CHAPTER 17 — THE BOARD WAKES UP

The photo went viral at 5:17 AM.

I did not sleep. I sewed.

Lorenzo slept on the couch. One arm over his eyes. Suit jacket on the floor. White shirt wrinkled.

Leo slept in the small room. Two red cars under his pillow. Breathing hard because of his cold.

My phone started buzzing at 5:17 AM. Not one buzz. Many.

Vogue PR: Aria, are you seeing this?

Rhys: Do not look at comments. I am coming.

Marcus: Board emergency call 6 AM. They saw photo.

Same photo as last night. Leo in red car t-shirt, Lorenzo holding Lightning's brother. Grey eyes clear.

New caption: *Blackwood Heir Confirmed? Atelier S Founder's Secret Son at Table One Gala — Same Grey Eyes.*

3,000 comments.

"That's his son."

"Atelier S lied about being anonymous?"

"Who is the father — Blackwood or the gallery guy?"

I turned the phone off.

At 6:00 AM, knock.

Rhys. Gallery blazer again. Eyes red.

"Where is he?" he said, low.

He saw Lorenzo on the couch.

Lorenzo sat up fast. "I did not post it."

"I know," Rhys said. "White car had two cameras. One card you broke, one they sold. 2 AM upload from blogger in London. Same blogger Seraphina paid 2k last time."

Lorenzo stood. Shirt untucked. "Board call at 6 AM. They want to know if S is Blackwood's baby mama. They will freeze the final 60% for Paris if S is drama."

"They cannot," I said. My cold queen mask back on. "Contract signed. Atelier S x Blackwood is business, not bedroom."

Rhys looked at me. "They will ask for DNA. Board will say you used child to get contract."

"Let them ask," I said.

I walked to the rack. Three dresses. Yesterday cut, yesterday fixed. One-shoulder with pearl slit. Stronger than before.

"Can you finish Paris?" Lorenzo asked.

"I made three dresses from bedsheets when I had nothing and Mrs. Patel knocking for rent," I said. "I can make three dresses with the whole internet watching."

I picked up scissors.

Leo's door opened. Small feet.

"Mama?" Hair messy. Red car t-shirt twisted. He saw Lorenzo first.

"Dad! You stayed!"

He ran to Lorenzo. Lorenzo picked him up easily, even with wrinkled shirt.

"You stayed on floor?" Leo asked.

"No, on couch," Lorenzo said. "Mama let me."

Leo looked at me, serious. "Mama let dad stay? Like three can be three?"

Rhys's face tightened.

"Leo, come here," Rhys said. "Uncle Rhys brought milk."

Leo went to him. "Uncle Rhys, look, I have two Lightnings now."

Two red cars again. One in each hand.

Rhys knelt. "You have two dads now?"

Leo frowned. "I have one mama. And two... who will be my dad forever?"

Same question as last night at gala. But this time in quiet loft, no whispers, no phones.

No one answered.

At 6:00 AM, Lorenzo's laptop rang. Board call.

He put it on mute. "Stay here."

He answered in the kitchen, door closed.

CEO voice through the door.

"No, Leo Sinclair is not a PR stunt. Yes, Atelier S founder is his mother. No, we will not do DNA on a 3-year-old for board approval. The 60% is for dresses, not for my private life."

Rhys looked at me. "Safe choice," he whispered. "If you marry me, board cannot touch you. I adopt Leo tomorrow. No more grey eyes question."

Second proposal. This time not in front of Lorenzo. In front of Leo's milk.

I did not answer.

Lorenzo came out at 6:14 AM. Face cold CEO again.

"Board agreed to keep 60%," he said. "But one condition."

He looked at me.

"Paris show — Seraphina Vale will be front row. Board invited her. As former consultant. They want peace."

My hands stopped sewing.

Her text last night: Cute fix. But can you fix Paris? I have front row ticket. - S

She was not done. She was in Paris now.

Rhys laughed, angry. "You let her sit front row while she paid blogger to call Aria bad mom and sold Leo's photo?"

"I did not let," Lorenzo said. "Board did. I voted no."

He looked at me. Grey eyes to grey eyes — same as Leo.

"I can ban her from Blackwood buildings. I cannot ban her from Paris front row. That is not Blackwood. That is fashion."

I picked up the one-shoulder dress. The one she cut first.

"Let her sit front row," I said. Cold queen voice, clear now. "Let her watch."

I pinned Leo's queen drawing — mama as queen with crown — back to the best dress.

"If she wants to see how I fix what she cuts, let her see it in Paris."

Leo clapped. "Mama queen!"

At 6:30 AM, my phone buzzed.

Vogue Paris official email.

Subject: Front Row Confirmed — Seraphina Vale — Atelier S x Blackwood Show — Palais._

She was coming.