Dante arrived at the park fifteen minutes early and felt ridiculous immediately.
He had negotiated with ministers who arrived late on purpose, shareholders who smiled with knives behind their teeth, and competitors who mistook politeness for weakness. He had never been nervous about a bench, a playground, and a five-year-old boy who had no idea the man waiting near the fountain was trying to learn how to stand without looking like a threat.
Livia had chosen the place carefully. A public park near Noah's school, busy enough to feel safe, quiet enough for a child to play. She had sent a list of rules the night before through Mateus. Dante had read them five times.
No gifts.No mention of paternity.No questioning Noah about Livia's past.No physical contact unless Noah initiated.No visible s
