Liam's gaze was locked on the little boy clinging to Ava's leg.
Four years old. Maybe five.
Same stormy blue eyes.
Same dark waves in his hair.
Even the way he frowned—God, it was him.
"Ava," Liam's voice dropped, low and dangerous, "who is he?"
Ava's throat went dry. Her heart raced.
She hadn't prepared for this moment—not here, not now.
"He's… he's my son," she said quietly, placing a protective hand on Ethan's shoulder.
Liam took a slow step forward. "Your son?"
His voice was calm, but his eyes burned.
Ethan looked up curiously. "Mommy, who is this man?"
Ava knelt beside her son, her voice soft. "Just someone mommy used to know, sweetheart."
Liam's jaw clenched. "Used to? That's all I am to you now?"
Ava stood up straight. Her eyes met his—strong, unwavering. "That's all you ever were."
That hit him like a slap. But he wasn't backing down.
"Is he mine?" Liam's voice cracked, barely above a whisper.
Ava froze.
Her silence said everything.
Liam staggered back half a step, like someone had punched the air out of his lungs.
"Jesus… You had my child… and never told me?"
People were starting to glance their way. Curious eyes. Raised brows.
Ava lowered her voice, her lips trembling. "You weren't supposed to find out like this."
"Damn right I wasn't!" he hissed. "You lied to me, Ava. You ran away. And all this time—my son was out there, and I didn't even know he existed?"
Ethan tugged her hand. "Mommy, I want to go home."
Ava scooped him up in her arms, holding him close.
"Shh, baby. We'll go soon."
Liam stared at them both, his fists clenched at his sides.
He had built empires. Broken enemies. Controlled entire markets.
But right now—he had no control.
"You can't just walk away again," he said, voice low. "Not this time."
Ava turned, her voice barely above a whisper.
"I already did."
And with Ethan in her arms, she disappeared into the crowd…
Leaving Liam standing in a room full of strangers—
Alone.
Shocked.
And more broken than ever before.