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Four babies. A billion lies. One mess. Ares Langford is reckless, spoiled, and dangerously close to losing his billionaire inheritance. One more mistake and his father swears to cut him off for good. So when a cop pulls him over for speeding, Ares panics and lies. His girlfriend is giving birth, he claims. The officer insists on escorting him to the hospital. Desperate, Ares bribes a random nurse and finds a stranger who just gave birth to quadruplets. Tessa Monroe is exhausted, broke, and alone with four newborns she never planned to raise by herself. When a cocky rich guy begs her to play pretend for a million dollars, she agrees. But one lie spirals into a full blown scandal when Ares' mother storms into the hospital, declares Tessa family, and whisks them all into the billionaire's world. Now Ares is stuck playing baby daddy to four kids who aren't his, pretending to love a woman he barely knows, and fending off his father's wrath all while the world watches. What starts as a lie turns into the biggest twist of their lives. Will love bloom in the chaos or will the truth destroy everything?
Chapter 1 Ticket to Trouble
The engine roared beneath Ares Langford's trembling hands as his bloodshot eyes squinted through the early morning haze. Still buzzed from too many vodka shots and half a line of something he couldn't pronounce, he cursed as blue and red lights flashed in his rearview mirror.
"Shit."
He pulled over reluctantly, tossing his designer sunglasses on the dash as an officer approached with slow authority.
"License and registration," the officer said, his expression flat.
"Officer, listen," Ares slurred slightly but straightened. "I wasn't... I mean...my girlfriend's in labor. We're having a baby. Like now. Water broke. There's screaming, contractions...the whole scene."
The cop blinked, skeptical.
"And that's why you were doing 120 in a 50?"
"Wouldn't you?" Ares offered his best innocent rich boy smile. "My kid's about to enter the world...I'm sorry officer, I promise it won't happen again."
The officer sighed. "Hospital?"
"Uh...yes. St. Claire's. Downtown."
"Then I'll escort you."
Ares choked on air. "You...what?"
"Lead the way. I'll follow."
And just like that, Ares Langford, billionaire heir, was on a highway to hell, driving to a hospital where no baby was waiting and no girlfriend existed.
***
He parked like a madman and sprinted inside, his mind racing faster than his McLaren. The officer stayed close.
"Reception," Ares barked, approaching the nearest nurse. "Is there a patient who just gave birth...young, alone, abandoned? Anyone whose baby daddy ran off?"
The nurse frowned. "That's...oddly specific."
"Please," he whispered, lowering his voice. "I'll pay. Ten grand."
"Actually," she said, squinting at a chart. "Room 308. Quadruplets. She's alone. Doesn't speak much."
Perfect.
He jogged down the hall, fixed his hair, and walked into the
Tessa Monroe was pale, groggy, and clutching four tiny babies in two incubators. She looked up, alarmed.
"Who the hell are you?" she croaked.
He leaned in, speaking fast. "Look, I'm in a mess. I lied to a cop. Said you're my girlfriend giving birth. He's outside. I need you to play along. I'll pay you a million. Just nod. Smile. Be convincing."
Tessa stared at him, then the cop entering the doorway. She lifted her hand in a tired wave.
"Babe," she said weakly. "You made it."
The cop nodded slowly. "Glad to see you're okay."
"Yup," Ares grinned. "Our little miracles. All four."
"Happy for ya..." The cop said. "Congratulations."
***
He thought that was the end.
Until the doors flew open again.
"MY GRANDCHILDREN!" shrieked a voice. In floated Lady Bianca Langford in a Chanel suit and pearls, escorted by two maids and a chauffeur.
She dropped to her knees beside the babies. "Two boys, two girls. You overachiever, Ares!"
Ares's jaw dropped. "Mom...what...?"
"I called her," the officer said. "Figured she'd want to celebrate. Congratulations, son."
Tessa blinked, whispering, "What is happening?"
"Don't ask me," Ares whispered back.
Bianca clapped. "Get the birth certificates. Ares, sign them! We must register the Langford heirs immediately!"
Ares shakily took the pen. "Mom... I..."
"Do it, darling. This is the happiest day of our lives!"
He signed.
He didn't know what else to do.
Then they were in the limo, babies in custom bassinets, the maids cooing. His mom squeezed his hand.
"I'm so proud of you, Ares. I knew you had it in you." She said. "I want to be angry with you for keeping it away from us for nine months and God knows when you would have told us...but also I'm proud of you for being a man."
He looked at Tessa, dazed. She looked back, just as confused.
A tear slid down his cheek.
"Aw," his mom gasped. "Tears of joy!"
He was crying. But not for joy.
For regret.
For chaos.
And for the four tiny strangers now bearing his last name.
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Chapter 1 Ticket to Trouble
06/09/2025
Chapter 2 Welcome to the Family
06/09/2025
Chapter 3 You're Not the Victim, Ares
06/09/2025
Chapter 4 Bloody liar
06/09/2025
Chapter 5 A bad day
06/09/2025
Chapter 6 Running
05/09/2025
Chapter 7 Regret in your tears
05/09/2025
Chapter 8 Running back to my babies
06/09/2025
Chapter 9 Please help me
06/09/2025
Chapter 10 Stranded
06/09/2025
Chapter 11 Times flies
06/09/2025
Chapter 12 See the light
06/09/2025
Chapter 13 Out of prison
06/09/2025
Chapter 14 Fresh Air
06/09/2025
Chapter 15 Take a chill pill
06/09/2025
Chapter 16 Nooooooooo!!!
06/09/2025
Chapter 17 How convenient
06/09/2025
Chapter 18 Wedding night
06/09/2025
Chapter 19 Money or Love
06/09/2025
Chapter 20 Possessed
09/09/2025
Chapter 21 More deals
09/09/2025
Chapter 22 Journey to good life
09/09/2025
Chapter 23 A new beginning
10/09/2025
Chapter 24 Recovering
10/09/2025
Chapter 25 The good life
10/09/2025
Chapter 26 Anger
11/09/2025
Chapter 27 The unexpected guest
11/09/2025
Chapter 28 Another date
11/09/2025
Chapter 29 Where is he going to
12/09/2025
Chapter 30 Dinner with her No way!
12/09/2025
Chapter 31 Behind bars
13/09/2025
Chapter 32 Fake it till you make it
13/09/2025
Chapter 33 Let the media know
14/09/2025
Chapter 34 The Slap
14/09/2025
Chapter 35 The Threat
15/09/2025
Chapter 36 The Shattered Afternoon
15/09/2025
Chapter 37 The Hospital Walls
16/09/2025
Chapter 38 Time running out
16/09/2025
Chapter 39 The Cut Off
17/09/2025
Chapter 40 Fortress
17/09/2025