I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Liam. I remembered the first time we fucked; how he had pinned me to the wall, his hard cock pressed against my belly. I remembered the heat, his fingers inside me, his lips around my nipples; his teeth giving my nipples not so gentle bites that made me scream out in pain and pleasure, his hard cock stroking my insides making me convulse in ecstasy. He mastered my body and made me experience things I never thought possible.

But all that was in the past. I needed to focus on what was important now, even if my mind and body were struggling to. I needed to focus on my son. I recalled the incident at the hotel, the way Liam’s piercing blue eyes had locked into mine earlier, how intense his presence felt, the way he had said, “I’ll see you soon’

He wasn’t bluffing. He meant it. And that scared me.

I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Ethan’s quiet breathing from the next room usually brought me comfort. But tonight, it only reminded me what was at stake.

Liam wasn’t just a ghost from the past anymore, he was here. And now that he knew about Ethan, he wouldn’t just walk away.

I had spent the last five years creating a safe, stable world for my son. A life without Liam Sinclair in it. But now everything has changed in a matter of minutes.

What if he tried to take Ethan from me? What if he dragged us into court? The thought sent a violent shudder through my body. I couldn’t let that happen. I wouldn’t.

I sat up and rubbed my temples. I was tired—physically, mentally, emotionally. I needed to be smart about this. Liam had money, lawyers, and power. I didn’t. The only thing I had with my son that he didn’t was history.

Ethan didn’t know him. He only knew me.

And I’d protect that bond with everything I had.

***

The next morning, I was running on caffeine and nerves.

Ethan, as always, was a ray of sunshine.

“Mommy, can I have pancakes today? With extra syrup?” he asked, kicking his legs under the kitchen table, his eyes bright with excitement.

I forced a smile and ruffled his curls. “Of course, sweetheart.”

As I took out the pancakes, dread churned in my stomach. I couldn’t shake the feeling that something was about to go very wrong. Everything felt off balance, like I was standing on the edge of a cliff, waiting to fall.

Then my phone rang.

I froze.

No one ever called this early.

When I saw the name on the screen, my heart stopped.

Liam Sinclair.

My fingers trembled as I gripped the phone, staring at the name as if I could will it away.

“Mommy?” Ethan’s voice broke through my shock. “Aren’t you gonna answer?”

I swallowed and forced my voice to be steady. “It’s just work, sweetheart. Eat your pancakes.”

I stepped into the hallway and took a deep breath before answering.

“Liam.”

A pause. Then his voice filled my ear—deep, calm, and unsettlingly familiar.

“We need to have a conversation, Isabella.” It struck me that I liked the sound of my name in his mouth, how he stresses every syllable, as if he were tasting the name.

I hated how his voice still made something stir in me. Still made me flush with heat.

“I have nothing to say,” I replied, trying to sound firm.

“That’s funny,” he said dryly, his tone laced with sarcasm. “Because I have a lot to say.”

I closed my eyes, willing myself to stay calm. Ethan was just a few feet away. I turned and saw him looking at me.

“I don’t want to do this over the phone.”

“Then meet me. Tonight. Seven. I’ll send a car.”

I laughed bitterly. “You think you can just order me around?”

“I think you owe me a conversation,” he said. “Unless you want me showing up at your apartment instead.”

My blood ran cold. He wouldn’t. Or would he? Damn him.

“Fine. One hour, Liam. That’s all you get.”

“See you tonight, Isabella.”

The line went dead, leaving me gripping the phone with shaky fingers.

I stood there for a long time, phone still in hand, my forehead resting against the wall.

Tonight, I was walking straight into the lion’s den.

***

I arrived at the restaurant ten minutes early and stepped out of the car he sent, as the chauffeur held the door open.

I was wearing a green gown that hugged my body like a second skin, and that made my hazel eyes pop. My long hair flowed down my shoulders in perfect golden curls. I hated how long I’d spent getting dressed and picking out the gown. Deep down, I wanted Liam to notice. I just didn’t want to admit it.

The restaurant was pure luxury—floor-to-ceiling windows, a glittering view of the city, and quiet music floating through the air. Everything was expensive and perfect.

Liam’s world.

The world I had left behind.

A hostess led me to a private booth at the back. My steps felt heavy, my chest tight.

The moment I slid into the booth, Liam appeared.

Dressed in a tailored black suit, every inch of him screamed control and confidence. He looked like he belonged in this world. The top button on his shirt was undone, and I willed myself not to look at the fine hairs on his chest. His presence filled the room immediately, and everything else around me faded.

“You came,” he said as he sat across from me. My mind immediately went to the gutters. I wanted him to make me come so badly.

I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I didn’t have a choice.”

He raised an eyebrow, his lips twitched as if he was about to smile, but he didn't. “You always have a choice.”

I clenched my fists under the table, forcing myself to breathe. Why did he have to smell so damn good

“Then let’s just get this over with.”

He exhaled slowly, his gaze never leaving me. “How old is he?”

I knew he was referring to Ethan, but a part of me wanted to pretend, to dodge his question. “Four.”

His jaw tightened. His blue eyes darkened. “Can’t believe you didn’t tell me”

“You left, Liam. You made your choice.”

“I didn’t want to leave.”

“But you did.” My voice cracked.

The silence between us was thick. Everything we hadn’t said in years hung between us like fog.

“I didn’t know about him,” he said softly. “If I had—”

I cut him off. “But you didn’t. And now it’s too late.”

I wasn’t angry just because he didn’t know. I was angry at what he was insinuating, that if he had known, he would’ve stayed—but not for me. Just for Ethan. I suddenly felt like slapping him across the face as all the years of betrayal hit me afresh.

That hurt more than anything.

His eyes burned into mine. “It’s not too late.”

Before I could respond, a waiter brought two glasses of wine. I barely noticed.

“I’m not going anywhere,” Liam said. “I’m going to be in my son’s life.”

My stomach dropped.

“You can’t just show up and claim him.”

“He’s my son, Isabella. I have a right.”

I felt cold all over. “Are you threatening me?”

“I’m stating a fact,” he said calmly.

Then I suddenly heard a voice right behind me, sharp, smooth, and ice-cold.

“Well, isn’t this an interesting reunion?”

I turned and froze.