Grace's pov
I couldn't get him out of my head.
All day I moved through the summit like a robot: smiling at guests, checking schedules, tasting the dinner menu. But every time the ballroom doors opened I looked up, half expecting to see Dayton standing there. My chest stayed tight, like someone had wrapped a rope around my ribs and kept pulling.
What if he saw Eli?
What if he looked at my son's face and just knew?
By late afternoon I was ready to hide. I even thought about calling in sick for the rest of the week, letting my assistant handle everything. Let Dayton finish his meetings and leave. I could stay in the staff quarters until the hotel emptied again.
I hated myself for even thinking it.
I was not that girl anymore—the one who ran away crying in the rain. I had built something here. This was my hotel, my rules, my life. I would not cower because Dayton Knight walked back into it.
Still, my hands shook when I dialed Uncle Marcus.
He answered on the second ring. "Sweetheart, how's the summit?"
"Uncle… he's here."
Silence for a beat. Then a soft exhale. "Dayton."
"Yes." My voice cracked. "Eli's with me in the family suite. I'm terrified he'll see him. One look and—"
"Grace." His voice was calm, steady, the way it always was when I was falling apart. "Breathe. First, no one is taking that boy from you. Second, you are not nineteen and homeless anymore. You have me, you have security, you have cameras on every corner. If Dayton makes one wrong move, he will regret it for the rest of his life."
"But what if he guesses? Eli has his eyes, Uncle. Exact same green."
"Then we handle it together. You do not hide. You walk in there tomorrow with your head high and you run that summit like the queen you are. Fear gives them power. You take it back."
I closed my eyes, let his words settle over me like a blanket. "Okay," I whispered. "Okay."
"Call me anytime, day or night. I love you."
"I love you too."
I hung up feeling a little stronger. I could do this.
I took the private elevator to the family suite on the top floor. Lisa, Eli's nanny, was supposed to put him to bed already. I needed to hold him, smell his hair, remind myself why I had fought so hard.
I slid my keycard and pushed the door open.
The living room was empty. Toys were neatly put away. No little shoes by the door.
"Eli?" I called softly.
No answer.
I walked faster, heart starting to race. "Lisa?"
The nanny stepped out of the bedroom, phone in hand, looking nervous.
"Where's my son?"
"He—he wanted ice cream. I took him down to the kitchen for five minutes. He's back now, asleep—"
"You left him alone?" My voice rose sharp.
"No! I mean… he said he had to use the bathroom in the lobby, and I waited right outside—"
I didn't hear the rest. I was already running.
The hallway blurred. I slammed the elevator button ten times until the doors opened. The ride down felt endless. My hands shook so badly I could barely hold my phone.
The lobby doors slid open and I saw them.
Eli stood near the huge fountain, jumping up and down, talking with his hands like he always did when he was excited. And right there, crouched to his level, smiling that same crooked smile that used to break my heart, was Dayton.
My blood turned to ice.
I flew across the marble floor. "Eli!"
My son spun around, face bright. "Mommy! This man said he likes dinosaurs too!"
I scooped him up so fast his little legs swung. "We're going upstairs. Now."
Dayton straightened slowly. His eyes went from Eli's face to mine and something flickered there—shock, maybe, or recognition.
"Grace—"
"Stay away from him." My voice shook but I didn't care who heard. "Stay away from both of us."
Eli wriggled. "Mommy, he was nice—"
"Grace? Is that...." He drew in a lung full of air, I could see he was trying to maintain composure. "Where is jis father?"
"Eli, quiet." I turned back to Dayton. "His father is dead. Do you understand me? Dead. So whatever you think you saw, forget it. Pretend you never saw us. Like you did five years ago."
His jaw tightened. "Grace, we need to talk—"
"No. We don't." I hugged Eli tighter and walked away, feeling Dayton's stare burning holes in my back the whole way to the elevator.
The doors closed and I finally breathed.
Eli looked up at me with those big green eyes. "Why were you mean? He said his favorite dinosaur is T-Rex, same as me."
My throat closed. I carried him into our suite, locked the door, checked every room like someone might be hiding.
Lisa tried to apologize. I sent her out with one look.
I sat Eli on the couch. "Baby, listen to me. You do not talk to strangers. Ever. Even if they're nice. Promise Mommy."
He frowned, confused. "But… I felt happy with him. Like… like when Uncle Marcus hugs me. Warm in my tummy."
My heart cracked right down the middle.
I pulled him into my lap and held him so tight he squeaked. "That's because you're kind," I whispered into his hair. "You feel good things easy. But some people aren't safe, okay? Promise me."
"Okay," he mumbled against my neck. "I promise."
I carried him to bed, tucked him in, read three stories even though my voice shook the whole time. When he finally slept, I sat on the edge of his bed and stared at his little face.
Same cheekbones. Same mouth. Same everything.
I was stealing his father from him.
The guilt sat heavy on my chest, heavier than fear.
I kissed his forehead, turned off the light, and went to my own room. I changed into an old T-shirt, brushed my teeth, crawled under the covers.
I was so tired my bones hurt.
I closed my eyes.
And felt it.
The air changed. Became thicker. Like someone else was breathing it.
I sat up slowly.
The room was dark except for the city glow through the windows.
A shadow stood at the foot of my bed.
Tall. Still. Watching.
My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Who's there?" I whispered.