Five years later

Chapter 1

I sat hunched on the edge of the bed, clutching the medical report so tightly it crumpled along the edges. I read the doctor’s words again, even though every word pinted on the paper was embedded in my brain.

‘You are not a match for your son’s bone marrow transplant.’

I had built an empire from nothing, fashioned power out of pain and learned to wield both with precision. I had connections in every industry that mattered, money that could open almost any door in the world. But not this one. Not when it was my son’s life on the line.

Alex was almost five, but seemed younger and weak but he was my brave little boy. He slept so still in the next room. The same dark curls lay soft and wild against his pillow, catching the faint light. His smile, that single dimple deep on one cheek, was a treasure Jace had never given me, but Alex lavished on me with the devotion only a child can.

He had the same eyes as his father, hazel eyes with flecks of gold that glimmered wuth mischief because he was always up to something every day. Eyes I sometimes loved and hated in equal measure.

I stood and crossed to him, brushing a stray curl from his forehead. His skin was too pale, but his breathing was steady. My heart stretched as I touched him, as if my love alone could cure what modern medicine and money could not.

The front door opened sharply, distracting me from my thoughts. Kelsey’s bright voice carried through the hall, the subtle lilt of her French accent always a reminder of how far from New York I’d come.

“Rora?” she called, setting her bag down. Her blonde hair was a bit out of place, her cheeks flushed from the biting wind. Since my first days navigating the French biotech circles, she’d been my anchor and the face of my company to the world.

I tried to pull myself together as she entered, but my hand shook as I handed her the report.

My voice shook. “It’s no use. I’m not a match for him. All my money, Kelsey, all these specialists and not one of them can help us. I would pay any price. Any fucking price and still nothing.” I cried out.

She didn’t hesitate simply crossed the room and caught me as my knees gave away, her arms closing around my shoulders before the tears could even fall.

“There has to be a way. We'll find one.” She said to me her own voice shook with fear of the unknown.

I'm sure she still had the same question I had in my head. What if we don't find another option? Or what if the last option doesn't work. Kelsey was the best friend and sister I could ever ask for.

Kelsey’s company, Lexington Innovations, was a powerhouse. It was a digital global branding company with tech deals spanning continents.

And then there was mine, Biogenix Therapeutics. In just a few years, I'd turned a fledgling medical research project into designing next-generation drug delivery systems and rare disease treatments that sent shockwaves through Europe’s pharmaceutical world. Too bad even my company couldn’t help my son right now.

Carter Holdings, Jace’s company, was a company that consisted finance, tech, and pharmaceutical mergers. They’d tried luring Lexington and Biogenix both always thinking Kelsey was the mastermind, never seeing me behind my pseudonym.

“Does Carter Holdings realize you’re the brains?” Kelsey had asked more than once, teasing, but I always shook my head.

No one would tie Aurora Carter, ex-wife and ghost, to Biogenix or the refusal slips crossing Jace’s desk. Not even Jace at least, I was determined he wouldn’t.

Everytime she asked me that question I always laughed shaking my head.

She wiped away a tear with her thumb, then gripped my hand. “You’re scaring me. What are we going to do now?” She asked gently.

I stared at my sleeping son. “I need to see his father.”

Everything about Kelsey changed in an instant, her mouth parted, the colour draining from her cheeks. “He’s alive? Aurora, all this time… I thought…”

I shook my head. “He’s alive, Kelsey. We haven’t spoken for years. But he’s the only hope Alex has left.”

“Are you going to tell me who he is?” She asked me.

I sighed. “The CEO of Carter holdings.”

“What the hell? Wait…” She exhaled with a shaky laugh. “Is he… is he the reason you won’t sell to Carter Holdings? The CEO?”

I nodded. “Maybe?”

Her eyes widened comically. “Okay. Now it all makes sense the refusals, the secrecy. Well, damn, Rora.”

I bit my lip and released a huge sigh. “I haven’t told him about Alex. I…I never wanted to even…” I shook my head. “But Alex needs him now. Will you stay with him? Just until we are sure that this will go well or…I don't even know.”

Kelsey gave me a nod running soothing hands down my back. “You know Alex is my baby too. I'll make sure it's okay, you just do what you have to do. And, if Jace gives you issues, just come to me. I'll deal with him.”

I offered her a grateful smile. At least I had someone on my side.

Before dawn the next morning, I packed my bags. I kissed my son goodbye and promised him I'll be back soon.

The flight crawled by, every hour etched with unease. I replayed what little memory I had left of Jace. Some that still haunted me like our last night and how I had tried to reach out to him after finding out I was pregnant with our son. I shook my head…I didn't want to remember that at all.

When the plane landed in New York, my heart felt raw and open, everything inside me trembling.

I checked into a hotel near the Upper East Side. I just dropped my bag and after freshening up, I made my way to Jace's company.

Carter Holdings had one of the tallest buildings in America. It towered over me and it felt like I was walking into my death trap. The lobby inside was as cold as its reputation. The receptionist met my eyes with a tight professional smile that slipped into skepticism as she took me in.

“Can I help you?” she said without warmth.

“I’m here to see Jace Carter,” I answered, willing my pulse to still. “It’s urgent.”

“Do you have an appointment?” she asked me coldly.

“No. But…”

She cut me off, voice clipped. “Mr. Carter does not take walk-ins. You’ll need to schedule through proper channels. This isn’t just any company. Only those with appointments get upstairs.”

“I know that but if you could just let him know…”

“Why? You think you are special? If it's really important then you should have scheduled a meeting or better still I would have been told about it.” She said to me.

“And I'm just saying if you could call him and tell him that…”

She dismissed me. “Come again another time. And make sure to schedule an appointment.”

I groaned in frustration. “Could you tell Jace that his ex..”

“Ex wife?” She scoffed. “Or is it ex girlfriend now? We've had several walk inside claiming they were Mr. Carter's wife and none happened to be real. And besides, i thought people were past this shit. It's been years already.”

I frowned. I had no idea what she was talking about but I wasn't giving up until I got my son the help he deserves.

“Now look here,” I made a show of looking at her name tag. “Charlotte, is this how you guys treat people here?”

“Only those that don't deserve it.”

“Really? And that's because you now know people that deserve to be here and people that don't? Let me guess, because you are the boss or you have the hots for him? Or perhaps you've already slept with him?” I asked her.

Petty and unnecessary, yes but I was fucking annoyed. I came kind and as someone who had something to loose. All she had to do was place the fucking call to his office and I'll be able to speak with him.

She opened her mouth to speak when a familiar voice made her and even me pause.

“Mrs. Carter?”