Billionaire's Secret Heir

Sunlight streaming through the transparent curtains filled the little Brooklyn apartment with the aroma of cinnamon pancakes. As she flipped the final pancake onto a plate, Natalie Reed stood at the stove and looked at her six-year-old son Liam, who was lying on the floor of the living room. He rolled a toy vehicle down a makeshift racetrack of couch pillows, his dark locks bobbling.

With a gentle yet strong tone, Natalie said, "Liam, breakfast is ready."

As the automobile sped down the last stretch, he said, "Just one more lap, Mom!" with glowing green eyes.

After laughing and using a dish towel to wipe her hands, Natalie placed the plates on their tiny circular table. The flat was small, with well-worn, mismatched furnishings, but it was home. With Liam's crayon drawings pinned to the refrigerator, art materials on the counter, and a few framed pictures of the two of them strewn around, every nook and cranny represented their life together.

"The race is over. As she sat down and poured him a glass of orange juice, Natalie taunted, "Your pancakes might disappear if you don't hurry."

With a stumbling gait, Liam climbed into his chair and began to eat his stack of pancakes, smiling. "You wouldn't allow them to vanish, would you?"

She sipped her coffee and shrugged playfully, "Maybe."

Natalie's eyes strayed to the living room corner where a lone cardboard box was sitting while Liam was eating. Even though it was sealed, she knew what was inside-a collection of memories she had stored away years before-without having to open it. Letters, pictures, and one baby blanket. Things that made her think of the man she had once imagined spending the rest of her life with.

Grayson, Alexander.

The name itself made her heartache. She had put a lot of effort into burying the hurt and concentrating on raising Liam without allowing her past to interfere. She had been able to provide them with a steady, peaceful life for six years. Occasionally, however, the memories came back, persistent and unwanted.

"Mom?" She recoiled at Liam's voice. "After you finish working today, is it possible for us to visit the park?"

Natalie dismissed the ideas with a smile. "My dear. However, only if your assignment is completed beforehand.

Liam shoved another pancake mouthful into his lips while nodding and letting out a loud grunt.

After breakfast, Natalie arranged Liam at the little desk in the living room corner and washed the dishes. While she opened her laptop at the kitchen counter, he concentrated on spelling words with his pencil scratching the paper.

The majority of the emails that inundated her inbox were from clients who needed last-minute design adjustments or alterations. Although she was proud of the little graphic design company she had started from the ground up, there were days when it seemed like she was trying to balance too many things at once.

Her phone buzzed on the counter as she was in the middle of answering a client. Glancing at the notification, Natalie wiped her hands on a dish towel.

Her stomach churned. She had remembered that Alexander's business was one of her most important clients, of course, but it felt heavy to see his name in her email.

After a moment of hesitation, she opened the email.

To Ms. Reed,

In appreciation of your contributions to our branding campaign, we are pleased to extend an invitation to you to attend the Grayson Technologies Annual Charity Gala.

Natalie glanced over the facts, her heart pounding. The gala was Alexander's event, not simply another one. Her promotional materials, from the large digital banners to the elegant black-and-gold invites, were emblazoned with his name. She had been able to plan everything without ever giving him any thought, but suddenly she could feel her carefully constructed barriers coming down.

With a sharp exhale, Natalie leaned against the counter and closed the email. She was unable to go. She shouldn't leave.

Her gaze then strayed to the bills that were neatly piled next to her laptop. More than just a chance to network, the event offered the possibility to earn further work with Grayson Technologies, a customer whose contract covered Liam's tuition and kept them afloat.

"Are you okay, Mom?"

Natalie turned to see Liam observing her with an inquisitive tilt of his head. His big green eyes penetrated right through her, much like Alexander's.

She tried to grin. "I'm all right, my love. Simply considering a job.

"Work is boring," he said, turning back to his assignments.

Despite her quiet laughter, Natalie's chest continued to sag.

As promised, Natalie took Liam to the park once he completed his homework. As Natalie watched Liam go toward the playground, she found herself unwinding to the sound of youngsters laughing in the cold fall air. With limitless enthusiasm, he easily scaled the jungle gym.

Natalie took out her sketchpad, sat on a nearby bench, and started drawing absently. She was calmed by the sound of the pencil's familiar scrape on paper.

Her mind, however, kept returning to Alexander.

He used to stare at her as though she were the only one in the room, and she recalled that. His ambition had been addictive, and his charm had been magnetic. She hadn't realized the storm was coming until it was too late since she had fallen for him so deeply and carelessly.

She was left with nothing but heartache and a secret that would change her life when their relationship ended.

"Look, Mom!" Her daydreaming was interrupted by Liam's voice.

He was waving enthusiastically at the top of the slide when she looked up. "Look, buddy, I'm watching!"

Natalie felt love fill her heart as he slid down with a victorious laugh. Liam was her compass in any situation. She had worked so hard to restore her life, to make it secure and solid, because of him.

But a familiar uneasiness began to creep in as she watched him play. Could she hide her secret any longer? As he grew older, Liam's inquiries about his father increased. Furthermore, if Alexander ever learned the truth...

Natalie dismissed the idea with a shake of her head. She was unable to consider that at this time.

After playing all day, Liam was sound asleep on the couch when he got home. With her laptop open in front of her, Natalie sat at the kitchen table. From the screen, the gala invitation gazed back at her.

She was aware that she would eventually have to make the choice. She would run the chance of bumping into Alexander and revealing everything she had battled to keep safe if she attended. But she may miss her chance to give Liam the future she desires if she stays away.

As she hovered her fingers over the keyboard, she mentally formed the RSVP's wording.

With a sinking heart, she said to herself, "Yes."

After pressing the button, she shut down her laptop.

Ignorant of the tempest that was building inside of her, the city lights outside glowed against the night sky.