Chapter 4

 Julian’s POV 

Sleep wouldn’t come. My body was restless, my skin still humming from the way that woman felt beneath me. Elena.

She’d been fire in my hands — soft, wild, and completely unguarded. For once, I didn’t want to move on. I didn’t want another body. I wanted her.

I ran a hand through my hair and pushed off the sheets , the room too hot , too quiet . The moment I was about to step into the shower , my phone buzzed ; my grandmother’s personal assistant . Her voice was trembling . Another health scare .

“ Damn it ,” I muttered under my breath .

Elena’s face flashed in my mind . I didn’t want to leave her there alone , but there was no choice . My grandmother was the only family I had left who mattered . 

I threw on my clothes and sprinted downstairs . My driver wasn’t around ; I’d dismissed him earlier . Of course . “ Shit ,” I hissed , grabbing the keys off the counter . The Dom Pérignon Champagne was still registered to me ; I’d take it . 

The streets were half-empty , but my head was anything but clear . Every mile I drove , her face haunted me — those eyes , the way she said my name like it meant something . I shouldn’t have cared , but I did .

Then headlights flashed ; too close , too fast . My vision blurred . Metal screamed . The world spun into black . 

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 Elena’s POV 

When I finally woke , sunlight poured through the curtains . My body ached in ways I’d never felt before : a mix of soreness and something else I couldn’t name . 

The memories of last night hit me all at once . Julian . His touch . His voice .

I tried to move , but it hurt to even sit up . I forced myself into the bathroom , cleaned up , brushed my teeth , and tried to piece myself back together . When I stepped into the living room , the silence felt heavier than before . Julian was gone .

Hours passed . Then days . Each time I heard the doorbell , I thought it was him . It never was . 

By the third day , I gave up waiting and went home . Mila was thrilled to see me ; even more thrilled when she realized I wasn’t a virgin anymore . 

She asked questions I didn’t have the answers to . Where was he ? Who was he , really ? I couldn’t say . All I knew was that he had a business , a car , and eyes that could undo me . And yet , he’d vanished.

A week later , I returned to the hotel , hoping he’d come back . The room was empty — untouched . I left it as it was , as if he might walk through the door again . But he never did . 

When Mila and I visited again , the receptionist said a man had checked out the day before . That was it . 

My chest ached , but I told myself the truth ; it was just a night . That’s all it was supposed to be . 

Then , two months later , I started feeling sick every morning . At first , I ignored it , but when it wouldn’t stop , Mila dragged me to the clinic . 

When the doctor handed me the test result , my whole world tilted . I froze , staring at the paper .

“ Mila… ” My voice cracked . “ How ? I can’t be… ”

She tried to calm me down , but panic drowned out her words . 

“ I don’t even know his last name ,” I whispered . 

“ I don’t know where he lives , where to find him . What am I going to do ?”

Mila held me close . “ You’re not alone , Elena . We’ll figure it out together .”

But no matter what she said , the weight didn’t lift . That night in Miami : the one that felt like magic ; had turned into a storm I couldn’t escape . 

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Julian’s POV 

Six months . That’s how long it’s been since the accident . I survived , but I lost time ; weeks blurred into months.

The only thing that didn’t fade was her . 

I went back to her campus , asked around , even checked local listings . Nothing . It was as if the name Elena never existed .

I told myself to let it go . I had other women : easier , simpler ; but none of them made me feel like she did . None of them made me lose control . 

Even now , I could still remember the sound of her voice , the way she trembled but didn’t back down . She’d ruined me for anyone else . 

“ Driver ,” I muttered , snapping back to the present . “ Turn around . Let’s visit my grandmother’s villa . And stop by the flower shop first .”

He nodded , and I leaned back in the seat . I told myself to forget her . But deep down , I knew I wouldn’t . 

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 Elena’s POV 

Eight months into my pregnancy , I’d learned to live differently . Cleaning jobs kept me busy , and Mila and her boyfriend helped whenever they could . Somehow , I managed to save enough to rent a small two-bedroom apartment . It wasn’t much , but it was mine ; ours . 

Today was my appointment day , and I’d finally decided to find out the baby’s gender . Mila and her boyfriend insisted on coming .

A text popped up while I was getting ready . 

Mila’s Boyfriend : You ready , Mommy ? We’re downstairs .

Me : Give me five minutes .

When we reached the clinic , my heart raced . The doctor smiled kindly as she spread cold gel over my belly and moved the sensor across my skin .

“ You’ll see for yourself ,” she teased . “ No spoilers from me . ”

All three of us turned to the screen . Then we saw it ; tiny , unmistakable proof .

Mila gasped . Her boyfriend laughed out loud . I couldn’t stop smiling . 

A boy . 

I named him Leo Alvarez Hayes ; Leo for strength , for the man who gave him life , even if he didn’t know it .

He had his father’s eyes , that same piercing gaze that could strip me bare without a word .

And even though I told myself I’d moved on , every time I looked at my son , I saw the man who changed everything .