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Chapter 409
Madison
The café lights dimmed behind me as I locked the front door, exhaustion pulling at my bones. Another day survived. Another series of small crises managed. Another evening pretending I had everything under control.
My car sat in its usual spot, reliable and unassuming. I slid behind the wheel, tossing my purse onto the passenger seat and starting the engine.
The drive home should have been peaceful. Connecticut at night had a certain charm, with streetlights casting golden pools on the pavement and houses glowing warm from within. Normal people living normal lives.
But my mind kept circling back to Alexander.
Five days. That’s what I’d given him. Five days to end things with Katherine, to prove he meant what he said about wanting to be in Ethan’s life properly. Five days to show me he was serious and not just riding some wave of guilt or obligation.
And then what?
I gripped the steering wheel tighter, watching the road blur slightly as exhaustion pulled at my eyes. The lunch conversation replayed in fragments. His insistence that the engagement to Katherine was business. His promise to end things publicly. The way his voice had cracked when he talked about missing five years of Ethan’s life.
Was any of it real? Or was I just desperate to believe that Alexander Knight, billionaire CEO, actually gave a damn about something beyond his empire?
Movement on the sidewalk caught my attention. A familiar figure walking along the darkening street, no car in sight.
Christopher?
I slowed the car and pulled up beside him. The window rolled down with a quiet hum.
“Christopher?”
He stopped, turning toward my voice. Recognition lit his face. “Madison. Hey.”
“What are you doing walking? It’s getting dark.”
He gestured back down the road. “Flat tire about a mile back. Couldn’t find a cab. Figured I’d just walk home.”
“Walk? How far is your place? 5 Miles?”
“Maybe three miles?” He shrugged, clearly trying to play it off. “Not too bad.”
“Get in. I’ll drive you.”
“You sure? I don’t want to impose.”
“Christopher, it’s dark, and you’re walking on a road with barely any streetlights. Get in the car.”
He grinned. “When you put it that way.” He walked around to the passenger side and climbed in, bringing the scent of expensive cologne and cool evening with him.
I pulled back onto the road. “Three miles. You were really going to walk that?”
“I’ve walked farther. Builds character.”
“It builds blisters.”
He laughed, settling into the seat. “Fair point. Thanks for this. You’re a lifesaver.”
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“It’s nothing. Just giving a friend a ride.”
“Friend?” His tone held something teasing. “I thought I was your fake boyfriend. That’s a promotion and a demotion all at once.
Heat crept up my neck. “You know what I mean.”
“I do.” He looked out the window, watching Connecticut roll by. “So how’d it go? The meeting with your ex–boss?”
My hands tightened on the wheel. “Fine.”
“That convincing, huh?”
“It was fine. We talked. That’s it.”
“Madison.”
“What?”
“You’re a terrible liar.” Christopher shifted to face me better. “I’m supposed to be your fake boyfriend. Which means I need to know what’s actually going on if I’m going to sell this.”
He had a point. A frustrating, logical point.
“He wants to meet Ethan. Properly. As his father.”
Christopher went quiet for a moment. “And what do you want?”
“I don’t know. Part of me thinks Ethan deserves to know his dad. The other part thinks Alexander will just disrupt everything and disappear again when it gets inconvenient.”
“That’s a valid fear.”
“Right?” I glanced at him briefly before returning my attention to the road. “He shows up after years of nothing, makes demands, buys expensive gifts, acts like he can just waltz into our lives and everything will be perfect.”
“Sounds frustrating.”
“It is. And the worst part? Part of me wants to believe him. Wants to think he’s actually serious about being a father.” I exhaled sharply. “Which is stupid because Alexander Knight doesn’t do anything unless there’s something in it for him.”
“Maybe his son is what’s in it for him.”
The words hit harder than expected.
“Maybe,” I admitted quietly.
“You don’t sound convinced.”
“I’m not convinced of anything right now. My life was simple. Café, Ethan, Mom. That was it. Now Alexander’s back and everything’s complicated again.”
“Complicated how?”
I wanted to explain, but the words tangled in my throat. How could I describe the mess of feelings Alexander stirred up? The anger, the hurt, the inconvenient flutter in my chest when he looked at Ethan with such naked longing?
“Just complicated,” I said finally.
Christopher leaned back in his seat, studying me with that consultant’s eye that missed nothing. “You know what I think?”
“I’m sure you’ll tell me.”
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“I think you need to stop lying to yourself.” His voice was gentle but firm. “Whatever’s going on with this Alexander guy, it’s eating you alive. I can see it.”
“I’m fine.”
“You’re not fine. You’re driving me home at night because I had a flat tire, and you look like you’re about to cry.” He paused. ” I’m not trying to pry. But if you need someone to talk to, I’m here.”
The offer was kind. Too kind. It made my throat tight.
“I appreciate that. Really.” I gripped the steering wheel tighter. “But I just need time to figure things out.”
“Fair enough.” He went quiet for a moment, watching the darkened streets pass.
I focused on the road, the silence stretching between us. Not uncomfortable exactly, but weighted with unspoken things.
“Why didn’t you call anyone?” I asked suddenly. “Your staff? An employee? Someone must be on call for emergencies.”
Christopher shifted in his seat. “I did call someone. My friend. He’s usually reliable, but he’s at his kid’s recital tonight. Didn’t want to pull him away from that.”
“There must be other people.”
“There are.” He paused. “But I didn’t want to disturb their evening. It’s a flat tire, not a medical emergency. Seemed ridiculous to call someone at this hour for something so minor.”
“Walking three miles in the dark isn’t minor.”
“True.” His tone lightened. “But then I wouldn’t have gotten a ride from my fake girlfriend. Silver linings and all that.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “You’re ridiculous.”
“It’s part of my charm.”
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
