Master of his heart (Brielle and Max)

The executives exchanged startled glances, their eyes finally glued to the big screen in front of them in collective astonishment.

Rumors about Mr. Lynch having kids, specifically twins, had been swirling around North America, making headlines ever since Dustin had posted about it on his social media. But what really caught everyone off guard was Dustin actually showing up with the kids? The execs wished they could hit pause and soak it all in. Yet, Dustin had a real knack for getting the kids to sleep. In no time, a fussy Jaime was snoozing peacefully.

Returning to the TV, Dustin's face slipped back into its usual cool, composed look. "Let's continue, pick up where we left off," he said, and the meeting rolled on.

This scene was becoming a bit of a regular feature. During meetings, Dustin often ducked out to tend to his kids, and sometimes, you could even catch him giving the nanny some pointers. Naturally, everyone was curious about the mother. Why was Dustin always the one taking care of the kids?

A rumor soon started trending across North America, suggesting the mother had been sidelined, with Dustin and her not seeing eye to eye-hinting at an unexpected pregnancy.

Given the late hour in Beaconsfield, folks assumed Dustin wouldn't catch wind of the gossip, but he quickly set the record straight on social media:

"She's fine, just taking some time off. I'm waiting for her to come back."

People reading this felt like they were flipping through a novel. How could the famously flirtatious Dustin be waiting patiently for a woman, especially one who wasn't around for their child?

In high society, full-time moms were the norm, and not managing a child attracted all sorts of in-law disapproval. But here was Dustin, seemingly handling it all himself.

After that single post, Dustin put down his phone. For as long as Emma had been away, his nights had been sleepless, a restless need to hold onto something to finally drift off.

couch beside her, holding her hand to

might lose Peyton over this, she'd probably

a sigh, feeling a dull ache

felt like this before. It was usually just a sense

sent her a message at

"Are you eating well?"

in her own world, having bought back her family land at a steep price and getting the

and she'd even procured the land in front of her courtyard, thinking about planting a couple more trees

were stunned by her lavish spending, quickly realizing Emma must've struck it rich

actually made a mint over there,"

enough buying back her land to snag a house in town. Really sparing no

got a

care about town? Probably just wants some fresh air

many hands on deck, her house was coming together quickly, complete with a courtyard and a newly cleared

and essentials from town, planning to source

s. Seeing her newfound

with their sons, hoping she'd take a liking to