Looking into Gabriel's calm, dark eyes, Lilah instinctively pressed her lips together. Something unfamiliar stirred quietly in her chest.

Gabriel's gaze flicked across her face, then settled back on Aiden.

"Daddy..." Aiden, of course, was clueless about the subtle tension between the adults.

Gabriel reached out and gently pulled his son closer, their eyes meeting.

Even if he wasn't the most hands-on dad, Gabriel always had a soft spot for his son.

"Aiden, whether it's something you like or don't like... I want you to tell me, okay?"

There was a brief pause before Gabriel hesitantly patted Aiden's soft hair, a sigh escaping him.

This kid was so quiet and reserved, barely made a peep most of the time.

Gabriel had always assumed Aiden didn't have much to say, but maybe... he just never bothered to ask what his son truly needed.

"Mm..." Aiden gave a small nod after hesitating.

Then, suddenly, he stepped back and tugged on Lilah's hand.

"Mommy, come here!"

Caught off guard, Lilah stumbled forward and landed right into a warm chest.

His heartbeat thudded against her, so close and steady it made her ears buzz.

Gabriel stiffened.

Flustered, Lilah quickly scrambled out of his arms.

Aiden looked up at them seriously. "Daddy, Mommy, please don't fight."

"We're not fighting," Gabriel finally said after a long silence, his voice low.

"Then can you and Mommy stay together forever?" Aiden blinked up at him, eyes wide and hopeful. "I really like Mommy... She said she won't be mad anymore, so Daddy, you need to forgive her too, okay?"

Lilah darted her eyes toward him in shock. Aiden continued tugging at Gabriel's shirt with both hands.

Oh no, sweetie, what are you even saying?!

Gabriel's expression darkened instantly. His eyes clouded over, emotions boiling underneath the surface.

Aiden must've sensed the shift-he looked scared. "Daddy?"

The silent pressure filling the air made the little boy visibly uneasy.

Gabriel still didn't say anything.

"Mm..." Aiden's lips quivered before he broke into soft sobs.

Gabriel's brow furrowed, then loosened as he clumsily patted Aiden's back. "It's okay, Aiden. Don't cry."

At the same time, Lilah instinctively reached over to wipe the tears from Aiden's cheeks. "It's alright, honey. Don't cry..."

Their hands briefly met near Aiden's face, then just as quickly pulled away.

Lilah hurried to change the subject. "It's almost dinner time... Let's just go."

She couldn't afford to let Aiden keep rambling. It would only make Gabriel's suspicions worse.

They'd only just started to rebuild a bit of trust-she didn't want it crumbling again now.

Gabriel didn't say another word. Holding Aiden in his arms, he turned and strode toward the main house.

Lilah stood frozen for a second before anxiously following after them.

Aiden's little outburst had completely thrown off her plans.

But he was only three-of course he would ache for both his parents' love.

Maybe he'd always been longing for that complete, happy family...

By the time dinner was over, Lilah made a point of not interrupting Gabriel's time with Aiden.

She headed back to her room, opened her laptop, and tried to focus on the flood of financial data.

The proposal she'd given the Hart Group had yielded outstanding results.

With the commission she'd earned, she'd started dipping her toes into some light investments.

Truth be told, every firm she'd contacted so far kept pressing her about who she really was.

Some were even throwing out jaw-dropping offers, trying to hire her outright.

But Lilah politely turned them all down one by one and kept skimming through documents.

Just then, someone banged on the door. Tight and fast.

Her instincts immediately flipped the alert switch.

That wasn't Nina's usual knock.

Lilah stood, straightened her clothes a bit, walked to the door, and turned the handle.A wave of icy tension rushed in uninvited.

Gabriel's tall frame filled the doorway, cutting off most of the light from the hall.

He stepped into the room, swinging the door shut behind him with a loud bang.

The bedroom light lit up his sharp, handsome face in full detail.

Lilah froze for a second, then stammered nervously, "Gabriel, you-"

Before she could finish, Gabriel grabbed her slender wrist firmly.

