Lena's POV

The first few weeks were hard - harder than I imagined. I barely spoke French. My savings dwindled fast. I rented a tiny attic room above a bakery where the roof leaked when it stormed and the door screamed all night in protest. The city was beautiful, yes, but beauty doesn’t fill the stomach or pay rent.

I worked at a flower shop on Rue Saint-Honoré. The pay was minimal, but Madame Ghislaine, the owner, was kind and secretive. She let me sit when my back hurt, gave me breaks when the nausea hit hardest, and never asked questions when I showed up with puffy eyes and swollen ankles.

Every night, I came home to silence. Always placed a hand on my stomach, and whispered stories of the world I was going to give my baby.

I didn't need luxury. I just needed peace.

When Leo was born, everything changed.

He came into this world screaming with red-face. It was squirmy and beautiful. My heart exploded the moment they placed him on my chest. He had Damon’s eyes. I knew it the moment I saw him.

I named him Leo Hart. There was no middle name and no father on the birth certificate.

It was just me and me.

The first year was a filled with sleepless nights, and desperation. I worked when I could, took on odd jobs like waitressing, nannying and even sewing ribbons for boutique weddings.

But I also started sketching again.

Event layouts, table arrangements and decor themes.

By Leo’s second birthday, I was running small parties for local moms. By the third, I had registered LUXE Moments, my own events company.

Word spread quickly among the Paris elite. They loved my eye for detail, my calm under pressure, and my ability to stretch even a tight budget into something magical.

By Leo’s fifth birthday, I was planning charity galas, corporate dinners and fashion pop-ups.

And my company? It was thriving.

I had an office, a full-time assistant, three part-timers, and clients lining up for bookings.

Leo was the light that led me. He had Damon’s sharp mind, but my sensitivity. He asked a million questions a day, drew robots on the walls, and slept with a stuffed giraffe named “Captain French Fry.”

Every time I looked at him, I knew I had made the right choice. I had kept him safe him safe beside me.

There were nights I would lie awake and wonder what would happen if Damon ever found out.

But I never searched for him.

And I never let Leo near a camera or a public profile. Some secrets had to stay buried.

The call came on a Thursday.

I was prepping centerpieces for a couture fashion show when Elise, my assistant, rushed in with her phone.

“You’ll want to take this.” Her voice was steady.

I gave her a look. “I’m up to my elbows in roses.” I replied to her.

“It’s Bleone Group,” she whispered with a widened eyes. “They are New York-based and very influential. They said they want you for an exclusive event.”

My stomach tightened. ‘New York?’ I echoed slowly.

I hadn’t heard that name in five years. I’d trained myself not to react to it. Still, I set down my shears and took the call.

“Ms. Hart,” came a smooth, professional voice. “We’ve been following your work in Europe. The chairman of Bleone Group personally requested your firm for their ten-year corporate gala. He insists only you handle it.”

My heart skipped after hearing.

“Do you know how he found me?” I asked carefully.

“We don’t know specifics. But the contract is generous. Business-class tickets. Full lodging. And you have the freedom to design anything you wish.”

I swallowed hard. Leo needed a school with a real science lab. And I wanted to take LUXE Moments global. This was the kind of project that could open every door.

Still… Something about it made my skin itch.

I didn't say yes until after I did my research.

Bleone Group was a rising power in logistics and tech. They are not directly connected to Blackwood Enterprises. The chairman’s name wasn’t listed publicly. All I could find were press releases about the growth of the business, expansion, and innovation.

It all seemed safe and professional.

I booked flights for Leo and myself and spent the weekend mentally preparing for my return to the city that nearly broke me.

We arrived on a warm Friday afternoon.

Leo clutched my hand as we descended from the private helicopter arranged by Bleone.

“Mommy, this is so cool!” he beamed, eyes wide with wonder. “Are we going to live in a place like this someday?” He asked.

I smiled at him, brushing a curl from his forehead. “We’ll see, baby.”

The roof of the Bleone Tower was spotless. It was decorated by glass walls and beautiful fountains. The skyline shimmered around us.

And then…. My heart thuds when I saw him.

He was Standing by the helipad in a crisp gray suit. He was motionless and his eyes were unblinking.

‘It's Damon Blackwood.’ My breath stopped. He hadn’t changed much even after five years.

He was still tall and still terrifying. Still very handsome - what lured me in that night.

But this time, his eyes didn’t go to me.

They went straight to Leo, the child beside me.

The wind swept Leo’s curls back as he looked up curiously at the man.

My heart thudded like a drum inside my chest.

He knows.

I could see it in the way Damon’s jaw clenched, in the way his eyes narrowed and in the way he stood there frozen as if the world had just slapped him in the face.

My fingers tightened around Leo’s. He turned to me then and our gazes locked.

Five years of silence, pain, and unfinished consequences of my action surged between us like a wave.

And I did the only thing I could think to do…

I smiled with politeness and poised, like nothing had ever happened.