resta

girl greeted him wi

, caught off guard by

. The smile vanished, replaced by a frown. "So, you're

autiously. "

nswer or a question, Mr...

d replied, "Za

an I call you t

d slowly. "I'd ra

you're so stingy about first names. Unbelievable,"

houghtfully at the transpar

eminded him of his late wife,

y couldn't trul

erious about this, I'll just walk out. I don't like bein

exhaling softly. "Fine

n. "And you can call me Lia. Y

ight, I know. How about we order

made his way to the playroo

ing every victory with cheers and laughter, w

oor frame, arms crossed,

ll sentences and he seemed to

t noise seemed to be g

ence finall

rustration evident. "I'm trying to focu

t, "Why don't you leave instead? Th

p abruptly, his face

u'll be nothing compared to

oor, only to freeze in his tracks

here?" Jake stammered, fear

He knew he was struggling-trying to balance the demands

could feel things slip

ickering and hurling insults. They were even pi

e still here, things mig

ession, Zak stepp

t to insult your brother, Jake?" h

being annoying, Dad," he muttered defensively. "

e left," he said smugly. "This is a playroom, not a book

at Vik. "I am smarter th

use words I don't like. Do not belittle your brother. He's y

antly. "It's just a one-minute difference,"

troller," he said sternly, his gaze shifting to his o

o sit on the couch, hi

father's voice, immediately turned o

k, curiosity mixed wit

eath, trying to fi

t having a mother?" he finall

That would be amazing, Daddy! I want a mommy who can tuck me in at

pang in h

lives, the ways in which he had fallen short despite

ction was quit

he said bluntly, crossin

looking at his son. "

coldly. "And I don't like stepmothers. Besides, having one br

er family somewhere. I don't want trouble from strangers just showing up out of nowhere." Vik stared

Jake was becoming too bold, too cynical for his age.

voice was evident. "I only have you two. But..." He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Things

he conversation in a

plied. "I don't need y

before turning his

rinned from ear to ear. "I ha

new chapter in Amy's life-her first day

or, taking a final look at her

it paired with a white blouse a

so nearly all the suits she h

ing down her shoulders in a sleek, polished manner, co

e left her apartment, looking eve

headquarters of Vance Conglomerate. The sleek glass f

t guided her to the CEO's office, all th

expression calm, knowing that f

e a lifetime. She focused on her breathing, calming the flutt

own the hallway, her heels clicking softly against the

erself, sh

desk, his eyes glued

aw her silhouette through the frosted gla

ly confused, before c

door open and s

were lock

ed, his jaw slackening sligh