THE BILLIONAIRE’S SECRET BABY

Chapter 2:The Cleaning Job

Ava couldn't breathe. Ethan Blackwood was standing right in front of her, looking more handsome and more cold than three years ago.

"Do I know you?" he asked again, his blue eyes narrowing. He was holding a file, clearly on his way to a meeting.

Ava's heart was pounding so loud she thought everyone could hear it. No. No, he cannot recognize me. He doesn't remember that night.

"No, sir," she said quickly, looking down at her cheap shoes. "I'm here for the cleaning staff interview."

Ethan stared at her for a long second. Something flickered in his eyes, but then it was gone. "Right. The cleaning staff. Third floor. HR is waiting."

He walked away, his expensive shoes clicking on the marble floor. Ava let out the breath she was holding.

She got the job. $15 an hour. It was more than she made at the diner. She needed it. Her son Leo was sick last week, and the hospital bill was already $2000. She had no choice.

But working in the same building as Ethan Blackwood was dangerous.

At home that evening, Leo ran to her. "Mommy!" He was three years old, with curly dark hair and the same cold blue eyes as his father. It scared Ava every day.

"Mommy got a new job, baby," she whispered, hugging him tight.

"Is daddy coming?" Leo asked innocently.

Ava's eyes filled with tears. How could she tell him that his daddy is a billionaire who doesn't even know he exists? Who left $100 on a pillow?

"No, baby. Just us."

But the next morning, her first day at Blackwood Tower, she was cleaning the CEO's office. And on the desk was a photo of Ethan with another woman - beautiful, blonde, rich. His fiancee.

And written on a sticky note next to it: "Find the waitress from the charity ball three years ago. I need to close that file."

Ava dropped the mop. He was looking for her.