Chapter 1 Her Worst Nightmare
I should never have come to this gala.
The moment I stepped into the ballroom of The Sinclair Hotel, my gut told me to turn around and leave. But I couldn't. Not when everything I had worked so hard for, the future of my company, depended on tonight.
The lights from the chandelier bathed the room in a warm, golden glow. All around me, the rich and powerful mingled, their laughter and clinking glasses filling the air. They wore designer gowns and tailored suits like badges, symbols of money and power. I didn't belong here, not really. I was just a girl from a tiny, forgotten town. But somehow, I'd made it this far.
I tugged at my emerald dress, forcing myself to stand tall. Just a few hours, I reminded myself. Smile, talk to the investors, close the deal. Then I could leave.
And that's when I saw him.
Liam Sinclair.
My breath caught in my throat, and my heart pounded so hard it hurt. I hadn't seen him in five years, not since the night he walked away without saying goodbye. And yet, there he was, across the room, like he still belonged in my life.
He looked even better than I remembered. Standing at six feet two with his sharp jawline, well-trimmed beard, broad shoulders, the same perfectly styled dark hair, and piercing blue eyes that once undid me. He was still the perfect and captivating billionaire he always was. The years hadn't dulled his effect on me either. If anything, they'd made it worse.
I gripped my champagne glass, trying to calm myself. I should have felt anger. Hate, even. But all I could feel was a deep craving to be close to him and to feel him inside me. That dangerous, familiar desire. I moaned involuntarily as I remembered how he had gotten me screaming in ecstasy all those years ago. I shook my head, trying to clear the memories and the heat rushing through me. If he were here right now, that means I have bigger things to worry about.
He hadn't seen me yet. I could still disappear into the crowd.
I turned to leave, but he suddenly glanced in my direction.
Then our eyes met.
I felt a shock wave go through my body. What was happening? His gaze locked into mine, and for a split second, I saw recognition and then shock in his eyes. And then something like amusement.
No. I refused to let him affect me. Not after everything.
I turned sharply, heart racing. But before I could take a single step, a strong, familiar hand caught my wrist.
I spun around, my head bursting with anger. How dare he touch me? But I knew I was more angry at how his touch made me feel. After all these years, just his touch could still make me melt.
"Isabella," he said.
Just hearing his voice, deep, rough, familiar, made something in me tremble.
I inhaled sharply, gathering every bit of self-control I had left. "Let go, Liam."
But he didn't. His fingers tightened, just slightly. It sent a wave of memories rushing back - hot, steamy nights we'd spent together, promises he never kept, the love I thought would last forever.
"You're the last person I expected to see tonight," he murmured. I felt his warm breath on my ear, and my ear tingles. Every cell in my body still wanted him. But I knew I had to stay in control. I couldn't let history repeat itself. There was too much to lose now.
I forced a dry laugh. "I could say the same."
"We should catch up," he said, like nothing had ever happened. As if he hadn't abandoned me five years ago.
"No. We shouldn't." I pulled my hand free. My skin still burned where he touched me.
But before I could walk away, I heard a tiny voice behind me.
"Mommy?"
My heart dropped.
No. Not now. Not here. This was what I had been trying to avoid. He must not find out.
I turned slowly, and there he was. Ethan, my son. standing a few feet away, clutching the hand of his nanny with one hand and his tiny stuffed bear with the other. His big blue eyes searched the room until they found me. He ran over and hugged my leg tightly.
Liam went completely still.
I saw the shift in his expression as he looked from Ethan to me. I prayed he wouldn't figure it out.
"Isabel," he said again. His voice was different now. Rougher. Serious.
I didn't answer. This was my worst nightmare, playing out in real time.
He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving Ethan. "Is he...Is he mine?"
My knees nearly buckled.
Of course, he'd figure it out. Ethan had his eyes. His hair. His face.
I wanted to lie. I wanted to grab my son and run. But I couldn't move. Couldn't speak.
Liam's voice cut through the fog. "Answer me."
I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. How do you tell the man who broke you that you've been raising his child for four years?
The room felt like it had gone silent. Or maybe it was just the sound of my heart thundering in my ears.
He looked at me again, and I knew. He'd already figured it out.
Still, I tried. "Liam, this isn't the time-"
"The hell it isn't," he snapped, his voice sharp.
I flinched. "Please," I whispered, glancing down at Ethan.
Liam followed my gaze. His face softened just a little as he looked at our son.
Then, before I could stop him, he crouched down in front of Ethan.
My throat tightened. "Liam-"
But Ethan, my sweet, trusting boy, just blinked at him, curiosity in his eyes. "Are you my mommy
s friend?"
I wanted to scream, to pull Ethan away. I wanted to stop everything. But I couldn't move. All I could do was watch.
Liam stared at Ethan, taking in every detail like he was trying to memorize him. He smiled. And Ethan smiled back.
Then Liam looked up at me, and the question in his eyes broke me.
Why didn't you tell me?
I swallowed hard, but there was no easy answer. I couldn't explain four years of silence in a single moment.
So I did the only thing I could.
I took Ethan's hand, holding it tight. "We have to go."
Liam tensed. "Isabella-"
"I can't do this right now," I said, my voice barely above a whisper.
I turned away, leading Ethan toward the doors, my heart pounding so hard it hurt.
But before I reached the ballroom doors, I heard his voice again.
"What do you mean you can't do this now?"
I squeezed my eyes shut and kept walking.
I didn't dare look back.
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