Chapter 6

Chapter 6

~ Mirabella ~

“Lena?”

That voice. I didn’t need to turn to know who it belonged to—it struck through the walls like a slap.

Ethan and I jerked around at once.

Shit.

He wasn’t supposed to be back today. Let alone show up here. I was screwed.

I shifted—just enough to put some space between Ethan and me. Not enough to be obvious, but enough to clear the air of any suspicion.

“Lena,” Ethan muttered, the irritation in his tone thinly veiled.

But he had no right to question anything. He knew what this was. Still, the way Cole kept walking, undeterred and closing in, forced my spine straight. I buried the panic and pulled on my calmest pretense.

“Who’s this, hun?” Cole’s eyes flicked between us, voice edged. His hands slid into his pockets as if to keep them from doing something else.

Clearing my throat, I forced composure into my words. “Cole, this is Ethan. We were just discussing a deal.”

He blinked, tilting his head slightly. “Oh—the Haven app one?”

“Yeah.” I nodded. Typical Cole. Always two steps ahead.

His gaze dropped to Ethan again, then to my stomach. “How’s my baby?”

“Ins—He’s doing well. Doctor said he’s perfect.”

I slipped, nearly tripping on my own words. Almost exposed myself.

Theo’s not my nephew. He’s my son. My blood. And I’ve been lying to you for years, Cole.

Would it have been easier to just admit it now? Rip the bandage off and deal with the fallout? But then I remembered the way Cole looked at me. Like I was the only version of honesty he trusted. And I couldn’t bear to watch that faith unravel.

Cole leaned in and pressed a kiss low on my belly.

I flinched—barely—and flicked a glance at Ethan. His jaw had tightened. His eyes sharpened before he quickly turned away, pretending not to notice. I mirrored the move.

Cole straightened and leaned closer, brushing a kiss on my lips, soft and slow. “I miss you, Lena.”

I responded with a small smile. Fake. Slightly cocky to match his mood. When I turned, I caught Ethan’s gaze again—his discomfort was impossible to hide. He cleared his throat, low and awkward.

I swallowed. “Just a bit more, Cole, and you'll have me all to yourself.” My words came rushed. “How was your trip? And how did you know I was here?”

He grinned. “Your secretary ratted you out.”

I tapped my temple. “Of course she did.”

“Can I meet you later?” I asked, trying to mask the desperation curling in my chest. “I’m in the middle of something important.”

He didn’t hesitate. “Sure. I’ll wait in my car.”

Too fast. Too easy. Instinct kicked in. “No, it’s fine. I drove myself. Just head home. I’ll come right after. Won’t be long, I promise.”

He paused. Studied me. A flicker of something passed through his eyes—doubt, maybe. Then he squinted his left eye, slowly. A tell.

“I’ll drive you home, Lena,” he said finally. “Save the independency talk. I’m waiting in my car.”

With that, he turned and walked off, hands buried in his pockets again.

I waited until he disappeared from sight before shifting to face Ethan, who hadn’t moved. His eyes still followed the trail Cole left behind.

His expression was no longer soft. Whatever warmth had lingered before was gone.

“I’m sorry,” I offered, voice lower than usual. “Cole’s just... affectionate. He’s always been like that.”

Ethan gave a dry hum. No words followed. Just silence pressing between us.

“You married again?” His brow lifted slowly.

“Almost. Cole’s my fiancé.”

“Hm. Interesting. And Theo?”

“What about Theo?” My voice dipped. Ethan should know better than to raise his voice now.

“What about me?”

“What about you?” I snapped. “You tell me.”

“Does he know about Theo? Does he know I’m your husband?”

“Ex-husband.” The word left my lips sharp and fast.

He narrowed his eyes. “Whatever.”

A sigh slipped through my lips.

“Does he know you have a son with me? That Theo even exists? That I’m his father?”

“Stop, Ethan—” The anger in my voice peaked mid-sentence before I forced it down to a whisper. “Please.”

He scoffed, the sound loud and bitter. “Lena—”

“Mirabella.” I cut him off.

All those times I had begged for something as sweet as that name from his lips, Ethan never gave it. Not even once.

“Only Cole calls me that now.” I didn’t look at him when I said it.

He stared. “Lena, what are you doing? What have you become? This isn’t you. This isn’t the woman I—”

“Once knew,” I cut in. “You don’t know me anymore, Ethan. What we had died five years ago. We died the day I signed those divorce papers. There’s no us. It’s either you help me, or you don’t.”

I clenched my fists, the memory of what he did—the way my world shattered in a single afternoon—burning through me.

“You’re yelling,” he said, voice strained. “This isn’t right. You can’t just take my child away from me. What kind of mother does that?”

“Child?” I barked out a cold laugh. “Now he’s your child? After all these years? Suddenly, Theo matters to you? I’ve raised him, Ethan. I’ve kept him safe, loved him, and given him everything. I’ll decide who gets to be his father.”

“Yeah? A father like Cole? While I’m still alive?” He stepped forward, and I pulled back before he could touch me.

“Cut the bullshit. Are you going to help Theo and me, or not?”

“No.” His voice cracked like a whip. “Ask Cole. I’m done. You kept my son from me.”

“He’s not your son, Ethan.”

“Yes, he is.” The roar came with the sharp, shocking sting of his palm across my face.

My breath caught. Ethan had never hit me before.

He froze. Regret flushed into his eyes. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean—”

“Yeah, like you didn’t mean to cheat?” I spat, my cheek stinging but my pride burning more. “You didn’t mean to screw Sienna either, huh?”

His voice dropped. “Lena, stop. It was a mistake. She seduced me—”

“Oh?” I snapped. “Did she also seduce you into handing me those divorce papers?”

He groaned and reached for me again. “Lena, please—”

I hadn’t realized he was touching me until I felt his hand graze my skin. “Please, I’m sorry. I really am. I’m not the same Ethan. I’ve changed. I’m not that man anymore. All that—everything I did—was because I wanted a child. Someone to call mine. You know I loved you.”

Stupid heart. Stupid body. It almost leaned into him.

Ethan always knew where to touch, how to talk, how to soften me.

But I wasn’t his anymore.

And as he held me, my mind was spiraling.

Theo.

Cole.

There was no way I could go home with Theo now. Not with Cole waiting just outside. Not after a month-long business trip. He’d see through me instantly.

Ethan tilted my chin up, eyes searching mine. The weight in my chest grew heavier as I whispered, “For the love of a father, Ethan, please. Let Theo stay with you. Just for a while. Until I figure out how to tell Cole the truth.”

Whatever softness lingered in Ethan’s expression disappeared. His face dropped. His eyes hardened.

My poor Theo.

Mummy’s sorry. And I’ll make everything right.