I held on to Ethan’s tiny hand as we stepped out of the ballroom, my heart pounding and my head spinning. Behind us, Lopez, his nanny, followed quietly, her steps soft and unsure.

I made a terrible mistake coming here in the first place.

The moment I heard the event was happening at The Sinclair Hotel, I had a bad feeling. Deep down, I must have suspected that the hotel was connected to him. I just didn’t want to believe it. In all the years Liam and I were together, he never once mentioned he owned the biggest hotel in New York City.

Of course, he didn’t. Liam Sinclair never told me anything I truly needed to know.

Outside, the cool night air hit me like a slap. It was chilly, and I checked to make sure Ethan was warm enough. Thankfully, Lopez had the good sense to wear him a hoodie. I, on the other hand, was freezing in my thin dress. But it wasn’t just the cold that shook me—it was the memory of Liam’s voice, his touch, the look in his eyes when he saw Ethan.

He knew.

I had spent years convincing myself that Liam was my past, that I had closed that chapter of my life for good. But tonight had shattered that illusion into a thousand tiny pieces, and I had no idea how to pick them up.

I wasn’t sure how far I had walked before Ethan tugged on my hand.

“Mommy, slow down.”

I stopped and looked down at Ethan, realizing I’d been pulling him along too fast. His eyes—those deep blue eyes—looked up at me, confused and worried.

“I’m sorry, baby,” I said, getting down to his level. “Did I scare you?”

He hesitated, hugging his stuffed bear closer. “You look mad.”

I forced a smile and gently touched his cheek. “I’m not mad. Just… surprised, that’s all.”

That wasn’t a lie. Seeing Liam had knocked the air right out of me. The way his eyes accused me and the way he smiled at Ethan—as if he was already in his life —had sent my entire world crashing down.

I had spent four years protecting Ethan from the past. But tonight, the past had walked straight back into our lives, demanding answers I wasn’t ready to give.

I stood, trying to steady myself. “Let’s get home, okay?”

Ethan nodded, trusting as always, and we continued towards the car

I was just reaching for the door when I heard a deep voice cut through the night

“Isabella.”

That voice again. I had a flash memory of him whispering dirty words inside my ear as he pinned me to the wall.

I froze.

“Mommy, it’s the man from inside!” Ethan whispered, peeking around me.

My stomach dropped. “Get in the car, Ethan.”

“But—”

“Now.”

Ethan pouted his lips but he let go of my hand and moved towards the car. Lopez stepped in quickly and helped him into the backseat. I exhaled, then turned to face Liam.

Liam stood a few feet away, his hands in his pockets, his eyes locked on me.

I lifted my chin. “Following me now?”

He ignored the question.

“You’re cold,” he said simply.

Only then did I notice I was shaking. Without a word, he stepped closer, closing the distance between us. The closer he got, the more difficult I found it to breathe. He was so close now that I could smell him, his sweet, husky smell. I fought the urge to bury my head in his chest. He slowly took off his jacket and gently wrapped it over my shoulders, his fingers brushing my neck as he did so. I felt his touch everywhere.

I hated that my body still responded to him. Hated that I didn’t push him away.

He stepped back, giving me the space I desperately needed.

“Tell me, Isabella,” he said, his voice low. “He’s mine, isn’t he?”

I gritted my teeth. “Liam…”

“Don’t lie to me,” he cut in. “I deserve the truth.”

I let out a bitter laugh. “You want the truth now? After walking away without a word?”

His jaw clenched. “Dammit Isabella

I stepped forward, “You walked away, Liam. And now, five years later, you think you have the right to demand answers.

If I’d known—”

“But you didn’t. And that’s not my fault,” I snapped. “That’s not on me.”

Silence hung between us like a storm cloud. Then he spoke, softer this time.

“I need to see him.”

My heart seized. “No.”

His eyes flashed. “Isabella—”

“No.” I screamed at him. I didn’t care if I was shouting . I had to be firm. “You don’t get to show up and demand a place in his life. You gave that up a long time ago.”

“I’m his father,” he said, stepping closer again.

Those words felt like a punch to the gut.

“I won’t disappear again,” he added. “Not now that I know.”

I felt tears threatening, memories of heartbreak I suffered clawing at me. I had wept for days and literally didn’t eat anything for three days after he left. Ethan was the one that saved me. The thought that I now had someone to be responsible for was what pulled me out of my depression. I had finally managed to move on. And now he was back. “He doesn’t even know you.”

“Then let me change that.”

I looked at him, really looked at him—and it scared me. Liam wasn’t backing down. He never did. And now that he knew the truth, he’d fight. For Ethan.

And I knew I couldn’t stop him.

What if he took Ethan from me?

I had no power, no money, no way to stand up to someone like Liam Sinclair if he decided to fight for custody. And something told me he would.

“This isn’t just about you, Liam. I need to protect my son,” I whispered, turning toward the car. My fingers clung to the door handle like it was the only thing keeping me upright.

“I’ll see you soon, Isabella,” he said behind me. And with that, he walked away, leaving me shaken and terrified. His jacket was still wrapped around my shoulders, and I could smell him long after he walked away.

I closed my eyes, but didn’t turn around.