Zane couldn't sleep.
His penthouse was dark, silent, and spotless — everything the opposite of his mind.
He stared at the photo of Noah again. The resemblance was undeniable. The curve of the boy's lips. The tilt of his head when he smiled. It was like looking into a time machine of himself.
But Lyra… she walked away like it meant nothing.
She had his child. For three years. And said nothing.
Across the city, Lyra curled up in bed, holding Noah close as he slept.
She kissed his forehead softly, brushing his curls back. He looked so peaceful — completely unaware of the storm that was coming.
Her thoughts kept circling Zane. His eyes. The shock on his face when he saw the photo. The quiet accusation in his voice.
She'd promised herself he'd never know.
But fate had other plans.
The next morning, Lyra entered the hotel break room to find her coworkers whispering.
"You guys see that car outside?" one asked. "A black Maybach. Looks like a mafia boss stepped out."
Lyra froze.
It couldn't be—
But then the break room door opened.
And there he was.
Zane Hogan. Again.
He didn't glance at anyone. Just walked straight to her, his tone calm but cold.
"We need to talk. Now."
Lyra's coworkers stared, slack-jawed.
"I'm working," she said, trying to keep her voice steady.
"I'm not asking."
⸻
They sat in the staff meeting room, the tension like a third person in the space.
Zane folded his arms. "You weren't going to tell me, were you?"
Lyra looked down at her hands. "We were never supposed to see each other again."
"But we did."
He leaned forward, his voice low. "I don't know what happened between us that night, Lyra. But I deserve to know my son."
She stayed silent.
"I want a paternity test," he added.
Her head snapped up. "What?"
"I'm not walking away from this. If he's mine, I want to be involved."
She stood abruptly. "And what then, Zane? You swoop in like some corporate prince and expect him to just accept you?"
"I'm not doing this for me," he said. "I'm doing it for him."
Lyra's voice cracked. "You have no idea what it's been like raising him alone."
Zane's eyes softened, just a little. "Then let me try. Let me step in. Even if you hate me."
She stared at him, torn between fury and fear.
And something else she couldn't name.