The morning sun cast long shadows across Ashford Tower as Liam stood at the window, his mind already racing through the consequences of the night before. His empire balanced on a knife's edge mergers threatened, rivals circling, and now this: an heir no one knew existed.
And Vivian. The woman who'd defied him once and dared to do it again.
Behind him, the door clicked open. Vivian entered, her expression unreadable, Daniel clinging to her hand.
Liam turned slowly, his gaze sharp. "We need to talk. Alone."
Vivian hesitated, but then nodded. She bent to Daniel. "Wait outside for Mama, baby. Just for a little bit."
Daniel pouted. "But"
"It's okay." She kissed his forehead. "Stay right outside."
When the door closed, Liam wasted no time. "We can't keep playing this out in the shadows, Vivian. My board will find out. The press will find out. This will explode unless we act now."
Vivian crossed her arms. "And what exactly are you proposing?"
Liam stepped closer, his tone calm but unyielding. "A contract marriage. We announce the marriage, secure my heir's legitimacy, and control the narrative. No scandal. No weakness. No one gets to use him against me or you."
Vivian's breath caught, but she kept her composure. "A marriage? After everything?"
"It's business." His voice was ice. "Nothing more. You live under my protection, Daniel gets my name, and I ensure neither of you are targets."
Vivian shook her head slowly. "You think I'll sign my life over to you that easily?"
"I think you'll do what's best for your son." His eyes bore into hers. "And this this is his best chance."
The weight of his words settled between them.
"I'll draw up the terms," Liam said, finality in his tone. "You'll see I'm offering security, not chains. Think carefully, Vivian because this is the only offer you'll get."
Vivian stared at him, her heart pounding with the choice she never wanted to face.
And outside the door, Daniel sat quietly unaware that the world he knew was about to change forever.
But Liam wasn't finished. He took a step closer, his voice dropping lower, colder.
"If we don't act now, the board will see weakness. The press will tear into this. My enemies will use him to get to me. Is that the world you want for our son?"
Vivian's jaw clenched. "I want him safe far from your ruthless world."
Liam's gaze hardened. "That's no longer possible. The moment he was born with my blood, his place in this world was set. You knew that. You ran from it, but you can't run anymore."
Vivian's breath hitched, but she stood tall. "I need time to think."
"You don't have time," Liam said flatly. He turned, his mind already racing through damage control, press statements, and how to spin this in his favor. "We either control the story, or it controls us. And I don't lose, Vivian. Ever."
She stared at him, hating the part of her that knew he was right.
Liam picked up a file from his desk, sliding it toward her. "Review it. My legal team drafted the terms. Security for you. A future for him. And control for me. This isn't about you or me anymore it's about what's best for Daniel."
Vivian's fingers brushed the file, her heart heavy with dread. The world she'd tried to protect was closing in fast, and Liam Ashford was at its center cold, calculating, and utterly unmovable.
Outside, Daniel swung his legs where he sat, humming softly to himself. Innocent. Unaware.
And inside, the deal of a lifetime was being written in invisible ink in loyalty, control, and sacrifice.