"Ah!" The sudden grip made her cry out in pain.

She looked up, right into those deep, unreadable eyes.

"Lilah," Gabriel said in a low, threatening tone, "cut the act."

"Even if you are Aiden's biological mother, you can't use him like a chess piece. Just stop, or get out."

Use him? He actually thought she was using Aiden?

Lilah's head snapped up, eyes brimming with tears, her expression full of disbelief and hurt.

"All Aiden wants is to see his parents get along... Gabriel, I don't care if you don't trust me. But how could you question his feelings like that? How could you accuse me-like I'm poisoning the way he thinks?"

The heartache in her voice shattered her composure, tears rolling down her pale cheeks.

Gabriel opened his mouth slightly, as if to respond, but no sound came out. His grip slowly loosened.

"I won't let anyone hurt Aiden," he said hoarsely, voice rough with emotion.

What Aiden said today had made him doubt her. He thought maybe she'd coached the boy.

Lilah yanked her arm free, red finger marks already appearing on her skin.

She backed up a step, but her eyes never wavered.

"Aiden's a smart kid-he knows who really cares about him. If I'd ever done anything to hurt him, you think he'd be this close to me? He wouldn't call me 'Mom' with such sincerity. I've always honored his trust. I've never lied to him."

Gabriel let go completely, his chiseled features clouded with conflict.

Noticing his wavering, Lilah pressed on.

"I mean what I said-and that won't change."

There was a long silence.

Then Gabriel quietly turned and left, not saying another word.

Only after he was gone did Lilah's tense shoulders finally slump in exhaustion.

Would he ever fully trust her again?

Out in the hallway, Verity clutched the stairs' handrail, eyes locked on the door Gabriel had just disappeared behind.

The eerie quiet sent sharp waves of jealousy and anxiety through her.

He'd actually gone to Lilah's room, on his own!

For three years, he'd never once sought her out like that.

Why now? What changed?

As Gabriel's figure slipped out of view, Verity rushed after him.

"Gabriel, it's late... what are you still doing here?"

She reached out, trying to grab his sleeve.

But he smoothly dodged her hand without missing a beat.

"Let Lily know Aiden's new diet plan," he tossed over his shoulder, not even slowing down.

Verity stood frozen in place.

He called her Lily?

Not Lilah. Not like he always did.

That's not right... Something's really off.

All these years, Gabriel had never been this warm toward her...

And now-this sudden change?

Why? Why like this?

That woman, Lilah!

Verity's expression turned downright ugly.

Not far away, Nina walked by with a cup in her hand, casually taking in Verity's sour face.

She didn't react outwardly, but inside, she rolled her eyes hard.

Now that Mr. and Mrs. Wallace were finally getting on better terms, this one's already dying of jealousy.

That face of hers looked like it was about to turn green. As if she had any right to pout!

Oh well-Gabriel sure didn't look like he hated his wife or anything...

Nina bounced up the stairs with an extra spring in her step.

If Mrs. Wallace found out about this? Man, she'd be thrilled!

Nina carefully turned the doorknob.

"Ma'am? Are you alright?" She didn't even wait for a reply before blurting out, "Sir walked out just now, still looking cold, but not nearly as angry. Miss Nolan tried to stop him, but he waved her off without even a glance."

Lilah closed her laptop, took the water Nina brought, and gave her a faint smile. "You don't like Verity, do you?"

Nina froze a little, realizing Verity was supposed to be the lady's friend. She looked a bit flustered. "No, ma'am, I just..."

"Relax," Lilah said gently, her tone soothing. "Because I don't like her either. Say whatever's on your mind."

Hearing that, Nina exhaled a breath and stopped holding back her words.

"Ma'am, I really think you should watch out for her. She keeps trying to get close to Mr. Wallace. Feels like she's got some shady intentions. If it weren't for the fact that sir clearly has no interest in other women, I wouldn't even wanna imagine..."

Realizing she might've overstepped, Nina trailed off nervously. "Sorry, ma'am, I shouldn't have said that."

