Chapter OneThe Boy With Familiar EyesThe conference room on the fiftieth floor overlooked Manhattan like a throne overlooking a kingdom.Damian Blackwood barely noticed.“The Tokyo acquisition closes tomorrow,” his chief financial officer said.“Move the signing to ten.”“The investors—”“They’ll adjust.”Everyone always adjusted.That was the advantage of being the CEO.The meeting ended exactly thirty-two minutes after it began.No wasted words.No wasted emotions.His assistant hurried after him.“Mr. Blackwood?”“What is it, Claire?”“You have an unscheduled visitor.”“I don’t.”“He says you’ll want to see him.”“I won’t.”Claire hesitated.“He gave me a name.”Damian kept walking.“Ethan Reyes.”His footsteps stopped.For the first time that day—For the first time in years—His heart betrayed him.…Ten years disappeared in an instant.Summer sunlight.Paint-stained hands.Late-night pizza.Promises whispered against warm skin.Then silence.Ethan had left without looking back.Damian had convinced himself it was for the best.So why did hearing his name still hurt?“Where is he?”Claire pointed toward the reception lounge.“He isn’t alone.”Damian rounded the corner.A little boy sat in one of the leather chairs, swinging his legs as he colored a dinosaur.Dark hair.Small smile.Bright gray eyes.Gray eyes.Damian froze.They were his eyes.The child looked up.“Hi.”Damian couldn’t breathe.Before he could speak, Ethan stood.He looked older.Softer around the edges.Still heartbreakingly beautiful.“Hello, Damian.”Silence stretched between them.Finally Ethan glanced toward the boy.“We need to talk.”Damian swallowed.“Who is he?”Ethan looked at his son.Then back at the man he’d never stopped loving.“His name is Noah.”Another pause.“He’s yours.”Damian’s carefully controlled world shattered without making a sound.