The billionaire's unexpected heir

rewed coffee filled the air, mingling with the sound of chatter and clinking cups. The morning rush had dwindled into a manageable rhythm, giving her a

ts, she told herself

ame from years of practice. Working at the café was not glamorous, but it was steady, reliable, and exactly

ely looked up. She was too busy wiping down the counter, her focus on keeping

she he

red an espresso, and ever

art st

spine. That voice. It had been years, four to be exact, but she could never forget it

r eyes landed on the man standing at

Blac

thority. His dark hair was immaculately styled, and his sharp jawline carried the faintest dusting of stubble, as if he had been

with. The man who had disappeared without a trace, leaving he

him more striking, more dangerous. And judging by the way

isted painfully.

n his eyes. Something dark, calculating. When he finally spoke, h

time

ght, uneasy smile, her fingers gripping the coun

studying her with unnerving intensity. "T

Not here, not now. The walls of the café su

berate, as if he had all the time in the world

low in her ears. "Not exactly. Last I ch

t smirk, but it did not rea

ly. Not enough to prepare for

th an excuse to leave, a so

fr

ers squeaking against the tiled floor. His dark curls bounced with each ste

nd cheerful. He ran straight to her, w

plummeted to

could feel his gaze shift from her

ing silence, the hum of voices and clat

hen her eyes met his, she saw the exact moment realization dawned. His

vious to the tension in the a

ned, his stormy ey

ice like the calm before a sto

arly slipped as panic sur

ed, his tone low and d

Not in front of Oliver, not in the middle of the café. "He

resemblance was undeniable. Oliver's dark curls, the shape of his face, even the piercing blue

ting through her defenses. He straightened, his commandi

her head, taking a step back. "I do

h, the sound cold and full of

e whispered, desperation

closer, his towering frame casting a shadow over

o let them fall. She had worked too hard, sacrificed too much

y customers. He quickly lowered it, leaning in until his face was inches from

her composure. "You left, Ethan. You disappe

ered, his voice icy. "You ch

r's voice broke through the ten

's voice. She knelt down, pulling him into he

was n

lightly as he looked at Oliver. "Hey, buddy," he

with wide, curious eyes.

d Mia could see the stor

her with a steely glare.

d and walked out of the café, leaving

carefully constructed world wa