4

"What was that look, Rose? The tension between you and Mr Robinson was off the charts," Karl whispered dramatically as he hurried to catch up with me on the way back to my desk.

I drew in a deep breath and closed my eyes for a moment, trying to calm my nerves. Leo had corner me the entire presentation, questioning and challenging every word I said. What should have been a straightforward two hour presentation had turned into a relentless back and forth that stretched to almost four. Luckily, I had studied every single detail of the materials Mr Mike had given me, so I had answers for every challenge he threw my way.

"And the way he was looking at you,"Karl went in, clutching his chest. "Like he was angry but secretly impressed at the same time."

I hit him lightly on the arm, unsure whether to laugh or get irritated. "Stop it. That is all in your imagination."

I started packing up my things, eager to leave, but Director Mike appeared right in front of me.

"Mr Robinson wants us to join him for lunch. Everyone is coming,"She said firmly.

"Sir, I really can't today. I need to go home-"

"So Ms Miller can't join us?"

The voice that cut me off made my stomach twist.

"She can, Mr Robinson,"Director Mike quickly replied, his eyes flicking to me as if daring me to refuses. " Right Rose?"

I forced a smile even as my chest tightened. "Of course, Mr Robinson."

Inside, I was furious. Four years ago, he had turned me away when I needed him the most.

Now he was pulling me along at his convenience. What was he trying to do, ruin me all over again?

I glanced at my watch. Only two hours left before Jaden family Day would start. If I stayed for lunch, I would never make it.

"Ms Miller?"

Leo's voice broke through my thoughts again. Everyone was already waiting at the door, and I was the only one left standing.

I straightened, forcing myself to be bold. "After you, Mr Robinson."

The team took the employee elevator, while I needed up in the VIP one with Mr Mike, the company director, and Leo.

Leo had booked out the most exclusive restaurant in town for all of us. The food was incredible, but I could not sit still. My thoughts were already with Jaden, imagining the disappointment on his face if

I did not show up.

"Are you in a hurry to be somewhere, Ms Miller?"Leo asked suddenly. "You have been checking your watch since we sat down."

I bit the inside of my cheek. If he would just stop talking to me, maybe I could focus. He had no idea how much I was already resenting him for holding me up.

"It's her son's Family Day, Mr Robinson,."Karl answered for me. "She's already late."

Leo froze. His brows drew together as if he had just been told something completely unexpected.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I did not know you had a child,"He said, quickly glancing away. "You can go."

I did not waste another second. I thanked Director Mike and hurried out if the restaurant without looking back at Leo.

As I rushed outside, questions flooded my head. How could he not know? Did he truly believe I had gone through with the abortion? Was that why he thought I was still living alone?.

I shook the thought away. What mattered now was Jaden.

I tried to flag down a taxi, but none can. Ten minutes passed, then thirty. Nothing. Out of desperation, I booked a motorbike only to find out that the main road had been closed due to a large rally.

"No, no, this cannot be happening, "I whispered, close  to tears. I only had one hour left before Family Day would begin.

"You are still here?"

That familiar voice made me tense.

Leo.

He stood there looking completely composed while I was falling apart inside. But I was proud of myself. I could face him now without years because the years of raising Jaden alone had hardened me in ways I had never expected.

I turned to him, my voice clipped. "What do you want, Leo?"

He gave a short laugh, "Nothing. I just wanted to see how much you know about your field. I am about to invest in that company, after all. Do not overthink it."

He brushed past me and got into his car, but just moments later he stepped out again, muttering a curse.

"How long are we supposed to wait?"He snapped at his driver. "Two hours, sir. We cannot get through because of the rally "

"Two hours? No. Call the helicopter. We are leaving now "

His secretary immediately made a call. I felt my heart sink even further. If even Leo could not get through car, there was no way I would make it to Jaden's Family Day.

"Do you need a ride?"

I had not noticed him approach me again.

"No, thank you,"I said quietly. If he became an investor in my company, we would have to cross parts again whether I liked it or not. But I would not let him back into my life, into our life, once was enough.

My phone rang. Daniel was calling, but when I answered, it was Jaden's small voice I heard ."mommy, where are you? Are you not coming?."

I turned away from Leo, clutching the phone tightly. In the distance I could already hear the helicopter blades beginning to spin as Leo's group headed to the rooftop of the building across the street ."I am on my way, sweetheart. I will be there soon,"I said , even though it was a lie. "Wait for me okay?"

When the call ended, I ran straight toward Ares, pushing my pride aside. "Leo!"I called out .

He stopped and looked at me, waiting as I reached him.

"Can I...get a ride?"I asked, my voice trembling.

He searched my face, clearly seeing desperation written there. "Where are you going?."

"Macboard Academy,"I said quickly.

"Come,"He replied calmly, falling into step beside me.

We crossed into the telecom building opposite the restaurant, where people greeted and showed us to the elevator leading to the rooftop.

The wind whipped my hair wildly as we stepped out to the waiting helicopter. I almost stumbled but Leo reached for my hand, steadying me just as he used to every time we traveled this way.

"Call someone at macboard Academy and tell them we will be landing there,"He told the pilot once we climbed abroad.

I owed him for this but that did not erase the pain he caused me. He had never been a father to Jaden. He had chosen Clara over us. I could never forget that.

"Sir, you have a meeting in fifteen minutes,"I heard his secretary remind him. "We will not make it. We need to close this deal."

"We  will close it no matter what,"Ares said firmly.

That was the businessman in him. He never lost.

The helicopter descended onto the wide school field where the students and parents had already gathered for family Day. The crowd moved aside to give us space to land.

I ran straight for Jaden's classroom the moment I stepped out. He was sitting at a table with his chin propped on his hands, clearly waiting for me.

"Sweetheart,"I called and he jumped up and ran straight into my arms.

"Mama, I thought you were not coming!"

"Of course not,"I whispered, holding him close.

"When mama says she will be here, she will be here. Now let us get you ready, okay?"

We were about to leave the classroom when the door opened and Leo stepped inside.

"You left your phone,"He said, holding it out to me.

But then Leo's eyes dropped to Jaden, and Jaden tilted his head back to look up at him.

Time seemed to stop.

Anyone who saw them at that moment would know the truth. The same sharp jawline, the same dark, steady eyes, the same was they stood with quiet defiance. They were father and son, and the resemblance was undeniable.

Leo's jaw tightened, and his entire expression hardened as his gaze slowly lifted back to mine.

The air between us grew heavy, charged with something I could barely name.

"I think you have something to explain to me,Ms Miller,"He said, his voice low,rough, and unmistakably cold.