Chapter 430
Madison
Silence settled between us like snow. Neither hostile nor comfortable, just there.
I finished my tea, setting the empty mug on the counter with a soft clink.
Alexander did the same.
The clock on the wall ticked. Eight forty. Ethan would sleep for hours yet, his little body exhausted from the amusement p and sugar crash.
I moved away from him, needing movement, needing air, needing something other than this kitchen where Alexander’s presence filled every available space.
“I’m going to check on him,” I said.
The guest room was dark except for a sliver of light from the hallway. Ethan lay sprawled across the king–sized bed, one arr flung over his head, the other clutching the edge of his blanket. His mouth hung open slightly, his breathing deep and even.
He looked so small in that massive bed. So vulnerable. So completely unaware that his world was about to shift in ways I couldn’t predict or control.
I smoothed his hair back from his forehead. He didn’t stir.
“Sweet dreams, baby,” I whispered.
The balcony called to me. I’d noticed it earlier when Alexander gave me the brief tour. Floor–to–ceiling glass doors leading to wraparound terrace with views of Manhattan that probably cost more than most people made in a year.
I slid the door open, stepping into cool night air. The city spread below like a blanket of lights, millions of people living their lives completely unaware of the chaos happening in this penthouse.
The railing was cold under my palms. I gripped it anyway, letting the temperature ground me.
Behind me, I heard the door slide open again.
Alexander stepped onto the balcony, keeping his distance. He leaned against the opposite railing, his profile outlined by city lights.
“Hell of a view,” I said.
“It’s why I bought this place.”
“That and the tax benefits.”
His lips twitched. “Always so practical.”
“Someone has to be.”
Silence again, but different now. Less weighted, maybe. Or maybe I was just too tired to maintain walls.
“Katherine’s in Italy,” Alexander said suddenly.
I turned to look at him. “What?”
“She’s in Italy. Milan, actually. Fashion week. I was supposed to fly out there. Talk to her. End things properly.
“Why didn’t you?”
“Hazel called. Invited me to the party. Said you and Ethan were coming.
Chapter 430
+25
The admission caught me off guard. “So you stayed.”
“I stayed.” He moved closer. “I wanted to spend time with him. With both of you.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.”
“Is it?” His voice carried something I couldn’t quite name. “Or is it selfish? Putting off a difficult conversation because I wa a few more hours playing father?” 1
“Ethan enjoyed today,” I said carefully. “That’s what matters.”
“Did you?”
I could lie. Should lie. Tell him I was just doing my duty as Ethan’s mother, that his presence meant nothing beyond logistic and coparenting arrangements.
But I was tired of lying.
“Parts of it,” I admitted. “Watching you with him. Seeing him so happy.”
“Just those parts?”
Heat rushed to my face. “What do you want me to say, Alexander?”
“The truth would be nice.”
I turned back to the railing, gripping it hard enough that my knuckles went white. “Fine. You want the truth?”
“That’s what I asked for.”
I took a breath. “I enjoyed today. Parts of it were actually nice. Watching you with Ethan, seeing him so happy.” My voice dropped. “He had fun. That’s what matters.”
“And you?”
“I already said I enjoyed it.”
“You said parts of it.” Alexander moved closer, close enough that I felt his presence like heat against my skin. “Which parts specifically?”
“Does it matter?”
“Yes.”
I exhaled slowly, watching the city lights blur together. “The miniature train was cute. The way Ethan dragged us both onto it like we were his personal entourage.”
“He’s got a commanding personality.”
“Wonder where he gets that from.” I glanced at him sideways.
Alexander’s lips twitched. Almost a smile. “Fair point.”
“The cotton candy stand was chaos. He got it everywhere.”
“Including my suit jacket.”
“Which you didn’t complain about once.” I turned to face him fully. “That was surprising. The great Alexander Knight covered in pink sugar and not losing his mind.”
“It washes out.”
Chapter 430
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“You didn’t know that when it happened.”
“No.” His expression softened. “But he was happy. That mattered more than the dry cleaning bill.”
Something in my chest loosened. Just a fraction. “The photo booth was fun too.”
“Was it?”
“Ethan loved it. Making faces, being silly.” I paused, thinking of that fourth photo. The one where Alexander wasn’t looking at the camera at all. “He wants to frame them.”
“He should. We all should.” Alexander studied my face. “What else did you enjoy?”
“Watching you try to win him that dinosaur at the ring toss. You spent like fifty dollars.”
“Sixty, actually.”
“Sixty dollars on a stuffed T–Rex that probably cost five to make.” I shook my head. “That’s ridiculous.”
“He wanted it.”
“So you bought it for him. With terrible aim and pure determination.”
“I got it eventually.”
“After the carnival worker took pity on you and made the rings bigger.”
Alexander’s jaw tightened. “That’s not what happened.”
“That’s exactly what happened. I saw him swap them out.” I couldn’t stop the smile. “But Ethan was thrilled. Carried that dinosaur around for the rest of the day like it was made of gold.”
“Because it was hard–won.”
“Because his father won it for him.”
“Yes, but Ethan doesn’t know that. He just knows some stranger won him a toy.”
“He never asked who you really are.”
“Kids don’t judge like adults do. They just spend time with people they like. That’s it. No complicated analysis, no ulterior motives. He liked me, so he wanted to hang around. Simple.”
The observation was unexpectedly insightful. I studied his profile against the city lights, searching for the CEO mask he usually wore. But it was gone, replaced by something raw and honest.
“Speaking of complicated,” I said, changing direction. “Did you ever find out who drugged you?”
“Yes.”
“Who?”
“My step–siblings.”
D
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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.
