Chapter 7

 Julian’s POV 

The plane touches down with a jolt that rattles my teeth . Miami heat slams the window the second the door opens . I step onto the tarmac, tie loose , shirt sticking to my back already. Thirty-three feels older when you’ve spent six months of it in a coma, when everything you thought mattered is suddenly fragile, fleeting .

“Mr. Hayes!” A driver waves from a black SUV. “Welcome back !”

I nod, sliding into the back seat . The AC blasts cold, a sharp contrast to the oppressive heat. My phone buzzes ; Giselle.

Giselle: Landed safe? Miss you already. Dinner tonight?

I thumb a quick Busy with audits and pocket it. Eight months of pretending, eight months of holding her at arm’s length . Cassandra’s idea ; merge families , merge money. I said yes to shut them up. Haven’t touched her in weeks, and I don’t want to .

The city blurs past ; palm trees, neon, ocean glinting like a knife. My chest tightens . Her face flashes . My fox. Dark hair spilling over my pillow. That gasp , that sharp intake of breath when I—

“Sir?” The driver glances in the mirror. “HQ or the villa?”

“Villa first,” I mutter. “Need to see Grandma.”

Victoria’s place sits on Star Island like it owns the water. White columns, manicured lawn ; the kind of quiet money screams, this is untouchable . I let myself in with the key she still refuses to change .

“Grandma?” I call.

“In the sunroom!” Her voice carries , sharp and unwavering.

I find her in a wicker chair , tea steaming beside her. Eighty-two and still rules the room , even in slippers and cashmere .

“You look like hell,” she says, not looking up from her crossword.

“Love you too.” I kiss her cheek. “What’s this about Family Day?”

She sets the pen down. “Sit.”

I sit, chest still tight.

“There’s a boy coming,” she says. “With his mother. You’ll want to meet them.”

I frown. “A boy?”

“Four years old. Name’s Leo.” She sips her tea. “Got your eyes.”

My stomach drops . No, it can’t be.

“Grandma—”

“Save it.” She waves a hand. “I’m not meddling. Just… come tomorrow. See for yourself.”

I open my mouth, close it. She’s never cryptic. This is… dangerous. Terrifying. Exciting.

*******************

 Elena’s POV 

“Mommy, bounce house!” Leo tugs my hand, eyes wide at the chaos of Family Day.

Hayes Global spared no expense . Balloons, cotton candy, a DJ blasting kids’ songs . I clutch Leo’s backpack tighter . Should’ve said no. But Mia promised free food, and Leo’s been begging for “games with Grandma Victoria .”

“There she is!” Victoria waves from a picnic table, silver hair catching the sunlight.

Leo bolts. I follow, weaving through families in matching T-shirts.

“Grandma!” Leo crashes into her legs.

Victoria laughs, scooping him up. “Look at you, handsome. Ready for ice cream?”

“Chocolate!” he yells, voice bouncing.

I smile despite the knot in my gut. “You sure he’s not too much?”

“Never,” Victoria says. “Go mingle. Mia’s dying to steal you.”

Mia appears like magic, mismatched earrings swinging. “Elena! You came! Come, free mimosas for vendors.”

I glance at Leo. He’s already smeared in chocolate, blissful.

“Go,” Victoria mouths. “I’ve got him.”

******************

 Julian’s POV 

I step onto the stage, microphone heavy in my hand . The crowd’s bigger than expected ; employees, kids, vendors . Cassandra hovers backstage, arms crossed .

“Make it quick,” she hisses. “Board’s watching.”

I nod, scanning the sea of faces. Then I see her.

Victoria. Holding a boy. Dark curls, sticky fingers. He turns — and the birthmark on his shoulder catches the sun. Crescent moon. Exact match to the one under my collarbone.

My speech dies in my throat.

“Uh—thank you all for—” I clear my throat. “For being here.”

The crowd claps politely. I can barely see anything past that mark. My chest tightens . My hands itch to reach out .

Victoria spots me. Her eyes widen.

“Julian......”

“Who is he?” I demand, voice low, almost trembling.

“Sit,” she says again.

I don’t. “Now.”

She sighs. “The boy’s name is Leo . His mother is Elena Alvarez . She runs the cleaning company.”

Elena. The name hits me like a fist.

“You knew,” I whisper. “All this time?”

“I suspected,” Victoria says. “Met them at the hospital four years ago. Allergic reaction. Saw the mark. Waited for you to be ready.”

“Ready?” I laugh, bitter. “I have a son and you waited?”

“Lower your voice,” she snaps. “She’s been through enough.”

I follow her gaze. Across the lawn — her. Elena. Laughing with some woman, hair longer now, but the same curve of her neck. My fox. My mind goes blank .

“She doesn’t know I’m here ,” I say, heart hammering .

“No,” Victoria says. “But she will.”

*****************************

Elena’s POV

“Elena, you have to try the shrimp!” Mia shoves a skewer at me.

I take a bite. “Good. Hey, who’s the CEO giving the speech?”

Mia grins. “Julian Hayes. Total DILF. Engaged to some ice queen, but rumors say it’s rocky.”

My stomach flips . Hayes . I knew the company name, but.......

The microphone screeches. I look up.

He’s staring right at me . Julian. Older. Suit sharp. Eyes locked like four years never happened.

I drop the skewer.

“Mommy?” Leo tugs my shirt. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing, baby.” I scoop him up. “We’re going.”

Victoria appears, blocking my path. “Elena.....”

“Not now,” I hiss. “Please.”

Julian’s moving. Fast. Through the crowd.

“Elena!” His voice cuts through the music.

I run.

***************************

 Julian’s POV 

She bolts like I’m the devil. I shove past picnic tables, kids, balloons popping under my shoes.

“Elena, wait!”

She doesn’t. Leo’s in her arms, looking back at me with my own damn eyes.

I catch her at the parking lot gate .

“Stop,” I say, grabbing her wrist . Gentle. “Please.”

She spins, eyes wild . “Let go.”

“Not until you hear me out .”

Leo whimpers. “Mommy…”

“It’s okay, baby.” Her voice shakes. “Go with Grandma Victoria. I’ll be right there.”

Victoria takes Leo. I don’t miss the look she gives me—warning, protective, don’t hurt her.

Elena yanks free. “You have sixty seconds.”

“I didn’t leave,” I blurt. “Not on purpose. Grandma had a stroke that night. I drove drunk and crashed. Spent Six months in a coma.”

Her face crumples. “You expect me to believe......”

“I woke up calling your name,” I say. “Searched every campus, every club. Nothing. You vanished.”

“I didn’t vanish,” she whispers. “I had a baby. Alone.”

The words gut me. “Leo.”

“Don’t say his name.” Tears spill. “You’re not allowed.”

“I’m saying it now.” I step closer. “He’s mine. That mark.......”

“Is none of your business.” She wipes her face. “You’re engaged. Go back to your fiancée.”

“Giselle means nothing,” I say. “It’s a merger, not a marriage .”

She laughs, broken. “Poor you.”

“Elena.......”

“No.” She backs away. “Stay away from us.”

She turns and Runs.

I watch her go, chest cracking open.

Victoria appears beside me. “You fucked up four years ago. Fix it now.”

I nod. “Starting tomorrow.”