the boy’s small, rapid heartbeat.
“I knew it,” she whispered, her voice choked with emotion.
A Look Back at the Deception
In that instant, her mind was swept back 12 years. Pregnant and newly married to Alphonso, Penelopey vividly remembered the sensation of carrying two beings inside her. She ran her hand over her belly and said:
“Honey, there are two, I’m sure of it.”
Her husband, with that rehearsed smile, replied.
“We’ll find out tomorrow.”
She would smile, full of hope. “Tomorrow is the ultrasound, I can’t wait to see our little princes or princesses.” They talked for a while longer and Penelopey, full of dreams, asked.
“When are you going to take me to see your company? We’re married now and you always make up an excuse. If you hadn’t already taken me on so many trips and to such expensive restaurants, I’d say you were lying.”
She laughed, teasing, certain that her husband was the truest man she had ever known. Robert brushed it off, stating:
“Soon, my love, life’s busy, but I promise I’ll show you everything.”
She believed every word, suspecting nothing. She left a kiss on her husband’s cheek and went to work.
As soon as Penelopey left the house, Robert grabbed his car keys and headed towards a modest apartment where Michelle was waiting for him. As he entered, he walked back and forth, running his hands over his head.
“I’m getting nervous, what if she finds out about everything?”
Michelle, lying on the sofa, laughed disdainfully.
“She will find out, Alphonso, sooner or later, and not even two children will save your theater this time. You tried to reel in a fish that was far too big. You even spent all our money trying to impress Penelope. I just want to see what we’ll do after she exposes you.”
Robert stopped and glared at her.
“Not if I find a way first. There’s always a way.”
The man was a born con artist. His life had always been based on scams. His marriage to Penelopey was his most ambitious con yet. He presented himself as a major businessman, used dirty money from other smaller scams to maintain the facade, and now with the pressure mounting, he needed an even more audacious plan.
And it was in this scenario that the most perverse idea arose in his mind. “Sell one of the babies? If there are two, why not sell one?” he thought aloud. If the children took after their mother, they would be blonde with blue eyes, children desired by many wealthy families desperate for an heir.
Michelle sat up, startled.
“Have you lost your mind? Are you trying to put a price on your own child, you maniac?”
Alphonso, with a cold glint in his eyes, replied.
“If it’s to maintain this life and secure our future, it’s what needs to be done. You know I’ve never cared about children, Michelle. My only love is you.”
