Sera's POV

I was twenty when I met Adrian in college, and it wasn't love at first sight. At twenty four, I got the video, and the news that ruined us.

~Flashback~

"I'm sorry," I say into the phone, eyes watering. 

Adrian sighs. "I know baby, but you need to trust me."

We had our usual fight the night before. Adrian is a the quarterback captain, and it's safe to say the ladies love him. 

This time, I found red lip stains on his jersey, so I got upset. He didn't like that.

"I'm trying," I sniffle.

"I have never cheated on you, and I'd never. I love you, Sera. You know that."

I nod, swallowing the lump in my throat. "I love you, too. I'm sorry for accusing you of cheating like I always do."

"Are we good?"

"Yea," I croak, wiping my eyes. "How was the party?"

I was too upset to meet him at the last party for the semester. We're heading home today, and I'm regretting standing him up all because of red lip stains.

He yawns, loudly. "It was alright, I didn't really have a lot of fun, you know why. Can I see you at the cafeteria before you go home?"

"Definitely." 

"Alright, darling. I'll text you."

We say our goodbyes, everything is settled between us and I smile, the line disconnecting.

My phone chimes with a message from an anonymous number. 

I frown, clicking on it to reveal a video clip.

That should've been the point to turn off my phone, or to delete the video immediately. But curiosity got the best of me, and like they say... it kills the cat.

I jam my fingers down on the play button, and watch the video of my boyfriend, Adrian.

He's shirtless on the bed, and in only a tiny piece of briefs. An equally undressed girl clings to his chest, and he holds her.

My jaw drops, stomach dipping. 

No, this can't be. 

I squeeze my eyes shut, wishing that when I open them, it won't be my boyfriend wrapped half naked around some girl.

But the picture is still there... and I don't need a genie to tell me that I had just been played.

Adrian's text pops in at that moment, with the time to meet up at the cafeteria, and the screen blurs from the tears in my eyes.

I don't respond. Instead, I grab my already packed suitcase and leave the hostel, shooting a text to Ivy that I've left for home.

Unknowing to me that an even terrible news was waiting for me at home.

~End Of Flashback~

"This way, Laurel," I tell the sitter I hired, voice loud over the chatter, as I direct her toward the entrance flanked by reporters.

I tighten my grip on Ezra's hand, making our way down the carpeted aisle. 

Ezra and I arrived in New York yesterday. Unfortunately for him, he's not going to do a lot of sight-seeing because this is only meant to be a weekend dash in, dash out.

"Good evening, ma'am," a tall lady in a uniform greets."Your name and the code, please?"

She stands beside a bouncer, earpiece in and an iPad in her hands.

"Good evening, I'm Sera," I say. "Sera Lane. The code is..."

"Wait," she says, typing on the iPad with furrowed brows. "There's no Sera Lane on the invite."

My heart stops. "I have the c-code."

She shakes her head. "I'm sorry but if you're not on the invite, we can't let you in."

"You don't understand-"

"Ma'am please leave the way." She looks over my shoulder, motioning for the next person.

Ezra begins whining and Laurel immediately takes him from me. I dig around in my purse for my phone, dialing Ivy.

The call rings, and rings... but I get her voicemail.

"Excuse me..." I glance at the lady's name tag. "Toria. Excuse me, Toria."

Irritation crosses her face, her jaw tightens. "Yes, ma'am?"

"I'm sorry," I apologize. "I don't mean to be a bother, b-but can't you just run the code? I have a son here who's going to get cranky real soon."

She spares Ezra and Laurel a look. "I suggest you go home, ma'am. We're under strict instructions, and Mr Cross doesn't take to being disrespected."

"Why can't you just use the code?"

"The code is only respective to invitees."

Ivy didn't tell me this. My cheeks burn with embarrassment. Fingers trembling, I try Ivy again.

This time it rings once, and goes straight to voicemail, almost like it's intentional. I try two more times, and the same thing happens.

Other guests go through freely, some staring at me as I hover in a corner, all dolled up for an event I wasn't officially invited to.

I shouldn't have come.

