Betrayed by Her Best Friend and the Billionaire at a Chicago Gala—She Disappeared Pregnant with His Baby, Only for Him to Hunt Her Down Seven Years Later!

The penthouse on Lake Shore Drive hadn't changed much in seven years. The floor-to-ceiling windows still offered a panoramic view of Lake Michigan, grey and churning under a heavy November sky. The crystal chandeliers still caught the evening light, casting splintered rainbows across the white marble floors.

But the atmosphere was entirely different.

Althia Calder sat in a high-backed velvet armchair near the fireplace, her posture rigid, her fingers clutching a porcelain teacup so tightly her knuckles were white. Standing beside her was Tessa Langley, looking less like the poised socialite of seven years ago and more like someone who realized she had backed the wrong horse in a high-stakes race.

When the private elevator chimed and the doors slid open, Althia didn't even look up until the sound of footsteps echoed across the marble.

""Reid,"" Althia said, her voice dripping with calculated frost. ""You’ve caused quite a scandal with your little trip to Oregon. The board is asking questions about—""

She stopped dead.

Reid stepped out of the elevator first, his hand resting lightly on Mara’s shoulder. Behind them came Leo, carrying Julian’s small canvas backpack. And last of all, Julian walked out, his hands shoved into the pockets of his jacket, looking around the massive penthouse with wide, curious eyes.

Althia’s teacup rattled violently against its saucer.

""What is the meaning of this?"" Althia hissed, standing up so fast her chair scraped loudly against the marble. ""Who brought a child into my home?""

""Your grandson, Althia,"" Reid said, his voice terrifyingly calm. He stepped forward, placing himself directly between his mother and Julian. ""Allow me to introduce Julian Calder. My son.""

Tessa gasped, her hand flying to her mouth. ""Reid, you can't be serious! That woman—she probably planned this from the beginning, trapping you with some kid just to—""

""Tessa,"" Reid interrupted, his voice dropping into a register that made Tessa step back involuntarily. ""If you finish that sentence, I will personally ensure that every architectural firm in North America blacklist your family’s development company before midnight.""

Tessa closed her mouth so fast her teeth clicked.

Althia glared at Mara, her eyes narrowed with pure venom. ""You think you’ve won, don't you? You think a pastry chef from a failing bakery can waltz into my family and—""

""She owns three successful artisan bakeries across the Pacific Northwest, Mother,"" Reid cut in smoothly. ""And she did it entirely without the Calder name, the Calder money, or your permission. Which is more than I can say for you, seeing as your entire lifestyle is funded by dividends from the trust I control.""

Althia’s face drained of color. ""Reid... you wouldn't.""

""Try me,"" Reid said softly. ""You have twenty-four hours to pack your bags and leave this penthouse. If I ever see you or hear of you attempting to contact Mara or Julian again, you won't just lose your allowance—you’ll lose your home.""

Mara stood quietly behind Reid, watching the woman who had terrorized her memories for seven years shrink into nothingness under the weight of her own son’s fury.