The park behind the mansion was usually quiet in the early morning, a small haven hidden behind the estate's towering walls. Ava rarely brought her son there, it was too risky.
But today, she had no choice.
Her friend, the only person she trusted with her son's existence, had begged for a break. And Ava, knowing how exhausting the secrecy was for everyone involved, agreed to take him just for an hour.
"Stay close, okay?" she said softly, crouching down to her son's level.
The boy, just shy of four, nodded, clutching his small stuffed lion. His eyes sparkled like Lucien's, filled with curiosity and wonder. He looked so much like his father it hurt.
Ava sat on the bench, keeping her eyes on him as he waddled to the sandbox.
She didn't notice the tall figure walking down the path behind her.
Lucien wasn't sure why he was out there.
He had woken up restless, the mansion too suffocating. Without thinking, he told his driver to take him to the back gate and entered the gardens on foot, something he hadn't done in years.
He needed air. Space.
He walked aimlessly through the trimmed hedges and past the rose garden—until he heard laughter.
Childlike. Giggling.
It cut through him like a blade.
He turned his head, and there, across the lawn, was a boy. Maybe three, maybe four. Playing in the dirt, humming to himself.
Lucien slowed.
Something about the child made him stop completely.
The boy looked up.
Their eyes met.
Ava turned.
And her heart stopped.
Lucien was standing ten feet away. His gaze was locked on the little boy.
She jumped to her feet, panic rushing through her like lightning.
"Sir! You shouldn't be here—this section of the garden is restricted to staff," she said, approaching quickly, trying to sound calm.
Lucien's eyes didn't leave the child.
"Who is he?" he asked quietly.
Ava's pulse pounded in her ears. "My… cousin's son. I'm watching him for the day."
Lucien turned to her slowly.
"He looks… familiar."
Ava forced a smile. "Maybe you've seen him in passing. Kids often look alike."
Lucien studied her face.
Then back at the boy.
"Does he live nearby?"
Ava nodded quickly. "Yes. Far away from here, though. He doesn't know who you are. We don't talk about work around him."
The boy came running over, clutching his toy lion. "Mama, look!"
Lucien stiffened.
Mama.
Ava smiled tightly, bending to scoop her son into her arms. "Time to go, sweetheart."
Lucien didn't speak again.
But his eyes lingered.
On the boy.
And on her.
Later that day, Lucien sat in his study, replaying the scene over and over.
The child's eyes.
His smile.
His voice.
And the way Ava's arms wrapped around him protectively.
He couldn't shake the feeling.
Something wasn't right.