Page 43 of Falling for Mr. Ruthless

"Dad says if we get the chemical reaction just right, mine will be number one." Jaden looks up at Jakob with unquestioning faith. "Just like him."

I watch something tender and pained pass across Jakob's face. "I said you have to work for number one, buddy. Nothing's guaranteed."

"But you're always number one," Jaden insists. "That's what Mr. Phillips said at career day. That you never lose."

Jakob's eyes find mine, something raw and exposed in their depths. "I've lost plenty."

The words hang between us. I look away first, unable to bear the weight of a truth that cuts too close to bone.

"Ms. Easton says my story is going on the board tomorrow," Jaden says, sauce at the corner of his mouth. "The one about the dragon who couldn't breathe fire."

"That's great," Jakob says, pride replacing the naked vulnerability of moments before. "You'll have to take a picture for me."

"Can't you come see it?" Jaden asks, voice edged with hope he's learned to temper. "It's parents' day on Friday."

A fractional hesitation, then resolve. "I'll be there."

"Both of you?" Jaden's gaze swings between us, the naked hope in his eyes more devastating than any accusation. "Together?"

The question lands like a blow. What we've stolen from him with our selfish inability to either truly leave or truly stay crashes over me. Guilt and longing tangled into something suffocating.

Jakob and I lock eyes over his head, the silent conversation flowing between us as if we never stopped having it. We've always done separate events. Separate conferences. Separate lives. Each marked by the conspicuous absence of the other.

"We'll both be there," I say before I can remind myself of all the reasons we shouldn't. "Right, Jakob?"

His eyes widen a fraction—surprised by my surrender. "Absolutely."

Jaden grins, satisfaction written across his face. "Cool. Can I have ice cream now?"

"Only if you clear your plate," Jakob says, parental instinct overriding whatever complicated emotion is moving beneath his surface.

I watch them together—my son and the man who gave him to me—and longing uncurls inside my chest. That I’ve kept bound and gagged.

For one dangerous heartbeat, I allow myself to see what could have been.

The three of us at this table every night. Jaden growing up with both parents under one roof. A life built on the foundation we started but couldn't sustain.

Then reality crashes back.

The photos. The accusations. My career hanging by a thread.

"Jaden, go wash your hands," I say, needing him away from whatever is about to happen between his father and me. "And pick out what you want to take to Tyler's tomorrow."

"But ice cream?—"

"After," Jakob says, voice brooking no argument. "Go on, bud."

Once his footsteps fade down the hall, I turn to Jakob, wrapping my arms around myself against a chill that has nothing to do with temperature.

"We need to talk about today."

He stands, gathering plates. "Yes. We do."

"What happens now?" My voice steadies after reading the text message about their retreat.

"They won't remove you from the audit." He doesn't look at me, just continues clearing the table. "I made that clear."

"Through threats."