로그인LEILA
The air between us went still. The white lights of the open floor outside faded into the shadows of my office, leaving nothing but the sound of our breathing in the dark.
I didn't pull back. I didn't slide my hands into my pockets, and I didn't move away from the edge of his boots. The joy of the win was still in my chest, a hot rush that made me close the remaining inches between us before my mind could build a defensive wall.
LEILAI stared at Karl, struggling to keep my expression steady. He made it sound so simple, as though the matter involved nothing more than answering a question and moving on. But it wasn't that simple to me."You're asking me to put my daughter through a test because you've suddenly decided you might be her father," I said. "Do you have any idea what you're asking?""I'm asking you to establish the truth.""I've already told you the truth.""And I have reasons to question it."His response made my chest tighten. I had expected him to question me, but hearing him say it so calmly only made the situation more difficult."I can't ignore what I've noticed, Leila." His voice remained controlled, but I could see the determination in his expression. "I have questions, and I want answers.""Then you should go look for your answers elsewhere, not with my daughter."I closed the door before he could respond.I returned to the living room. Mila looked up when I approached, and I sat beside her
LEILAFor the first time in days, I could sit beside Mila without feeling as though I was waiting for something terrible to happen.She was curled up on the living-room couch, quietly playing with one of her stuffed animals. Her energy hadn't completely returned, and she still tired more easily than usual, but at least she was awake, responding to me, and eating a little more than she had been able to manage before.I watched her carefully as she moved the little toy between her hands. "Mommy, look."She held it up for me, and I managed a smile. "That's beautiful, sweetheart."She grinned before returning to her game. It was such a small moment, yet it meant more to me than I could explain. A few days earlier, I had been terrified that I might lose her. I could still remember the ambulance ride, the doctor's urgent expression, and the helplessness I had felt when I discovered I wasn't a suitable blood donor.Karl's blood had been compatible, and the transfusion had helped stabilize Mi
KARL"She's George's daughter."I stared at her. "What?""Mila is George's daughter, Karl. I only called you because George wasn't available and she needed a blood transfusion. Your blood was compatible, and I was grateful you helped her. That's all."The words came out so quickly, almost as if she had rehearsed them before I arrived. I studied her face, searching for the slightest hesitation, some indication that she was struggling to tell me the truth. But she kept her expression guarded, refusing to give me anything."Are you sure?" I asked.Her eyebrows drew together. "Why would I lie about something like that?"I didn't answer. Something about her response bothered me. And she still wouldn't let me see Mila."She's recovering," Leila said, noticing that I was still watching her. "She needs rest. I don't want anyone disturbing her."I clenched my jaw, forcing myself to respect her decision. I had come hoping to see the little girl again, but Leila clearly wasn't going to allow it.
KARL"Karl?"I straightened in my chair. I hadn't heard Leila call my name since our divorce, and something about the sound of her voice made my chest tighten."Leila? What's wrong?" I held the phone closer to my ear.There was a brief silence. "Please come to the hospital. Meridian Hospital."I was already getting to my feet. "What happened? Are you okay?""It's my daughter. She's in the hospital. She's very sick, Karl. The doctors say she needs a blood transfusion immediately, but they haven't been able to find a suitable match."My heart began pounding. "I'm coming."I ended the call and grabbed my jacket. My laptop remained open, documents scattered across my desk, and a meeting scheduled for later that afternoon. None of it mattered anymore.As I hurried out of my office, I turned to my assistant. "Cancel everything on my schedule.""Mr. Hawthorne, your meeting with the…""Everything," I repeated, without slowing down. I didn't wait for her response.Leila had called me after all
LEILA"Please, baby. Stay with me." I held Mila's little hand between both of mine, rubbing her fingers gently as Doreen spoke urgently into her phone. Mila's eyes remained closed, and the faint sound she had made moments earlier was the only response I had received."Yes, she's breathing, but she's barely responding," Doreen told the emergency operator. "Her fever is very high, and her breathing is faster than normal."I looked at my daughter, fighting the urge to shake her awake. "Mila, sweetheart, Mommy's here." I brushed her hair away from her forehead, but she didn't move.The sound of approaching sirens finally broke through the silence outside. Doreen ended the call and hurried to open the door just as two paramedics entered, carrying medical equipment.
LEILA"How are you holding up, Leila?""I'm fine, Karl." I turned to leave, but he called after me."Please, Leila. Just give me a minute."I stopped, though I didn't turn around immediately.He approached, his expression unusually serious. "I heard what happened to George. I can't imagine what you've been going through.""What do you want, Karl?" I asked, finally facing him."I just wanted to know how you and your daughter are holding up. And if there's anything I can do to help, anything at all...""Thank you, Karl." I cut him off before he could say more. Then I turned and continued toward my car without looking back.By the time I reached it, the shopping bags were digging into my fingers. All I wanted was to get home. I placed them in the back seat before opening the driver's door and slipping inside.My eyes immediately went to Mila. She was still resting quietly in her seat, her little face looking pale and tired. I reached over and gently brushed the back of my fingers against
EVELINA Dominic.For a second, I thought it would be Julian. Or Theodore. Or nobody.Hotel hallways were always full of people coming and going. Most of the time, nobody looked twice at you.But Dominic was walking toward me. His hands were in his pockets, his expression flat and unreadable. He st
EVELINA The door opened.Aria Vance walked in with one hand resting lightly on Julian’s arm. She glanced around the table easily, already smiling before anyone spoke.Julian looked across the room. His eyes passed over me without stopping before settling on his parents.“Dad. Mum.” A beat. “ This
EVELINA The corridor felt different when I stepped out of Dr. Yuen’s office.People were moving faster. Reception staff straightened behind their desks. Nurses glanced toward the entrance like they were expecting someone important.A name passed quietly through the hallway. “Aria Vance.”I kept wa
EVELINA “Sign them whenever you’re ready.”A white envelope landed on my keyboard. For a second, I thought it was another batch of revisions from Sterling Group. Then I saw the words on the front.Divorce Agreement.Julian Sterling stood across from me in his charcoal suit, still buttoned up. His







