my hands like a weight I couldn't shake. I could hear the lawyers

looking straight at her. "This is a big dea

I need this for my son and me." It's a chance to

ave a nod. "

looking every bit the formidable millionaire in his black fitted suit and pier

low but strong voice. That o

ook him in the

then back at me. "I expect nothing less than

nsity with ste

o a faint, inscruta

ounds and unspoken words floated around. I could feel

taller and

s a way to stay alive. And I w

ssion and clinking drinks. The design preview was in full flow, with investors talking to one other, cameras cli

ion without saying a word. His dark suit fit him perfectly, his posture

e walked up to the podium. The whispers

he crowd. "Before we start, I need to know: What mak

r heads. Eyebrows went up. People whis

ut my voice firm. "My art speaks for itsel

f of it fun. The tension that wasn't said out loud filled the

and the old wounds were just below the su

serene and sure of myse

the screen, and everyon

llum's presence behind m

eight on my back, even though I was standing at the front of the room showing off the drawings. Every slide fit

ry action I made. At the very least, it was unsettling. I could almost fee

trils flare slightly, which showed that he was more than just indifferen

uch yet never gave anything away. Instead, I kept my eyes on the crowd, on

e in his little hands and big eyes full

n for a long time, thinking about something else as well.

the look. He saved it for thing

, as if I didn't notice

it seemed like it was strangling me. The tenderness in his eyes as

of heels clicking on the marble floor mixed with the faint murmur of guests. B

ade it hard to breathe; the air surrounding us got tighter with every

e," I muttered, for

his jaw was set with a strength I could never

you," I said angrily as I stepped back, attem

ed the space between us. "I'm not go

cing as my thoughts raced. "

by the door that led to the street, his little hand outstretch

ith terror. But the small figure wa

d my arm before I could move, sto

y son than I was angry at him. "Stop it!" I hissed, but he didn't l

d again, this time

y appeared to make him more det

lt like iron on my skin, but it wasn't the way he held me that scared me; it was the way he sp

d my voice broke. A rush

e was trying to protect him. It was the first time I heard him talk to me with something like... ca

heart race. I didn't care that he was worried. All I cared

. "I know you're scared, but he's not out there

knife. It was real, too real. But it didn't me

stepped forward, ignoring the coldness that was still

the door handle without knowing how dangerous it was. It was unu

e door. He screamed in shock, but I drew him into my

ook!" I yelled, my voice wavering from th

t me, and then back at my son. But the way he looked at me w

ay, my pulse racing a

could feel Callum's e