She was still just a young girl-sometimes couldn't help speaking her mind.

Lilah let out a soft sigh. "Anything you see or hear, unless I say otherwise, stays between us. Got it?"

"Of course, ma'am. I'm here for you and only you-I'd never do anything that could hurt you!" Nina stood up straighter, attitude firm.

"Good. Then just help me keep an eye out."

Setting her teacup down, Lilah gestured for Nina to leave.

Not long after, the door opened again.

Verity walked in, wearing a forced smile on her face.

"Lilah, you're still up?" Her voice was unusually sweet and soft.

"Something you need?" Lilah didn't even bother to get up, just calmly looked at her.

According to Nina, Verity had stormed off all worked up after seeing Gabriel come out of her room-and clearly upset that he'd snubbed her.

Now, no doubt, she couldn't wait to figure out what Gabriel was doing in here.

Verity stiffened briefly at the cool expression on Lilah's face, that fake smile twitching at the corners of her lips.

She stepped forward and dropped a file folder on Lilah's table with a muted "thud," a barely noticeable flicker of irritation in her motion.

"Nothing big," Verity said breezily, pushing back a loose strand of hair. "It's just about Aiden-his meal plans and portions. It's all written down."

Lilah glanced at it. It was the updated list she'd asked for-a new menu she'd organized herself. Aiden liked it so much she'd even added a dessert he loved.

"Lilah, we've known each other a long time, and I get how you are. But emotionally, you're still kinda unstable. Kids are sensitive, and bad moods from adults really can affect them," Verity said with a soft, concerned look.

Lilah stared at her without a word. Verity just kept going, pretending not to notice.

"Back in college, the three of us-you, me, and Gabriel-we were all there. I worked so hard to get into that program, and then you just waltzed in. Then you guys left the country not long after meeting... came back already engaged. Sometimes I wonder, maybe I just didn't try hard enough... What do you think, Lilah?"

"Some things just aren't meant to be. Why do you act like the world owes you something?" Lilah said coolly. "And really, save the pity act. No one here is buying it."

Sure, the marriage had ties to their families' business interests. But Lilah remembered clearly-she and Gabriel had feelings for each other before things got formal. Verity butting in only ever stirred up trouble.

And now, hiding behind paperwork just to sneak in another jab? Classic move.Unfortunately for Verity, Lilah wasn't the overly sensitive pushover the old her might've been.

She'd battled her way through the business world, dealt with way worse provocations-this? Child's play. Her composure and patience could easily outmatch most people's.

"Well done, Lilah. Forcing your way back into a spot that never truly belonged to you. But you ever think maybe that's not great for a kid? Keep pretending all you want, but how long can you fake it?"

Verity's fake smile cracked, revealing something a little uglier beneath.

Lilah's stare was razor-sharp, like it could slice clean through the act. "That's rich. You reminding me of how you clawed your way up here? All while posing as my bestie just to sneak your way into the Wallace family? What was it? Working your way up from glorified nanny?"

"You-!" Verity's face went stark white.

"You're all fuming right now 'cause Gabriel swung by my room earlier, huh?" Lilah stayed calm, even gave a faint smile. "Too bad whatever you're thinking, it doesn't change the fact that I, Lilah, am Aiden's one and only mother-and Gabriel's legally wedded wife. That's never gonna change just 'cause you exist."

Verity looked like she'd implode, lips trembling, unable to get a word out.

"You think you'll keep sitting pretty on this throne forever? Mental institutions are where women like you end up. I'm waiting for the day they drag you off. Gabriel's never falling for a lunatic!"

Spitting out her bitter curse, Verity stormed off.

No matter what Lilah was like now, she couldn't shake her past-crazy would always cling to her like a label. Neither Gabriel nor the Wallaces would ever truly accept a ticking time bomb.

Only someone like Verity deserved to stand beside Gabriel.

The room now felt big and quiet with just Lilah left standing.

"Crazy woman?"

That was a first-hearing it straight from one of the people who'd driven the old her mad. The irony was just too much.

...

