The penthouse was too quiet.
Killian didn't speak to me after we got out of the car.
He held the door open. Let me walk in first.
Then vanished into his office and locked the door.
I wasn't sure if I was being punished, avoided, or studied through some invisible lens.
And honestly? I didn't care.
Not tonight.
I curled into the couch with a throw blanket, TV on mute, and let my brain melt into white noise.
Leo would be transferred tomorrow.
Tomorrow.
I should've been relieved, but all I felt was dread.
Because once Killian saw him—really saw him—what would he do?
What if he hated him?
What if he claimed him?
I'd already watched one Rhys brother poison my life. I wasn't sure I could survive another one doing the same to Leo.
---
I must've dozed off, because I woke up to the sound of footsteps.
Soft, unhurried, echoing through the penthouse like they belonged there.
Because they did.
Killian.
I didn't move.
I heard the clink of glass. The soft pop of a bottle opening. Ice cubes dropping.
Then the silence shifted. His presence was behind me. Closer. Watching.
Still, I said nothing. Just stared at the muted TV screen like it could protect me.
"You should sleep in the room," he said, voice low. "That couch wasn't made for someone with a spine."
I pulled the blanket tighter. "I'm fine."
He walked around, stepping into my view, drink in hand. His tie was loosened, sleeves rolled up. He looked tired. But not in the human way—tired in that burned-out demon king kind of way.
"You're not."
I lifted my eyes to his. "Neither are you."
He tilted his head. "Maybe we both need to stop pretending."
I blinked. "Pretending what?"
"That this arrangement doesn't mean something."
My throat dried. "It's a contract."
"It's a bond."
"You bought me."
"I saved you."
"Same thing."
"No," he said, stepping closer. "It's not."
His eyes dropped to the way I clutched the blanket. The way my fingers trembled against the fabric.
"You're afraid of me."
"Shouldn't I be?"
His jaw clenched. He reached out slowly, brushed a stray strand of hair from my cheek. His knuckles grazed my skin like a whisper.
"I don't want your fear, Noelle."
"Then stop giving me reasons to be afraid."
He froze.
And for a moment, I thought he'd walk away again.
But instead, he sat on the coffee table directly in front of me, elbows on his knees, staring into my soul.
"I didn't plan to feel anything," he said.
I swallowed. "Then stop pretending you do."
"I'm not pretending."
Silence fell between us. Thick. Drenched in confusion and slow-burning pain.
Then he said something I didn't expect.
"Do you think he'll like me?"
I blinked. "Who?"
"Leo."
The name coming from his mouth felt… wrong. Like it didn't belong there. Like it didn't fit his sharp teeth.
"I don't know."
"I've never met a kid before. Not properly."
"Then maybe don't treat him like a negotiation."
"I don't. I just…" he looked away, jaw flexing. "I don't want to be the reason he's afraid to sleep at night."
I stared. Hard.
This man had made grown men piss themselves with a glance. But here he was—nervous about a four-year-old.
"I didn't expect you to care," I whispered.
He laughed bitterly. "Neither did I."
And just like that, the tension shifted.
It didn't leave.
It changed.
Turned into something quieter. Dangerous in a new way.
"Why did you really marry me?" I asked suddenly, surprising even myself.
He didn't blink.
"To hurt Marcus."
"And now?"
His gaze dropped to my lips. "Now I'm not sure who I'm hurting anymore."
I felt that. Like a punch in the chest.
He stood suddenly, taking his drink with him, heading back toward the hallway. But just before disappearing—
"I'll send for you in the morning. I want you there when I meet him."
My mouth parted. "You think I'd let you meet him alone?"
He turned, just once, and said—
"I'm not the enemy, Noelle."
And then he was gone.
---
The next morning came too fast.
I didn't sleep.
I showered. Dressed slowly. Picked out Leo's favorite hoodie from my bag, the one with the tiny lion ears on the hood, and clutched it like a lifeline.
When Killian knocked on the door, I didn't speak. Just opened it and stepped out.
He was already in full black again. Sleek. Sharp. Prepared for war.
"You don't have to come," I said softly.
He looked me over once. "Try to stop me."
We didn't speak on the drive. I kept staring at the sky like maybe God would throw me a miracle and cancel this whole damn day.
But He didn't.
When we arrived, Killian flashed something at the front desk and suddenly, doors opened that usually didn't.
The nurses looked at him with curiosity. Some with fear.
The doctor greeted us with a strange stiffness—like he wasn't sure whether to bow or run.
I hated it.
I hated how powerful Killian was here.
Like even in a place of healing… he was still the threat.
"This way," the doctor said. "He's just woken up. A bit weak. But he's stable."
I led the way this time.
My feet moved on their own.
My chest burned.
And then…
There he was.
Leo.
My son.
My heart.
Tiny body tucked under a blanket, IV hooked into his hand, eyes groggy but alert. His curls were messy. His skin paler than usual.
But he smiled the second he saw me.
"Mama."
I rushed forward, tears breaking without permission, and cradled his face.
"My baby."
He clung to me, breathing in deep like my scent was the only air he trusted.
I forgot Killian was in the room until Leo noticed him.
His tiny voice piped up. "Who dat?"
I froze.
Killian stepped closer. But slowly. Cautiously.
"Noelle," he said, voice low, "may I?"
I looked back once.
And nodded.
He crouched beside the bed, dark suit and all, and held out a hand.
"I'm Killian," he said. "I'm… a friend of your mom's."
Leo tilted his head. "You tall."
Killian smirked. "That's what they tell me."
"You got a voice like the scary guy in cartoons."
Killian laughed. Like, actually laughed. "I'll take that as a compliment."
Leo smiled sleepily. Then asked, "You gots candy?"
"I can have a warehouse by noon," Killian replied without missing a beat.
Leo looked impressed.
And just like that…
My son accepted him.
So fucking easily.
I stood frozen. Watching my world shift.
Leo, who didn't trust strangers.
Killian, who didn't care about anything.
And now?
They were looking at each other like… like maybe they were family.
I didn't know whether to be relieved or terrified.
Maybe both.