“I’m resigning,” I said quietly.

I was sitting on the couch in Chef Samuel’s living room. Twen was in the other room, absorbed in a video game. Samuel’s wife, Jenny, wasn’t home yet. 

I didn’t want to go back to my own place after that terrible and unexpected encounter. There was too much crowding my head. My phone had been buzzing nonstop, but I ignored it. Probably Tanya. I couldn’t face her, or anyone, right now.

How could I explain what had happened? 

How could I justify the scene earlier at work? 

How would I even begin to explain how a supposed beta like me had been bonded to an Alpha?

How could I tell anyone… he was the one?

So instead, I just drove until the gas tank bled dry. When the sun started setting and reality refused to fade, I picked up Twen and went straight to Samuel’s place.

He stared at me, jaw practically unhinged. “What did you just say? Resign?”

“Yes.” That was all I could say. 

The word carried too much weight.

“What the hell happened? Why so suddenly?” he asked, eyes narrowing with worry.

I couldn’t answer. 

Chef Samuel knew I had a past, knew I had Twen, but I’d never told him who the father was. I figured it was irrelevant until today. Until fate decided to crawl out of the grave I buried it in.

I stayed silent.

“Tony,” he said, voice gentler now.

“I can’t work there anymore,” I said, getting up, throat tightening. “Forgive me, Sam. You’ve done so much for me, and I’m just—” The words caught. I swallowed hard, hating how weak I sounded.

He stood, sighing. “Don’t apologize. I don’t know what’s going on, but don’t make decisions when you’re this emotional. You have to think about Twen.”

He was right, but how could I walk back into that resort and risk running into him again?

Still, until I found a new job, I’d have to stay.

“Twen, let’s go,” I called out.

Twen peeked his head from the room and nodded. A few minutes later, he waddled to my side, rubbing his eyes, controller still in one hand.

Samuel eyed me. “You sure you’re okay? You don’t look good.”

“Are you sick, Mommy?” Twen asked, looking up with a worried frown. “Did I do something wrong?”

“No, you didn’t do anything,” I said, stroking his soft curls. “Mommy’s just tired, that’s all.”

I turned to Samuel. “Thanks, Sam. I’ll be fine.”

He patted my shoulder, but didn’t believe me. “At least stay for dinner. Jenny would love to see you both.”

Jenny adored Twen. She practically helped raise him when I was drowning in double shifts just to stay afloat. But she was pregnant now, and I didn’t want to dump my emotional wreckage on her. Stress could be dangerous for her.

I shook my head. “Not today. I’ve got too much on my mind.”

Samuel didn’t push. Just nodded and gave me another reassuring pat.

On the way home, Twen fell asleep in the back seat. His tiny hands relaxed, his mouth slightly open in sleep. Probably exhausted from school. They work these kids too hard now. And I barely even help him with his homework. I’m a mess of a parent.

When we got home, I scooped him up gently and started up the stairs. His warm and familiar weight pressed against my chest. 

“Sorry, Twen,” I whispered. “Mommy's always working and is always tired. If I were stronger, maybe I could’ve given you the life you deserve.”

He let out a little snore against my shoulder, and my heart cracked just a little more.

I kissed his forehead and unlocked the door.

I’d just tucked him in, brushing a curl from his forehead, when the doorbell rang.

I glanced at the clock; it was 10 PM.

Who the hell visits at 10 PM?

I padded to the door, keeping my voice low. “Who is it?”

There was no answer.

Frowning, I slowly opened it and nearly slammed it shut right back.

Robbie.

The bastard was standing there like this was just any other day. 

I froze. 

How did he find me? 

Then I remembered.

Of course. 

The apartment was employee housing, provided by his damn resort. He didn’t find me. He already owned the building.

I wanted to smack myself.

But worse, the real problem was that Twen was here, just a few steps away. If Robbie saw him… 

If Twen saw him…

No, absolutely not.

“May I come in?” he asked, his voice calm, as if he hadn’t wrecked my entire life once already.

“NO!” I said sharply. 

Robbie flinched slightly, raising an eyebrow.

“L-Let’s talk outside,” I stammered.

He leaned casually against the wall, that same godd*mn smug calm on his face.

“You really don’t want me to come in that badly?” he asked, half-joking.

“I said we can talk outside,” I snapped. 

I couldn’t risk Twen seeing him. I couldn’t protect him from what that might mean.

“It’s cold,” Robbie said, rubbing his arms. “Come on. Just let me in for a cup of coffee.”

Un-f**king-believable.

He shows up at my door like some long-lost friend, and now wants a cup of coffee?

“We can have coffee downstairs in the café,” I lied.

“It’s closed,” he said, smirking. “I checked.”

This a**hole.

“Cut the crap and tell me what you want,” I said firmly, still planted between him and the doorway.

He was just about to speak—

When I heard Twen’s small, sleepy voice from behind me:

“Mommy? Who is it?”