At Danny Hotels and Suite, Eli swung his legs under the table, his big brown eyes fixed on his mother as she scanned the notepad in her hands.
"Mama, who are we waiting for?" he asked, his voice brimming with curiosity.
Mira sighed, glancing at her watch for what felt like the hundredth time. Forty-five minutes late.
"A client," she replied, forcing patience into her tone.
"What's a client?"
"Someone Mama works with."
"Why do you work with them?"
"Because that's my job."
"Why do you have a job?"
Mira clenched her jaw, inhaling deeply before giving her son a tight-lipped smile. "Because we need money to live, baby."
Eli frowned. "But we already have a house. And food. And my teddy bear. Do we still need more money?"
"Yes, Eli. Because grown-ups have bills to pay."
Eli wrinkled his nose. "Bills sound boring."
"Yes son, bills are really boring." she muttered, drumming her fingers on the table. She was about scolding Eli so he doesn't ask more overbearing questions when her phone buzzed in her bag.
Mira expected it to be a call from the supposed client but taking a glance at the phone screen, her heart stopped.
She hesitated for a moment. The call was from Gregory and she wondered why he was calling her at this moment.
"Wasn't he the one who had walked out of her presence yesterday as though she meant nothing?"
After a few seconds of hesitation, she picked the call.
"Hello, sweetheart." Gregory's voice cut in through the other end.
"You are in Las Vegas now?"
"Yes." Mira's voice was cold.
"Send your address, a hang-out won't be bad."
"I want to make it up to you."He added.
"Ok." she replied coldly. Although, she hated the fact that Gregory had always thought he could annoy her and the next second, he is sending gifts and fixing dates without any formal apology.
Meanwhile, within a few seconds, she was done sending him the address.
The restaurant buzzed with energy, waiters weaving through tables, clinking glasses, the hum of conversations filling the air. Yet, all Mira could focus on was the gnawing irritation building inside her.
A multi-million-dollar deal. That was what her assistant had promised. Yet, here she was, waiting for a client who clearly had no respect for time. Who the hell was this person, and why hadn't they even called?
"Mama, I'm hungry," Eli whined, poking at the menu.
"I know, baby. We'll eat soon."
Eli pouted. "Can I have pancakes?"
Mira pinched the bridge of her nose. "Fine. You can have pancakes."
Eli cheered, completely oblivious to his mother's growing frustration.
Another ten minutes crawled by, and Mira had officially given up. She signaled for the waiter, ready to order something for Eli to eat and take home.
Glancing around the restaurant, her gaze landed on him and then she froze.
Striding towards her direction was Thane Ashford.
The man who had once shattered her world.
He strode into the restaurant like he owned it, exuding confidence in every step. Dressed in a crisp navy-blue suit, his tall frame commanded attention. His dark hair was slightly tousled, his sharp green eyes scanning the room as if he was used to being the most important person wherever he went.
Mira's breath hitched.
No. No, this isn't happening.
Of all the people in the world—why him?
Her fingers tightened around the napkin in her lap as old memories of pain and betrayal surged forward.
Before she could react, Eli's eyes lit up in recognition.
"Daddy!"
Mira's stomach dropped.
Eli scrambled out of his chair and took off running before she could stop him.
Thane's head snapped toward the small voice, and for a second, pure shock flickered across his face as Eli launched himself at him.
There was a moment of hesitation and then, before Mira could even process it, Thane bent down and effortlessly scooped the little boy into his arms.
Eli giggled, clinging to him like they had known each other forever. "I found you again!"
Thane blinked, momentarily speechless. "Well, kid, looks like we met again."
Mira's heart pounded as she watched the scene unfold in disbelief.
This should be a dream but it wasn't.
Standing in front of her was the same person who broke her world. He was holding her son, smiling at him like fate had decided to play the cruelest joke of all.
Eli beamed up at Thane, completely oblivious to his mother's internal meltdown. "Come! Let's go meet Mama."
Thane's gaze finally lifted, and when their eyes met, it felt like the entire world stilled.
"What a small world!" he exclaimed.
Mira's eyes burned with fury as she stared at Thane holding her son as though nothing had ever gone wrong between the both of them.
"What are you doing here, Thane?"
"Leave my son alone!" Mira's breath came in short, sharp bursts as she yanked Eli from Thane's arms.
"Don't you dare touch him again." she hissed, cradling Eli protectively.
Thane's eyes flickered with shock,
"Relax, Mira. I wasn't going to…hurt"
"I don't care what you were going to do!" she cut in sharply, her voice trembling with suppressed rage.
Eli looked between them, confusion etched across his little face. "Mama, why are you mad at Daddy?"
"Shhh!" She crossed her finger across his mouth.
"We're leaving."
But before she could take a step, a firm hand clasped around her wrist.
Mira's breath caught. That touch was familiar.
"Not so fast," Thane murmured. His grip wasn't forceful, but it was enough to hold her still.
"I believe this is the table number my assistant sent to me." His eyes flickered to the chair she had just vacated. "And unless I'm mistaken, you're the architect hired for the project."
Thane's eyes darkened as he reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone, scrolling briefly before holding up the screen. The confirmation email from her firm was displayed clearly, right down to her name.
"You're the lead architect for Ashford and Co. Enterprises' newest project." His voice was more firm this time.
Mira's heart pounded.
No. This should be a nightmare. This was some cruel trick the universe was playing on her.
"I'm not working with you," she snapped, stepping back.
Thane cocked his head, unfazed.
"That's funny because the last time I checked, you already signed the contract. Which means.." he leaned in slightly, his voice dipping to a whisper
"You have no choice."
Mira clenched her fists. "I will end the contract."
His smirk widened. "Go ahead. But remember, sweetheart, breaching of contracts come with consequences." His eyes gleamed with challenge.
"And you know what?"
"I'd like to see your reputation take a hit."
Mira felt her pulse skyrocket.
Every fiber of her being screamed to walk away, but she couldn't. He was right. She had signed the deal. Backing out now would be professional suicide.
Damn him.
She inhaled sharply, hardening her gaze.
"Fine. We keep this professional. Nothing more."
Thane shrugged, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Of course. Strictly business."
But then, his eyes flickered back to Eli.
Mira tensed as she saw the change in his expression; the curiosity, the calculation, the undeniable realization forming in his mind.
"He looks like me," Thane murmured, almost to himself.
His gaze locked onto Eli's face, the same sharp cheekbones, the same narrowed lips.
Mira's stomach twisted into knots.
"Tell me the truth, Mira." His voice was quieter now.
"Is he my son?"
Mira's throat went dry as words refused to form.
Eli, oblivious to the tension, peeked up at Thane with a grin.
"I have green eyes just like you!"
Thane's expression hardened. His focus sharpened on Mira, demanding an answer.
She opened her mouth, but before she could utter a single word…
"Mira?"
The new voice sliced through the tension like a blade.
She turned sharply to see Gabriel standing there, his brows furrowed, confusion flickering across his face.
His gaze darted between her and Thane, suspicion forming in his eyes. "Who is this?"