LOGINMABELI took the elevator to the forty-second floor.Damian's office. Executive suite. Glass walls. Minimalist design.His assistant looked up when I walked in. "Ms. James. Do you have an appointment?""No. But I need to see him. Is he in?""He's in a meeting….""Please. It's important."She hesitated. Then picked up the phone. "Mr. Croft, Mabel James is here. She says it's important."A pause. Then she nodded. "He'll see you. Go ahead in."I walked down the hallway. Past conference rooms. Past other offices.To the corner office at the end. Floor-to-ceiling windows. View of the city.Damian's door was open. He was standing by the window. Looking out. Not at his desk."Close the door," he said without turning around.I closed it. Stood there. Suddenly nervous."You wanted to see me," he said. Still not turning."Yes.""About?""Abou
MABELI sat in my car outside Damian's building.Engine off. Hands on the steering wheel. Not moving yet.Just thinking.About the past five years. About everything that had happened. About Damian's role in all of it.It had started five years ago. When I'd walked into his office desperate and determined.I'd just discovered Jason wasn't my biological son. Had DNA proof. But no one believed me. No lawyers would take the case. No one thought I had a chance against Claire Hoss.Except Damian.He'd listened. Actually listened. Looked at my evidence. Believed me when everyone else called me crazy."I'll help you," he'd said. "Whatever it takes."And he had.Funded the investigation. Hired the best lawyers. Provided resources I could never have afforded on my own.I'd thought it was about revenge. About destroying Claire. About old grudges and business rivalries.Maybe at
MABELI was halfway to Damian's office when my phone rang.Vanessa."Hey," I answered."Rose told me about the proposal. About you hesitating." Vanessa's voice was direct. "Can we talk?""I'm actually on my way to see Damian right now….""This won't take long. Can you stop by? Please?"I hesitated. Then I turned around. "Okay. I'll be there in twenty minutes."Vanessa was waiting in her living room when I arrived. Rose had clearly left. We were alone."Sit," Vanessa said.I sat."Rose told you about Damian proposing?""She mentioned it. Said you're scared. Hesitating." Vanessa sat across from me. "Are you going to say no?""I don't know. I was actually going to his office to give him an answer. I think I'm ready to say yes.""You think?""The fear is still there. But I'm trying not to let it control me."Vanessa nodded slowly. "Can I tell yo
MABELThe next morning, I went to Vanessa's apartment to pick up Liam.It was my week with him. Our custody arrangement had settled into a comfortable rhythm.Rose answered the door. Vanessa's assistant. Efficient as always."Morning, Ms. James. Liam's just finishing breakfast.""Thanks, Rose."I must have looked terrible because Rose paused. "Are you okay?""Fine. Just tired.""You look like you haven't slept.""I haven't. Much." I sat at the kitchen table. "Is Vanessa here?""She's at a meeting. Won't be back until this afternoon." Rose poured coffee without asking. Set it in front of me. "What's wrong?""Nothing. Everything. I don't know."Rose sat across from me. "Talk to me."I hesitated. Rose was Vanessa's assistant. Professional. Discreet. But also someone who'd been there through everything. The custody battle. The safe house. Lily's illness.Someone
MABELI stayed at Damian's apartment that night.We didn't talk more about the proposal. Just went to bed. Held each other. Tried to pretend everything was normal.But it wasn't normal.The question hung between us. Unanswered. Creating space where there hadn't been space before.In the morning, I made coffee while Damian showered.When he came out, dressed for work, the atmosphere was different. Careful. Polite."I need time," I said. Breaking the silence."I know. You said that last night.""I mean real time. To think. To process. To figure out what I want." I looked at him. "I can't just say yes because you're asking. I need to be sure.""How much time?""I don't know. A few weeks? A month? I can't put a deadline on this."Damian was quiet. Poured his coffee. "Okay.""You're upset.""I'm not upset. I'm disappointed. There's a difference." He sat at the cou
MABELWe moved back inside from the balcony.The candles were still burning. Dinner plates cleared. Music still playing softly.Damian poured wine. Handed me a glass.I took it but didn't drink. Just held it. Needed something to do with my hands."Talk to me," Damian said. Sitting beside me on the couch. "What are you thinking?""Everything. Nothing. I don't know." I set the glass down. "I want to say yes.""But?""But I'm scared." I looked at him. "What if this is just another mistake? What if I'm rushing into something without thinking clearly?""You've never rushed into anything in your life.""I rushed into marriage with Ethan. Look how that turned out.""That was different….""Was it? I thought I knew him. Thought I understood what I was getting into. Thought love was enough." My voice rose slightly. "Then his mother orchestrated a baby swap and he defended her. Chose her
MABEL After the cake cutting, I tried to stay busy, clearing plates, organizing gifts, anything to avoid Damian Croft's scrutiny. But he found me anyway. "Miss James." His voice came from behind me as I was stacking paper plates. "A moment?" I turned to find him holding two champagne flutes. He
MABEL I was halfway back to the hotel when my phone rang. Bella. "Hey, I'm on my way back…" "Mabel." Her voice was shaking. "It's Lily." My heart stopped. "What happened?" "She collapsed at school. They called an ambulance." Bella's words came out in a rush. "Her blood sugar dropped too low. T
MABEL I was helping Rose clear wrapping paper when I felt it. Someone is watching me. I turned, scanning the room of chatting parents and playing children. That's when I saw him. A man stood near the entrance talking to Vanessa. Tall, easily over six feet, with dark hair and even darker eyes.
MABEL I sat in Vanessa's study, my heart pounding, waiting for Damian to return with Vanessa or security or the police. He knew everything. He could destroy me with a single conversation. The door opened. Damian stepped back inside, alone. He closed the door and locked it. My pulse spiked. "Wha







