Danny freaked and dragged me into a corner. "Jerome, it's not what it looks like. Just go home, okay? A few days—No, tomorrow—I'll explain everything. There's nothing going on with Lia. The kid isn't mine. There are people everywhere, Jerome. Don't make a scene. Please!"

'Lia.'

Said like that—like they were close—and he still claimed nothing was going on?

"Get lost."

I swiped my private card and headed upstairs.

My head was buzzing. I just needed Talia in front of me, telling the truth.

"Talia, get out here!"

I kicked the door open.

Nothing.

Just silence.

Danny rushed up, baby in his arms, and grabbed me. "Jerome, Talia's still in a meeting. Can we talk after she's done?"

I shook him off. "Talk about what? How you've been sleeping with my wife behind my back—and had two kids with her?"

A sleepy little boy wandered out and ran straight to him, all clingy.

"Daddy, I wanna see my sister! Mommy said she's making potato salad and baked ribs tonight. She can't break her promise!"

I stared at the kid.

He looked just like Talia.

All those late nights—I thought she was grinding for her career.

Turns out, she was running a whole other family.

And me?

I'd never even had a single meal she cooked.

On the table sat a fresh family photo—four of them. Talia in Danny's arms, their son beside them, their newborn in hers.

Toys were everywhere. They'd been here a lot.

And I had no clue. Let them live easy for years.

I let out a bitter laugh, wishing I could smack myself. Then I called my assistant.

"Dig up everything. Proof of Talia Sweeney's affair. Every dollar she's spent. I want it all—and I want it back."

Danny almost dropped to his knees. "How can you do this? Talia's proud. If she loses the career she built, she's done!"

That was almost funny.

"What right do you have to negotiate with me?"

Eyes wet, he clutched the crying baby. "It's a misunderstanding. Just go home. After today, I'll come explain everything."

He sounded sincere as he edged closer, holding the kid.

I stepped back, disgusted—but he grabbed me.

Then he threw himself backward.

The baby flew—almost a yard.

"Ah—my child!"

He staggered, scooped up the screaming infant, then pointed at me, hand shaking. "What are you trying to do? You want my wife that bad you'd kill our kid?"

The staff gasped and rushed in front of him. Even the janitor lingered, whispering, pointing.

"Who is that guy? Ms. Sweeney's stalker? She's married and he still won't quit. He even tried to hurt a newborn—what a psycho."

The little boy dropped to the floor, shaking, then burst into tears. "Go away! You're not allowed to bully my dad and my sister!"

The conference room door swung open.

"What's going on?"

Danny ran over, clutching the baby, crying. "Lia—if you were a second later, you'd be looking at our daughter's dead body!"

"Stop." Talia frowned, taking the baby carefully. "Don't say that."

Then she saw me.

Panic flashed across her face.

Danny pointed at me, voice shaking. "Talia, thank God you're here. Jerome tried to kill our daughter!"

I didn't even get a word out.

Her hand cracked across my face.

"Jerome Jahn, have you lost it? You touched my daughter? Or what—you think I'll stop supporting you and you'll end up begging on the street?"

Did I hear that right? She was threatening me?

Ever since we got married, I worked from home and barely showed up at the company. She figured I was jobless, living off her—throwing me a thousand bucks a month so I wouldn't starve.

I never touched it. Everything I wore, everything I owned—it was all custom. She just couldn't tell.

So to her, I was just some stray waiting for scraps.

"Talia, I'm not interested in your pocket change."

She didn't snap. She laughed, turning to the crowd.

"Sorry you all had to see this. He's my husband's old benefactor—did him a favor once. Out of gratitude, I've been covering his food and clothes. Guess it wasn't enough. Now he's here trying to wreck our family."

Just like that, she flipped everything—swapped me with Danny and made me the pathetic leech.

I pressed my tongue to my burning cheek and walked straight at her, face cold.

Danny flinched, backing up. "Jerome, wh-what are you doing? We can talk. Talia can give you more money!"

