Chapter 401
WI
Chapter 407
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Alexander
“But I can’t change the past,” I continued. “All I can do is try to make things right moving forward. And that starts with knowing my son p>
“Your son,” she repeated, her voice softening. “You keep saying that. Like it makes everything simple p>
“Doesn’t it p>
“No.” She shook her head. “Biology doesn’t automatically make you a father. Being there does. Showing up does. And you haven’t done that p>
“Because I didn’t know he existed p>
“And now you do.” Madison’s fingers drummed against the table. “So what’s your plan? Swoop in, play dad for a few weeks, then disappear back to New York when the novelty wears off p>
“That’s not what I want p>
“Then what do you want p>
I opened my mouth, then closed it. What did I want? The question Anthony had asked me last night echoed in my head.
“I want to be part of his life,” I said finally. “Really, part of it. Not just weekend visits or occasional phone calls. I want to know him. Watch him grow up. Be there for school plays and soccer games and all those normal things fathers do.” 1
“That’s a nice speech. Very touching p>
“It’s not a speech. It’s the truth p>
11
“It sounds like guilt talking. Or obligation. Or whatever emotion billionaire CEOS feel when they discover they have kids.” 1
The bitterness in her voice cut deeper than it should have.
“Madison.” I leaned forward. “I know I don’t deserve your trust. I know I’ve given you every reason to doubt me. But I’m asking you to try. For Ethan’s sake, if not for mine p>
She stared at me, her expression unreadable.
“This isn’t just about Ethan,” I said, the words coming before I could stop them. “It’s about you. About us. ”
“There is no us p>
“There was. There could be again p>
Madison’s laugh came out bitter. “You’re engaged, Alexander. Or did you forget about Katherine in all your sudden interest in playing father p>
“ I haven’t forgotten anything.” My hands clenched under the table. “But that doesn’t change what I’m feeling
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When We hypoHTEAM Hawn’s many days people footwally low each other do.
Vergueil we rejer on mining made a mistake, Fesler than facing the fact that the woman I actually
Molteon pulled her hand backs “Don’t put the on me. You got engaged before I resigned from the job p>
Poow. That was wrong. I should have told you first, should have explained what it meant, should have done a bunbed Hinge differently? I paused, “How you left without giving me a chance to make it right”
“And I’m getting for another chance to make a different one?
abe abook her head. “You can’t just show up and expect me to fall back into whatever arrangement we had before That’s not how this works ”
“P’m not asking for an arrangement. I’m asking for something real p>
“Deal?” Her voler erupted. “You want real? Real is being pregnant and scared and alone because the man who got your prophant chose someone slee. Beal is raising a child by yourself, wondering if you’re doing everything wong Boul la apping him in magazines with his perfect fiancée and knowing you were never anything more
The words bit like physical blows.
“You weren’t a placeholder,” I said quietly, “You were never that p>
“Someone Leared about more than I was willing to admit. Someone who scared me because feelings like that don’t it neatly into spreadsheets and business plans.” Y
menad. “That’s not good enough p>
THE $1
“I know.” I sat back “But it’s honest. And I’m hoping honesty counts for something p>
“It counts for very little when you’re still engaged to another woman p>
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“Then let me fix that. Give me a few days to sort things out with Katherine, to end this properly p>
“Properly?” She laughed without humor. “Like there’s a proper way to break an engagement you’ve had for five years p>
“There is if both parties are relieved it’s ending.” I met her eyes. “Katherine doesn’t love me either, Madison. This won’t break her heart. It’ll free both of us from pretending p>
“And what then? You come back here and expect me to welcome you with open arms p>
“No. 1 come back and hope you’ll give me a chance to prove I’m serious. About you. About Ethan. About building something real instead of something convenient p>
She was quiet for a long moment, her fingers tracing patterns on the tablecloth.
“You hurt me,” she said finally, her voice barely above a whisper. “You hurt me so badly I had to leave everything behind and start over. My career, my friends, the city I loved. All of it p>
“I know p>
“And now you want me to just forget that? Trust you again, like it’s simple p>
“No. I want you to let me earn your trust back. However long that takes p>
“What if it takes forever p>
“Then I’ll spend forever trying p>
Madison’s eyes searched mine, looking for lies or manipulation or whatever defense mechanism would let her dismiss this conversation.
P
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Sara Lili
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.