Aiden had his weekly early education class, a prep for kindergarten. Usually, the chores were left to the help, but today, Gabriel had brought him home himself.

Lilah was sitting in the garden and looked up just in time to see Gabriel step out with Aiden in his arms. The contrast of that soft, chubby little face against the dark blazer made Aiden look even more adorable.

Following close behind was Lance, juggling another armful of documents.

"Hi, Aiden," Lilah waved with a smile.

His head swiveled in every direction before locking on her. Eyes lit up, grin blooming instantly.

"Mommy!"

Aiden wriggled till Gabriel put him down, then his tiny feet carried him as fast as they could toward her.

Lilah stood and stepped forward, catching him mid-run.

Gabriel followed with long strides, eventually standing beside her.

He always carried that crisp, cold scent-just like the man himself. It got to her every time, pulling her into a haze she didn't like admitting.

Gabriel's dark eyes watched as the scene unfolded, his face calm and unreadable.

"Mom, my teacher said I was really smart today..." Aiden said it just above a whisper, cheeks slightly pink.

He'd been saving that line the whole way home.

Gabriel shot him a quick glance-hard to say if it was pride or something heavier.

"You little star," Lilah grinned, ruffling his hair and giving him a big thumbs-up.

Aiden beamed, lifting his own little thumb in return.

Gabriel and Lance stood to the side, almost invisible in the moment.

Lance blinked, surprised, and slowed his pace for a second.

A sharp look from Gabriel made him snap back to form, quickly heading back toward the villa.

Wow, never figured the boss and Mrs. Wallace would get along this well. Lilah didn't seem off the rails like the rumors said.

Guess the saying's true-women are full of surprises.

"You... why are you home this early today?" Lilah glanced at the time and blurted out, "Did you bring work with you?"

Gabriel gave a quiet "Mm." His expression remained unreadable, but he didn't seem as distant as usual.

Lilah was slightly taken aback. There was a rare flicker of surprise in her usually calm eyes.

The accusations she threw at him that day, full of anger and frustration...

Did he actually take them to heart?

Gabriel, who always put work first and practically lived at the office, now changing his routine?

But that barely-there sense of peace didn't last long.

"Aiden, you came back with Dad today?" came a sweet, honeyed voice from nearby. Lilah's gaze cooled as she looked up.

Verity walked over gracefully, obviously dressed to impress in a soft ivory knit dress and peachy makeup that made her look demure and gentle. Her practiced smile was flawless.

She clearly knew Gabriel's schedule in advance.

"Gabriel..." Verity's voice dripped with sugar and subtle excitement. "Aiden's got a craft project this afternoon. Since you're home early, how about doing it with him?"

An opportunity to get closer to Gabriel didn't come often, and Verity wasn't about to let it slip past.

Gabriel's eyes moved to his son, who was staring up at him with hope glowing on his small face.

There was no way he could say no to that look.

Just as he was about to nod, Aiden tugged on Lilah's hand, his eyes sparkling.

"Mom too! I want you and Dad to do it with me."

"Sure." Lilah couldn't resist her son's cuteness and agreed with a warm smile.

Verity's smile froze instantly, her eyes flashing with a quick, poisonous glint.

She's coming too?

This woman nearly hurt Aiden once-how could she still show her face?

"Alright, I'll head over in a bit," Gabriel said calmly, patting Aiden's head before turning toward the study-he clearly had unfinished work to get to.

Verity didn't care; the moment he said yes, a gleam lit up her face.

He'd definitely help out when they did the craft stuff.

That meant she'd get some alone time with him, even if just for a little.

Only... that annoying woman was tagging along too.

Verity frowned slightly and shot Lilah a side-eye full of disdain.

Just as Lilah finished telling the housekeeper to help Aiden change, Verity suddenly chimed in, "Lilah, I remember last time... didn't you almost cut Aiden by accident?"

"So, what are you trying to say?" Lilah responded coolly.

"Aiden's still a kid. Safety comes first, right? Maybe it's better if you just watch from the side today?" Verity suggested with fake concern.