Typing out a text to Ivy that I'm stuck outside , it double ticks immediately. She's seen it. The three dots appear and disappear, but no texts come in.

I try again, and this time... only a single tick.

And that's the confirmation that she's ignoring me on purpose. Why?

Anger brews in my chest, heart pounding.

"Toria..."

She glares at me, and I bite my tongue.

Clicks from reporters go by, and I pray to everything holy that they don't capture this embarrassment, this humiliation.

"Come on, Laurel..." I mutter, voice shaky. I clamp down on my jaw, keeping my tears at bay. 

I shouldn't cry. It's fine.

We turn to leave when a voice stops me.

"Are you leaving, dear?" 

An African-American woman speaks, her lips pulled into a confused frown. She's stunning with Afro hair adorned with gold jewelry.

"Yes, urm-" I clear my throat. "My best friend...she didn't tell me about the code being on invite only, and I j-just..."

"Is that your son?" She points to Ezra.

I nod with a wobbly smile. "Yes, he is."

"Hm." She squints. "Come on, I'll tell them you're with me."

My heart soars. "Are you sure? I don't want to be an inconvenience."

"Nonsense." She waves me off, her jewelry clinking with every movement. "Something tells me you really want to be here."

This feels like a Cinderella moment, except this fairy godmother is helping me have my final heartbreak, pushing me to the painful closure I desperately need.

"Thank you, so much," I say, eyes watering at her kindness. I look down on my phone, but still no text or call from Ivy.

She shakes her head, giving Ezra a little handshake. "It's nothing. Besides, you didn't come all this way with such a beautiful boy only to be sent back home."

I walk beside her and immediately remember my manners.

"I'm Sera Lane," I introduce myself.

She smiles. "Antoinette."

Antoinette informs Toria that we're with her, and just like that... we're allowed into the beautifully decorated room filled with only a handful of people.

I scan the room for Adrian, plucking a glass of champagne from one of the waiters and snagging a cupcake for Ezra.

"Thank you all for joining us tonight." 

I can recognize that voice anywhere, even in my sleep. My eyes find him immediately.

Adrian stands tall in the front of the room, and for a moment he's the only one I see. 

"As you all know, I'm proposing to my future wife tonight... so," he pauses, eyes scanning the room, and he gives a nod to someone in the crowd.

The crowd parts as a woman steps out.

Adrian drops to one knee. "Ivy Shawn, will you marry me?"

Everyone gasps, squeals erupting but they slowly fade to the background.

"Yes," Ivy smiles.

All the air leaves my lungs, and I watch with parted lips as my ex boyfriend proposes to my supposed best friend... and she says yes.

As if they can hear the sound of my heart breaking, their eyes find my shocked ones. 

And they stay locked.

Sera's POV 

Adrian strides towards me, Ivy in tow. The crowd parts, giving way to them until they stop in front of me.

"Sera?" Adrian breathes, eyes raking down my body. 

Tears well up in my eyes, Ivy's diamond glinting at me, mocking me. 

"Ivy, h-how could you?" I whimper, blinking hard so the tears don't fall. "You could've told me."

Ivy rolls her eyes. "Oh stop being a baby, Sera."

"Really?" My lips wobble.

Adrian glances around, all eyes are fixed on us. "Come on," he says. "Let's go somewhere more private."

I walk behind them, Adrian's hand rests on Ivy's back. The sight taunts me, it hurts me.

Grabbing my phone, I shoot a text to Laurel, asking her to wait with Ezra for a bit. She replies with a thumbs up, and I shove my phone back into my bag.

We round the corner, Adrian leading us into a room. It's tiny and dark until Ivy flicks on the light. 

Being this close to them, I take in Adrian. He's bigger than the media paints him out to be, taller too. 

Tattoos crawl up exposed arms, some peeking out from beneath the collar of his shirt. His dark hair is styled messily, falling over his eyes... and his green eyes... the resemblance between him and Ezra is uncanny.

"What are you doing here, Sera?" His voice pulls my eyes away from his body.

Ivy snorts. "She came for closure."

"Ivy," I gawk, surprised at what's going on. "I don't understand. Did I offend you?"

