CHAPTER 1

The flickering numbers on his Bloomberg screen blurred together....Alexander Sterling's eyes were fixed on the rain hitting the windows of his office 70 stories up in Manhattan. A huge deal worth three billion dollars was waiting for his decision, one that would change industries. Usually moments like these got him pumped up with the thrill of being in control of a rush, todayjust felt Off.

His assistant, Marcus Thorne, a man who was loyal and discreet came in without knocking, looking serious. "Sir, I've got some news."

Alexander didn't even look up. "Another market dip?. Has Senator Hayes finally agreed to work with us?"

"No, sir... It's about James, James Maxwell."

Alexander's jaw clenched, James his longtime lawyer, friend and back in the day a buddy. He had known James was dealing with something, James had always been private. "How bad?"

"He's gone Alexander...Heart attack, Suddenly." Marcus hesitated, added, "His memorial service is Friday and the reading of the will is on Saturday morning."

A cold feeling formed in Alexander's stomach. James had been more than a lawyer; he was a link to a past Alexander rarely thought about, a past that included Eleanor...a past Alexander had ruthlessly cut out of his life five years ago.

"Get a jet ready " Alexander ordered, his voice cold. "Clear my schedule for Friday and Saturday."

The funeral was a blur of suits and quiet whispers, Alexander stood still a rock among the crying mourners, he recognized a face from his earlier days before the Sterling Group became a global giant, before he got rid of anything or anyone he thought it wasn't essential to his rise. He saw James's elderly mom, her face lined with sadness and offered a formal apology. No one dared approach him for more than a hello, he was Alexander Sterling, the titan, alone and untouchable.

He scanned the room with curiosity guiding his eyes, she wasn’t there...Eleanor Of course not, why would she be? Their breakup had been bitter, his words cutting deep, her departure swift and silent. He’d told himself he’d made the choice to cut out the dead weight to boost his climb,he was at the top now alone.

On Saturday morning the air in James Maxwell's office was thick with the smell of old paper and grief. A few distant relatives, a godson and Alexander were there, James’s junior partner, a man named Mr. Harrison cleared his throat and started reading.

The usual stuff, Gifts to family, charities, his school.... Alexander zoned out his mind already drifting back to the deal then a name jolted him upright.

"...to the trust set up for Leo Sterling " Mr. Harrison said, his voice echoing in the silence. "A sum of ten million USD to be held until his eighteenth birthday, with his guardian, Eleanor Vance having access for his welfare and education."

Alexander's blood ran cold.. Leo Sterling? Eleanor Vance? The names crashed together in his mind sparking an alarm he hadn't felt in years, he leaned forward, his eyes fixed on Mr. Harrison. "Excuse me?" he cut in his voice low and menacing. "Could you repeat that part?"

Harrison, startled, fumbled with the papers. "Yes Mr. Sterling...'To the trust set up for Leo Sterling...' The will also states, '.... To avoid any confusion it is hereby explicitly declared that Alexander Sterling is the biological father of the said Leo Sterling.'"

The words hit Alexander like a punch, the room spun.. Biological father? Leo Sterling? Eleanor? It was impossible, a trick, A cruel joke... He hadn't seen Eleanor since the day he handed her the divorce papers, He had been so careful, So ruthless, He already had her out of his life out of his mind, there was no child, There couldn't be.

His gaze swept the faces around the room searching for an explanation, a denial, anything but the stunned silence reflecting his shock. He saw a flicker of knowing pity in James's moms eyes, a confirmation that made his stomach clench. Five years ago he had told Eleanor was a burden, not a benefit...Five years ago he’d cast her aside convinced she was holding him back.. All that time she’d carried his secret, his child.

Rage warred with a dawning realization, this wasn't about money or a hidden child, this was about everything he thought he knew, everything he thought he controlled shattering in an instant. He had built a solitary life free of emotional entanglements free of vulnerability.. Now a five-year-old boy, a complete stranger bore his name ,His legacy.

He pushed back his chair, the screech echoing loud. He had to find her. He had to know. The cold logical part of his brain was already demanding answers. The primitive primal part was roaring a question: What have I done?

He stormed out leaving the gathering behind his mind a tempest. Eleanor.. She had done this. Kept this from him.. Somewhere out there was his son. A son he hadn’t known existed. A son he had abandoned before he even drew his breath. He reached for his phone, his knuckles white. There was one number he needed to dial. The woman he had carelessly discarded the woman who now held the key to a part of him he never knew existed.