Ethan hadn't moved in minutes.
Liam's arms were still wrapped around his neck, his small heartbeat thudding against Ethan's chest like the steady echo of something sacred. A rhythm he never knew he was missing until now.
Dad.
One word. Just one. And it undid him.
"I've waited so long to meet you," Liam whispered into his shoulder.
Ethan blinked hard. "I didn't even know I was waiting, kiddo. But now that I have you, I'm never letting go."
Ava stood quietly by the doorway, arms folded around herself. Watching them like she wasn't sure if she was dreaming or losing her mind.
Liam pulled back just enough to look Ethan in the eyes. "Do I look like you?"
"You've got my eyes," Ethan said softly, cupping the boy's cheek. "And my stubbornness, I think."
Ava huffed a laugh under her breath. "That's an understatement."
The three of them sat down together, for the first time as something resembling a family. Ethan tried not to break under the weight of what he'd missed—Liam's first steps, first words, scraped knees, birthday candles blown out without a father nearby.
"Can I tell my friends I have a dad now?" Liam asked suddenly. "They always ask where mine is."
Ava's face crumpled. But before she could answer, Ethan said, firm and sure: "Yes. You can tell them your dad is here now. And he's not going anywhere."
Liam beamed. Ethan nearly broke again.
But the moment was too perfect, too whole… and reality doesn't stay kind for long.
A knock rattled the quiet.
Ava stood, frowning. She opened the door—
And there stood Claudia Cole, as poised as ever, her expression unreadable.
Behind her… Victoria, arms crossed, smile fake.
Claudia's gaze swept over the room, landing on Liam… and then on Ethan, still sitting beside him.
"So," Claudia said coolly. "This is the child."
Ava stepped forward protectively, blocking Liam with her body. "What do you want, Claudia?"
Claudia's smile didn't reach her eyes. "To talk. About the mess you've made—and the consequences you clearly haven't thought through."
Ethan stood slowly. The warmth in his eyes gone, replaced by ice.
"Leave."
But Claudia merely tilted her head. "You think it's that simple? You may be a father now, Ethan. But don't forget—you're also the CEO of a multi-billion-dollar company. One scandal, one emotional decision… and the board will be more than happy to replace you."
Her eyes flicked to Ava.
"And I'll make sure they do."
Ethan stepped in front of Ava and Liam without hesitation. "You can try. But I won't let you come into this home and threaten the people I love."
Claudia arched an eyebrow. "Love? Ethan, don't be foolish. This affair you're having with the past—it's going to ruin you."
Ava clenched her fists at her sides. "This isn't an affair. This is our son."
Victoria's voice slid in, syrupy sweet. "And what a sweet child he is. But think, Ethan—do you really believe the media won't have a field day with this? A secret child? A former intern you never stopped obsessing over? You're playing right into the narrative."
Ethan turned to her with barely restrained fury. "I'm not playing anything. I'm choosing my family."
Claudia didn't flinch. "Then choose carefully. Because there will be consequences."
"You already made your choices for me once," Ethan snapped. "You took Ava's letter. You let me believe she abandoned me. You let me think I was alone."
The room pulsed with silence.
Liam looked up, confused. "What letter?"
Ava swallowed, bending down to him. "It's… something I wrote your dad a long time ago. When I found out I was pregnant. I tried to tell him. But someone made sure he never got it."
Claudia didn't deny it. She didn't have to.
"I was protecting you," she said simply. "From a life that would've dragged you down."
Ethan laughed bitterly. "You weren't protecting me. You were controlling me."
Victoria stepped forward. "This doesn't have to get messy. We can still fix this. We'll spin the story, make Ava look like a mistake from the past who showed up with wild claims—"
Ethan's voice dropped to a dangerous calm. "Say one more word about her like that, and you'll be the one needing a publicist."
Victoria stiffened.
But Claudia only smiled, as if she'd expected this reaction all along. "You're making a choice. Just remember—when the board asks why Cole Dynamics is suddenly a PR disaster, your answer will be her."
Ava's lips parted, shaken.
"I won't let her be your scapegoat," Ethan said. "Not again."
Claudia gave one final look to Liam. For a second—just a second—something unreadable passed across her face.
Then she turned away. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
She swept out, Victoria trailing behind her like a shadow with too much perfume and not enough soul.
As the door clicked shut, Ethan exhaled. His hands were shaking.
Liam looked between them. "Are they going to take you away again, Mom?"
"No," Ethan said before Ava could answer. He dropped to his knees in front of his son. "No one's taking her. Or you. I promise."
Liam nodded slowly, then leaned into Ethan again.
This time, Ethan held on tighter.
Because the fight wasn't over. It was only just beginning.