"Closure?" Adrian scoffs.

"I'm tired of your whining, Sera. Adrian this, Adrian that... I am so fucking tired," she snaps.

My heart skips a beat, eyes stinging. "That's a lie, Ivy. I've never asked about him until I heard about the engagement."

"And so what?" Adrian asks. "You came to see if it was true?"

"Adrian..." I hiccup, my voice weak. "I j-just-"

Ivy shakes her head at me. "Sera, move on! Adrian and I are in love, and we're going to get married."

"I'm not trying to stop you-"

"You ditched me, Sera! You just...disappeared on me, and now you want closure?" Adrian hisses. "Did you give me the chance to ask for closure?"

By now, the tears are already streaming down my face. I struggle to wipe them, my breath coming out in short pants.

"You hurt me, Adrian, but that's fine." I sniffle. "It's in the past."

Turning to Ivy, I speak. "You didn't have to hide it from me, Ivy. I thought we were best friends?"

"Not anymore." She shrugs, face blank.

"Is that why you ditched me outside?" I gasp, swiping my wet cheeks again. "Is that why you ignored my calls and texts while I was being embarrassed outside?"

A humorless laugh rips from her throat. "You never always get the hint, Sera."

"Who embarrassed you?" Adrian asks, eyes flashing.

I shrug. "It doesn't matter anymore, does it? I made it in, although I should've taken the embarrassment as a sign not to attend this."

"Yeah, you should've." Ivy nods, rolling her eyes. "Like I said, you never get the hint."

The lump in my throat thickens. "I guess. Now it's glaring, isn't it? I have one question though..."

"I really don't care, Sera."

"Ivy," Adrian murmurs. "You never told me you and Sera were still in touch."

"That's because we weren't," Ivy replies. "She was always the one calling me, texting me..."

A bitter laugh spills from my lips, a tear rolling down my face. I sniffle, and wipe it away.

I wish I could say Ivy is wrong, but she isn't. I was always the one checking in on her, always the one to reach out... and that's the problem I've always had.

I've always put in so much in every relationship, I only know how to give, and give...and just fucking give my everything.

What do I get in return? Heartbreak, ingratitude, betrayal.

I guess I never learn my lessons... and I never take the hints.

My mom used to tell me that my big heart will only get me killed, and here I am...doing the same thing and reaping the exact same reward. 

And I can't even be mad.

"How long have you both been together?" I ask Adrian.

His jaw ticks, grip tightening in Ivy's hands. "It doesn't concern you, Sera. You left me, remember?"

You cheated! Those are the words I want to scream over and over again at him. But I'm not here to reopen old wounds.

"Of course, how dare I ask?" I press my lips together, head bobbing. "I came for closure but I guess I've gotten more than I bargained for."

Ivy rolls her eyes, flicking her wrist to check the time. Adrian only stares at me, wordlessly.

So, I continue. "I didn't come to fight any of you. It's good to see you, Adrian. And I wish you both a wonderful home and relationship."

Adrian holds a hand out, but thinks better of it. He squeezes it into a fist, and it falls at his side.

"It's good to see you too, Sera."

Ivy doesn't say anything, she doesn't even look at me. I dig into my purse and pull out a napkin.

Dabbing my wet eyes and cheeks, I open the door. "I'll be out now. Good bye, Adrian....Ivy."

Adrian's jaw ticks, green eyes swimming with words he wants to say but doesn't. I don't stay to find out though, instead, I walk out.

The chatters and music that meet my ears are a necessary distraction. I'm typing on my phone, trying to figure out where Laurel and Ezra are, when a high pitched voice stops me.

"Aunt Ivy!" 

I whirl around to find Ezra running up to Ivy, Laurel grabs him on time and he shrieks.

Adrian stands just outside the door I walked out from, a deep frown on his face, eyes darting between Ezra and Ivy.

Ezra sees me from across the room, goosebumps prickle my skin because I know what's about to happen.

And it does.

"Mommy!" Ezra cries, breaking away from Laurel's grip and his little legs run to me. I squat to his level, catching his tiny body in time to pick him.

