Chapter 3

I was at a loss for words.

Damn it, I forgot about this.

I got pregnant with Kellan before I left the capital. According to the time, his father should have died during my pregnancy.

But I couldn't exactly say that my husband was not dead, he lost his memory, forgot who I was, and now he was got a knife to my chest, telling me to be his woman.

If I said that, he'd probably think I was crazy.

I kept my mouth shut, edged sideways, trying to slip past him.

But he caught on instantly. He shot out his arm, bracing it against the wall right by my ear, cutting off any chance of escape.

"Why are you running?"

He leaned in close, his nose nearly brushing the top of my head, his breath hot against my ear.

"I'm not done talking yet."

"Excuse me, I really need to go pick up my kid."

"What's the hurry?" Payton's voice dropped, rough and seductive. "Is that child actually yours, or did you just pick him up off the street?"

"He's mine, obviously."

"Does he look anything like you?" he asked.

I went quiet.

I knew all too well who Kellan took after.

That little face was the spitting image of Payton, especially those sly, upturned eyes, just like the ones staring me down right now.

Thankfully, Payton had lost his memory, so he didn't notice. And nobody else would ever dare mention it in front of him.

But if he ever remembered, or someone reminded him...

I didn't even want to imagine it.

"He doesn't look like me," I lied, keeping my face perfectly straight. "He takes after his dad."

"Is his dad good-looking?"

I was stunned.

Seriously, what was wrong with this guy?

He had lost his memory, and he was still trying to compare himself to his old self?

I took a deep breath. "Yeah, he's handsome. He is more handsome than you."

Payton's smile faltered for a moment.

Then, a familiar emotion began to surge in his eyes that I knew all too well.

Possessiveness.

Twisted, obsessive, borderline pathological.

"Is that so?" His voice stayed nonchalant, but his gaze had shifted like a wolf that's just been challenged.

He straightened up, stepped back, and tilted his chin toward the mouth of the alley.

"Go on, go pick up your kid."

I paused, caught off guard. I hadn't expected him to let me go so easily.

But I'd barely taken two steps when his lazy drawl floated after me.

"But, don't forget what I told you."

"Two choices. I'll give you three days to make up your mind."

"Three days from now, I'll come for your answer."

I didn't look back, but my steps sped up without me even realizing.

After turning the corner and making sure no one was behind me, I leaned against the wall, gulping in air.

My hands were shaking, my legs were about to give out, and my heart was beating so fast it felt like it might burst.

Payton...

What was he doing here?

Shouldn't he be back in the capital, resting up? After he lost his memory, didn't the King and Queen lock him down and forbid anyone from even mentioning me?

I forced down the surge of emotions and hurried toward the school.

Kellan was sitting patiently on the steps outside the school, hugging a small primer book in his arms, his little legs swinging back and forth. As soon as he spotted me, he hopped up and dashed over, arms stretched wide.

"Mommy!"

His voice was milky and childish, his chubby, rosy face round and soft, those eyes curving into crescent moons as he smiled, like a flower blooming just for me.

I crouched down and caught him in my arms, and the unease in my heart was mostly eased by his smile.

"Were you good today, Kellan?"

"Yes!" Kellan nodded hard, holding up his book for me to see. "The teacher said I'm smart. He said I'm the smartest student he's ever had!"

"That's right, you're the smartest."

I took his little hand and we headed home together.

Kellan skipped along for a few steps, then suddenly looked up at me. "Mommy, any news about Daddy today?"

I stopped in my tracks.

"Do you miss Daddy?"

"Yeah!" Kellan nodded hard, his eyes full of hope. "When will Daddy remember us? I miss him so much. I want Daddy to hug me."

My heart ached. I crouched down and gently pinched his chubby cheeks.

"Daddy's really sick right now, but when he gets better, he'll come find you."

"When will Daddy get better?"

"Soon."

I always said "soon," but that "soon" had stretched on year after year.

Kellan pouted and mumbled, "You said that last time too..."

I had no answer. All I could do was take his hand and keep walking.