CHAPTER 15 — THE GREY EYES GALA

The invitation came at 4 PM.

Black velvet envelope. Gold letters.

Blackwood Children's Charity Gala - Tonight The Plaza 8 PM

Table One: Mr. Lorenzo Blackwood + Guest + Atelier S Founder S

Not requested. Forced.

"Board says if Atelier S wants the 40% upfront for Paris, S appears tonight," Marcus said on the phone. "One hour only."

I looked at the three dresses on the rack. The pearl slit still needed 20 more hours.

"One hour," I said. "And Leo stays here. No press."

"He stays with me," Rhys said.

At 7:45 PM, we arrived at The Plaza. Me in black — the first dress I sewed in Shoreditch and sold. Rhys in his gallery blazer. Lorenzo in a black suit at Table One.

He did not look at me first. He looked at the empty chair next to Rhys.

"Leo is not here," I said before he could ask. "He has a cold."

His jaw tightened.

The charity video started. Children in hospitals. Donors clapping. I watched this same gala three years ago on Mrs. Patel's small TV while sewing bedsheets, while Leo coughed because we had no heat.

Now I was Table One.

At 8:22 PM, my phone buzzed. Rhys's nanny.

A photo: Leo in his red toy car t-shirt, no shoes, holding his queen drawing. Standing in The Pierre hallway.

Text: _"He won't sleep. Says he wants to show mama his car goes fast. Can I bring him down for 5 minutes?"_

Rhys showed me the text. "No. Press is here."

Lorenzo had seen the photo over my shoulder. Grey eyes in the photo, very clear.

He stood up and called Marcus. "Bring the boy. Private entrance. No press."

"Lorenzo—" I started.

"You said where three can be three," he said, low, only for me. "This is where three can be three."

At 8:41 PM, the private side door opened.

Marcus carried Leo in. Red toy car t-shirt, blue shoes on wrong feet, runny nose, queen drawing in hand.

He saw me and ran. "Mama!"

Then he saw Lorenzo.

Everyone at Table One stopped talking.

Leo looked up at Lorenzo. Grey eyes to grey eyes. Same exact shade.

The whispers started at Table Two.

"Is that...?"

"Blackwood's eyes..."

Lorenzo knelt down. Slowly.

"Hey," he said. Not CEO voice. Dad voice.

Leo held out his red car. "This is Lightning. He goes fast. Vroom."

Lorenzo took the small car in his big hand and pushed it on the white tablecloth.

"Vroom," he said.

Leo laughed, loud in a silent gala.

Rhys tensed next to me.

"Where does Lightning live?" Lorenzo asked.

"In mama's bed," Leo said, serious. "Because monsters live under my bed."

"I can check for monsters," Lorenzo said.

Rhys stepped forward too fast and picked Leo up.

"Leo, come here, Uncle Rhys will check for monsters," he said. "Uncle Rhys was there when monsters came in London."

Leo went to him easily. "Uncle Rhys, look, Dad made my car go fast."

Two words.

Dad.

The whole table heard it.

Rhys's face tightened. Lorenzo's face looked like someone gave him oxygen after three years underwater.

Rhys looked at me, then at Lorenzo, then kissed my cheek in front of everyone.

"I was there when you bled in Shoreditch," he whispered, loud enough for Lorenzo to hear. "I can be father to Leo. I can be your safe choice."

He said it in front of Lorenzo. Jealousy war.

Lorenzo stood up, still holding the red toy car.

"Rhys, put him down. He has a cold."

"I am his Uncle Rhys," Rhys said. "I have been his father for three years."

Lorenzo did not answer. He looked at Leo.

Leo looked between them, confused.

"Mama," he said to me. "Who will be my dad forever?"

The whispers were louder now. Phones were coming out.

I picked up Leo from Rhys's arms. My black dress now had a small snot mark.

"We are leaving," I said. "S has to sew."

I walked out with Leo on my hip, red car in his hand.

Behind me, two men stood at Table One. One holding the other red toy car Lorenzo left on the table. One holding his fists tight.

Rhys followed first. Lorenzo followed second, three steps behind.

Outside, the white car with long lens was back.

Flash.