afternoon, Victoria' s brother, Richard Sterling, a well-connected corporate lawyer who sometimes consulted on Sterling Innovations matters from his D.C. base, arrived at t

ered. His eyes, those cool, intelligent eyes, widened almost imperceptibly as they met mine. Then they flickered to Leo, who was chattering animatedl

I smiled coolly. "Mr. Davenport, a pleasure." Later, when Ethan found a moment alone with me, his eyes burning with unspoken questions as he stared at Leo, I said

ld with someone else. Yet, I saw a strange, undeniable pull in his eyes as he looked at Leo, a flicker of something he couldn't

d with unspoken history. He made pointed remarks, testing me, trying to get a reaction. "You seem to have landed on your feet, Ava. Quite the transfor

about his paternal lineage. So many... unknowns in your past, Ava dear." Before I could utter a word, Ethan, who had been silently observing, spoke. His voice was like steel. "Leo is a fine boy, Marcus. And his mother is a remarkable

ol, composed politician. His eyes blazed. "Alright, Ava. Enough games. Who is he? And why did you leave like t

I cried, my voice trembling. "She found you a 'suitable' match, Annabelle Prescott! She paid me off, told me my 'services' w

ment, nothing more. I never wanted it." He looked at me, his eyes filled with a pain that mirrored my own. "I was devastated when you left. I searched for you. For months. You just... vanished." He stepped closer. "And the birth control.

rackled with years of unspoken emotions. "Leo," he whispered, his gaze searching mine. "He's five, isn't he? Not four." I nodded, tears streaming down my face.