THE WIFE HE COULDN’T KEEP

Chapter 6

Stella Hayes was not used to being in public with her children.

She kept them hidden. Protected. Away from prying eyes. But Leo had been sick for a week, and the doctor said fresh air would do him good. Maya had been begging to go to the park. Aiden had been asking about the ducks.

So here she was. Surrounded by security at every entrance. Exhausting. But watching her children laugh made it worth it.

"Mama! Look at the duck!" Maya shrieked.

"I see it, baby." Stella smiled. "Don't get too close."

Leo was already running ahead. His fever was gone, his energy fully restored. He was chasing a butterfly, his little legs pumping furiously.

"Leo! Slow down!" Stella called.

But Leo was unstoppable. He darted around a tree, and Stella lost sight of him for a split second.

Then she heard a crash.

"Leo!" Stella ran.

She rounded the tree and found her son sprawled on the ground. He'd collided with a man who was kneeling beside a little girl. The man's arm was around the girl, protecting her. Leo was already scrambling to his feet.

"Are you okay?" the man asked. His voice was warm. Concerned.

Leo nodded. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay. Accidents happen." The man smiled.

Stella arrived, breathless. "Leo! Are you alright?"

"I'm fine, Mama." Leo pointed at the man. "He caught me."

Stella looked up. The man was tall, broad-shouldered, with sandy brown hair and kind eyes. He was kneeling beside a little girl who looked about Maya's age.

"I'm so sorry," Stella said. "He's usually not this wild. But he's been sick, and he's been cooped up, and he's just."

"Stella Hayes?" The man's eyes widened. "You're Stella Hayes."

Stella blinked. "Yes. Do I know you?"

The man stood, brushing off his pants. "Bryan Taylor. I saw you at the charity gala last week. I wanted to introduce myself, but you looked busy. I didn't want to interrupt."

Stella relaxed slightly. "Oh. I'm sorry I didn't notice you."

"Don't be." He smiled. "You were the most compelling person in the room. I just watched from a distance."

Stella felt heat rise to her cheeks. She wasn't used to this kind of honesty.

"Is she your daughter?" Stella asked, gesturing to the little girl.

Bryan looked down at the girl and smiled. "Oh, that's Lily. My niece."

Lily waved shyly.

Stella smiled back. "She's beautiful."

"Thank you." Bryan glanced at the triplets. "And these are yours?"

Stella's guard went up instinctively. Then she saw his face. He wasn't prying. He was just... admiring.

"Yes." She knelt down beside her children. "This is Leo." She put a hand on his shoulder. "And this is Maya. And this is Aiden."

The triplets looked up at Bryan with curious eyes. Maya tugged at Stella's dress.

"Mama, who is he?"

"This is Mr. Taylor. He's a friend."

Leo stared at Bryan. "Can you push us on the swings?"

Stella's face flushed. "Leo, we don't ask strangers."

"I'd love to." Bryan laughed. "If it's okay with your mother."

Leo turned to Stella with pleading eyes. "Please, Mama?"

Stella looked at Bryan. He was watching her with patient eyes, waiting for her permission. She should say no. She should take her children and leave. She didn't know him. She couldn't trust anyone.

But her children were happy. Leo was smiling for the first time in a week. Maya was bouncing on her heels. Even Aiden looked curious.

"Okay," Stella said reluctantly. "But not too high."

Bryan beamed. "I'll be careful. Troops, who's first?"

For the next thirty minutes, Bryan pushed the children on the swings. He helped Maya feed the ducks. He showed Aiden how to skip stones across the pond.

Stella watched from a park bench. He was natural with them. Patient. Kind. He didn't ask about their father. He didn't pry about her past.

He just... was.

After a while, Maya wandered back to Stella, her face flushed with happiness. "Mama, I like him. He's nice."

Stella smiled. "I think he is too."

"Can he be our friend?"

Stella's heart ached. "We'll see, baby."

She looked up to find Bryan watching her. His eyes were soft. Gentle. He looked at her like she was something precious.

She looked away.

Across the park, hidden behind a tree, Joshua Sterling watched.

His hands were clenched into fists. His jaw was tight. His eyes burned with fury.

He'd been having Stella followed for a week. He'd hired a new investigator. And today, he'd finally gotten a lead. Stella was at the park. With the children.

His children.

Joshua had rushed to the park, hoping to see them. Hoping to.

And then he'd seen him. A man. Tall, broad-shouldered, sandy brown hair. He was with Stella. With his children. Pushing them on the swings.

Joshua's stomach churned. The man's face was familiar. He'd seen him somewhere before. But where? The gala? No. He didn't remember him from the gala. Somewhere else. Somewhere recent.

Then it hit him. The man's face. He'd seen it on the cover of a business magazine last month. Tech 40 Under 40. He'd skimmed the article. Something about a young CEO revolutionizing the industry.

Whoever he was, he was successful. Respected. And he was with Stella.

Joshua pulled out his phone. He zoomed in, taking several photos of the man. Clear shots. His face. His build. His interaction with the children.

He sent the photos to his investigator with a message.

Find him. Everything. History, business, weaknesses. I want to know what will destroy him.

His phone buzzed almost immediately.

Understood, sir. I'll have something by morning.

Joshua pocketed his phone. He stared across the park.

Stella was laughing at something the man said. Her hand touched his arm. The children were clamoring around him.

Joshua's eyes went cold.

You think he can protect you? You think I'll just let you go?

He smiled. It was not a kind smile.

I'll find out who he is. And then I'll destroy him. And then I'll take what's mine.

He turned and walked away, leaving the happy scene behind.