FIVE'S POV

After Y/n and Ezra left, I sank onto my bed, enveloped in the lingering sweetness of my son's presence still wafting from the duvet. Seeing Y/n at my door was the last thing I expected. Just a couple of hours ago, I was so fucking scared that she might've taken our son and vanished from my life once again. Yet, she came to me, cradling our child in her arms. Despite the lingering anger towards Y/n, that sight melted my heart. This was my family. They were my everything.

Shaking my head, I found myself smiling like a fool as I reminisced about the evening. The moment when Ezra turned around, fixing his big green, shiny eyes directly on mine, and in the most shy, quiet, and sweet voice, called me, 'Dad,' brought tears to my eyes. It made my heart race in a way I had never felt before. I loved that little boy from the very first moment I laid eyes on him. He was perfect. His luminous, green eyes wandered all over my face, silky same hair as mine, cute little nose, prominent cheeks, and slightly pointy chin. Everything about him was flawless, and that moment, the first moment I shared with my son, was etched into my memory. He was my little mini-me.

I couldn't explain it, but I felt an instant, unbreakable bond with him, hoping he felt it too. When Ezra wrapped his tiny hands around my neck for the very first time, and I felt the warmth of his small body against my chest, I couldn't hold back the tears any longer. How someone so small could evoke such a hurricane of emotions within me? I could not find the right words to describe the feelings he awoken in me when he hugged me. I had my whole world in my arms. He became everything that mattered to me. For the first time, I felt like my life made sense.

The ensuing days passed swiftly. Y/n and Ezra settled into one of my properties, which gave me a sense of calm, knowing they were in a secure environment, closely monitored by trusted security personnel. I visited Ezra every single day, and the daily visits became our cherished routine, bringing so much joy to Ezra and, in turn, filling my heart with happiness.

In terms of my relationship with Y/n, not much had changed. I limited our interactions to those about Ezra only, allowing myself time to clear my mind. Fortunately, my legal team expedited the necessary formalities. Within days, Ezra was officially recognized as my son, bearing my last name, and joint custody was granted. I was grateful for Y/n's cooperation

throughout the process, which helped me deal with everything swiftly. She also decided to change her name back to her maiden name, Hargreeves.

We soon established a routine that seemed to work just fine. We split our days to have equal time with Ezra, who became my main focus. Everything else faded into the background.

My Monday at the office was consumed by a series of relentless meetings. As I stepped into my office after the last one, shedding my suit jacket onto the chair, I checked my phone to see a string of missed calls from Paige.

This woman wouldn't give up.

After a long, deep breath, I dialed her number. I held the phone to my ear, but the sound of the door opening caught my attention.

I looked over to see Y/n peeking through the partially open door, asking hesitantly. "May I come in?"

At the same time, Paige's excited voice filled the line, "Five? I'm so happy to hear back from you. I—"

I ended the call, my focus drifting solely to Y/n. Draped in a long-sleeved, tight black velvet dress that gracefully reached just below her sleek ankles, she captured my attention from head to toe. Her hair was tied in a low ponytail, exposing her neck, and it only intensified the allure.

"Did something happen?" I asked, slightly concerned by her unexpected visit.

"No," she replied softly, shaking her head. Her pearl earrings brushed against her neck, where my lips would fit perfectly. My thoughts diverted to places I shouldn't be dwelling. Her gentle voice filled the room, but all I could focus was on her.

"Five?" She had caught me in a moment of distraction. "Were you... listening?"

I cleared my throat and nodded. "Yeah, you said we haven't gotten a chance to talk around Ezra, and we should clear things between us," I stated, maintaining composure.

"And?" She leaned in, her hands nervously gripping the handle of the bag she held.

"I agree. We should talk. Eight tonight?"

"Okay," she whispered, slightly abashed. "By the way, I notice Allison on my way here. She and the family wants to meet Ezra. She invited me... all of us for dinner on Sunday."

I scanned her face. "And? What did you say?"

Y/n's lips tightened before she replied, "I agreed."

"Okay, we'll go together then if you want." My gaze locked onto hers.

"That'd be nice. Ezra will be happy."

"Good, then it's settled."

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At eight sharp that evening, I pulled over to my house where Y/n and Ezra lived. I walked past the security and entered to an ecstatic "Dad!" as Ezra ran to hug me.

"Hey. I missed you." I embraced him tightly, carrying him through the hallway until I was stopped in my tracks.

