Chapter 1

I burst out, "Who even are you? Sorry, but the line of guys chasing me stretched all the way to abroad. You won't stand a chance."

Six years after the divorce, my ex, now the richest man in the world, showed up out of nowhere.

He didn't come alone. There was a boy trailing behind him, looking at me with eager eyes. The boy said, "Mommy, Daddy said he knows he was wrong."

I almost laughed. I pointed at my boyfriend, the younger, hotter guy beside me, and the kid a short distance away. "See them? My son's already older than you."

My ex went pale, hands shaking. "Since when do we have a son?"

I rolled my eyes. "Who do you think you are? My kid's father isn't some jerk who ditched his pregnant wife to chase his 'one true love.'"

*****

June in Olkbert was scorching, hot enough to make the sand sizzle.

I was stretched out under a beach umbrella, letting the sea breeze flutter my dress. Leo Durham, my younger, puppy-like boyfriend, carefully smoothed sunscreen onto my skin. The cool sensation made me squint in comfort.

Just a little ways off, his five-year-old son Mickey Durham was busy building sandcastles with a girl. Their laughter floated over, mixing with the sound of the waves.

Everything felt calm and perfect. Life was at peace.

But then, out of nowhere, a figure appeared, like a dark cloud blotting out my sunshine.

"Sandra," the figure said.

I hadn't heard that voice in six years, but it was so familiar it felt like it was engraved in my bones.

I took off my sunglasses and looked up.

It was my ex-husband, William Dodson.

He was dressed in a perfectly tailored handmade suit, sticking out like a sore thumb on the beach.

It'd been six years since we met. Time had made him more attractive, adding a mature charm to his features, with a touch of aristocratic pride and that distant air that came from always being in charge.

William was the world's newest billionaire. The same cold, striking face from the finance magazines was now right in front of me.

Before I could say a word, a little head popped out from behind him.

It was a boy, maybe four or five, dressed in a mini version of William's suit. He was adorable, like a doll.

The boy peeked at me shyly, clutching William's pant leg with his tiny hand. In a soft, tearful voice, he called out, "Mommy?"

I froze.

William crouched down, ruffling the boy's hair in a tone I'd never heard from him, gentle and soft. "Mitch, go on, call her 'Mommy.' Daddy brought you to Mommy."

He looked at me, his eyes a storm of emotions I couldn't decipher. There was guilt, regret, and maybe even a flash of... wild joy?

William said, "Sandra, I'm back. I'm here to bring you and our son home."

I nearly spit out the coconut juice I'd sipped.

I couldn't help myself. I actually laughed out loud.

Leo shot William a wary look and moved to shield me, standing protectively in front.

I gave Leo a reassuring pat on the arm, signaling him to relax, then stood up and walked over to William.

I pointed over to where Mickey was busy burying his feet in the sand, then arched an eyebrow at William.

"See? My kid's older than yours," I said with a smirk.

William's expression froze.

He followed my finger to see Mickey, who looked up and flashed me a bright, toothy grin.

"Mommy, look, my feet are gone!" Mickey shouted.

William's face drained of color in a flash.

His hands shook as he pointed from Mickey to me, his voice trembling. "Since when did we have a son?"

I rolled my eyes, as if he'd cracked the most ridiculous joke ever.

"Who are you supposed to be?" I shot back. "Just so you know, the guys lining up to date me could stretch all the way to abroad. You won't stand a chance.

"And for the record, my kid's dad isn't the kind of scumbag who'd dumped his pregnant wife to run off after some old flame overseas."

With that, I looped my arm through Leo's and walked straight over to Mickey, not even glancing back. William and his son Mitch were left standing there, frozen like statues weathered by the sea breeze.

Behind me, I could hear William muttering in disbelief, "No way. This can't be happening."

*****

Back at the hotel, Leo still looked uneasy.

"Sandra, that guy—" he started.

"Just some crazy guy who doesn't matter," I cut him off, planting a kiss on his cheek. "Don't let someone like him ruin our vacation."

Mickey wrapped his arms around my neck and planted a big, noisy kiss on my cheek. "Mummy Sandra, that guy was so weird. Why did he call you 'Mommy'?"

I gave Mickey's nose a playful pinch. "He's got terrible eyesight, sweetie. He thought your Mummy Sandra was someone else."

Mickey nodded, still a bit confused, but his attention was quickly snatched away by the slide in the hotel's kids' club.

Leo looked at me, clearly wanting to say something but holding it in.

He was a top model, five years younger than me, and was the main spokesperson for my fashion label, Starlight. We'd been together for two years. He knew I had an ex, but he had no clue it was William.