Billionaire's Secret heir

Chapter 3: The Fateful Invitation

Natalie sat at her kitchen table and gazed at her laptop's shining screen. With its sophisticated black-and-gold design shining like a taunt, the invitation to the Grayson Technologies Annual Charity Gala was still open. Her eyes kept returning to the email despite her best efforts to concentrate on her work.

It wasn't your typical occurrence. She had not seen Alexander Grayson in six years, and he was unaware that he had a son. It was a direct route to him.

In the hopes that the familiar process of making layouts and color schemes would calm the storm in her head, she clicked away from the email and started her design software. However, her fingers lingered motionless above the keyboard.

Could she truly avoid this forever? Was the question that kept coming back to her.

A Break in the Morning Routine

She was startled out of her reverie by Liam's laughter. He was carefully stacking blueberries on a slice of bread at the kitchen counter.

"Look, Mom! "I made a smiley face!" he declared, joyfully raising the toast.

Natalie brushed his hair and forced a smile, saying, "That's very creative, buddy."

"You ought to consume it. Liam insisted, his green eyes glistening with anticipation, "It will make you happy."

As she nibbled on the toast, Natalie laughed quietly. "You know you're the sweetest kid?"

Liam smiled, obviously proud of himself, and returned to his food.

Natalie's chest constricted as she observed him. Liam was everything to her and the reason she overcame all obstacles. However, he was also the reason she was unable to disregard that email.

Lately, Liam had begun to ask sharp but innocent questions regarding his father, such as, "Why don't I have a dad?" Furthermore, "Did my dad love me?" In an attempt to pique his interest without giving away too much, she consistently provided evasive responses.

But how long could she continue like this?

There was a jarring knock on the door later that morning when Natalie was tidying up the kitchen. Her heart was pounding when she froze. She wasn't anticipating any visitors, and they weren't frequent.

She looked through the peephole and saw a woman in her mid-thirties with well-groomed blonde hair wearing a fitted suit.

With caution, Natalie opened the door. "May I assist you?"

The woman smiled courteously. I'm Evelyn Pierce, Alexander Grayson's assistant, Ms. Reed. Could I enter?

Natalie felt sick to her stomach. After hesitating, she moved aside to make room for Evelyn.

Evelyn looked around the comfortable flat, her businesslike manner unflinching. "I'm grateful. I'm here to personally invite Mr. Grayson to the charity gala on his behalf. He would be very grateful for your attendance and appreciates what you have contributed to the event.

Natalie's heart was racing. "I... The email has already reached me. I had no intention of going.

Evelyn arched an eyebrow, her face composed yet strategic. Why not, may I ask? Some of our important partners have already expressed their admiration for your work, and it's a great networking opportunity.

Natalie fumbled for an explanation. "I have other responsibilities. And my son—

With ease, Evelyn interrupted, "Children are welcome." "During the event, they will have their own space."

Natalie's lips became parched. There was always a response from this woman.

Finally, in a tight voice, she added, "I'll think about it."

With an unwavering smile, Evelyn nodded. "I'm hoping you do. Mr. Grayson wants this event to be a success, and it would be greatly appreciated if you could attend. If you have any questions, I'll leave my card here.

Evelyn gave her a stylish business card and walked away, her heels clicking on the floor.

With the card firmly grasped in her fingers, Natalie leaned against the door and closed it. Her mind was whirling with contradictory feelings, and her chest felt heavy.

Why would the aide to Alexander travel so far to send an invitation? Was there more going on here, or was this just about her job?

She looked at Liam, who was now contentedly coloring while spread out on the floor of the living room. He hummed to himself while his black curls bounced, utterly oblivious to the maelstrom that was building inside her head.

Natalie stared at the business card as she dropped into a chair. Like never before, the weight of her secret was bearing down on her.

She had centered her life on shielding Liam from the intricacies of Alexander's world and ensuring his safety. Now, though, it seemed as though the barriers she had painstakingly built were beginning to crumble.

As Natalie assisted Liam with his school assignment that afternoon, he posed the question she had been dreading.

"Will my dad ever come visit us, Mom?"

Natalie gasped. She compelled herself to speak steadily. "My dear, why do you ask?"

Liam scowled and shrugged while adhering bits of paper to a poster board. "Other schoolchildren have fathers. I simply reasoned that perhaps mine would arrive eventually.

As she knelt next to him, Natalie brushed a lock of hair away from his face. "Your dad is busy at work. However, you have me, and I adore you. Isn't that what counts?

Liam nodded, but his face was contemplative. "Perhaps he could come over when he has some free time. I want to get to know him.

Natalie's chest constricted, but she remained silent.

Natalie sat at the kitchen table that evening with the invitation email open once again after Liam had gone to sleep. Her mind was racing as her fingers lingered over the keyboard.

After all this time, could she confront Alexander? Could she pretend that nothing was wrong while she was in the same room as him?

She then considered Liam's inquiries and his desire for responses that she was unable to provide.

It could have been time to quit running.

Natalie entered her RSVP with shaking hands and clicked "Send."

She had a rush of both excitement and anxiety as soon as she pressed the button. Her carefully guarded world was about to undergo a permanent change, even though she had no idea what would happen during the banquet.