Y/n casually emerged from the room, dressed in a form-fitting, deep red dress. the straps sultrily hanging on her sun-kissed arms, her chocolate waves left flowing freely.

Beautiful.

She looked incredible. My heart skipped a beat as her gaze, emphasized by thick, long black lashes, locked onto mine. "Hey." She smiled.

"Hey," was all I managed to muster.

The moment felt surreal. There she was, the woman after whom I had relentlessly chased for four long years, standing before me, and I held our son in my arms. We looked at each other as if time stood still, as if no words were needed and all the things left unsaid didn't matter anymore.

Until I heard the innocent, "Dad, where's Uncle Diego? I miss him." Uncle Diego. The man I wanted nowhere near my family. The one who conspired with Zachary behind my back and who, if it weren't for the fact that we shared the same blood, would be dead now.

I glimpsed embarrassment on Y/n's face as I turned to smile at Ezra, trying to conceal the hatred I harbored toward my brother. His Uncle Diego.

"Uncle Diego is away on a business trip, busy with work these days," I fabricated.

Ezra's big green eyes fixed on me. "He comes to visit me soon?"

I forced a smile. "Dad will talk to him, and we'll see what we can do, okay?"

Ezra nodded, beaming. "Yes!"

"Good evening, Mr. Hargreeves," Betty greeted me shyly as she walked out of the kitchen at the other end of the hallway.

I turned to face her. "Good evening, Betty."

"Let me take Ezra so you can leave with Y/n ," Betty suggested, smiling, as she took Ezra's hand into hers.

I planted a tender kiss on Ezra's forehead before they headed to the living room, Ezra waving goodbye to me. I turned back to Y/n, who seemed visibly affected by Ezra's questions.

"I'm sorry she keeps asking about Diego." Y/n sounded embarrassed and regretful. "It's my fault."

I took a deep breath. "No, Y/n. It's not." I extended my hand to her. "Shall we?"

She nodded, offering a smile and placing her hand in mine. I led her to the closet by the entrance, helped her put on her coat, and we headed to my car.

We arrived at the restaurant, and Y/n playfully teased me, saying it was typical of me to book the entire place. Perhaps it was, but I wanted privacy. I wanted an intimate setting where we could talk without prying eyes or eavesdropping ears.

The evening flew in a lovely atmosphere, just like in the old times. As if we never went our separate ways. As if we never had to go through this devious road. Being with Y/n, it felt so
right.

She shared her experiences in Malta, her pregnancy, how tough it was for her in the final months, and the challenges of being a single mother. My muscles tensed every time at the mention of it because if... if things between us had gone differently, we would've experienced that time together, and I'd have loved every second of it.

Eventually, Y/n's cheeks flushed, and I wasn't sure whether it was the effect of the wine or my presence. After a few glasses, the tension eased, and we got close. Just an inch away, I could feel her warm breath mingling with mine, our gazes traveling up and down between our eyes and lips. I wanted to kiss her so badly, feel her lips on mine, forget all that had happened, and surrender to these feelings only she could evoke. But I couldn't. Some things couldn't leave my mind.

"Y/n... I have to ask you." I hesitated. "I have to know." 

Her gaze flickered between mine. "Yes?"

"Have you slept... with my brother?" My tone came out darker than intended but I couldn't help it. It took all my willpower to say these words out loud, every fiber in me tensing.

"Five," she whispered, slowly pulling away as if creating a safe distance. She took a deep breath, her face instantly paling. "No, I've never slept with Diego."

A sense of relief washed over me as the heavy weight on my chest was lifted.

"But—" But?

My heart raced in my chest. What could be worse than the woman of my heart fucking my brother? Fuck. Please don't tell me she fell in love with him. That. That would be worse.

"We kissed." Her brows furrowed.

"I know you did. He kissed you in front of me," I stated, afraid to hear more.

"It wasn't that kind of a kiss... we..." She paused, nervously biting her lip. "It was more like a makeout."

"Fuck," I hissed, my fist clenched in an instant. I stood from the table, looking through the window, trying to compose my rugged breath.

Y/n approached me, and though I didn't turn, I could feel her presence a step behind me. "Why does it matter? You had half of New York pass through your bed."

I knew it wasn't an accusation.

After a heavy exhale, I turned to meet her remorseful gaze. "It's not about any other man, Y/n." My tone was cold, and she flinched. "It's about my brother. The man I'll have to look in the eyes every time we meet for the rest of my life. And each time I do, I will see you in the reflection of his gaze, with him."

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WORDS WRITTEN:
1855