Chapter 45 -CELINE- I didn't mean to eavesdrop . I was just coming to check on Caesar . Just doing what I always do - making sure he wasn't in someone's way , wasn't touching something too expensive , wasn't being ... too much . But I heard it . The tiny , innocent voice that belonged to my entire world . And the stunned silence that followed . " Maybe you can be my daddy ? " My breath caught so hard it hurt . I watched Hunter freeze . I watched the panic flicker across his face , the way his body tensed like he'd been shot . And then- He bolted . Like he couldn't get away fast enough . I press a hand against my chest . It's stupid . I know it's stupid to feel this kind of hollow . But it still stings . More than it should . I step into the study , my movements robotic . Caesar sits there on the floor , smiling like he didn't just blow up the one place we were safe in . " Did I do something bad , Mommy ?" he asks .. His little face tilts up at me , worried . I blink back the sting behind my eyes and force a smile . " No , baby , " I whisper . " You didn't do anything wrong . " I Because he didn't . Because he's just a boy who deserves , the world , and somehow I keep handing him se I kneel and gather him into my arms , pressing my face against his soft hair . Hunter's scent is still faint on him ... something clean , something sharp .... and it makes my throat close . " You're perfect , " I murmur into his hair . And it's not a lie . Not even a little bit . I pull back , ruffling his hair . " Why don't you go show Miss Caroline what you built , huh ? " He nods , excited , and scrambles up , blocks spilling from his arms as he races out of the study . Alone in Hunter's study , I allow myself to look around for the first time . Dark wood shelves lined with leather - bound books . A massive desk that probably costs more than a year's salary . Everything was neat , precise , controlled - just like him . Except for the tower of blocks still sitting on his Persian rug . I sink into his chair , the leather still warm from where Caesar had been sitting , 1/5 1203 THIET Chapter 45 The scent of Hunter's cologne clings to the air - sandalwood and something darker , richer . Swallowing the feeling that I should have known better . That I always should know better . Men like Hunter don't stay , Not for girls like me , Not for boys like Caesar , I wipe at my face , standing stiffly . Fine . If he's uncomfortable , he won't have to worry . I'll make it easy for him . I always do . The sound of footsteps in the hallway jerks me out of my thoughts , I stand quickly , not wanting to be caught in Hunter's chair . But it's not Hunter. It's Fabian , one of the contractors . " Oh ," he says , looking surprised to find me there . " Sorry , I was looking for the boss . " " He's not here , " I say , stating the obvious . Fabian nods , lingering in the doorway . " Are you okay ? You seem ... " " I'm fine , " I cut him off , perhaps too sharply . " Just cleaning up . " He glances at the block tower , then back at me . A small smile tugs at his lips . " Hunter was building blocks with your kid ? " I don't answer. Don't need to . Fabian's smile widens . " Interesting " " it's not what you think , " I say quickly . " I'm not thinking anything ," he replies , but his expression says otherwise . " Just surprised . Hunter doesn't usually connect ... with people . " I move past him toward the door . " I should find Caesar Fabian steps aside to let me pass , but his voice follows me . " Hunter gave me a warning today . About you . " I freeze , turning slowly . " What ? " " Told me to stay away from you . " Fabian's eyes hold mine . " Said you weren't some ' side project . That you'd been through hell " My heart pounds against my ribs . " He said that ? " Fabian nods . " Never seen him that protective before . " He pauses . " Makes more sense now , seeing him with your son . " " It's not " I begin , but the words die on my lips . What's the point in denying it ? The resemblance is undeniable to anyone who . looks closely enough . " Your secret's safe , " Fabian says quietly . " Not my business anyway . " He walks away , leaving me standing in the hallway , feeling more exposed than ever " Mommy , Hunter showed me how to build a castle ! " Caesar's voice floats down the hallway as I follow him toward the kitchen , 2/5 12:08 Thu 31 Jul Chapter 45 My steps slow when I see Ana , the head maid , giving me that familiar look of disapproval . Her eyes dart to Caesar , then back to me " Control your child , " she hisses as she passes . " This isn't a daycare . " I clench my jaw but say nothing . She's been making my life hell