mediately, leaning against a sleek, dark gray BMW. Leo Miller. He was out of his scrubs

ushing off the car and openi

?" he

d a subtle, pleasant aftershave. It was a polite scent, nothing like the

"we should probably pick up Poppy first, right? I know how tri

all thing, but it showed he'd been paying attention. Tha

genuine warmth cutting through her

anecdotes about hospital politics and difficult patients. Chloe found herself responding, even

he glanced over at her, his e

is it okay if I

fraction of a seco

I know this is just our first time really talking, but I want to be

to respond. The honesty was a stark contrast to th

were turning on

in her voice. It was an escape from a

d up to the curb in front of the wrough

" he said, already g

ewalk. She looked up towards the gate, scanning the crowd

n she s

ed black suit. Julian Carlisle IV. Tall, imposing, radiating an aura of

hen it shifted, taking in Leo getting out of the d

meted. A cold dread washed over her. She had a

ardened into something glacial. His jaw tighte

e her, sensing the sudd

oked in the direction of her gaze. "Friend of yours?" H

ve looked like a decl

walking t

ce between them. The low hum of parental chatter seemed to fade away, rep

Their custody agreement was ironclad, the schedule precise to th

feel the cold radiating from him. He didn't even glance a

e?" she managed to ask,

r," he replied, his voice

ing look that lasted no more than a second before returning t

hell i

nd raw tension. A perfect, unbearable triangle of