LOGINI stepped inside and walked through the short hallway before entering the main bedroom. Everything was spotless—crisp sheets, polished surfaces, soft afternoon light filtering through the curtains—and the air was thick with his scent. Teddy’s cologne wrapped around me the moment I crossed the threshold, rich and intimate, stirring memories I had spent years trying to bury.“Hello?” I called, my voice sounding smaller than I intended.The bathroom door opened.Teddy stepped out wearing nothing but a white towel low on his hips. Water still clung to his skin, tracing slow paths down the hard planes of his chest and over the ridges of his abdomen. His body looked even more powerful than I remembered—broad shoulders, defined arms, the quiet strength in every movement. I couldn’t look away as he walked toward me. Heat bloomed across my face and settled low in my stomach. He was still devastating. Still the man who had once made me feel more alive than anyone else ever had.But the reality
“Teddy…” The name finally left my mouth, barely more than a breath.His eyes flicked past me toward the path where Loretta had carried Jr away, then back to my face. Something shifted in his expression—shock, recognition, and a slow, dawning horror.“His name is Teddy Junior, he told me.” he said, voice low and rough. “My God… the resemblance. Those eyes. He’s my son.”“Teddy—”“Don’t fuck with me, Payton.” He grabbed my right wrist so tightly it sent a sharp jolt up my arm. Tears were already gathering in his eyes, but the fury behind them was unmistakable.“Teddy, stop—you’re hurting me.”“How could you?” His voice cracked. “How could you run away with my child?”“Please… just calm down. Let go of me.” He released me with a sudden, forceful shove. I stumbled back a step, barely catching my balance. He turned away from me, shoulders rigid, and stayed like that for several long seconds—probably wiping the tears from his face. When he finally turned back, his expression had gone
On the way back from the clinic, Jr started begging almost immediately. “Mama, please… Can we go to the park? Just for a little while? I want to see the park.” I glanced at him in the rearview mirror. His face still looked a little pale from the dentist visit, and one cheek was slightly puffy, but his eyes were bright with hope.I knew how much he loved that place—the open space, the swings, the feeling of running free. Maybe a short stop would help him feel better.“All right, pumpkin,” I said softly. “Just for a little while.” We arrived a few minutes later. The park was quiet in the late-morning light, the air warm but not yet heavy. A soft breeze stirred the leaves overhead. I found a wooden picnic table under a cluster of tall trees and sat down with Jr and Loretta. Jr immediately climbed onto the bench beside me, swinging his legs, while Loretta settled across from us, watching him with her usual gentle attention. We had only been there a short time—just long enough for Jr
The next morning I arrived at the hotel a little late. Loretta had called earlier to say she had somewhere important to be, so I had taken Jr to school myself before heading in. The drive had been quiet, the sky still soft with early light, and Jr had been his usual cheerful self—chattering about a drawing he wanted to finish in class. Nothing had seemed out of place. The moment I stepped through the hotel’s grand entrance, I noticed something was different.Almost every staff member seemed to be gathered in small groups, speaking in hushed voices. Conversations died the moment they spotted me, only to resume in low, excited whispers once I had passed.A few of the younger front desk agents exchanged quick glances, their expressions filled with curiosity. Even the bell staff standing beside the polished luggage carts seemed unusually animated, murmuring among themselves as they watched me walk through the lobby.I frowned, already on edge. Something was different. Then the scent
I finally pulled myself together. I set the old gown aside and found another dress—something simpler, softer, that still made me feel put-together without carrying so much weight. Light makeup, a touch of color on my lips, and a pair of nice shoes completed the look. I lingered in front of the mirror for a moment longer than necessary, studying the woman staring back at me, before I finally went downstairs.Jr was already watching the staircase. The second he saw me, his eyes widened and he ran straight into my arms, wrapping himself around my waist in a tight hug.“Mama, you look so beautiful,” he said, voice full of pure admiration.I smiled and smoothed his hair. “Oh, my pumpkin… Thank you so much.”Not long after, the familiar sound of Jackson’s car pulled up in front of the house.I turned to Loretta. “Alright. It’s time for Mommy to go. Please take good care of my boy. I’ll be back soon.”“Don’t worry, ma’am,” she said with a warm smile. “Just do your thing.”I raised an eyebr
Immediately he started as he stood up.“Payton, please,” he said gently, taking both of her hands in his. “I’m going to come clean. I really, truly want to help you and Jr. I know you don’t need me to, but I want to because you’re a friend now. Working for me means you’re going to be busy, and you really need a car—especially with Jr. involved. So I’m asking you: don’t make a big deal out of it. It’s just a friendly gesture. Don’t overthink it.”“But—”“Shhh.” He lifted one hand and lightly pressed a finger to my lips, stopping the words before they could form. “Don’t.”The gentleness in the gesture caught me off guard. Suddenly the pressure I’d been holding in my chest broke. Tears welled up and spilled over before I could stop them, warm trails sliding down my cheeks.“Thank you,” I whispered. “That’s… that’s all I can give right now. I don’t have anything else.”Jackson’s expression softened further. He brushed a tear away with his thumb.“Stop saying that,” he said softly. “Being
I stepped out of the bedroom into the living room. The house was pitch dark except for the moonlight pouring through the glass windows, bright and silver, falling straight across the sofa where Payton lay curled up.I smiled softly and walked over, then crouched in front of her. My fingers brushed
Teddy's car glided to a stop in the parking lot of his estate. As we stepped out, I was struck by how vast and impeccably neat the place was—manicured lawns stretching under soft evening lights, the air fresh and quiet.He guided me gently toward the entrance of his house, then paused, turning to l
Months later, I was in my study, buried in paperwork with my morning coffee steaming beside me, when Payton slipped in. She looked flushed and radiant, a soft glow about her that made me smile despite myself.Ever since that rainy day incident, she’d come back to life—brighter, lighter. She hummed
We sat in silence in the tub, her back pressed against my chest, my left hand resting on her waist. Too many thoughts crashed through my mind. Why would Peyton train in the rain? Even if she was hurting, I was hurting more. I had to do everything to make sure she was okay—and she didn’t even seem t