since I started , but I can't afford to lose this job . The kitchen is warm , filled with the scent of chocolate chip cookies . Caesar races ahead , already climbing onto a stool at the counter . " Hey, little man ! " Caroline's voice rings out as she sweeps into the room . " Miss Caroline ! I built a castle with Hunter Caesar announces , beaming Caroline's perfectly shaped eyebrow arches . " With Hunter ? In his study ? " I nod slightly , not meeting her eyes . " Well , that's unexpected ," she says , shooting me a curious look Cook slides a cookie toward Caesar , his face already smeared with chocolate from previous ones . " Hunter said I'm smart , " Caesar continues proudly , swinging his legs . Caroline's expression softens as she looks at him . " Of course you are . You're the smartest three - year - old I know . " She pulls me aside while Caesar demolishes his cookie . " He looks like him , you know , " she says quietly . The floor seems to shift beneath my feet . " What ? " " Caesar , " she clarifies , though we both know who she means . " Same eyes . Same little scowl when he's concentrating . " I don't deny it . Can't find the words . my arm gently . " Hunter's not as cold as he pretends to be . Just so you know . " Caroline squeezes my Before I can respond , the back door opens and Hunter himself walks in . Our eyes lock . For a moment , ther of us breathes . " Hunter " Caesar calls out . " Come see my cookie ! " Hunter's gaze shifts to Caesar and something in his expression softens almost gradually . But then it's gone , replaced by the cool mask I've come to know . " Not now , kid ," he says , his voice deliberately neutral . He turns to Caroline . " I need the Stevens file . And call Vincent - tell him the meeting's moved up . " Caroline rolls her eyes dramatically . " I'm not your secretary , asshole , " she says , but there's no real heat in it . " But I'll do it for that extra pay you offered . " Hunter's mouth twitches - almost a smije . " You're impossible . " " It's genetic ," she fires back , already reaching for her phone Hunter glances at me one more time before turning to leave , his eyes cold . -3/5 Chapter 45 " Hunter " Caesar calls after him , his voice small and disappointed . Hunter pauses his back to us , shoulders tense . For a second , I think he might turn around . Instead , he walks out without another . word . Caroline sighs , watching him go . " He's ... complicated . " " He's an ass , " I mutter , too low for Caesar to hear . Caroline laughs . " That too . " She studies my face . " But something is going on with you two . I've never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you ." " With contempt ? " I ask bitterly .. " With fear , " she corrects . " Like you might see right through him . " I shake my head . " Well , he doesn't need to worry . We'll be out of his way . " Caroline frowns " Celine- " " It's fine , " I cut her off. " This job was never going to be forever anyway . " Thelp Caesar clean his face , ignoring Caroline's concerned gaze . My phone buzzes in my pocket - a - text from Blake : ' How's the fancy house ? Too good to text old friends back ?! I smile despite everything . Blake had been a good friend when my family threw me out . When Caesar was born . When I struggled to make ends meet at The Aurelia . Sorry , I type back , ' Been busy . Long story ." Her response is immediate : ' Spill it all when we see . My place . Wine for me , ice cream for you . " My smile fades . What would I even say ? " Hey , remember that mystery guy from three years ago who got me pregnant ? Turns out he's my multi - millionaire boss who just figured out Caesar is his son . " " Miss Caroline , can we play on the piano ? " Caesar asks , chocolate finally cleaned from his face . Caroline's eyes light up . " Of course , little prince . I'll show you how to play that song you liked . " She leads him toward the music room , glancing back at me with a look that says our conversation isn't over . I sigh , leaning against the counter . Cook gives me a sympathetic smile . " That boy's bringing life into this house , " she says quietly . " First time I've seen Mr. Maxwell smile in years . " I don't know what to say to that . Don't know what to do with the hope it sparks . Because I know what's coming . The questions . The accusations . The truth I've been running from since the moment I saw those blue eyes staring back at me from a positive pregnancy test . The question isn't if Hunter will confront me . It's when 4/5 Chapter 45 And what happens to Caesar and me when he does ? Discover our latest featured short drama reel. Watch now and enjoy the story!