The Second Marriage Chance

Sarah

The incident of the past left me severely traumatized after being admitted to the hospital. During the procedure, panic attacks overwhelmed me. My heart raced, and my breath came in short gasps. Philip’s voice, though muffled through the operating room doors, tried to reassure me that he would stay outside to ensure the safety of me and our unborn babies.

His words didn’t ease my anxiety. The chilling memory of my last experience haunted me-the sudden fear upon waking to find my child no longer safe in my womb. The pain from that loss seemed to blend with my current discomfort, lingering in my body.

“Dr. Vanderbilt, Ms. Mitchell’s heart rate isn’t stabilizing,” Dr. Ruth informed Ethan. “Her blood pressure is very high, and it’s difficult for me to continue the operation. This much stress could seriously harm her pregnancy.”

Ethan faced me urgently. “Sarah, you must calm down. I know you’re scared, but this much stress could harm your babies. Let’s take deep breaths together.”

“Ethan, please…” I pleaded, “I don’t want to see Megan or Madam Cornell! I don’t want to see evil people! They’ll take my babies!” I spoke quickly and desperately, my hands tightly gripping the sheets.

“I’m here. Look at me, Sarah… Do you trust me? I will protect your babies with everything I have. I’m your friend. Can you believe that?” he said, looking directly into my gray eyes.

I nodded repeatedly. The last thing I remembered was Ethan’s voice soothing me, assuring me that my babies were safe.

During the cesarean procedure, I drifted in and out of consciousness, feeling fuzzy from the medication. I caught snippets of sounds-the murmur of voices, the clink of instruments, the steady pressure of skilled hands at work.

When I finally regained full awareness, intense pain shot through my body, especially around the fresh incision where they had delivered the babies.

Beside the bed, I sensed someone slumped over. Philip’s face turned toward me while he held my hand tightly. Gently withdrawing my hand, I softly ran my fingers through his hair.

Feeling my touch, Philip stirred. He slowly lifted his head, a grimace flashing across his features as his stiff joints protested the sudden movement.

“I’m so happy…” he murmured. He gently took my hand, bringing it to his lips for a tender kiss. His eyes, rimmed with exhaustion, met mine. “But I’m so stressed and worried about your surgery. Ethan spent hours trying to calm you down.”

A wave of anxiety washed over me as I remembered the panic that had gripped me.

“Are they safe, Philip?” I asked in a trembling voice. “Are they… healthy?”

I feared that everything from the sex tape scandal onwards might have affected the twins. Thinking about the doctor and Ethan trying to calm me down, guilt gnawed at me, making me doubt whether I had been a good mother.

Philip squeezed my hand reassuringly. “They’re slightly premature but healthy, according to Ethan.”

“Where are they?”

“In the nursery.”

A pang of jealousy shot through me. “You’ve met them already?”

Philip’s eyes softened with understanding. “Yes, they’re as adorable as you, my love.” Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke, and I felt my emotions surge in response.

Just then, a nurse entered the room, noticing my conscious state. The doctor followed, examining me thoroughly before instructing the nurse to bring the babies inside.

They were so tiny, so perfect. Tears spilled down my cheeks as I gazed at them, overwhelmed by the joy and the lingering sorrow for my first child. The happiness I felt was indescribable-two breathing, living miracles blessed to me.

“Philip, they’re my babies…” I whispered in awe, my voice cracking with emotion. Tears of happiness streamed down my cheeks.

Philip nodded, leaning in to place a gentle kiss on my forehead.

I savored these precious moments with Philip and our children, setting aside the pain and negativity. This was our time-a bubble of joy amid the chaos we faced.

“I will do everything to provide better for our family,” Philip promised me.

***

It had been a full day since our twins were unexpectedly born. Despite my apparent control over my movements, I was confined to bed. I sensed an issue looming, though it hadn’t been explicitly brought to my attention.

“Ethan and Dr. Ruth will examine you here at Serenity Pines, just as we arranged,” Philip assured me from the edge of the bed, his fingers tracing delicate patterns on my skin.

The babies slept peacefully in an ornate crib near the window. Philip’s world now revolves entirely around our expanded family.

“Amanda, Pepper, and Grandpa Mitchell are on a private jet from Dubai as we speak. I also contacted Emily and Bronn to keep them in the loop. They’re all rushing here. Your executive assistant seemed quite taken aback by your labor,” Philip remarked.

“I hadn’t informed Emily or my team about my pregnancy. They saw me on camera during a video conference, but apparently, my condition went unnoticed,” I admitted.

“You’re quite good at keeping secrets,” Philip teased, raising an eyebrow, to which I responded with a grin.

Our moment was interrupted by a familiar, singsong voice from the hallway. “Yoo-hoo! New parents, where are you?”

Jakob peeked in first, followed by Trey and Lexi, their faces lighting up as they saw the sleeping babies.

“Oh my god, they’re adorable!” Lexi whisperedText property © Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org.

“Congratulations, dear friend!” Jakob exclaimed joyfully.

I allowed them their moment, sharing my happiness with my friends. After a few moments of cheer, the mood turned serious.

“Um…” Jakob glanced at Philip, hesitantly scratching his cheek as if seeking permission to share the news with me.

Sensing their unease, I pressed, “Alright, what’s happening? What aren’t you all telling me?” Since giving birth, Philip had shielded me from troubling matters.

But it was Philip who spoke up, divulging the truth. “A woman has come forward. A woman who… well, she looks exactly like you… This woman exposed Lila publicly, claiming to be the real Sarah Benner.”

“The video’s release caused a stir in the industry, leading to immediate internal investigations across all companies partnered with Lila. This scandal quickly became the most talked-about topic in business and social media circles. Not only are you Grandpa Mitchell’s granddaughter, but also the ex-wife of Luminary Productions’ president. And now, it’s come to light that you’re also Sarah Benner. Your identities have sparked extensive speculation and gossip.”

Philip was next to explain. “I gave the job to Amir because your family was deeply concerned. They weren’t just worried but desperate to understand this person’s motives.”

“Perhaps it’s my status, wealth, connections, influence.”

‘But who could it be? Who would dare to take such a risk?’

“Your absence from public view for months created the perfect opportunity. This Sarah lookalike likely saw a chance to take your place without being immediately noticed,” Jakob observed.

“Or she might have other motives we haven’t considered yet,” Lexi interjected.

“What about Bronn and Emily? Emily seems the likeliest target-she knows about my work, schedules, and business transactions.”

“You don’t have to worry about Emily. She’s under Bronn’s protection,” Jakob reassured.

“But who is this person? If they know so much about me, it means they know me well,” I nervously asked, feeling my wound ache.

Jakob’s gaze intensified. “Besides your family, who else knows you’re the original Sarah Benner? Think carefully.”

“Well, about that…” Lexi began, diverting attention momentarily from the babies she had been so captivated by. She opened her iPad and showed me a picture. “I saw her with this woman, which might help the case.”

“That’s Madam Olsen!” Jakob exclaimed, leaning in for a closer look.

The surveillance photo from above in a dimly lit restaurant showed four people sitting at a table: Madam Olsen, the woman impersonating me, and two men.

My gaze didn’t linger on the woman who resembled me but on the person next to her. Philip and I exchanged confused looks.

“Let me see that!” Philip demanded sharply, seemingly unable to believe what he was seeing.

Madam Olsen, her son, the woman impersonating me, and the man sitting next to them-it’s Josh!