Robbie nods slowly, his grip on Rexy relaxing a little. “Okay.”

“Good,” I say, smoothing his hair. “Now, let’s finish this story, huh? I think the knight’s about to save the day.”

Robbie smiles faintly, settling back against the pillows again. I pick up the book and start reading, my heart heavy with unspoken words and anger.

As I read, I glance at him occasionally, watching as his eyelids grow heavier and heavier. By the time I reach the last page, he’s fast asleep, Rexy tucked securely underone arm.

I close the book quietly and set it on the nightstand, then tuck the comforter around him. For a moment, I just sit there, watching him sleep.

“You deserve so much more,” I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Then I switch off the lamp, tiptoe out of the room, and close the door softly behind me, my heart aching for the little boy who thinks his dad doesn’t love him.

Chapter Thirteen

Cole

The late morning light filters through the tall windows of my home office, casting long, soft shadows across the hardwood floor. The room is quiet except for the occasional scratch of my pen as I jot notes in the margins of a contract draft.

My desk is meticulously organized—folders stacked neatly on one side, my laptop open in front of me, and my favorite pen resting in my hand.

The emergency at the office yesterday, though passed, lingers like a tornado leaving chaos and disaster in its wake as it rolls through. The crisis was unavoidable.

A last-minute investor problem had arisen—one of our major stakeholders threatening to pull funding from an upcoming project. Hours of calls and back-and-forth negotiations finally resolved the issue, but the stress of it all hasn’t quite faded.

I sigh and pull the pen’s cap off to refill it, only to realize I’m down to the last ink cartridge. Making a mental note, I grab a sticky note and jot a reminder to ask Ellis to order more. It’s Sunday, so he’ll be placing an order for supplies tomorrow.

Leaning back in my chair, I stretch and glance out the window at the sprawling lawn below. The house is unusually quiet,and for a moment, I let myself enjoy the stillness. But the peace is short-lived.

The sound of the door opening then clicking shut a moment later draws my attention. I glance up and see Annie standing in my office, her arms crossed and her expression unreadable.

“Where’s Robbie?” I ask absently, turning back to my notes.

“He wanted to go grocery shopping with Evelyn,” she says flatly.

“Ah,” I reply, attention already back on the contract. The faint scratch of my pen resumes, but I can feel her gaze lingering on me. It’s an odd, heavy sort of silence that pulls my attention back to her.

I set my pen down and look at her more carefully. Her lips are pressed into a thin line, and there’s tension in her shoulders.

“Can I help you with something?” I ask, though the answer feels obvious.

Her eyes narrow slightly, and she takes a step closer. “Yeah.”

I resist the urge to sigh. “Well, what is it?”

She doesn’t answer right away. Instead, she moves closer, her steps deliberate. When she’s standing just a few feet from my desk, she crosses her arms again and stares me down.

“I want to talkabout yesterday,” she says finally.

“I don’t have time for this,” I say, annoyed. I pick up my pen again.

“Well, make time.”

I narrow my eyes at her tone. Seems she’s forgotten that I’m her boss.

“Careful, Annie,” I say evenly, my voice laced with warning. “You’re walking a very fine line.”

She doesn’t flinch. Instead, she crosses her arms tighter over her chest, standing her ground. “Fine line or not, someone has to say it.”