Chapter 3. Five Years Later.

“Mommy, hurry up! I can’t find my dinosaur socks!”

His tiny voice echoed through the little flat like an alarm clock. I grinned despite the tiredness pulling at my bones.

“I’m coming, baby.” I ran out of the bathroom, toothbrush still in my teeth, and found him sitting on his bed, tears spilling in his beautiful steel-grey eyes.

My heart squeezed like it usually does when I saw those eyes. His father’s eyes.

“Here,” I muttered around my toothbrush, taking out the green and orange socks from beneath his pillow. “Your T-Rex was hiding them so he could eat your toes later.”

Noah chuckled, wiping his tears with the back of his palm. “Silly dinosaur.”

I kissed his forehead, inhaling his baby shampoo aroma. “Go finish your cereal, okay? Mommy has a huge client meeting today.”

He leaped from the bed and hurried to the kitchen. I rinsed my mouth hurriedly, gazing at the time. 7:05 AM. I had twenty minutes to get both of us dressed, pack my files, and drop him at preschool before traveling to the hospital for my morning therapy appointments.

I pulled my hair up into a haphazard bun, put makeup under my sleepy eyes, and threw on my navy-blue scrubs. I took my worn-out leather folder off the table, flipping through my patient notes.

Noah’s voice came from the kitchen. “Mommy, can I bring my robot for a show and tell today?”

“Sure, baby,” I shouted out, putting my feet into flats. “But not making it fight with other kids’ toys, okay?”

“Okay…” His voice fell to a dramatic whisper. “But only because they’re not ready for his power yet.”

I chuckled, taking my coffee in one hand and his backpack in the other. “Come on, superhero. We’re gonna be late.”

The streets of Brooklyn were already humming as we strolled along the broken pavement, Noah’s little hand grasping mine fiercely.

“Mommy,” he whispered quietly, raising his head to look up at me, “why don’t I have a daddy like Max does?”

My heart twisted so violently I almost tripped.

I faked a grin. “You have me. Isn’t that enough?”

He nodded slowly, frowning. “Yeah… but if I had a daddy, he’d probably buy me a real Iron Man suit.”

I laughed shakily. “Well, if I ever find one at Target, I promise you’ll be the first to get it.”

“Promise?” He held out his pinkie.

I curled mine around his, ignoring the ache growing in my chest. “Promise.”

At preschool I knelt to kiss him farewell. “Be good today, okay?”

“Okay.” He flung his arms over my neck. “I love you, Mommy.”

“I love you more, baby.”

He sprinted into his classroom, turning to wave before vanishing behind the bright yellow door.

I stood there for a while, hand pressed to my chest, holding back tears. Every day I questioned if I was doing enough. If I was providing him the life he deserved.

If he would ever hate me for withholding his father from him.

I shook my head angrily. No. I did what I had to do. Alexander Knight would’ve snatched him away, reared him in his icy kingdom with nannies and bodyguards and no warmth.

I couldn’t let that happen.

At Work

“Anna, thank God you’re here,” Maya shouted out as I went into the child psychology unit. “Your 8 AM patient is already here. And Dr Harris wants to see you after rounds.”

I sighed, feigning a grin. “Great. Thanks.”

I slipped into the therapy room, greeting tiny Ellie with a loving grin. She held her teddy rabbit to her bosom, eyes wide with fright. I spent the next hour urging her into drawing her feelings out in swirling blues and purples.

“Good job, Ellie,” I said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear as she gazed at her artwork. “You’re so brave.”

After Sessions I headed into Dr Harris’ office, nerves hard in my chest. He was sitting behind his mahogany desk, staring at his computer screen through his reading glasses.

“Anna,” he continued without looking up, “close the door.”

I did, hugging my folder to my chest.

He finally glanced at me, his lined face solemn yet compassionate. “How would you feel about taking on a consultancy contract for a corporate daycare development?”

My brows knitted together. “Corporate daycare?”

“Yes. Knight Enterprises is developing a new branch downtown. They’re moving into family-centered job perks. They want a renowned childcare psychologist to consult on design, structure, and curriculum.”

My blood turned to ice. Knight Enterprises.

My heart banged into my ribs so hard I feared it could fracture them. I attempted to talk but my mouth was dry.

“Anna?”

I gulped hard, pushing my voice to function. “I… I’d be honoured. Of course.”

He grinned, entirely ignoring the fear seething behind my eyes. “Good. I’ll email you the project brief tonight. The first meeting is Monday morning.”

Monday AM.

In four days, I may be face to face with him. The man I escaped from. The man whose steel-grey eyes tormented my thoughts every night.

The guy who could ruin everything if he found out Noah existed.

I went out of Dr Harris’ office on shaking legs, my vision blurring with tears.

Knight Enterprises.

Alexander Knight.

After five years of hiding…

He was about to find me.

“Mommy, when I grow up, can I marry you?”

I stared at Noah in the rearview mirror, my chest tightening with a mix of love and grief. His innocent eyes gleamed with true affection.

“You can’t marry your mommy, baby,” I whispered softly, smiling as I pulled into our apartment parking lot. “But you’ll find someone amazing one day, and Mommy will still be your favourite girl.”

“No.” He pouted, crossing his little arms fiercely. “You’re my favourite forever.”

My throat stopped up as I parked and turned to face him. “I love you so much, Noah.”

“I love you too,” he added with a grin, pushing forward in his booster seat. “Even more than Iron Man.”

I giggled, unbuckling him. “Wow. That’s serious love.”

He placed his arms around my neck as I lifted him out. “You smell like cookies.”

“That’s because you smeared cookie dough on me yesterday, silly,” I taunted, caressing his cheek.

He giggled, hiding his face on my shoulder. I carried him upstairs, ignoring the terrible heaviness in my chest.

If only life could stay this easy. Just him and me.

But as I opened our door and went inside, my phone buzzed again with Dr Harris’ forwarded email. My palm trembled as I read the header: “Knight Enterprises Consultancy Project Brief – Monday 9 AM Boardroom Presentation.”

The walls appeared to shut in around me.

“Mommy, what’s wrong?” Noah inquired quietly, his small fingers grabbing my scrub top.

I attempted a grin, fighting back tears. “Nothing, baby. Mommy’s simply tired.”

But inside, terror screamed like a hurricane.

In four days, I would enter into Alexander Knight’s world again.

And if he saw Noah… if he grasped the truth…

No. I couldn’t let that happen.

I pulled Noah closer, kissing his silky hair as he placed his arms around my neck.

I would defend him. I would preserve our secret. Even if it meant lying to the only man I ever loved.

Because if Alexander Knight found out…

He’d never let us go.