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I should have been relieved. Instead, I wanted to pack our bags and run.

Back to Fair Haven. Back to a shaky job that barely paid the bills. Back to a cramped, cold apartment where Lina and I shared a blanket in the winters because the heat never worked. Back to safety.

Because this? Being here? Working under him? It’s insane, considering what happened between us six years ago.

At first, I obsessed over why he had hired me. Did he already know I was the one applying? Did he plan to humiliate me further? Rip open old wounds just to watch me bleed?

But Alaric Hells has done none of that.

And that’s what makes this job unbearable.

I was ready for cruelty. I was ready for war.

Instead—

He greets me every morning when he walks into his office.

I brush it off with a cold, clipped, “Morning to you.” But he never calls me out on it. He doesn’t push.

When he asks for documents, he explains exactly how he wants them, how the formatting should be done, even offers to help if I get it wrong.

I never ask for his help, of course. I’d rather drown in toner than ask for his help.

Then there was Mr. Campbell of Silver Industries.

It was the first real moment that made me waver.

The man had been so furious on the phone because I’d told him I couldn’t schedule a meeting without consulting Alaric.

Mr. Campbell was on the verge of insulting me, and that’s when Alaric had stepped in. Without hesitation.

One second, I was gripping the phone, my pulse rising, and the next, Alaric was standing beside me, so close I could feel his warmth, so silent I hadn’t even noticed him approaching.

His hand brushed against mine as he took the phone. The moment we touched, a jolt shot up my arm, warm and electric. That pull between us crackled, bringing in a heat I wanted no part of, but by the time I pulled away, the damage was already done. My skin was already buzzing, remembering how good his touch felt.

Then, with calm authority, he told Mr. Campbell that if he couldn’t respect his secretary, or women, for that matter, then Silver Industries would no longer partner with his company.

Then he hung up. Just like that.

No anger. No hesitation.

And when he handed the phone back to me, retreating to his office without another word…my hatred had for him might have thawed a little.

I told myself it was nothing. That it didn’t mean anything. That it shouldn’t.

But even now, the memory lingers like a thorn I can’t pull out.

But none of that matters now. Because no matter how he acts now, it doesn’t erase the past. And it doesn’t change the fact that sooner or later, I’ll have to face the one person I’ve been dreading since I set foot in this company—Julian.

I still haven’t seen Julian, but since he is Alaric’s nephew, I know I will eventually, and when that happens, I’ll have to face the ugly truth I’ve been avoiding since the moment I set foot in this company.

My new boss might be my baby girl's father.

Oh, and his nephew might be Lina’s father, too.

I can’t think about that. I won’t.

Because thinking about it means asking myself the question I’ve been running from since the moment I saw those two pink lines on a pregnancy test.