Chapter1

Claire's POV

"Mr. Dawson, this is my resignation. I'd like tomorrow to be my last day."

Mr. Dawson stared at the envelope, then at me. "Tomorrow? That's awfully sudden."

I gave him the story I'd rehearsed in the elevator. "My husband's job is moving him to Chicago. I'm taking our son so we can finally all be under one roof. My handover notes are already done."

He nodded slowly. "Well, that explains it. Can't be easy, raising a kid on your own. Honestly, most of us figured you were a single mom."

I smiled. I wasn't one. Not yet.

When I stepped back into the hallway, Ethan Ashford and Sienna Blake were walking straight toward me.

Ethan was my boss. He was also the father of my son.

---

Seven years ago, I'd been his executive assistant. One night, after too many drinks, everything changed, and nine months later, Owen was born.

This was year six of our secret marriage. It was also year six of Ethan refusing to let his own son call him Dad.

He was walking slower than usual, like he was matching his steps to the woman beside him.

Sienna had a report in one hand. The other was hooked onto the edge of his suit jacket. The two of them looked like a couple in a perfume ad. It was hard to watch.

As we passed, something in my chest dropped, and the word slipped out before I could stop it. "Ethan..."

He stopped. His eyes were cool. "Ms. Holloway."

Polite. Distant. A warning wrapped in good manners. This is the office, his tone said. I'm your boss. You're my employee. Remember that.

I got the message. I pushed down whatever I'd been about to feel.

"Mr. Ashford."

He gave me the smallest nod and walked on, like I was someone he'd met once at a conference.

I let out a quiet, humorless laugh and swallowed what I'd planned to tell him about my resignation.

It wasn't like he'd care.

My phone lit up. A message from Owen's smartwatch.

[Mom, is Dad coming home for my birthday?]

I froze. Without thinking, I glanced back.

Ethan was bending down to say something softly to Sienna.

Someone squeezed past them, and his arm came up automatically to shield her. The look in his eyes was gentle in a way I hadn't seen in years.

I swallowed the ache and texted him.

[It's Owen's birthday today. Are you free tonight?]

From across the hall, I watched him check his phone. Three seconds, maybe less. Then he slid it back into his pocket. His face didn't change at all.

I looked down at my unanswered message and almost laughed again.

Pull yourself together, Claire, I told myself.

You knew he'd never love you. What exactly were you hoping for?

I put my phone away, took a long breath, and walked off.

Don't worry, Ethan. You'll be free soon enough.

The moment I clocked out, I drove straight to Owen's kindergarten.

He spotted me at the gate and ran over. "Mom! It's my birthday! Is Dad gonna celebrate with us?"

Right there on the busy sidewalk, my eyes started to sting.

"Your dad—"

My phone buzzed in my hand.

Ethan had finally answered.

[I'm free. I'll be home.]

Relief rushed through me so fast it was almost embarrassing. I nodded hard. "Don't worry, buddy. Dad's coming home tonight."

Owen whooped and threw himself into my arms.

Six years married, and this was the first time Ethan had ever said yes to Owen's birthday.

That evening, I cooked all of Owen's favorites. He finished his worksheets before dinner without being asked.

One hour went by. Then two. Then three.

I texted Ethan again and again, asking if he was on his way. Like always, nothing came back.

Owen seemed to get it before I said a word. He looked up at me carefully. "Mom, is Dad too busy?"

Something sharp twisted under my ribs. I wanted to explain. Nothing came out.

Finally, I said, "It's okay. You'll always have me."

He didn't ask anything else. He just picked up his paper birthday crown.

"Can you put it on me, Mom?"

I nodded. As I reached for it, my screen lit up with a new post from Sienna.

[Best. Night. Ever. Feeling so spoiled.]