One Night Stand With My Ex's Uncle

Marcus’s POV

The kiss caught me completely off guard—quick, fierce, and gone before I could even respond. She turned and walked back toward the house without a word, leaving me standing there like an idiot, the ghost of her touch still burning on my lips.

Elizabeth approached with a warm smile, taking my hand. "Marcus, you must be exhausted. Come inside."

"Lucky you’re back now," she continued, guiding me toward the entrance. "If you’d just been flying in from Europe, you would have missed Annie altogether. Why must you young people always spring surprises?

A little warning would have been nice." Her gentle scolding carried nothing but affection. "William has been worried sick about you too. But you’re home now, that’s what matters."

The familiar guilt twisted in my chest.

She was right—I should have given them some warning. But seeing Anna’s face just now had been worth every second of suspense.

As we entered the grand foyer, my gaze immediately caught on two elegant suitcases tucked in the corner.

My throat tightened with realization-Anna had been planning to fly to Europe to find me. The thought of her desperate enough to travel with newborns made my chest ache with both tenderness and remorse.

I quickly shed my coat and changed into house slippers, eager to properly greet my fiancée and the children I’d risked everything to protect. Passing an antique mirror in the hallway, I barely recognized the naked anticipation in my own eyes-an expression I’d never allow in business negotiations.

The master bedroom door stood slightly ajar. As I pushed it open, a strange thing happenedBenedict suddenly woke and began to cry, as if sensing my presence. Seconds later, Sophia joined her brother’s chorus with soft whimpers of her own.

I froze in the doorway, watching Anna cradle Benedict against her chest.

When our eyes met, a thousand unspoken words passed between us.

Carefully, I approached the second bassinet where Sophia lay. With hands that had negotiated billion-dollar deals and ended lives, I gingerly lifted my daughter.

*My daughter*. The thought crashed through me with seismic force. She was a miniature Anna-same delicate features, same captivating eyes. In that moment, I would have happily bankrupted myself to buy her Disneyland if she’d wanted it.

The tender moment shattered when Lily appeared at the doorway, looking decidedly uncomfortable. Behind her stood a boy of about eleven, thin and wary-eyed.

"Ms. Shaw, Mrs. Shaw, this child..."

Lily began hesitantly.

Elizabeth’s expression shifted instantly from joy to confusion. "Lily, where did you find this boy?"

"I didn’t bring him, ma’am. He came with Mr. Murphy."

Elizabeth’s eyebrows shot up, her gaze darting between the boy and me with unmistakable suspicion. Before I could explain, Anna surprised me with her composure.

"This child, his last name is Jones?" she asked evenly.

I nodded, relieved at her perceptiveness. "Ascend Group is still sorting through major transitions.

Oliver is swamped and couldn’t manage looking after his brother. I offered to bring Steven along."

The truth was simpler and more absurd—Oliver had practically shoved his brother at me, joking that "taking care of one kid or three makes no difference, and Steven is old enough to help with Benedict." I’d agreed out of sympathy for Oliver’s workload, not fully thinking through the implications.

"Steven, come say hello," I instructed, my tone firm but not unkind.

The boy stepped forward reluctantly.

"Hello, ma’am. Hi, miss."

I frowned immediately. "Incorrect.

Address them as Mrs. Shaw and Ms. Shaw. Try again."

Steven quickly corrected himself:

"Hello, Mrs. Shaw. Hello, Ms. Shaw."

Elizabeth’s face softened instantly. "Oh, he’s your friend’s child? How polite.

Come closer, let me see you."

"He’s Oliver Jones’s younger brother— my VP," I clarified, watching relief wash over Elizabeth’s features. The last thing I needed was for her to think I had a secret child.

Peter Reed appeared, wheeling in my luggage. Elizabeth’s eyes widened when I began unpacking the collection of gifts I’d selected-Cartier bracelets for her and Margaret, limited edition Harry Winston pieces for Anna, and an obscene number of designer baby clothes and toys for the twins.

"Marcus, you’re spoiling them," Elizabeth chided, though her eyes sparkled with approval.

I gazed at my daughter’s perfect face, the conviction in my voice surprising even me. "They’re my children. It’s my privilege to spoil them."

Later, while Anna went to arrange lunch, Elizabeth broached the subject that had clearly been weighing on her mind.

"About the children’s surnames," she began carefully. "William understands, but he’s a bit... disappointed they aren’t carrying the Murphy name." She hesitated before continuing. "These children aren’t... well, they aren’t your blood, Marcus. We appreciate your generosity in accepting them. When you and Annie marry, perhaps you could have children of your own who would carry the Murphy name?"

Her words hit like ice water. They still believed the twins weren’t mine. I understood their concern about appearing opportunistic toward the Murphy fortune.

"I have no issue with them being Shaws," I replied evenly. "They are my children, and everything I have will be theirs." My voice softened, thinking of Anna’s difficult delivery. "Annie’s pregnancy was dangerous. I’ve decided we won’t have more children-these two are enough."

