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No kid was that cute… Though he was a cute pup. “Do you know where your daddy is? Is that why you’re confused? You aren’t actually lost?” I swallowed a snort when the kid immediately spilled the beans.

He excitedly told me about the big new room he would have and all the toys—the new expensive school he was going to attend when I became his stepmom. Not that he wanted me or a mom—he wantedstuff.

That’s why I wouldn’t feel bad giving a very firm no to this proposal.

Fuck no.

We “found” his dad at the security desk being the worst actor in the world.

“Just stop,” I told him firmly when he went to start the next act of this whole stupid play. “Your son is a better man than you because he’s honest and has integrity. He told me everything.”

His son nodded. “I told her about my new big room when she becomes my stepmom.”

Everyonearound us froze.

“Who is this man?” I asked security, saying loudly that I wasn’t involved with him for everyone watching. “He’s not just a patient if he knows too much about me.”

The security guard gave me a pitying look. “I wouldn’t be sure about that, Ms. Reed. It’s spreading like wildfire.” He waited until I nodded. “But he’s a regular driver—delivers medical equipment to the hospital.”

I nodded and covered the boy’s ears, giving the dad a death look. “You are disgusting andvile. Sending your child to—women don’t just lose their minds over kids. And the fact you promised alistof everything you cannot give him to get him excited—disgusting. You think because you bring achildto the picture that is worthy of getting my money?

“I can have children. I’m not unable or even—you are an idiot, and I hope he inherited his mother’s intelligence.” I let out a slow breath to get myself under control before I just yelled all day. “But you’re right that he is a cute child and he makes me feel something.”

It was seriously hard not to punch the guy when his eyes filled with hope.

“That you’re lucky he’s a good boy and confessed,” I hissed. “And he was honest that his father is an idiot because otherwise I might make the call to get youfired.” I nodded when the guy went pale. “The fact you’re shocked is also disgusting, but if you dare yell at this child for being honest or try to punish him, I will.”

I took my hands off the boy’s ears and told him to go by his dad.

The kid frowned up at me. “But Daddy said if I talked to you that you’d be my stepmom and we’d get all the cool stuff.”

I felt worlds better wheneveryonearound us—patients and staff—looked at the dad with utter disgust. I ran my hand over the boy’s hair and caught a glance of someone else. “You areadorable, but that’s not enough for me to act stupid. You can’t just do bad things and be rewarded because you’re a cute pup.”

And I said it while staring at Ha-joon. He’d walked up onto the scene with a few other doctors, so the timing was fitting.

“Don’t ever try this again on any other woman, and if you ever treat your son like a tool for your financial gain, I’ll call family services. So this better be the last time you try and act as a con man, yes?”

“Yes, Ms. Reed,” he mumbled, wise enough to not even try to deny it. “Sorry.” He grabbed his kid and practically raced out of there, the poor kid asking when they were moving into my house if they were leaving.

For the love of fuck.

“So you’ve had a day,” Dr. Joyce Tai said as she came over to me, glancing towards the exit before meeting my gaze again. TheWTFlook she gave me was fairly hysterical.

“I always havethosekinds of days,” I drawled before looking at security. “Let’s make sure he doesn’t come back when he’s not working. I’m not the only one he could target here.”

He nodded but gave me a funny look. I held back a sigh until Joyce and I were alone. Clearly, something was up with that.

“Some of the former board are running their mouths that you hid that you were a doctor and your wealth because you don’t manage it well,” she explained. “That it was all from a mate and—you know how—”

I burst out laughing which shocked her, but it was maybe one of the stupidest rumors anyone hadevercome up with about me. It took me a few moments to calm down, but when I did I had to wipe under my eyes. “If you had any clue all I’d done tonothave to mate—fuck, that’s so funny.”

I shook my head and walked towards my office, ignoring her curious looks. Maybe soon.

Maybe one day I could actually open up about my past.

But probably not.

The whole situation resonated with me though. I’d always known how cruel people could be, but… It just never got better.