Chapter 418
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Chapter 418
Madison
I sat at the table, surrounded by party noise that felt too distant, too muffled. The music played. People laughed. Normal celebration sounds that had nothing to do with the war happening inside my skull.
Anthony’s words kept replaying. Everyone makes mistakes. Moving forward matters more than staying stuck in the past.
But what if moving forward meant getting hurt again? What if letting Alexander near Ethan, near me, near this life I’d built meant risking everything I’d fought so hard to protect?
The party blurred around me. I watched Ethan across the room, still with Alexander, both of them examining something on Alexander’s phone. My son’s face was lit with excitement, his hands gesturing wildly as he explained something to Alexander, who listened with rapt attention.
They looked natural together. Right. Like pieces of a puzzle I’d been refusing to complete.
That terrified me more than anything.
***
The party wound down eventually. Ethan had crashed hard around nine, his sugar high finally giving way to exhaustion. He’d curled up on a chair in the corner, completely out.
I stared at my sleeping son, his face peaceful in a way that made my chest ache. One arm tucked under his head, the other dangling off the chair. Chocolate frosting was still smeared on his collar despite my earlier attempts at cleanup.
I should have brought my car. The thought hit me with the force of hindsight, sharp and useless. We’d ridden with Hazel and Oliver, and now they were still mingling with guests while I stood here with a sleeping kid and no way home.
Hazel appeared at my elbow, reading my expression. “You need to get him to bed.”
“Yeah.” I glanced at Ethan, then at the thinning crowd. “Are you guys leaving soon?”
“Probably another hour. Oliver’s family wants photos.” She grimaced. “You know how it is.”
“I should have driven myself.”
“Take our car. We’ll get an Uber later.”
“I can’t take your car.”
“Sure, you can. Keys are in my purse.” She started digging through her bag,
“Hazel, no. You need it.”
“We’ll manage. You’ve got a sleeping kid and a thirty minute drive. Take the car.”
I shook my head. “I’ll book a cab. It’s fine.”
“At this hour? Good luck with that.”
She was right. I pulled out my phone and opened the cab app. The screen loaded, showing available drivers.
None nearby. Estimated wait time: forty–five minutes.
I tried another app. Same story. Then a third.
“Told you,” Hazel said.
“This is ridiculous.” I stared at my phone like it had personally betrayed me. “It’s not even that late
Chapter 418
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“It’s Manhattan. Everyone’s going somewhere.” She glanced at Ethan. “Just take our car, Madison. I insist.”
“And leave you stranded?”
“We’re not stranded. We’re at a party with a hundred people and unlimited Ubers.” She pushed her keys into my hand. “Go. Get that baby home before he wakes up cranky.”
I opened my mouth to argue when a familiar voice interrupted.
“Need a ride?”
Alexander stood a few feet away, hands in his pockets, expression carefully neutral.
“No, thank you. I’m booking a cab.”
“Are you?” He glanced at my phone. “Because from here it looks like you’re having trouble.”
“I’m fine.”
“You don’t look fine. You look stressed.” He nodded toward Ethan. “And he looks exhausted. Let me drive you.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“It’s practical. I’m leaving anyway, and you need to get home.” He pulled his keys from his pocket.
Hazel elbowed me. “Take the ride, Madison.”
I shot her a look. “Not helpful.”
“Very helpful, actually. You’re being stubborn.”
Alexander’s expression didn’t change, but something flickered in his eyes. Amusement, maybe. “I promise to drive carefully and not kidnap anyone.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Wasn’t trying to be.” He stepped closer. “Look, I know you need space. I heard you. But this isn’t about us. This is about getting our son home safely. Let me help.”
I wanted to refuse. Wanted to stand here until a cab magically appeared or Hazel forced her keys on me. But Ethan stirred in his chair, mumbling something, and my resolve crumbled.
“Fine.” The word came out sharper than intended. “But just a ride. Nothing else,”
“Just a ride,” Alexander agreed.
I moved to Ethan, gently scooping him into my arms. He was getting heavier, all gangly limbs and solid weight. He mumbled something incoherent and burrowed into my shoulder.
“I’ve got him,” Alexander said, reaching for Ethan.
“I can carry him.”
“I know you can. But he’s heavy, and you’re in heels.” Alexander’s hands hovered near Ethan. “Let me.”
Ethan chose that moment to shift, nearly slipping from my grip. Alexander caught him smoothly, transferring him to his own arms like he’d done it a thousand times.
Ethan settled immediately, his small body relaxing against Alexander’s chest.
“See?” Alexander adjusted his hold. “Easier this way.”
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I grabbed my purse, ignoring the knowing look Harel gave me.
Alexander headed toward the exit, Ethan cradled against him. I followed, hyperaware of the picture they made. Father and son, even it only one of them knew it.
The elevator ride was silent. Alexander kept his eves straight ahead while Ethan dozed against his shoulder. I studied the floor numbers, counting down like they might save me from this awkwardness
The parking garage was dim and quiet. Alexander’s Bentley sat in a corner spot, all sleek lines and expensive engineering
He shifted Ethan carefully, managing to open the back door without waking him. “Can you buckle him in?
I climbed into the back seat, positioning Ethan and tastening the seatbelt around him. He mumbled something about cookies and went back to sleep
“All set Alexander asked
“Yeah.” I climbed out, closing the door as quietly as possible.
The drive started in silence. Alexander navigated out of the garage and onto Manhattan streets with practiced ease. The city lights blurred past, all neon and movement.
“Harel’s apartment is on the Upper West Side,” I said finally.
“I know.”
Of course he did. Alexander probably had a tile on everyone I knew.
We stopped at a red light. Alexander’s fingers drummed against the steering wheel.
Thank you.” I said. “For the ride.”
“You’re welcome.”
“I mean it. You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to.” He glanced in the rearview mirror at Ethan. “He’s a good kid.”
“The best.”
“He looks like me.”
The observation hung between us, impossible to deny or confirm without making this conversation more complicated
“He has your eyes,” I admitted finally.
“And your smile. ”
I said nothing, just watched the city pass by.
日
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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.
