My hands trembled before I even picked up the phone. The moment Tara had said the name, Aaron Steele, I felt my chest tighten so much it was hard to breathe. Five years. Five years I had run, rebuilt, fought tooth and nail to carve out a life that belonged only to me and my son. And now… he was back in my orbit. The thought alone made my stomach twist.
I dialed my lawyer, Clara, needing someone or anyone to tell me it wasn’t true. My voice shook when she picked up.
“Clara… It’s him, isn’t it? He found me,” I whispered, my words rushed, panicked.
“Jade,” she said firmly, like a lifeline pulling me back from drowning, “breathe. It’s not Silas. It’s a board representative from his company.”
I froze.
“CEO?” My pulse slowed slightly, but the cold fear lingered. “So… it could still be him i
