“Hey, Sabrina.”
“Anna.” Her voice hums through the receiver, soft but urgent. “Sorry to call so late, but I have a favor to ask.”
My stomach knots instantly. The last time I felt like this was when she asked me to interview Landon. I just hope this time isn’t as bad.
“What kind of favor?” I ask cautiously.
“I want another article on Landon.”
My heart plummets. “Another one?”
“Yes. The last piece you wrote was a hit. Everyone loved it—the board, the readers, our partners. It’s exactly the kind of momentum we need. And this time…” She pauses, just for a fraction of a second, before adding. “I need something more. Juicy. Controversial. Something that’ll really push us to the next level.”
I close my eyes. “Sabrina, I don’t think I can—”
“No, Anna,” she cuts me off. “I know if anyone can do it, it’s you. You very well know the last time you were on leave and Landon came into the office, he specifically asked for you. He made it crystal clear he wanted you on his profile and no one else. I still don’t know why, and honestly, I don’t care. But what Idocare about is getting this next article out. It could take our firm to new heights.”
I want to tell her no. To snap and say it’s not right, that I won’t write a word against Landon.How can I tear into the man who is the father of my child. Who still has the power to break me with a single look?
But I know better than to argue with Sabrina. She won’t end the call until she’s wrung the answer she wants out of me.
“I’ll… see what I can get,” I murmur, sinking my teeth into my lip hard enough to sting.
“That’s my girl.” Her tone softens, like she’s trying to coax me into confidence. “Make sure you bring me something people will talk about. Something that makes headlines.”
I let out a shaky breath. “Right. Got it.”
She chirps a cheerful goodbye before hanging up, leaving me staring at the darkened screen in my hand.
Controversial.
The word echoes in my head as I grip the phone tighter in my hand. I don’t want to do this. Not when every part of me screams that it’s wrong.
Dragging in a deep breath, I force myself off the bed, desperate for coffee to clear my head so I can figure out a way to escape this. But the moment I pad into the kitchen, I freeze in the doorway on seeing Landon standing there.
The room is dark, illuminated only by the soft glow of the small overhead lamp above the counter. It casts enough light for me to see the slight hunch in his shoulders, the phone heldloosely in his hand, his gaze fixed on the screen. His features look vulnerable in a way I’m not used to seeing.
Before I can ask if something’s wrong, a tiny voice crackles through the speaker, and my heart gives way so suddenly it almost hurts.
“Dada.”
My breath catches, my hand flying to my chest. Liala has never called him that before.
He doesn’t notice me at first, too caught up in replaying the clip over and over, his lips trembling as though he’s holding his breath. Then, as if he senses my presence, his head lifts. His eyes meet mine in the dim light, and for a fleeting moment, every wall I’ve built around myself just crumbles. He isn’t the man who broke me. He’s just a father. My daughter’s father.
“Anna.” His voice is husky with emotion, and then he’s crossing the space between us in a quick stride, holding the phone out like a prize he can’t wait to share. His fingers shake as he presses the screen close to my ear.
“She—she called me Dada,” he whispers, his breath catching. “For the first time.”
Tears sting my eyes, and my throat tightens. “She... she did.” My voice cracks. It’s impossible not to feel it too. And I can’t hold back the smile that breaks through, the warmth of the moment spreading in my chest.
He swallows hard, his eyes shining as he eases back and sinks onto one of the stools at the kitchen island. His thumb hovers over the replay button like he can’t stop himself. And then he plays it. Again. And again. Each time, his expression is the same—full of disbelief, awe, and reverence.
I quietly move to sit opposite him and fold my hands on my lap. “Hey.”
His gaze lifts to mine, and something fragile flickers there before he lets out a sigh. “I never had perfect parents, Anna.”
I nod softly. I’ve always known that his parents were distant, cold beneath all their wealth and status. But he’s never gone beyond passing mentions, and I never pushed. I wanted him to come to me when he was ready.
