As soon as they walked into the living room, Natalie’s ears picked up a familiar voice. “What are your names?”
It’s Jacqueline! Why is she here?
Natalie stared at Shane, ready to question if he had invited Jacqueline over.
But when she saw him frowning, she knew he was just as surprised as her. Natalie instantly felt more at ease knowing that he wasn’t responsible for Jacqueline’s sudden visit.
As they continued walking, they saw Jacqueline sitting on the sofa and looking affectionately at their children.
From the looks of it, her question earlier was meant for them.
The two children sat opposite Jacqueline, with Connor on high alert and Sharon looking at her curiously, wondering who this stranger was.
Before Sharon could ask anything, the eagle-eyed Connor had noticed his parents walking in and quickly pulled his sister to join them. “Mommy! Daddy!”
Jacqueline’s gaze darkened when she heard them address Shane but was quick to regain her composure.
“Go slow,” Natalie chided as she ruffled their hair.
“Mommy, who’s that lady?” Sharon whispered while pointing at Jacqueline.
Natalie glanced at Jacqueline and broke into a smile. “Okay, enough questions. Go upstairs with your brother. Connor, please take your sister along.”
“I got it, Mommy,” Connor replied and made his way upstairs with Sharon in tow.
Shane took a seat opposite Jacqueline, still with a frown on his face. “What are you doing here?”
“I heard from Jackie that Ms. Smith and her two kids have moved in here with you. Naturally, I got curious and decided to drop by for a visit.” Jacqueline then turned her attention toward Natalie and asked, “Ms. Smith, your children are adorable. What are their names?”
Natalie took a seat on the sofa, but instead of joining Shane, she chose to sit by herself.
Even though her behavior upset him, Shane kept his composure and said nothing of it.
“The boy is Connor, and the girl is Sharon,” Natalie replied once she had made herself comfortable.
“Connor and Sharon, what lovely names. Connor especially has a nice name and such a handsome face, just like Shane. If I didn’t know better, I’d have thought he is Shane’s son,” Jacqueline mused while playing with her cup.
“Connor and Sharon are my children now,” Shane immediately retorted.
“I meant biological children. Ms. Smith, don’t tell me Connor is Shane’s biological son?”
“Of course not!” Natalie replied with a smile, although her heart was racing. She lowered her gaze to hide the panic in her eyes.
Damn, don’t tell me Jacqueline suspects the relationship between Connor and Shane? And if she does, would she continue to investigate or ask for a paternity test?
“What are you thinking about, Ms. Smith?” Jacqueline asked after taking a sip of her water.
Natalie shook her head. “Nothing at all.”
“Is that so?” Jacqueline replied with a nod before suddenly leaning forward. “Ms. Smith, I’d like to know who the biological father of your children is. I’m curious as to why they resemble Shane so much.”
Upon Jacqueline’s query, Shane glanced at Natalie too.
He had always wanted to find out about her ex-partners. It wasn’t something that he minded, but he just wanted to learn more about her past.
It was also puzzling to him why he hadn’t been able to find any information about the children’s biological father.
Natalie felt like she was being backed into the corner as the weight of Shane’s stare fell on her.
She knew Jacqueline was forcing her to reveal the truth, but she also knew that this wasn’t the right time for it.
After all, she and Shane had only just gotten together. With their relationship far from being stable, there was no way she could tell him the truth.