Elizabeth’s jaw dropped. "No more?

But what will William say?"

I took a deep breath, making a split-second decision. "He already knows.

And to ensure it... I’ve had a vasectomy."

"You’ve WHAT?" Elizabeth gasped.

Just then, Anna returned, catching the tail end of our conversation. Her eyes widened in shock.

I offered her a slight smile, holding her gaze steadily. "I have a son and daughter now, and I have Annie.

That’s all I need in this world."

Marcus’s POV

The moment I stepped through the Murphy Estate’s grand entrance with Steven trailing behind me, William’s walking cane came down hard across my shoulder. Pain shot through my body, but I remained silent. This punishment, I deserved.

"You ungrateful son," William roared, his weathered face contorted with rage.

"Why return now? After all this time!"

Each blow of his cane sent fresh waves of pain through my body, but I stood my ground without complaint. The ornate hallway that had witnessed countless Murphy family gatherings now bore witness to this reckoning.

Before William could continue, the commotion drew Phillip and his family from the drawing room. Catherine rushed forward while Simon stared curiously at Steven.

"Whoa, is this Uncle Marcus’s illegitimate kid?" Simon blurted out, eyeing Steven with undisguised interest.

Catherine immediately smacked the back of his head. "Shut your mouth before I do it for you."

"Hey! Stop hitting my head," Simon complained, rubbing his scalp. "If you knock me stupid, you’ll have to inherit everything yourself!"

Despite the tension, I nearly smiled at their familiar bickering. The grand chandelier cast long shadows across the marble floor as the family gathered around us.

"Who is this child?" Layla asked, her voice gentle yet direct.

"Steven Jones. Oliver’s younger brother," I explained, placing a protective hand on the boy’s shoulder.

"Oliver needs to focus on business transitions, so Steven will stay with us temporarily."

Relief visibly washed over their faces.

Layla quickly arranged for a guest room, and a maid led Steven away.

Once we were alone, William raised the topic I’d been anticipating. "When are we going to Shaw Estate to formalize your engagement to Annie?"

I shifted my weight, choosing my words carefully. "Perhaps we should discuss this with Annie first. We’ve just confirmed our relationship, and there’s no rush now that the children are born."

William’s face turned crimson. "You ungrateful pup! Listen to yourself! Just because she’s had your children, you think she deserves no respect?" He raised his cane again, trembling with fury.

I stood frozen, unwilling to defend myself. William’s health couldn’t withstand such anger, but I couldn’t find the words to clarify without making things worse.

"Father William, please don’t be upset," Layla intervened smoothly.

"Marcus means that since the children are already here, they can take their time with formal arrangements. And we should respect the Shaw family’s wishes too."

"Layla’s right," Phillip added. "This is a significant event for the Murphy family. We should plan carefully."

’Thank you, Phillip. Thank you, Layla," I said with genuine gratitude - words that would have been

impossible for me to utter just months ago. For Annie, I was willing to shed my pride.

- - -

Later, after a hot shower that eased my aching muscles, I found William waiting in the tea room with a chess set ready. The family cat observed me curiously, no longer recognizing its former master.

William’s desire to see his randchildren was written plainly across his face as he fidgeted with the chess pieces.

"I’ll take you to Shaw Estate tomorrow;" I offered, making the first move on the board.

His eyes lit up instantly. "Really? You mean it?"

"It’s only right that you see your grandchildren," I replied casually, though I felt anything but casual about this important step.

William’s entire demeanor changed. "I can’t go empty-handed! I should select some gifts." He abandoned our game before it truly began, hurrying off to prepare.

As I gathered the scattered chess pieces, Peter appeared with news.

"Mr. Murphy, Mary has returned. And Jack Simpson has resigned from Simpson Group and left the country."

I raised an eyebrow at this information. Murphy Estate clearly had eyes within the Simpson household. Before I could respond, Mary’s voice echoed from the doorway.

"Marcus, you’re back! Why didn’t Father tell me? I’m so relieved you’re safe."

I turned to face my sister, her false smile transparent as glass.

"Disappointed I’m not dead?"

Her expression faltered. "What a terrible thing to say. We’re siblings, Marcus. Don’t look at me like I’m your enemy."

My blood simmered beneath my skin.

"You caused Annie to go into premature labor. Don’t pretend you’re innocent."

"That had nothing to do with me," Mary scoffed. "She was already near her due date."

She paused, then added with contempt: "I’m your sister, while Anna Shaw is just Jack’s leftovers. You’re rising someone else’s children and somehow feel proud about it?"

Something snapped inside me. Each step I took toward her was measured, deliberate. The rage I felt wasn’t the hot, explosive kind - it was cold, calculated, and far more dangerous.

"What’s that look in your eyes?" Mary backed away, suddenly uncertain.

"The look of someone who wants to kill you," I answered, each word sharp enough to cut.

"For some second-hand"

My hand closed around her throat before she could finish.