The aroma of fresh coffee and warm pastries drifted through the cozy café, a little spot tucked away in a quiet part of the city. Nina,now Elena Carter,sat across from her four-year-old son, Liam, watching as he eagerly nibbled on a chocolate croissant.
"Mommy, why do you always call me Liam Carter?" he asked, his big, curious brown eyes peering up at her.
Nina tensed, her fingers tightening around her coffee cup. "Because that's your name, sweetheart."
Liam frowned. "But at school, Ethan said boys have daddies too. He said his last name is like his dad's."
Nina forced a small smile, keeping her voice light. "Well, not every family is the same. Some kids have two parents, some have one, and some have people who love them in other ways."
Liam poked at his croissant, unsatisfied. "So where's my daddy?"
Her breath hitched. This was inevitable. He was getting older, asking more questions. She had rehearsed answers in her mind for years, but now, sitting across from her son,Jeffrey's son,her carefully built walls wavered.
She reached across the table, gently ruffling his soft, dark curls. "You have me, Liam. And I love you more than anything in this world."
"But don't I have a dad somewhere?" he pressed, tilting his head.
Nina's throat tightened. Somewhere wasn't the problem. The problem was that she knew exactly where.
Jeffrey Michaelson.
Powerful. Ruthless. Dangerous in all the ways that could take Liam away from her.
She forced a chuckle, trying to redirect. "You know what I do know? That someone is getting extra chocolate ice cream tonight!"
Liam gasped, all thoughts of fathers vanishing. "Really?"
Nina smiled. "But only if you finish your croissant."
His grin returned as he took an exaggerated bite, making her laugh.
For now, she could protect him. But deep down, a nagging voice whispered,for how long?
---
Later that evening, Nina stood in front of her laptop, scrolling through a new email.
From: Victoria Michaelson
Subject: Urgent Interior Design Project
She skimmed the details, her eyes widening.
Victoria Michaelson. The name tugged at something in her memory.
With a few quick clicks, she found an article,Victoria, CEO of a luxury real estate firm, and sister to none other than…
Jeffrey.
Nina's heart stopped.
Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Declining would be the logical choice. The safe choice.
But the pay was too good.
She bit her lip. It's not like I'll run into him. He's probably too busy ruling the corporate world.
Taking a deep breath, she made her decision.
Accept.
Nina leaned against the kitchen counter, her phone pressed to her ear as she stirred a pot of soup. The moment Ryan picked up, she didn't wait for a greeting.
"I got the job!" she announced, a mix of excitement and disbelief lacing her voice.
Ryan chuckled on the other end. "See? I told you coming back to the States was the right move. You've been playing it too safe for too long, Nina."
She exhaled, glancing toward the small living room where Liam sat on the floor, drawing with his crayons. "I know, I just… I wasn't sure if it was worth the risk. But this project is big. If I do well, it could open doors."
"And you will do well," Ryan assured her. "You're one of the best interior designers I know. Who's the client?"
Nina hesitated. "Victoria Michaelson."
There was a beat of silence. "Michaelson?" Ryan repeated, his tone shifting.
"Yes, and I'm really glad about it,the pay feels too good to be true. I'm just hoping I'm not daydreaming." She said with a chuckle.
"I heard she has a notorious brother,be careful so you don't run into him,if you don't want a problem for yourself."
"I'm always careful." She whispered.
Even as she said it, a strange feeling curled in her stomach.
Ryan sighed. "Just be careful, Nina. The last thing you need is trouble."
Nina nodded, though he couldn't see her. "I will. I don't plan on ruining my name,brand and image for something small, don't worry."
Still, as she ended the call, she couldn't shake the unease creeping into her chest. She had built a new life. The last thing she needed was Jeffrey Michaelson stepping back into it.
Because if he did, she knew she wouldn't be able to run this time.
__
Two days later, Nina stepped into the grand Michaelson Towers, holding a portfolio against her chest.
Professional. Calm. No panicking.
Victoria had arranged for a meeting at her office on the top floor. The building was sleek, intimidating, and humming with wealth.
As she walked past the glass-paneled elevators, she caught a distorted reflection of herself,Elena Carter. The woman she had become. The woman who no longer had any ties to Jeffrey Michaelson.
Or so she thought.
She reached Victoria's assistant, who greeted her warmly. "Ms. Carter, Ms. Michaelson will see you in just a moment."
Nina nodded, exhaling slowly.
Then—
A voice. Low. Commanding. Too familiar.
The hairs on her arms stood on end.
No. It can't be. What's he doing here,of all days? She thought
The assistant's phone buzzed. "Yes, Mr. Michaelson?"
Her breath stalled.
No, no, no…
A second later, a figure emerged from a nearby hallway.
Jeffrey.
Her heart slammed against her ribs.
Even after four years, he was just as breathtaking,broad shoulders, tailored suit, that powerful presence that made the air shift when he entered a room.
Nina turned, slipping behind a tall decorative partition.
He strode past, speaking to someone on his phone, his voice sharp and businesslike.
One step closer and he would see her.
She pressed against the cool wall, holding her breath.
The footsteps paused.
She swallowed hard.
Then—
They continued down the hallway.
Her knees nearly buckled with relief.
She wasn't ready for this. Not yet.
But fate, it seemed, was already pulling the strings.