Chapter 1Pregnant and on the Run: When the CEO Found Out

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For three years, I was nothing more than the secret lover of Lucas Stone, the most powerful and stoic CEO in Silvergate City.

And then, I got pregnant.

Lucas made it clear from the start—he didn’t like kids. Worse, he was already planning to marry a socialite from one of the wealthiest families in the city, someone “suitable” for his status.

But I wasn’t giving up my baby.

So, I packed my things, emptied my savings, and disappeared into the night.

Four years later, I was living a quiet life in a small town with my son, Leo. Life wasn’t easy, but we managed. Leo was smart, cheerful—and heartbreakingly handsome.

Too handsome, in fact.

One day, a photo of him went viral online. People couldn’t get enough of his piercing blue eyes and mischievous smile.

Seeing an opportunity, I started a livestreaming channel featuring Leo. To my surprise, our little corner of the internet blew up, and I built a career out of it.

But with popularity came scrutiny. It didn’t take long for people to figure out I was a single mom. To protect my privacy—and avoid awkward questions—I told everyone the same story:

“I’m divorced. My husband passed away.”

The narrative worked. My audience loved it. I became a symbol of independent motherhood, a beacon of strength for women everywhere.

Life was good.

Until one day, I noticed something strange.

My top supporter on the platform—a user who consistently sent generous donations—had a profile picture and location eerily familiar to me.

No. It couldn’t be.

Lucas Stone? The man who wouldn’t know what a livestream was if it hit him in the face? No way.

But before I could make sense of it, my doorbell rang.

I opened it to find Lucas standing there, towering over me, his dark eyes burning with anger.

He didn’t say a word—just pushed me against the wall, his voice low and dangerous.

“Widowed?” he growled, his lips curling in a sneer. “Funny, because I don’t remember dying.”

Before I could respond, he grabbed Leo’s shirt collar with one hand, lifting him up effortlessly.

His gaze turned even darker as he looked at me, his voice dripping with fury.

“And this?” he snarled, pointing at Leo. “Care to explain this?”