"You're overthinking it, Miss Nolan. I'm perfectly sane. It's a big deal for our son-of course I'll be there with my husband."

Lilah's tone was firm and unapologetic. She knew exactly what that woman was getting at-trying to edge her out, as usual.

Verity looked like she'd just swallowed a lemon, her face pale with a twist of anger in her eyes.

Lilah, you lunatic, still trying to worm your way in.

Just wait-you'll mess up again in front of Gabriel.

Then let's see if he still backs you up.

She let out a cold snort, nose in the air as she turned sharply and walked off.

Lilah pressed a hand to her forehead, speechless.

Did Verity really think she still cared enough to get worked up?

Doing crafts with her kid-how is that a problem?

...

Once Aiden had changed,

they made their way to the kids' activity room."Aiden, come here. I've got everything ready," Verity called out warmly as she walked over.

Aiden subtly edged away-her perfume was seriously overwhelming. Wasn't she just supposed to help him with the handicraft? Why douse herself in perfume today?

Verity didn't catch his reaction. She was too busy fussing over her hair and fixing her look instead of getting started.

At last, footsteps echoed in the hallway. Verity spun excitedly toward the sound.

Her face dropped the second she saw who it was-Lilah.

Lilah had tied up her long hair and changed into a simple yet sharp outfit. Her chiseled features looked cold and flawless under the hallway lights, making Verity's mood instantly sour even more.

Lilah easily caught the shift in her expression and seemed rather entertained by it.

"So it hasn't started? Guess I came just in time," Lilah said with a pleasant smile.

"Aiden, come over here, let's fold th-" Verity started speaking while deliberately ignoring Lilah's presence.

But Aiden had already dashed to his mom like a little rocket, proudly holding up a golden ginkgo leaf in front of her. "Mom, look! Doesn't this look like a tiny boat? Can we make one?"

Lilah took the leaf, held it up to the light, and her face softened with a smile.

"It really does! You've got such a sharp eye. Alright, what could we use for the sail?" she asked gently, picking up a piece of blue paper to guide him.

They were now completely absorbed in their own world, mother and son, warm and close-completely leaving Verity out in the cold.

And watching it all from the side stung more than she expected.

Just when Verity opened her mouth to say something, Gabriel walked in. He went straight to the table, barely sparing her a glance.

"Gabriel," Verity greeted with her best effort to sound sweet.

He gave just a nod before focusing entirely on what Aiden was doing.

Verity drifted closer to them, trailing her thick perfume. "Aiden, let's build the craft together with Dad!"

His nose scrunched slightly.

Verity usually starts by showing the blueprint; what's with the sudden switch?

Aiden quietly moved behind Lilah again.

Verity's smile faltered mid-sentence. She forced herself to stay cheerful, desperately trying to draw their attention.

But Aiden wasn't going anywhere.

Stupid kid! she screamed internally, though her face stayed soft and teary, pretending to be hurt. "Gabriel, Aiden only wants his mom lately... Am I just not doing enough?"

She subtly reached for Gabriel's arm.

"As long as Aiden's happy, that's all that matters."

Gabriel glanced at her for less than a second, then calmly stepped over to Lilah, completely sidestepping her touch.

Like her little theatrics didn't even make it onto his radar.

Verity froze. That hurt expression turned into stunned disbelief.

Lilah was kneeling on the soft mat, the warm glow from the lights giving her profile a gentle outline. Her entire aura was calm, collected, and nurturing.

Gabriel couldn't tear his eyes from her-how carefully she held Aiden's hand, how her lashes cast soft shadows over her cheeks, how her smile flowed out so naturally. No pretending. No drama.

She looked up briefly, brushing a loose strand of hair away. And just for a moment, their eyes met.

Her delicate beauty caught him off guard, and he looked away before she could notice.

He hadn't seen Lilah like this before.

The dramatic, emotional version of her that used to echo in his mind-suddenly, it didn't weigh the same anymore.

For once, in those usually unreadable eyes of Gabriel, she was all he saw.