"Hey baby," I whisper. 

Laurel crosses over to my side, but Ezra refuses to go to her.

"Mommy, that's aunt Ivy!" Ezra points at Ivy who despite looking pale, still glares at both of us.

I push his hands down, avoiding Adrian's gaze. "No pointing. Come on, let's go."

"Wait!" I freeze at Adrian's voice. He steps closer to us, my heart drops. "Mommy?" He asks me, staring at Ezra.

"Urm..." I clear the thickness from my throat, offering a shaky smile. "He's my son, but we've got to go now."

Adrian ignores me, smiling up at Ezra. "What's your name, buddy?"

Ezra grins, dimples popping. "Ezzy!" 

"Ezra," I correct. Adrian glares briefly at me.

"How old are you, buddy?"

"Four!" Ezra holds up three fingers.

I feel the tension that arises between us. Adrian's jaw flexes, his eyes drag up to mine.

"He's four, Sera," he says, voice low. "I'm going to ask you once, and don't think of lying to me."

Cold sweat drips down my spine, and I swallow.

"Who's son is he?"

Adrian's POV

Sera averts my eyes, and that's all the confirmation I need. The resemblance is glaring, and I don't need a fucking genie to tell me he's mine.

The same dark hair, and green eyes... very similar to mine. He looks just like my baby pictures.

"You haven't answered my question, Sera," I snap, shallow puffs of breath leave my lungs, anger brewing in my chest.

Ivy steps towards me, a hand on my back. 

I stiffen, turning to her. "You knew Sera had a son."

It's not a question. Ivy's throat bobs on a swallow, cheeks flushing.

"I didn't think you-"

"You're right," I interrupt Ivy. "You didn't think."

"C-can we go somewhere private?" Sera asks.

"No," I shake my head once. "Not until you answer the damn question. Who's son is he?"

She gulps, looking away. "He-he's y-yours."

The words that leave her lips are barely audible, but I catch it. I knew it already, I just needed her to confirm it... but it still surprises me.

My jaw tightens, teeth grinding on each other.

"I'm about to walk out that door," I say, voice threateningly low, "if I don't see all three of you outside with me...fucking hell, you have no idea what I will do."

I stride off, footsteps brisk and fast. I shove my tight fists into my pockets, heat licking up my skin. I want to fucking punch something.

When I step out into the cool air, I'm swarmed by a sea of reporters.

"Mr. Cross, how do you feel about your engagement to Miss Shawn?"

"How long have you been dating Ivy Shawn?"

"Is Miss Shawn pregnant? Is that why you're proposing?"

I shoot a glare to the reporter that asked that stupid question. She shrinks back, cheeks reddening in embarrassment. 

A flash goes off.

Lips pulled into a straight line, I stomp down the red carpet. No one asks any other questions. My phone blares in my pockets and I know exactly who it is, my security Gillian...but I don't respond.

The valet brings the limo around, and I open the door. Ivy scurries in, but Sera is in a hurried conversation with a young girl. She slips some bills in her hands, and slowly approaches the car.

She looks up at me, face crumpling in that familiar way that shows she's guilty. "Adrian..."

"Get in the car, Sera."

She gives me a long look, sighs then gets in with her son-my son. 

Fuck.

Ivy pushes into one side on the chair, and I sit at the opposite end. Sera sits on the opposite chair, while Ezra whispers to her.

Grabbing a tumbler, I pour myself two fingers of whiskey and slam it down the back of my throat.

I welcome the burn, it licks away some of the anger but not nearly enough. I pour another finger, but this time... I nurse it.

The car ride is tense, thick with suffocating silence. Sera gives me brief looks every once in a while, Ivy types furiously on her phone.

"Look, Adrian," Ivy sighs. "All this is-"

I raise my glass. "Not now, Ivy."

All I need is to get my thoughts together. 

I have a son that I didn't know about...

I sip my whiskey.

***

"We're here, Sir," the chauffeur says, parking the limo in front of the house.

"Thanks." I get out, holding the door open for Ivy and Sera. In her arms, Ezra is asleep, and my fingers itch to hold him, but I stuff them in my pockets.

