Chapter 7 Triplets

I kissed each of them on the head before we finally made our way out of the airport. Waiting for us outside was a luxury van sent by Mommy Lourdes. On the ride to the condo, the boys chatted happily, fascinated by the toy plane Erwan had given Cronus.

Cronus rambled about his encounter with the "nice mister." He explained that he had wandered off trying to find me, bumped into Erwan, and when asked for his mother's name, he gave my nickname, Dana. He didn't use my full name, which explained why Erwan hadn't immediately pieced everything together until he saw me.

Only my family and Eros ever called me Dana, as my real name is Cresseda Diyana. Since Erwan was my best friend in college, he knew the nickname, but it was common enough that he hadn't linked it to me right away. Cronus also mentioned that he hadn't told the man he was blind.

“Ma'am, we’ve arrived,” the driver announced.

We stepped out, and the condo building staff immediately rushed to help us with our luggage. Once I had the keys, I led the boys straight to the elevator, leaving the staff to handle the bags.

“We’re finally going to see Daddy!” Elliot cheered excitedly in the elevator.

The other two giggled in response. A knot of anxiety tightened in my stomach. What if Eros turns them away? What if he already has a new family? What if…

No, Dana. Stop it. Think positive. You are doing this for your children.

“Mommy, what does Daddy look like?” Cronus asked as we entered the condo.

“He probably looks just like us, Cronus!” Elliot chimed in.

Cronus sighed softly, lowering his head. “Too bad... I can’t see.”

His words pierced my heart. Tears pricked my eyes as I sat on the sofa and pulled them all close. I began describing Eros's features so they could picture him, especially Cronus. When I first found out Cronus was blind, I would have given him my own eyes in a heartbeat.

But Cronus himself had stopped me, saying that if I went blind, no one would be left to care for them. It should be me, Mommy, he had said. Recalling that memory brought fresh tears to my eyes.

I quickly wiped them away. I refused to let my children see me break down. They grew up without a father because I was weak; Cronus lost his sight because I was a failure. It was all my fault. All of it…

“As soon as Mommy finds your daddy, I’ll let you know right away. Okay?” I promised.

All three nodded, their faces lit up with bright, innocent smiles. As long as they were happy, I could endure anything. They were my whole world.

I sent them to the bedroom to rest. The condo Mommy Lourdes secured was spacious, and she had even arranged for a live-in housemaid. Given what happened at the airport, having an extra pair of hands was a massive relief.

I sat down at the dining table, opened my laptop, and checked my emails. There were several offers from major firms. I had always dreamed of becoming a pediatrician, but that dream was cut short the moment I got pregnant. I loved children, but after having triplets, my path shifted. I pivoted to interior design, throwing myself into the field and eventually landing a position at a prominent firm in Australia.

As I scrolled through the job inquiries, a familiar logo caught my eye. My breath hitched as I clicked on it.

It was a recruitment offer for a new commercial project near our condo, from Villafuerte Corporation.

Below the letterhead was the signature: Eros Miguel Villafuerte.

My heart slammed against my ribs. Villafuerte Corporation…

How did he even know I was an interior designer? The last time we spoke, he knew me as a pre-med student. Was this just a massive coincidence? His acquisition team had likely scouted my portfolio through the Australian firm and reached out based on my credentials alone.

The offer had been sent a while ago, so I quickly typed a reply asking if the position was still open. I was doing this for my triplets, so they could finally meet their father. Once that was done, we would leave, and I would never look back.

My phone rang, displaying an unknown number. I took a deep breath, my hands trembling as I picked up.

“Is this Cresseda Diyana Soles?” a male voice asked on the line.

“Yes, this is Cresseda.”

“It’s Erwan! Thank God I managed to track down your number. Where are you? I want to see Cronus again. I didn't say anything to my brother because you asked me not to, and it's not my place anyway, but Seda... you need to see him.”

I let out a massive sigh of relief, realizing it was Erwan and not Eros’s office.

“I’ll text you our address, but do not bring Eros here,” I said firmly. “I will show myself to him when the time is right. The boys want to meet—”

“They?! As in... you have TWINS?!” Erwan shouted through the phone, his voice echoing so loudly I had to pull the receiver away from my ear.

He sounded completely overwhelmed with excitement.

“Erwan, quiet down!” I scolded, worried someone might overhear.

“Just come over,” I sighed, sending him the address before hanging up.

By the time I finished setting things up, it was already evening. I checked on the boys, who were engrossed in cartoons on their iPad. I turned on the living room TV for background noise and asked Merna, the housemaid, to run down to the local supermarket to grab groceries for dinner and breakfast.

While I was responding to more emails, the doorbell rang. I frowned; that was fast. Did Merna just go to a convenience store?

I walked over and opened the door, only to find Erwan standing there holding bags of takeout. I glanced behind him to make sure he was alone before stepping aside to let him in.

“It’s been almost five years, Seda,” he said as we walked toward the living room. “I guess you’re a pediatrician now?” he teased.

“I’m an interior designer now, Er,” I replied with a small smile, clearing space on the table. “If I hadn't gotten pregnant, I probably would have been a pediatrician like you.”

Erwan paused, setting the food down. “I actually didn't become a doctor either, Seda. Dad forced me to take over a division of the corporate firm, so I switched majors after my second year, right after you disappeared.”

My heart sank. Erwan had been so passionate about medicine back in college. Things really changed... for everyone.

“So, where is my nephew?” Erwan asked, looking around the living room.

“Why don't you have one of your own already?” I joked. Erwan was handsome and kind; any woman would be lucky to have him. If I hadn't fallen for his older brother, Erwan and I might have ended up together, though he had always treated me like a little sister.

“I’ll get there eventually, Seda,” he chuckled.

I smiled, telling him I’d go call Cronus from the bedroom. But before I could turn around, a tiny voice echoed from the hallway.

“Mommy, is that Daddy?”

Erwan and I both turned toward the sound.

Erwan’s jaw dropped as three identical little boys walked into the living room, side-by-side. He slapped a hand over his mouth, his eyes wide with absolute shock.

“TRIPLETS?!”