Page 128 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

“Ugh, buddy. I don’t think cooking is my strength. I’m better at running businesses.”

My lips curved into a smile. It was hard to picture Byron not being good at something.

Ares patted Byron’s big, strong hand gently. “It’s okay, Daddy. You are good at everything else.” Byron froze for a moment and Ares continued, unaware of the turmoil he probably caused. “Besides, Maman is good at cooking, and she’s terrible at business. At least that’s what Aunt Billie says.” Byron turned to look at our son. Shit, I had to tell him. Stat. Ares’s eyes—wide and vulnerable—stared up at his dad and he smiled sheepishly. “Is it okay if I call you that?”

A strong emotion flickered on his face, and I watched him swallow hard. There was something powerful about seeing someone so strong be impacted by such a small boy.

“Yes,” he croaked, smiling at our son. “I’d be honored.”

Byron’s gaze found mine next, shimmering like sapphires, and my heart clenched.

“Are you okay with it?” Byron’s question was soft, his voice raspy and thick with emotion.

I should tell him now. It was the perfect moment, but I was so fucking scared to ruin what Byron had planned for dinner. Swallowing the lump in my throat, I nodded. I wanted to tell him—just rip off the Band-Aid—but Ares was here, and I didn’t want to have the conversation in front of our son.

As if Byron could read my thoughts, he looked at him. “Hey, buddy. I have a surprise for you in the playroom. Want to go check it out?”

Ares zoomed out of the room, bouncing up and down and squealing happily. All the way up the stairs, his words echoed through the mansion, “I have a daddy. I have a daddy.”

I let out a heavy sigh. This was it. It was now or never.

“He’s yours, Byron,” I rasped, holding his beautiful gaze and holding my breath. My pulse raced while my heart drummed against my ribs so hard, it threatened to crack them. “Y-you saved us by getting me to the hospital in time.” My voice trembled as I drowned in his gaze. “Please try to understand—”

Dropping his wooden spoon on the floor, he strode to me as I held my breath. His hands came to my hips and he lifted me up into the air. My hands flew to his strong shoulders, holding on.

“Fuck, Madeline.” He buried his head into my stomach, showering it with little kisses. I thanked the saints I was wearing a light dress so I could feel his mouth through the material. “You just made me so fucking happy.”

“You’re not mad?”

“Considering what my father put you through, I have no right to be mad.”

I sniffled, so many feelings swirling in my chest and squeezing my throat. “I—I tried to come see you at your work. I had every intention of telling you,” I admitted softly. My eyes burned, trying to keep the tears at bay. I pushed my hand through his thick hair and tugged on it so I could see his eyes. “I promise I did. But then I ran into your dad and he had me escorted out. Called me trash and—”

The first tear rolled down my cheek, and soon, more followed.

His expression turned murderous. “I’m going to fucking kill him.”

I shook my head, wiping my face with the back of my hand. “He’s not worth it.” I gave him a wobbly smile. “And no cursing,” I said through tears.

Byron nodded. “That’s right. Not in front of our boy.” He grinned so wide, I could see the crinkled lines around his eyes. “No more cursing.”

I chuckled. “Just not in front of him.”

“Or our future kids.”

I rolled my eyes. “You said you wanted an heir. I delivered.”

“Your negotiation skills are getting dangerously close to ruthless,” he murmured as he gripped me by the hips and slid me down his body. “I might have rubbed off on you.” His lips came an inch from mine. “Don’t you want any more kids?”

I tilted my head. We still had some unknowns to figure out, but surprisingly, I wasn’t opposed to more kids.

“I’ll be a good husband and a good father.” The look on his face was gut-wrenching, his expression tormented. As if he thought I would reject him all over again. “I take my vows seriously.” His eyes suddenly seemed ancient. “I just want us to have a future together. I want to make you and our kids happy. All of us. Everything else will fall into place.”

I cupped his face, my eyes roaming as my heart skipped a beat. Maybe I’d finally get my fairy tale. My father used to tell me how he felt about my mom, and this felt so much like it.

“I do want more kids, but let’s take it slow. We only just found each other—”

He silenced me with a kiss on my lips. By the time he broke away, both of us were breathing heavily.