The walk to the door feels longer than it usually is, almost as if we were all avoiding the bomb that was about to drop.

Sera and Ivy shuffle in, and I click the door shut.

"Give him to me." I hold my hand out to Sera. "I'll put him in my room."

Sera frowns. "I don't think we should-"

"Unless you want to wake him up with the ruckus that is about to happen, I suggest you hand him over."

She shudders, chest rising and falling rapidly. "I-I will do it. J-just point me to the room."

I scoff, a hollow laugh drags out of me. "You think I would let you have free reins in my home? After hiding the biggest part of my life for years?"

"I didn't mean to..."

"You're not better than a liar and a fucking robber."

She gasps, my words cutting into her. Tears fill her eyes, and for a moment, I want to take my words back...but I don't. 

I stretch my hand out again. This time, she doesn't argue, she places the little boy in my arms. I walk to my room.

Placing him on my bed, I take a moment to inspect his features. Long dark lashes frame his eyes, tiny nose and puckered pink lips. 

He's gorgeous...and he's mine.

With one last look, I cover him up, guarding him with pillows and then I'm back in the living room.

Sera immediately stands when she sees me. "Adrian, I didn't mean to keep him away from you. I swear."

"But you did," I hiss. "Four years, Sera. Four fucking years, and you hid him from me."

"There was no way to reach you," she lies. The biggest lie I've heard in a while.

I snort. "But you were able to reach me the moment you heard I was proposing?"

"I'm sor-"

"Don't even." I glare, whirling around to Ivy. "And you, Ivy. You knew about this, you knew she was with my son yet you didn't think I should know?"

Ivy sighs. "Baby, she didn't want you to know about it. I swore to secrecy."

The endearment irks me, eyes twitching.

"You swore to secr-" I pause, shaking my head. I rip my tie off, and pop two buttons on my shirt. 

Sera's eyes follow the movement but it's brief. She finds my eyes again. 

"I've not had it easy, Adrian."

"Don't make it about you, Sera. You had every moment to reach out," I tell her, jaw ticking.

"I know," she sniffles. "I'm so sorry, but after everything that happened between us...I didn't know how."

"You fucking left me, Sera!" I roar. She flinches, Ivy jerks. "You left without a word. I called you every single day for a whole month until you changed your number!"

"So what? You just expected me to pick up? After what you did?"

"What I did? You ghosted me, Sera! I went by your house but you and your parents had moved, I called you, Sera-" 

The words get stuck in my throat, memories of that month filter into my mind. How lost I was, confused and so heart broken.

"I'm sorry, Adrian." Sera swipes harshly at her eyes. "I had to do what was best for me."

"By keeping my son away from me," I scoff.

"I think I'll let you two hash this out." Ivy rises. "But for what it's worth Adrian,I told her to tell you the first few months, until I eventually gave up."

I shake my head at her. "You should've told me."

"Only a parent knows what's best for their child, Adrian. I couldn't intrude."

"You're right," I say, pinning Sera with a look. "And now that I'm a parent, I know what's best for my son."

"W-what does that mean?" Sera asks, dabbing at her eyes.

"It means that you're not leaving this house with Ezra," I say. "It's either both of you stay here, or you leave without him."

"What?" Both of them chorus, although with different expressions.

Ivy is flabbergasted, shocked...while Sera, she's angry. Her face flushes, teeth clenched.

"You have no right!" She snaps. "He's my son."

"He's our son," I correct. "And I have every fucking right, Sera. He's going to know me as his father."

"No, you can't do that..."

"You can choose to agree to this amicably."

Her frown deepens. "And if I don't?"

A small, malicious smirk tilts my lips upward. I grab a bottle of whiskey from the bar, pour it and take a small sip.

Everyone waits for my response, and the wait is long.

Eventually, I respond.

"If you don't, Sera. I'll be forced to sue for custody...and we both know who will win."

Her jaw drops, she stiffens, eyes hard. 

She scoffs. "You're a fucking bastard."

I raise a glass to her. 

"That..." I raise a glass to her. "I am."