Chapter 2

Danny freaked and dragged me into a corner. "Jerome, it's not what it looks like. Just go home, okay? A few days—No, tomorrow—I'll explain everything. There's nothing going on with Lia. The kid isn't mine. There are people everywhere, Jerome. Don't make a scene. Please!"

'Lia.'

Said like that—like they were close—and he still claimed nothing was going on?

"Get lost."

I swiped my private card and headed upstairs.

My head was buzzing. I just needed Talia in front of me, telling the truth.

"Talia, get out here!"

I kicked the door open.

Nothing.

Just silence.

Danny rushed up, baby in his arms, and grabbed me. "Jerome, Talia's still in a meeting. Can we talk after she's done?"

I shook him off. "Talk about what? How you've been sleeping with my wife behind my back—and had two kids with her?"

A sleepy little boy wandered out and ran straight to him, all clingy.

"Daddy, I wanna see my sister! Mommy said she's making potato salad and baked ribs tonight. She can't break her promise!"

I stared at the kid.

He looked just like Talia.

All those late nights—I thought she was grinding for her career.

Turns out, she was running a whole other family.

And me?

I'd never even had a single meal she cooked.

On the table sat a fresh family photo—four of them. Talia in Danny's arms, their son beside them, their newborn in hers.

Toys were everywhere. They'd been here a lot.

And I had no clue. Let them live easy for years.

I let out a bitter laugh, wishing I could smack myself. Then I called my assistant.

"Dig up everything. Proof of Talia Sweeney's affair. Every dollar she's spent. I want it all—and I want it back."

Danny almost dropped to his knees. "How can you do this? Talia's proud. If she loses the career she built, she's done!"

That was almost funny.

"What right do you have to negotiate with me?"

Eyes wet, he clutched the crying baby. "It's a misunderstanding. Just go home. After today, I'll come explain everything."

He sounded sincere as he edged closer, holding the kid.

I stepped back, disgusted—but he grabbed me.

Then he threw himself backward.

The baby flew—almost a yard.

"Ah—my child!"

He staggered, scooped up the screaming infant, then pointed at me, hand shaking. "What are you trying to do? You want my wife that bad you'd kill our kid?"

The staff gasped and rushed in front of him. Even the janitor lingered, whispering, pointing.

"Who is that guy? Ms. Sweeney's stalker? She's married and he still won't quit. He even tried to hurt a newborn—what a psycho."

The little boy dropped to the floor, shaking, then burst into tears. "Go away! You're not allowed to bully my dad and my sister!"

The conference room door swung open.

"What's going on?"

Danny ran over, clutching the baby, crying. "Lia—if you were a second later, you'd be looking at our daughter's dead body!"

"Stop." Talia frowned, taking the baby carefully. "Don't say that."

Then she saw me.

Panic flashed across her face.

Danny pointed at me, voice shaking. "Talia, thank God you're here. Jerome tried to kill our daughter!"

I didn't even get a word out.

Her hand cracked across my face.

"Jerome Jahn, have you lost it? You touched my daughter? Or what—you think I'll stop supporting you and you'll end up begging on the street?"