THE BILLIONAIRE'S SECRET SYMPHONY

Eleanor Caldwell was a woman carved from ice and old money. She wore a tailored Chanel suit, her silver hair perfectly coiffed. Four years ago, her mere presence had been enough to send me running into the night. Now, I stood up, placing myself instinctively between her and the hallway that led to Leo's room.

Ethan stood up beside me, his broad shoulders squared. "Mother. What are you doing here?"

"I am here to clean up your mess, Ethan," Eleanor said coldly, stepping into the room. "The board is in a panic. The Haynes family is threatening to pull their investments. And all because of... this." She waved a dismissive hand toward me.

"Don't speak about her that way," Ethan warned, his voice low.

"Oh, please. You're thinking with your heart, not your head," Eleanor scoffed. "You have a duty to this family. If this girl has managed to produce a child that resembles you, we will handle it quietly. A generous trust fund, a house in another state, and non-disclosure agreements. Victoria is still willing to marry you if you handle this discreetly."

"Victoria pushed my son onto the floor, Mother," Ethan said, his voice laced with disgust. "She is a monster. And I am not hiding my child."

Eleanor’s eyes narrowed. "If you claim this boy publicly, you will legitimize a scandal. You will be tying yourself to a maid."

"I am marrying her."

The words dropped like a bomb in the quiet room. I gasped, turning to stare at Ethan. We hadn't discussed marriage. We were barely navigating being parents together. Ethan didn't look at me; his eyes were locked in a lethal battle of wills with his mother.

"You will do no such thing," Eleanor hissed.

"Watch me," Ethan replied calmly. "Rosa is the only woman I have ever loved. Leo is my heir. If you cannot accept that, you will no longer have a place in my life, or in my son's."

Just then, tiny footsteps padded into the room. Leo, rubbing his eyes from his nap, holding his cloth rabbit, walked over to me. He looked up at the intimidating older woman, completely unfazed.