Chapter Fourteen: Unlikely Ally

AVA

The bruises on my wrist had turned a deep purple by the next morning. I covered them with long sleeves and tried to act normal, but everything felt different now. Every time Liam spoke to me, I flinched. Every time he moved too quickly, my heart raced.

I was sitting in the living room, watching Elena conduct another one of Eli's "educational sessions," when Marcus appeared in the doorway. Liam's head of security was a tall, quiet man who seemed to blend into the background most of the time. I'd barely spoken to him since moving in.

"Mrs. Blackwood," he said in his calm, professional voice. "Mr. Blackwood asked me to remind you about the charity lunch at two."

I'd completely forgotten about it. Another event where I'd smile and pretend to be the happy wife while rich women talked about helping people they'd never met.

"Right. Thank you, Marcus."

He started to leave, then paused. "Ma'am? You might want to wear something with longer sleeves. The restaurant can be quite cold."

I looked up at him sharply. His expression was completely neutral, but something in his eyes told me he'd noticed the bruises.

"I'll keep that in mind."

After he left, I felt a strange mixture of embarrassment and relief. Someone had seen. Someone knew.

The charity lunch was exactly as boring as I'd expected. I sat between two women who spent the entire meal discussing their personal trainers and upcoming vacations while occasionally mentioning the homeless shelter we were supposedly supporting.

When I returned home, I found Marcus in the hallway outside the elevator.

"How was the lunch, Mrs. Blackwood?"

"Fine. Productive." The lie came automatically.

"I'm glad to hear it. Mr. Blackwood is on a conference call, but he wanted me to let you know that Elena took Master Eli to the park."

"Which park?"

"The one on Fifth Avenue. They should be back within the hour."

I started toward my room, then stopped. "Marcus?"

"Yes, ma'am?"

"Do you have children?"

His professional mask slipped for just a moment. "I had a daughter. She passed away when she was seven."

"I'm so sorry."

"Thank you. It was a long time ago."

"Is that why you work for Liam? Because you understand about protecting children?"

Marcus was quiet for a long moment. "I work for Mr. Blackwood because he pays me well. But yes, I understand the importance of keeping children safe."

There was something in the way he said it that made me think he wasn't just talking about physical safety.

The next morning, Elena announced that she was taking Eli to a playdate with another wealthy family's child.

"I'd like to come," I said.

"I'm afraid that won't be possible," Elena replied smoothly. "Mrs. Wellington specifically requested a controlled environment. Too many adults can overstimulate the children."

"I'm his mother."

"Of course. But Mrs. Wellington has very specific ideas about social development. She's written several books on the subject."

I watched helplessly as Elena bundled Eli into his coat. He looked back at me with confused eyes.

"Mama come?"

"Not today, sweetheart. Mama has things to do here."

After they left, I wandered the empty penthouse feeling like a ghost in my own life. I found myself in Liam's study, staring at the contracts scattered across his desk. Everything was about money, power, control. Even his marriage to me was just another business deal.

"Mrs. Blackwood?"

I spun around to find Marcus in the doorway.

"I'm sorry. I was just.."

"It's your home too," he said gently. "You don't need to apologize for being in it."

"Sometimes I wonder about that."

Marcus stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. "Ma'am, may I speak freely?"

"Of course."

"You seem unhappy."

"I'm fine."

"With respect, you don't look fine. You look like someone who's walking on eggshells in her own home."

I stared at him, surprised by his directness. "I'm just adjusting to married life."

"Are you? Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're disappearing a little more each day."

"Marcus, I don't think we should be having this conversation."

"Probably not. But someone needs to say it."

"Say what?"

"What's happening to you isn't normal. A mother shouldn't have to ask permission to spend time with her own child."

Tears pricked at my eyes. "Elena says she knows what's best for Eli."

"Elena says what Mr. Blackwood pays her to say."

"You think she's lying about her qualifications?"

"I think her qualifications aren't the point. The point is that she's being used to push you out of your son's life."

"Why would Liam do that?"

Marcus was quiet for a long moment. "That's not my place to say. But I will tell you this, I've worked for powerful men before. They don't like sharing control, even with the people they're supposed to love."

"Especially not with someone like me."

"Someone like you?"

"Someone who doesn't belong in this world. Someone he only married because of Eli."

"Mrs. Blackwood, can I tell you something about my daughter?"

I nodded.

"She died of leukemia. For two years, I watched her fight this terrible disease. And you know what she never lost? Her joy. Even when she was sick, even when she was scared, she could still laugh at cartoons and get excited about ice cream."

