chapter 2
1030 Words
The hospital parking lot was almost full, and Mia had to park in one of the furthest spaces. As soon as she turned off the engine, she took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.
She hadn't even had a chance to realize that she had just run into a billionaire's vehicle.
And. And yet, there she was—pulling Oliver into the hospital, pretending that life was fine when, in reality, her world was spinning wild out of control.
"Mommy, can the doctor give me a sticker today?" Oliver asked, his round brown eyes shining with optimism.
Mia made herself laugh. "I bet you'll get two for being so brave."
Oliver smiled, but Mia felt the weight on her chest. This wasn't just about the car accident. This was about him.
The man who'd stepped out of that costly vehicle wasn't just an angry driver. He had presence, gravitas, and something in the air that made it impossible to overlook. And the moment he looked at Oliver, something in him had changed—enough that Mia sensed it.
But why?
She had a million questions and not one single answer.
She had barely time to draw breath when she heard the sound of her name being called.
"Mia?"
She turned to see Rachel Evans, best friend, running towards her. Rachel was one of the few in Mia's life who knew what she was going through—because she had been there herself.
Looking nice in a pair of scrubs, her dark brown hair pulled back in a sloppy bun, Rachel was the kind of sharp, no-nonsense individual who made a good nurse—and an even better friend.
"You okay?" Rachel asked, her gaze sweeping Mia's face with concern. "You look like you've battled ten rounds with a dragon."
Mia gave a wry laugh. "Might as well have."
Rachel's scowl grew darker. "Spill."
Mia sighed as she unbuckled Oliver out of his booster seat. "I, uh. had a little accident on the way here."
Rachel's eyes went wide. "Little accident? How little are we talking?"
"A big, shiny car," Oliver chimed in.
Rachel's jaw went slack. "You dinged a luxury car?"
Mia cringed. "I just touched it."
Rachel's eyebrow shot up. "And?"
Mia let out a breath. "And the guy who owned the car was a billionaire with an attitude who threatened to sue me into oblivion."
Rachel's mouth fell open. "Wait—wait—back up. You scratched a billionaire's car?"
Mia hesitated. "I—I'm not sure, but he did act like it."
Rachel crossed her arms. "What happened?"
Mia shook her head. "Honestly? I don't know. He was angry at first, but then he saw Oliver, and… something shifted. He let me go. Said we'd 'settle this later'."
Rachel's face grew grim. "Mia… rich men never drop things easily."
Mia let out a deep breath. "I know. And that's what frightens me."
---
Inside the Hospital
The waiting room was full, crammed with worried parents, crying children, and tired nurses scurrying from patient to patient.
Mia sat while Rachel led Oliver to the small play area. She finished the paperwork, still trembling.
She had hardly a moment to compose herself when her phone rang in her lap.
There was a number on the screen.
Unknown Caller.
A shivery jolt of fear coursed through her. No one ever called from numbers she did not recognize.
She hesitated, sliding her finger across to answer.
"Hello?"
Silence.
Then—
"Mia Carter."
Her breath froze in her throat. That voice.
Smooth.
Deep.
Irrefutable.
It was him.
Her grip on the phone tightened. "How did you get my number?"
Rumble of a laugh. "I have my ways."
Mia's chest thudded with a racing heart. Of course he would. A man like that likely had entire departments of people who worked solely to uncover whatever—or whomever—he desired.
"What do you want?" she struggled out, trying to sound calm.
A pause.
Then his words sent shivers down her spine.
"We need to talk. And I don't like being ignored."
Mia swallowed. "I'm at the hospital with my son."
"I know."
Her blood ran cold.
"What?" she whispered.
"I know where you are, Mia. And I'll be in touch… soon."
The line went dead.
Mia sat staring at her phone, her hands trembling.
Rachel returned, concern on her face. "Mia? You okay? You look like you saw a ghost."
Mia swallowed, fighting to breathe.
"Rachel… I think I just made a very big mistake."
---
Meanwhile…
Across the New York city's skyscraping skyline,Grayson Vaughn stood at his office window, his phone still in his hand.
He didn't usually get involved in trivial things.
But this was not trivial.
Mia Carter was. an unplanned complication.
And Grayson Vaughn didn't ignore things that interested him.
A knock on the door interrupted his focus.
"Sir, your brother is here."
Grayson groaned. Just what he needed.
Seconds later, Logan Vaughn strolled into the office, his trademark cocky grin firmly established. While Grayson was recognized for having a level head on his shoulders, Logan was more recognized for being wild, charismatic, and in perpetual hot water.
"I heard you let some babe off scot-free for crashing into your car," Logan said, slumping down into a chair. "You okay?"
Grayson groaned, crossing over to his desk to pour himself a drink.
Logan sat back. "Come on, man. Who is she?
Grayson smiled faintly, twirling his drink.
"That's what I'm going to find out."
---
Meanwhile, back at the hospital, Mia clutched Oliver's hand as they emerged from the doctor's office.
Her mind reeled, her thoughts jumbled.
She needed to sort out what to do next.
Then she sensed it.
A presence.
A slow, deliberate step behind her.
Her breath caught. She turned—
And froze.
Standing in the doorway, looking at her with an expressionless face… was Grayson Vaughn.
Mia's stomach plummeted.
What was he doing there?
Before she could move, he began walking towards her.
The atmosphere between them shifted, heavy with tension.
Mia's heart thudded.
What did he want?
And why did she feel like her life would never be the same again?
- Writer
