The private elevator hummed softly as it ascended to the penthouse. The polished steel doors slid open.
Arthur pushed the wheelchair out into the grand foyer. Harlan sat in the chair, dressed in a dark cashmere sweater and slacks. He looked exhausted, but his posture was rigid.
Jessenia stood under the massive crystal chandelier. She was wearing a pristine white silk blouse and tailored trousers. She held the hand of a two-and-a-half-year-old boy.
Leo had thick black hair and dark eyes. He was a miniature, flawless replica of the man sitting in the wheelchair.
The moment Leo saw the man, he yanked his small hand out of Jessenia's grip. His little legs pumped across the marble floor.
"Daddy!" Leo screamed. His voice was high-pitched and full of pure, unfiltered joy.
He crashed into Harlan's knees, throwing his small arms around Harlan's legs.
Harlan's rigid body jolted. He looked down at the child clinging to him. For a fraction of a second, confusion clouded his eyes. But then, something deeper took over. A primal, biological instinct bypassed his damaged brain and struck him straight in the chest.
Harlan's breathing hitched. He reached down with his large, scarred hands. He grabbed Leo by the waist and lifted the boy into his lap. His movements were slightly clumsy, unpracticed, but fiercely gentle.
Leo giggled. He reached up with a chubby hand and grabbed Harlan's jaw, pulling on the dark stubble that hadn't been shaved.
Harlan didn't pull away. The cold, predatory look in his eyes melted. A soft, genuine smile broke across his face. He pressed his forehead against Leo's.
Jessenia stood a few feet away, watching the scene. Her heart swelled with a dark, triumphant joy. This was her trump card. Blood was thicker than memory. Harlan could forget her, but he could never deny the physical proof of his own son.
She decided to capitalize on the moment. She walked forward, her heels clicking softly.
"He missed you so much," Jessenia said. Her voice was a soft, loving purr. "He asked for you every single day."
She stopped beside the wheelchair. She bent down slightly and placed her hand flat against Harlan's shoulder.
The reaction was instantaneous.
The moment her palm touched his sweater, the muscles beneath the fabric turned to iron. Harlan's smile vanished. His jaw ticked violently. A flash of pure, instinctual revulsion crossed his dark eyes.
He didn't look at her. He didn't say a word. He simply shifted his weight, turning his torso slightly to the left to adjust his grip on Leo.
The movement was smooth, but the message was brutal. Jessenia's hand slipped off his shoulder and fell into the empty air.
Jessenia's fingers went ice cold. The humiliation burned the back of her neck.
He didn't remember the NDA. He didn't remember hating her. But his body remembered. His nervous system remembered that she was repulsive to him. The physical rejection was a glaring alarm bell. If she couldn't bridge this physical gap, the entire illusion would eventually shatter.
Jessenia quickly pulled her hand back. She pretended to adjust the collar of Leo's shirt to hide her trembling fingers.
A door clicked open down the hallway.
Kaylee stepped out of the guest room opposite the master suite. She was holding a glass of warm water and a small white pill. She walked into the foyer, her bare feet making no sound on the marble.
"Cole," Kaylee said softly. She completely ignored Jessenia. "It's time for your pain medication."
Harlan heard her voice. The rigid tension in his shoulders instantly evaporated. He looked up at Kaylee and gave a small, appreciative nod.
Jessenia's blood boiled. She turned her head and glared at the glass in Kaylee's hand.
"Arthur," Jessenia snapped. Her voice was sharp and authoritative.
The butler stepped forward immediately.
"Take the water from Miss Ryan," Jessenia commanded. She looked directly into Kaylee's eyes. "From now on, Mr. Schwartz's medication will be handled by Fiona, the head nanny. We do not burden our guests with medical chores."
Kaylee stopped walking. She bit her lower lip hard enough to turn it white. She looked at Harlan, waiting for him to defend her.
Harlan didn't intervene. His attention was already back on Leo. He was whispering something to the boy, completely ignoring the silent war happening above his head.
Arthur stepped up and smoothly took the glass from Kaylee's hand.
Kaylee's shoulders slumped. She took a step back, playing the defeated victim perfectly.
Jessenia stood tall. She had won this small skirmish, but as she looked at Harlan holding their son, the cold dread returned. She had to break his physical defenses. She had to force his body to accept her, or Kaylee would find a way to slip through the cracks.
