"What do you want for dinner?" Riven asked, glancing toward the kitchen. "Papa's cooking tonight."
"Ice cream!" Lior shouted, both arms shooting up like he'd won a prize.
Riven laughed, ruffling his son's hair. "Silly. Ice cream's not dinner."
He stretched and headed to the kitchen. "Let's see what we've got."
He opened the fridge—then stopped cold.
Stocked. Not just food, but their food. Vegetables he always bought. Cuts of meat portioned the way he liked. Fish wrapped in paper, still smelling of salt. On the second shelf: Lior's favorite yogurt. Exactly the brand he'd pick.
His pulse ticked up. He checked the cabinets. Spices. Oil. Coffee beans in the blend he ordered overseas. And—he froze—Lior's cereal. The same box waiting back in their hotel.
Not stocked. Selected. Someone had been inside his life, cataloging it piece by piece.
"Papa," Lior whispered, tugging at his sleeve.
Riven turned. "What's wrong?"
"There's someone at the door."
Riven blinked. The bell hadn't even rung.
Then—ding-dong.
His stomach knotted. He moved carefully, quiet, and leaned into the peephole.
A man stood just beyond the frame, too tall for the lens to catch his face. All Riven could see was the sweater layered over a pale blue collared shirt.
Familiar. Uncomfortably familiar.
His breath caught. That outfit—he'd seen it before. Outside Nexus Tower. The man he'd brushed past, too close.
What the hell was he doing here? Did he know where Riven lived?
Another chime. Ding-dong.
Riven's hand tightened on the lock. He cracked the door just enough to see.
"Hey," the guy said, lifting a hand in a small wave, an awkward half-smile tugging at his mouth. A food container rested in his other hand.
Riven blinked. "Hey."
"Thayer mentioned someone new moved in," the guy continued, holding up the container. "Figured I'd drop this off. Housewarming."
Riven opened the door a little wider and accepted it, both hands steady. "Thanks. You didn't have to."
"It's nothing," the guy replied, still smiling, though it sat oddly on his face—polite, practiced.
Riven studied him a beat longer. "You work at Nexus, right? Don't think we've properly met."
"Yeah. Eli. That's what everyone calls me. IT."
"Riven—"
"Riven Virellian," Eli blurted, then winced, his smile faltering when Riven's brow rose. "Sorry. I mean—the new CEO."
Riven gave a low chuckle, catching the embarrassment in Eli's face. "Nice to meet you, Eli. Guess Mr. Quinn already filled you in."
Eli rubbed the back of his neck. "Yeah. That's just a simple dish. Nothing fancy. I hope you and—"
His words died. His eyes had shifted past Riven.
A boy peered out from behind his father's legs, messy hair, wide stare.
Eli blinked once. Then didn't move.
Neither did Riven.
For a moment, the air itself seemed to tighten, waiting. Eli's gaze stayed fixed, too steady, too calm—like he wasn't surprised at all. Like he'd been expecting the child.
Riven's stomach clenched. Too late to hide him now.
"That's Lior," he said quietly. "My son."
Eli's expression softened, almost tender. "No wonder. He's got your eyes."
Riven stilled, caught off guard. "You noticed?"
"Hard not to." Eli's voice was low, deliberate. "Some things just… stand out."
Something in his tone crawled under Riven's skin. It wasn't a threat, not exactly. But it wasn't kindness either. It was an observation—clinical, patient.
Before he could pin it down—
"Eli!"
The sharp voice cut through the hall.
Riven moved instantly, pulling the door shut, careful but final, keeping Lior behind him.
He exhaled slowly, heart tight. No one knew he had a child. No one was supposed to know.
And yet Eli hadn't looked surprised.
They'd never understand. An S-Class Alpha with a child? They'd tear him apart. Question his control, his bloodline, his worth.
He could lie—say the omega died in childbirth—but that would stain Lior's existence with shame.
And Lior was no shame. He was the only miracle Riven had ever been given.
He'd protect him with everything.
Riven slipped out, shutting the door softly behind him. He prayed Lior wouldn't cry out. The boy was smart—he'd know to stay quiet.
"You—" Ivan blurted, finger stabbing the air.
Riven didn't blink.
"Why the dramatics?" Eli murmured, lowering Ivan's hand with casual ease. "He lives here."
"You do?" Ivan asked, eyes narrowing.
"Apparently," Riven said evenly.
"Secretary Thayer mentioned him," Eli added, voice smooth as glass.
Ivan's smirk returned. "Right. The new tenant. You know this building's Alpha-only? Not that it matters—you're S-Class." His tone dripped mockery. "Strange, though. A Virellian reduced to clocking in at a company like the rest of us. What happened? Family throw you out? Or maybe—" He leaned in, eyes glinting. "Maybe you're faking it. And they found out."
Riven's jaw set, knuckles whitening at his side.
Ivan grinned wider, feeding on it. "You know who I am, right? General Manager, Software Division. And Eli here—Beta, IT. Thought we'd bring the welcome wagon." He clapped Eli's shoulder, forcing a grin. "Guess he beat me to it."
Eli's smile was thin, controlled. His eyes cut sideways at Ivan—a flicker sharp enough to silence.
"Come on," Eli said, voice low. Final. "We're done."
He turned back to Riven briefly, tone shifting to almost gentle. "Settle in, Mr. Virellian. Enjoy your night."
He didn't wait for a reply. Just walked off. Ivan lingered, frowning.
"You know," Ivan muttered as he trailed after him, "I don't buy the S-Class thing. His scent's off. Too sweet. Doesn't hit like an Alpha at all. Is that his pheromone? It's—"
Eli's pace didn't falter. One glance over his shoulder, flat and cold, shut Ivan up mid-sentence
Inside, Riven froze.
Lior stood at the hallway's edge, eyes wet, lips trembling, holding himself together.
Riven's chest ached. He crouched fast. "Hey… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you."
He cupped his son's cheek gently, but Lior said nothing—just stared, wide-eyed.
Riven forced a smile, gesturing toward the container. "That big brother outside brought us food. Want to see if it's something you like?"
Lior sniffled, nodding.
Riven carried him to the kitchen, set him in the chair, and opened the container.
His breath caught.
Macaroni and cheese. Creamy. Exact. Lior's favorite comfort food.
Lior's eyes lit up instantly, tears forgotten as joy broke across his face.
Riven's heart didn't lift with his son's. His stomach dropped.
This wasn't a chance. This wasn't kindness. Someone had peeled back their lives and set the pieces on display.
He glanced at the door, pulse hammering.
If they knew this… what else did they already know?