Chapter 2

Chapter 2

Seven years later.

Time has a funny way of moving. Sometimes it feels like a crawl, and other times, it vanishes before you can blink. For me, the last seven years have been a blur of sleepless nights, cheap coffee, and the constant, overwhelming love I feel for my son.

"Willow, I'm heading out now!" Sadie called out.

She's my best friend, the kind of friend who doesn’t just listen to your problems but helps you carry them.

"Alright, thanks for looking after Ace!" I replied, walking her to the door.

As the door clicked shut, I turned my gaze toward my son. He was sitting on the sofa, his small frame hunched over a laptop. He looked so intense, so focused, that he barely seemed like a child at all. Sadie is the one who watches him whenever I have a shooting schedule. Without her, I don’t know how we would have survived this long.

My life took a drastic turn seven years ago. Because of that one night, that one mistake, I ended up pregnant. I had to drop out of college, there was no way I could balance a degree with a baby and no family support. The Sinclairs had wiped their hands of me, so I had to find a way to provide.

I decided to try my luck in the acting world. I'm not a superstar, far from it. Most days, I'm just a face in a commercial or a minor character in a TV show, but it puts food on the table.

"Ace, say goodbye to Auntie Sadie!" I prompted him.

Ace gave a distracted wave, his eyes never leaving the glowing screen.

"Bye, Auntie." he mumbled.

I sighed, shaking my head. This kid was something else.

"You know, that boy is going to be your retirement plan." Sadie joked, lingering by the door for a second.

"He's better with that laptop than I am! I'm telling you, Willow, the kid is a computer genius."

I laughed, though there was a hint of genuine wonder in my voice.

"I don’t know where he gets it from. He'd rather tinker with hardware and software than play tag with the kids next door. He's only seven, but sometimes he acts like he's thirty."

"Well, treasure that genius brain of his. Anyway, I've got to run or my boss will kill me. See you later!" She waved one last time and headed down the hallway of our apartment building.

Since I haven't hit the "big time" yet, my talent fees are on average range. We live in a small, humble apartment. It's not a mansion, and it's certainly not the luxury I grew up with in the Sinclair household, but it's ours. It's safe, it's clean, and it's full of Ace's things. I don’t complain. Every cent I earn goes toward making sure he has what he needs.

I walked over to the sofa and sat down beside him, peering over his shoulder to see what was so engrossing. My eyes crossed immediately. The screen was filled with lines of text, symbols, and numbers that looked like a foreign language to me.

"Ace, what on earth is all of this? Why can't I understand a single word?" I asked.

He didn't look up, but a small, knowing smirk played on his lips.

"Mommy, only computer geniuses can understand and decode these computer codes."

I arched an eyebrow.

"Computer geniuses? Are you subtly telling me that I'm slow?"

I stared at his profile. Where did this confidence come from? Where did he inherit this streak of brilliance and slight arrogance? I certainly wasn't a coding prodigy.

"I have no idea how any of that works, I really wonder where you got those traits." I said

Ace finally closed the laptop and looked at me with those deep, intelligent eyes.

"If I didn't get them from you, then I probably got them from my Daddy."

I felt a small prickle of surprise. He rarely mentioned his father. To him, "Daddy" was a shadowy figure, a biological necessity that he'd never met. I used to be quite good with computers back in the day, but that was a lifetime ago. I suppose I've forgotten most of it.

"Whatever you say, Mr. Genius." I teased.

"Come on, Mommy, let's eat! I cooked earlier while you were out. Well, I helped Auntie Sadie do the heavy lifting." he said, jumping off the sofa and tugging at my hand.

He led me into the kitchen and started setting the table with a level of efficiency that always amazed me. He placed a plate in front of me and served a portion of food. I watched him, my heart swelling with pride. Everyone tells me I should have him tested, that he's clearly gifted. But for now, I just want him to be happy. I want him to enjoy his childhood, even if his version of "play" involves hacking into secure servers, hopefully just for fun.

Sometimes, a wave of guilt washes over me. Because of my work, I have to leave him alone or with Sadie more often than I'd like. He's had to learn how to be independent at a very young age. He can do chores, help with cooking, and take care of himself in ways most seven-year-olds can't. I can't even remember the last time I was the one who prepared a full meal for him.

"Wow, pork stew!" I exclaimed, smelling the savory aroma.

"Auntie Sadie said it was your favorite," Ace said simply.

I pulled him into a tight hug.

"You are the best boy in the whole world, Alas. Do you know that?"

"I know, Mommy." he replied, hugging me back.

If my own family was a curse, then Ace was my greatest blessing. The pregnancy was the hardest time of my life. I had no money, no home, and the Sinclairs had treated me like a leper. But once I found my footing in the industry, things stabilized. Not once did I ever regret having him. He is my only true treasure. I could lose everything else, my career, my house, my reputation, as long as I have my son.

"Eat quickly, Mommy." Alas reminded me.

"We have to go pick up Uncle Sebastian!"

I nodded. Sebastian Kennward. He's currently the biggest star in the country, but to me, he's just the same guy I knew back in college. We were friends before the fame, and he's one of the few people who stayed by my side when everything fell apart.

