Chapter 3 - The Threat in the Shadows
Xavier couldn't tear his eyes away from the boy. The cinematic realization crashed over him—the timing, the age, the exact shade of dark hair. Nathan wasn't just Sophia's son. He was his son.
"Sophia," Xavier breathed, taking a desperate step forward, crunching the broken glass under his polished shoe. "You're alive. Why... why did you run?"
"I didn't run, Mr. Blackwood," Sophia replied, her voice trembling slightly as she gripped Nathan’s hand tighter. "I relocated. Now, please excuse us. My husband is waiting for us at our table."
Xavier stopped dead in his tracks. "Husband?"
Before Sophia could answer, a man stepped out of the blurred background crowd.
It was Richard. The very same abusive ex-fiancé who had told the police Sophia was dead seven years ago. He was wearing an expensive gray suit, a smug, arrogant smile plastered across his face. He walked up behind Sophia and placed a heavy, controlling hand on the bare skin of her back.
Sophia flinched visibly, her entire body going rigid.
"Is there a problem here, Mr. Blackwood?" Richard asked smoothly, his tone dripping with toxic condescension. "I see you've met my beautiful wife and my son."
Xavier stared at Richard, his blood turning to absolute ice.
Seven years ago, Richard was a broke, violent mid-level manager. Today, he was wearing a fifty-thousand-dollar watch and standing in the VIP section of an elite charity gala.
"Your son?" Xavier growled, his dark eyes turning blacker than midnight as he looked down at little Nathan.
Richard’s grip tightened on Sophia’s spine. "Yes. My son. Come along, Sophia. The cake is being served."
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Sophia didn't look at Xavier again. She kept her head down and let Richard lead her and Nathan away into the crowded ballroom.
👉 How will the ruthless billionaire uncover the truth about the last seven years?
