Billionaire tech entrepreneur Ethan Cross seldom flew commercial.
Ethan, founder and CEO of one of Silicon Valley’s most important firms, was accustomed to solitude, privacy, and convenience. Above the sky, his Gulfstream aircraft was his bubble.
However, an unforeseen technical problem grounded his jet, forcing him to arrange a first-class ticket on a commercial airline to give his keynote address at a worldwide tech conference in Zurich today.
Ethan didn’t like outsiders in first class, despite the nice seats, champagne, and quiet. He enjoyed isolation. He took seat 2A, opened his sleek laptop, and reviewed his speech.
A rustling shook the cabin when the doors closed. A lady raced in with her chestnut-brown hair pulled up, a Louis Vuitton baby bag over one shoulder, and two tiny boys behind her.
Ethan first didn’t glance up.
Something about her stance and stride reminded him. He casually looked up—and froze.
Isabelle Laurent.
His ex. The lady who left him five years ago without saying a word. He once considered marrying her.
Now she was here. His flight. Two identical boys.
Their wild black locks and large eyes made them seem four. Her hand was held. Someone dragged a weary teddy bear. Their likeness to him was obvious. The dimples. Nervous sleeve pulling. Even their head tilts.
Ethan was amazed when Isabelle sat in seat 2B alongside him without knowing who she was sitting next to. Helping the boys into seats 2C and 2D, attaching seatbelts, and arranging their stuffed animals kept her occupied.
As the aircraft taxis, she looks sideways and gasps.
“Ethan?” she whispered.
He blinks. “Isabelle… is that you?
Her face was colorless. “I thought I’d never see you again.”
“That’s obvious.”
His voice was calm, but a storm was brewing. He again ignored her for the lads. Not a question.
“They’re mine,” he said. A fact, not a question.
She paused, then nodded slowly. “Yes.”
His breath left his chest in a whoosh—shock, betrayal, amazement, and something more.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
Isabelle scarcely spoke. “You left after the IPO. You relocated to NYC. Conferences and magazine covers dominated your life. Your call ended. I didn’t want to compete for your time.”
Ethan frowned. That’s false. I cared. I still do.”
‘I wrote you. Twice. You never replied.”
“I never saw anything.”
Maybe your helper weeded them out. Your life was managed by a team. I assumed that was your response.
Shocked, Ethan reclined. Could it have occurred so? Could the turbulence of his achievement have concealed this?
“Why not try again?” he whispered.
“I was pregnant and alone. I had to concentrate. We didn’t want paparazzi or controversy in their life.”
He gazed at the lads, who were sleeping with their heads together. Need no DNA test. They were his.
“Their names?”
“Liam and Noah.”
Softly smiling, he smiled. “They’re lovely.”
Only the engines’ hum and a fatigued traveler’s snoring shattered the stillness.
“I want to be part of their lives,” Ethan whispered. I don’t know what you told them, but I want to—if you’ll allow me.”
Isabelle cautiously examined him. We’ll see. Slowly.”
Ethan nods. He felt wobbly for the first time in a while. He confidently arranged billion-dollar mergers. However, this was unfamiliar territory.
The aircraft landed in Zurich around daybreak. Ethan strolled behind them at baggage claim, hearing Liam ask Isabelle countless questions—“Why does it take so long for bags to come?” “Where do clouds go when we land?” Noah guarded her.
“You see yourself in them?” Isabelle asked abruptly.
Ethan nods. “Every second.”
They strolled silently until she said, “We’re staying in an Airbnb in Küsnacht. Quiet. Safe. Good for boys.”
I can get you a hotel suite, Ethan said softly. More secure. Full service.”
Shaking her head. I’m grateful. I’m not ready to relinquish power. We’re doing well.”
“I’m not trying to take over,” he replied. I simply want to help.”
Come join us today. Our destination is the lakefront park. Boys enjoy it there.”
He hesitated. “I like that.”
The lads chased pigeons and laughed beneath ancient trees in the park. Ethan watched them from a seat with Isabelle.
They’re brazen. Like you, he said.
A slight grin. They’re kind. Curious. The kids inquire about dad. I tell them he’s far.”
Tightening throat, Ethan. “I want to change that.”
“You can’t just swoop in, Ethan.”
I’m not swooping. I’m staying. I built plenty. Maybe I should step back.”
“Leaving your company?”
“I should’ve done it sooner.”
Isabelle looked at him incredulously. “You always valued legacy.”
I believed legacy meant corporations, accolades, and buildings named after me. However, this… He nodded at Noah and Liam. “This matters.”
Only the lads’ laughing across the park disturbed the stillness.
Isabelle’s words stung hard. “The night before you left for New York, you said, ‘I’ll come back for you.’ I waited. However, you never did.”
“I got lost in it all,” he said. I expected you to wait.”
“Cannot wait forever.”
“I know. But I’m here. I won’t leave.”
They were stopped by a wail. Noah stumbled and scraped his knee.
In an instant, Ethan stood. He tenderly pulled the kid into his arms, wiping dirt off his hands.
“You’re fine. You’re strong.”
Noah sniffled and glanced up. “Are you Mommy’s friend?”
Cracked voice, Ethan. Someone who values her. What about you?”
Boy hugged Ethan’s neck. A knot formed in his throat as Ethan hugged him firmly.
Isabelle wiped a tear on the bench.
In subsequent days, Ethan was consistent. He told bedtime tales, played hide-and-seek, and patiently answered “why” and “how” questions. He didn’t claim he was their father, but they connected.
Their last Zurich night flew by.
Ethan led Isabelle and the boys to their Airbnb.
He added, “I don’t want to be a vacation dad.” Co-parenting is my goal. Share life with them.”
“You’re asking for a lot,” she remarked softly.
I’ll do therapy, legal papers, whatever it takes.”
She lingered over his eyes. Maybe you can visit London next month. Start slow.”
“I’ll be there.”
She nods. “One day…we’ll tell them.”
“I want to be the one to say it,” he continued, confidently. “They’re my boys.”
And when you do,” Isabelle whispered, “don’t just say it. Show it.”
Weeks later, Ethan stood outside the fence in a London playground on a fresh afternoon.
From across the playground, two familiar voices yelled. Dad! Dad!
Liam and Noah ran toward him, arms extended. With streaming tears, he knelt and hugged them.
In the background, Isabelle watched softly.
Ethan originally assumed success was judged by statistics and headlines.
He realized the reality with his boys in his arms and the lady he lost close.
He developed an empire.
His true legacy was this.
Finally, he lived it.