Ivy stood by her bedroom window as the city yawned into dusk. Her phone sat on the nightstand beside her, screen dark, accusing. She had typed and deleted the same email three times.
Each version more clinical than the last.
None felt right.
How do you tell a man he's a father after six years of silence?
The weight of it pressed down on her chest like a stone. Her pulse thrummed in her ears. Her fingers shook.
She reached for the phone again.
One last try.
Subject: Private – Concerning Aiden Thorne
Message:
This isn't business-related.
It's personal.
It concerns someone he may want to meet.
Please forward this to Mr. Thorne directly.
If he wants to speak, he'll find me at Café Verona tomorrow at noon.
No media. No lawyers. Just answers.
– Ivy
She stared at the message for a long time before hitting Send.
It was done.
The silence was broken.
Thorne Enterprises – Late Night
Aiden hadn't planned to check his personal inbox that night, but something—an itch—pulled him toward it.
When he saw the sender's name, his breath caught.
Ivy.
He read the message once. Then again. Each word a siren blaring in his mind.
Café Verona. Noon.
He didn't hesitate. He dialed Richard.
"She's ready."
The Next Morning – Café Verona
Ivy arrived early. She always did when her nerves got the better of her. The café smelled of roasted beans and freshly baked bread, but nothing eased her nausea.
Leo was with Maddie.
She tapped her fingers on the rim of her cup, eyes flicking to the door every time it creaked open.
Then—
He walked in.
Aiden.
Sharp suit. Brooding intensity. Like a storm in a tailored jacket. He looked more dangerous than she remembered. More powerful. But there was something else, too—something almost… guarded.
He scanned the café until their eyes locked.
Neither of them moved for a moment.
Then he strode toward her.
"You came," she said quietly.
"You asked."
He sat across from her, posture controlled, every movement restrained.
"I read your message."
"I figured."
"You said this was personal." His eyes narrowed slightly. "So tell me, Ivy. What exactly do I need to know?"
Her throat tightened.
Say it.
Just say it.
"I didn't leave because I hated you, Aiden," she began. "I left because I found out I was pregnant. And I knew what your world looked like. What it would do to a child. I couldn't risk it."
He blinked. Once.
The café buzzed around them—cups clinking, machines hissing—but in her world, everything went silent.
"I have a son," she whispered. "His name is Leo."
The words finally left her lips. And the weight of six years cracked open.
Aiden's POV – The Impact
He didn't move.
Not at first.
The name rang like thunder in his skull.
Leo.
His son.
Ivy watched him, chest rising and falling quickly, clearly bracing for some kind of outburst.
But Aiden didn't explode.
Instead, his voice dropped to a whisper. "How old?"
"Five. Almost six."
He leaned forward slowly. "You let me believe you were gone. That you vanished without a trace. And all this time, you were raising my son in the shadows?"
"I did what I had to," she said, voice brittle. "I wasn't going to let him become a pawn. You were surrounded by enemies. You still are. I've seen the news. The threats. The lawsuits. The boardroom games—"
"I'm not a monster, Ivy."
"No. But your world is."
Silence again.
This time, colder.
"I didn't come here to fight," she added after a beat. "I came to tell you the truth. And to warn you."
"Warn me?"
She looked him straight in the eye.
"Someone else knows. Someone dangerous. I don't know who yet, but they've been watching me. Watching Leo."
His demeanor shifted instantly.
"Why didn't you say that first?"
"Because I didn't know if I could trust you."
"I'm the father of your child. And you didn't think that might be relevant?"
"I didn't know if you'd protect him—or take him."
He slammed his palm on the table, eyes flashing. "You think I'd take him from you?"
"I think you're used to getting what you want. And I wasn't sure if he'd become part of a power play."
The anger in his eyes faded just slightly. Enough for Ivy to see the hurt buried beneath.
"I need to meet him," Aiden said finally. "Not someday. Not eventually. Now."
Later That Day – Apartment Steps
Ivy turned the key in her door slowly, heart still rattled from the café.
She hadn't expected it to go well.
But she hadn't expected it to hurt, either.
Seeing Aiden again stirred feelings she'd long buried. Love and rage. Longing and fear. And maybe… guilt.
Leo ran to her as soon as she stepped in.
"Mama! Look! I drew a superhero!"
She knelt down and hugged him tightly.
"Wow," she whispered, "you really did."
Elsewhere – The Third Party
He watched the café from across the street.
Saw Aiden leave.
Saw Ivy sit alone for five full minutes before heading out.
He raised the camera.
Click.
Click.
He sent the photos to a contact labeled only: "Client"
Attached was a message:
They've made contact.
Want me to move?