My phone buzzed on the table. It was a text from him.

From Sebastian:

I’m at the airport... there are reporters everywhere so I’m wearing a hat and a mask. I hope you can recognize me! :(

I rolled my eyes. That guy is such a magnet for trouble. Even with a disguise, he radiates "celebrity" energy.

After we finished eating, Ace and I headed to the airport. Luckily, it wasn’t a long drive from our place. The terminal was packed with travelers, families, and the usual airport chaos.

"Mommy, I want ice cream!" Ace said, pointing toward a brightly colored stall near the seating area.

Despite his advanced brain and his serious attitude, he was still five. He still loved the simple joy of a cold treat on a warm day.

"Sure, let's go," I said, reaching for his hand.

But Ace stopped.

"Mommy, I can buy it myself. You go find Uncle Sebastian so we don't miss him. Just come back for me here."

I smiled, impressed by his bravery. "Alright, you stay right here at the stall. Don't go anywhere else! I'll be back in a few minutes."

I kept an eye on him as I walked toward the arrival gates. He was a smart kid, he knew the rules. I scanned the crowd, looking for a man in a hat and mask. There were at least a dozen people fitting that description. It was like a game of 'Where’s Waldo,' but with high stakes.

After a few minutes of searching without luck, I started to feel a bit anxious. Maybe I should check on Ace first. He might be finished with his ice cream and getting bored.

As I approached the ice cream stall, I heard a shrill, angry voice cutting through the ambient noise of the airport. My heart skipped a beat.

"Where is your mother? Do you have any idea how much this bag costs? This is a high-end brand, and you just ruined it with your cheap ice cream!"

I sprinted toward the sound. There was a woman standing over Ace, her face twisted in a snarl. She was clutching a designer handbag that indeed had a streak of vanilla melting down the side.

"Ace! What happened?" I gasped, reaching his side.

"Mommy, I accidentally bumped into her and some ice cream got on her bag." Alas explained, his voice calm despite the situation.

"Then she pushed me and started saying mean things."

I looked at the woman. she was dressed in expensive clothes and was clinging to the arm of an older man who looked like he was dripping in wealth and influence. They both looked down at us with pure condescension.

"Miss, I am so sorry for the accident," I said, trying to be the bigger person.

"I will pay for the cleaning or whatever is necessary. But there is no reason to push a child or speak to him like that."

The woman's eyebrows shot up.

"Cleaning? Are you joking? Do you even know what this is? This is a limited edition bag from the Mercer collection! Can someone like you even afford the tax on this bag?" she arrogantly exclaimed

A crowd was starting to form. People love a scene, especially one involving a "rich" person picking on a "poor" mother and child. I felt the heat rising in my cheeks. I knew the brand, Mercer Company made the most expensive leather goods in the world. This was going to be a nightmare.

"It's fake." Ace said suddenly, his voice loud and clear.

The woman froze.

"What did you just say, you little brat?"

"The bag is fake." Ace repeated, pointing at the stitching.

"The print isn't clear, the font on the logo is slightly off-center, and the leather grain is inconsistent. It's a knock-off."

The woman turned a deep shade of purple.

"How dare you! This is authentic! My husband bought this for—"

"The boy is right. That bag is a counterfeit."

A new voice entered the fray. It was deep, calm, and carried an undeniable authority. Everyone turned to look at a man standing a few feet away. He was dressed in a perfectly tailored black suit, surrounded by a few men who looked like bodyguards.

The whispers in the crowd started immediately.

"Wait, is that Silas Mercer? The owner of Mercer Company?"

"It is! Oh my god, look at him... but wait, look at the kid. Why do they look so much alike? Is that his son?"

I stared at the man named Silas. My breath caught in my throat. He was stunningly handsome, sharp nose, piercing eyes, and a powerful build. But more than that, there was something hauntingly familiar about his posture. Had I seen him on TV? Or was it something else? Something from a dream... or a nightmare?

He had a serious, almost cold aura that made people instinctively step back.

"I am the one who designed that line." Aushi said, his eyes fixed on the woman’s bag.

"If I say it's fake, are you going to argue with me?"

The woman's husband suddenly looked terrified. He turned and slapped the woman across the face.

"Apologize to Mr. Mercer right now!" he hissed.

The woman burst into tears, the red mark of a hand already showing on her cheek.

"I-I'm sorry, Mr. Mercer! I didn't know!"

She and her companion scrambled away, disappearing into the crowd to escape the humiliation.

I stood there, stunned. I wanted to thank him, but I was also incredibly intimidated. Before I could find my voice, Ace did something completely unexpected. He let go of my hand and ran straight toward Mr. Mercer.

"Ace! Come back here!" I called out, panicking.

But Ace didn't stop. He walked right up to the tall man and looked up at him. Silas Mercer looked down at the small boy. The resemblance was uncanny, it was like looking at a father and son standing in the middle of the airport. The crowd was silent, sensing the strange tension.

Ace squinted his eyes, studying the man's face with intense curiosity.

"Hey." Ace said, his voice ringing out in the quiet terminal.

"Are you my daddy?"

***