But Kai, my curious, persistent boy, especially about his mysterious father, wouldn’t stop asking.
"Then that was him!" Kai perked up with excitement. "The man in my dream must be Daddy! Right? Right?"
"Kai..."
"It has to be! Because his eyes are just like mine!" Kai bounced in his seat. "Mommy, does Daddy miss me? Is that why he came to my dream?"
I didn't know what to say. Faced with his excitement, his hope, I could only force out a smile that probably looked worse than crying.
Kai went still, studying me carefully, as if realizing something. His voice turned small. "Mommy, did I say something wrong?"
"No." I took a deep breath. "Maybe... maybe Daddy really did visit your dream."
"Yes!" Kai cheered. "Daddy remembers me! He'll come back soon!"
I looked at my son's excited face in the rearview mirror and swallowed the words that would disappoint him—words that were already breaking my heart before I could even speak them.
I'm sorry, Kai.
Mommy can't let you meet him.
Never.
After getting home, I left Kai with the nanny and retreated to my dressing room to prepare for the evening gala.
I'd worked four hard years to get the studio on solid ground. These networking events were necessary.
Besides, tonight my new collection, "Moonlight Shards," was on display—a perfect opportunity to expand my client base.
At seven, I drove to the venue.
Luxury cars lined the hotel entrance. Guests in elegant attire streamed through the doors.
Navy blue backless gown, short chestnut hair, blue contacts—my essential armor as Ella Ross, not Layla Gray.
Everything was perfect.
I stepped out onto the red carpet.
My assistant Anna was already waiting at the entrance.
"Ella!" She hurried over, eyes bright. "God, you look stunning tonight!"
"Thanks." I smiled. "Is 'Moonlight Shards' ready?"
"Of course! Center of the exhibition hall. Lots of people are already checking it out!"
We entered the venue. Crystal chandeliers, classical music, champagne, couture. Everything so polished and glamorous—something I couldn't have imagined seven years ago. Walking in here like this, openly, as a jewelry designer.
"Some major players showed up," Anna whispered in my ear. "The mayor's here. A few European jewelers... oh, and..."
She scrolled through her tablet, then suddenly stopped.
"What is it?" I asked absently. In a window's reflection, I noticed my lipstick had smudged. I opened my clutch.
"Oh, apparently there's some big shot from the North tonight." Anna's tone was casual, like discussing ordinary gossip. "Some business tycoon. Let me check the name... Blackwood."
The lipstick fell from my hand. The bright red stick hit the marble floor and shattered, like congealed blood.