"She sounds like she was amazing."

"She was. And you know why? Because her mother and I made sure she felt loved every single day. Not educated or improved or developed. Loved."

"Eli feels loved."

"Does he? Because when I watch him with Elena, I see a little boy following rules. When I watch him with you, I see a little boy being himself."

"Elena says structure is important."

"Structure is important. But so is knowing that someone loves you unconditionally."

"Liam loves him."

"Liam loves the idea of him. There's a difference."

I sank into one of the leather chairs. "I don't know what to do, Marcus. I feel like I'm losing him."

"Then fight for him."

"How? I have no power here. No money, no connections, no legal rights that Liam can't challenge."

"You have something Elena doesn't have."

"What's that?"

"You're his mother. That bond can't be bought or hired or replaced."

"Liam seems to think it can be."

"Mr. Blackwood thinks a lot of things. That doesn't make them true."

We sat in comfortable silence for a moment. Then Marcus stood up.

"Mrs. Blackwood, Elena and Master Eli will be back soon. When they return, why don't you suggest taking him to get ice cream? I'll make sure Mr. Blackwood's afternoon meetings run long."

"You'd do that?"

"I'd do that."

"Why are you helping me?"

Marcus paused in the doorway. "Because I've seen what happens when children grow up without feeling genuinely loved. It doesn't end well."

That afternoon, I did exactly what Marcus suggested. When Elena returned with Eli, I was waiting in the foyer.

"How was the playdate?" I asked.

"Very successful," Elena replied. "Master Eli practiced sharing and taking turns."

"That's wonderful. I was thinking we could go get some ice cream. Just the two of us."

Elena's expression tightened. "I'm afraid that's not possible. Master Eli has his afternoon educational program, then occupational therapy."

"Actually," Marcus appeared as if from nowhere, "Mr. Blackwood asked me to tell you that Master Eli's therapy appointment was moved to tomorrow. Something about the therapist having an emergency."

Elena looked confused. "I didn't receive any notification."

"It just came through. Mr. Blackwood wanted to make sure Master Eli didn't miss his session, so they rescheduled for the same time tomorrow."

"Well, in that case, perhaps we could do some additional educational activities.."

"Ice cream sounds perfect," Marcus interrupted smoothly. "Fresh air and a little treat. Very good for child development."

Elena looked like she wanted to argue, but couldn't find a reason to disagree with both Marcus and the supposed change in schedule.

"I suppose a short outing would be acceptable. But no more than thirty minutes, and he should wear his jacket. The weather is unpredictable."

"Of course," I said quickly, before she could change her mind.

Twenty minutes later, Eli and I were sitting in a small ice cream shop a few blocks from the penthouse. He had chocolate smeared across his cheek and was chattering happily about everything and nothing.

"Mama, why does Elena always say time for learning?"

"Because she wants to help you become smart."

"But I'm already smart! You said so!"

"You are smart, sweetheart. Very smart."

"I like ice cream better than learning time."

I laughed, and it felt like the first genuine laugh I'd had in weeks. "I like ice cream better than learning time too."

"Do we have a secret?"

"What kind of secret?"

"Ice cream secret. Don't tell Elena."

"Okay. It's our secret."

He grinned and went back to his ice cream, completely happy in the moment. This was what childhood should be, messy, spontaneous, joyful.

When we returned to the penthouse, Elena was waiting with a disapproving expression and a wet wipe.

"Master Eli, you're covered in chocolate. This is exactly why treats should be supervised."

"It was just ice cream," I said.

"Unsupervised treats can lead to poor eating habits and behavioral issues."

"He's fine."

"This time. But consistency is key in child development."

As Elena whisked Eli away for what she called a "hygiene reset," Marcus appeared beside me.

"You both look happier," he observed.

"It felt normal. For thirty minutes, it felt like we were just a mom and her kid."

"That's because that's what you are."

"I wish Liam could see it that way."

"Mr. Blackwood sees a lot of things. Understanding them is different."

"What do you mean?"

Marcus glanced around, then stepped closer. "Mrs. Blackwood, there are things about this situation that you don't understand. Things that might help explain why Mr. Blackwood acts the way he does."

"What kind of things?"

"Things I can't discuss here."

"Why not?"

Marcus was quiet for a moment, then reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small piece of paper. He pressed it into my hand.

"The penthouse is bugged," he said quietly. "Meet me tomorrow at the address inside. Come alone.”