ra'

t lit room. My hand trembled as I clutched the thin sheet of paper that had shattered the ca

yo mi

built life with my little boy was safe and unshakeable. Instead, the uni

leeping peacefully in the corner crib, blissfully unaware

. My ev

. But according to the hospital records, the sperm used in my IVF treatment hadn't come from the anonymous donor I'd chosen.

e knew ab

. I didn't need to turn around to feel the weight of his presence. Even in the silence, h

s Ha

evoid of warmth. It curled through the room

ler than I

der

an B

politicians like chess pieces. He wasn't supposed to exist in my world. And yet, here he was, leaning

cked on Theo, then fli

lake," I said, forcing s

w and measured, like a predator stalking prey. "He looks nothing lik

ser to Theo's crib, placing myself between t

flash in his eyes-anger, disbelief, maybe even betrayal. He reac

de me. "And this," he added, pulling out a sleek black folder, "is the DNA test

me like a pu

hed down to soothe him. My fingers brushed his tiny hand, and I felt A

nerability claw

ispered, meeting his

cold, cutting. "Come knocking on my d

hed my ch

me. "You expect me to believe that you accidentally stole

flinch. "I didn't steal anything. I went through the pr

puzzle he couldn't solve. "So you didn't know whose ch

rembling with emotion. "He's my son. I don't

the air between us

oubted I'd seen it. But then it was gone, replaced by that icy mask a

hings," he s

ed. "Ex

boy are com

t slamming again

eyes narr

woop in and take us

Legally, I have every right to him. And I

e cracked with frustration. "I

t I could smell the faint, expensive cologne

ed at my sides. "You think you can

rian said softly, d

ntimidated me. Hated that part of me still remembered the heat of his touch

diately bent down to comfort him. When I straightened,

ite the fear coiling in my stomach. "If you try to tak

parked in his eyes.

s tone lit a fire in me.

e dropping to a low, mena

way he said it ma

nd commanding. "You and Theo will come to my estate tonight. I'll

ed, incredulous. "You can't

ed. "I won't ri

uldn'

nt, mocking smile. "You ra

sappeared, never expecting to cross paths again. But running hadn't been about him. It

cing strength into my voice.

t. He dialed a number, his tone clipped and authoritative as he said, "Have

rushing to my face. "You

his attention to me again, his gaze like steel. "I

nger through me, but before I could retort

unsure whether to touch him. His expression softened, just slightly, as he ga

ke you," I whispered

ting second, I saw something raw in

e as quickly a

ontrol firmly back in place. "

nterrupted me. A tall man in a sharp black suit stepped

gave a

ugh me. This was

ith you," I said firmly,

darkened. "Y

ightly against me. My pulse thundered in m

der than it needs to

cking at my eyes. "You can'

as unreadable as he s

tly brush a stray curl from Theo's forehead. The te

ed, my voice breaki

but then his jaw tightened. "You're comin

the man in the black

I realized Adria

as t

-

's hand closed gently, firmly, around my elbow, h

voice low and steady. "Don

d me, my breath com

d speak, the man in black glanced down at his p

ed toward him. "Wha

, urgent. "Your penthou

He turned to me, his expr

, his voice like steel. "Y

ept me and Theo out of the hospital room strai

-

ly. Someone has breached his secure penthouse, and now she and Theo are