in to the little boy with curious e

hings, should have made him step back and reconsider the pursuit. Yet

hat more than he could explain. He knew what it meant to fight for someone you loved, to build walls high enough to keep out the cha

on by her side, had just bec

would drown herself in work, keep her head down, and push Jason Blackwood out of her m

paigns, deadlines-safe distractions. If she pretended hard enough, maybe she co

her pho

ema

lient update, but the moment she read

ason Bl

ct: In

Against her better ju

i

e central farm. It's less formal than the gala-employees bring their chi

as

this time. Family Day? Of all things, family? He

r palms. She couldn't. She shouldn't. Jason was already too close to the truth she carried. If she le

ye

AgroTech. Declining outright might look unprofessional. W

ybe she could go-briefly. One hour. Smile politely, keep the

t's what she

Liro in a fresh polo and jeans, braiding his hair carefully before slipping her own b

rounds-children bobbing against the sky, music floating from a live band near the stage. Horses neighed from the stables, the scent o

e field. "Mommy, look! A pony ride! And-cotton candy!

remained tight. "Maybe later, sweethe

ake another step, a sh

so

ut a tuxedo or a boardroom. Employees clustered nearby, laughing and chatting with him as though he were not their billionai

the laughter. Then his gaze flicked down to the s

wasn't personal, that she was here as a professional courtesy. But the way

began, only for him

ed, his smile disar

uriosity lighting his f

I do. A very big one. Would you like to see the c

igger than my fist?" He held

Bigger. Want to s

too close. But then she looked down at her son's eager face, his eyes alight with pure wo

e said softly, her voice betr

slow and certain. "A lit

h wide eyes as hens clucked and scratched at the straw. Jason lifted Liro just high enou

," Jason explained. "Almos

his face close to the

ened. "Not today, champ

have reminded her son not to trust strangers-even charming ones with easy smiles. But her voice w

laying a part. He looked... real. Present. As

most dangerous

ad stayed longer than she intended. Liro was clutching a balloon in one hand and a small st

ence steady, his eyes lingering on

urned to him sharply, summoning every ounce of

ifted sligh

ver this is." Her voice wavere

ring. "I don't want to take him from you,

erstand. I can't-" She stopped herself, bitin

ice low. "Then let me unders

temptation to believe him. But when Liro yawned softly, l

go," she

s she walked away, his words

Not for you. Not for him.

d she might not have the strength to leave. And for the first time in years, Aira Daniels was truly afraid-not