He ducked behind her. She stepped in front, blocking me.

"Jerome, that's enough."

I stared at her, blank.

"Talia Sweeney. Since when is Danny my benefactor? And when did I ever extort him?"

She rubbed her temples, annoyed, glancing at the crowd.

"Enough, Jerome. No matter what, you don't touch my kids. I can—"

Smack.

I hit her full force. She went down hard.

Talia clutched her face and screamed.

"Disgusting. You made me dirty my hands."

She'd never been humiliated like this in public. Her glare turned vicious.

"If you're done, get out. My husband's merciful—otherwise, you'd already be in cuffs. Be smart and leave. Or I'll cut off your allowance. Don't come begging later."

"So you think money makes you untouchable? You're unbelievable."

She lifted her chin, smug. "Money's not all I have. Let me show you what else I can do.

"Security, grab him!"

Then she pulled out her phone and opened the chat app, turning the screen just enough for me to see.

"Your grandfather just had a heart transplant overseas, right? If I call him now... you think that surgery meant nothing?"

Grandpa—he only cared about me.

I struggled hard.

"You wouldn't dare! If anything happens to my grandfather, I won't let it slide. First thing I'll do is throw you out of Cresthaven Hotel!"

Her face snapped, rage taking over.

"You? Throw me out? Who the hell do you think you are?"

"Because I'm the chairman of Cresthaven!"

"Wait—ha! Did I hear that right?" Talia cracked up, laughing till her eyes watered. "Jerome, you sleepwalking or what? You just said you're the chairman of this hotel? Why not claim every hotel in this city while you're at it?"

She slipped her phone away and waved at the crowd, annoyed.

"So he's insane. Get him out. Security's a joke if someone like this can walk in. If I find out who let him in, they're fired. Oh—and grab him a couple dinner rolls on the way out. Call it Danny's final debt paid."

Guards closed in. I didn't move.

"This hotel isn't hers to run. You don't want the fallout from touching me." My tone made them pause.

Talia snapped at them, voice sharp. "What's wrong? You scared of a crazy person? I'm the general manager here—what are you afraid of?"

That did it. The guards moved in.

Right as they reached for me—

"Stop!"

A man stepped out of the conference room.

Martin Webster.

My company's rep. He was here to lock in next quarter's biggest deal with Talia. I'd even told him to hype her up using the files I gave him.

"Martin, cancel the deal. Pass it along—end it now. Fire Talia. Audit Cresthaven's books, see how much she's skimmed. And her husband and those kids—kick them out. They're not staying on my property."

Martin didn't even blink. He turned to Talia, smiling, and shook her hand.

"Ms. Sweeney, your private matters aren't my concern. We're looking forward to working together."

I froze.

Wasn't he my guy? Why was he backing her—like he didn't even know me?

Talia kept it cool as she walked over, flicking her hand. The guards shoved me to my knees.

"Jerome, still putting on a show?" She sneered. "Fine. Let's see what happens when you ignore me."

She lifted her phone.

"Let's give that old man a look at you now."

As she opened Grandpa's chat, panic hit hard.

"Talia, don't you dare!"

I fought like hell—another hit landed. Blood filled my mouth.

She grabbed my chin, yanking my head up to the camera.

"Hold still. Better angle. Let's see—how fast does that old man drop from the shock?"

"Talia!" I bit it out. "Turn it away. Now. He can't see me like this!"

She flicked the phone, bored. "That how you beg?"

She brushed the baby's cheek, soft voice, fake sweet. "All your fault. You scared my daughter. Apologize, maybe I'll think about it."

She started the video call. The ringtone cut through me.

"No... no..."

It was about to connect. No time. I couldn't let him go through that again.

"Hello, Talia—"

Grandpa's voice hit, and everything locked up.

The camera started to turn. I dropped my head, ready to do whatever it took to keep him from seeing.

Then—

A hand snatched the phone, ended the call, and steadied me.

"Let's see who thinks they can humiliate him."