Chapter 3
I ignored his sarcasm and kept my smile firmly in place. "I'm a regular designer at Dreamscape, Mr. Foster. Just wanted to say hello."
I turned to walk away, to get out of this nightmare.
His hand clamped around my wrist.
His palm burned against my skin, his grip so tight I thought my bones might crack.
"Regular designer?" Edward's chest heaved with barely contained rage. "You disappeared without a word five years ago, and now you're pretending you don't know me?"
"Mr. Foster, please let go of me." I tugged at his grip, but it didn't budge. My voice dropped. "We broke up. There's nothing to talk about."
"Nothing to talk about?" A bitter laugh escaped him, his eyes turning red-rimmed. "Julia, you played me, and now you think you can just walk away?"
Whispers swirled around us.
I felt like a zoo animal, cornered and humiliated.
"Edward, let go of me!" I hissed.
"No." His grip didn't waver. "You owe me an explanation."
We were locked in a standoff when a soft voice cut in.
"Edward, what's going on?"
I turned to see Emily gliding toward us in a white evening gown.
She looked exactly the same, pale, delicate, like a porcelain doll that might shatter at any moment.
Her gaze swept over me before widening in fake surprise.
"Oh, Ms. Evans! When did you get back?" She looped her arm through Edward's other elbow, a possessive gesture that screamed he's mine.
Edward's fury softened slightly at her arrival, but he still didn't release me.
"Emily, go wait over there," he said.
"But..." Emily bit her lip pitifully. "Edward, I'm not feeling well."
She was using her same old trick.
I mentally rolled my eyes.
Five years ago, that line was enough to make him abandon me.
'Let's see what he does now,' I thought.
I met Edward's gaze steadily, waiting.
Edward's brow furrowed as he looked between me and Emily, caught in the middle.
Then my phone rang. It was Nora.
"Julia, hurry. Lucas has a really high fever. You need to come back now!" Nora urged.
My mind went blank. Nothing else mattered.
"Lucas!" I yanked my arm free from Edward's grasp so hard I nearly stumbled.
"What's wrong with Lucas?" I gasped into the phone.
"I don't know! It came out of nowhere. He's at 103 degrees. I'm taking him to the hospital," Nora replied.
"Stay there. I'm on my way," I said quickly.
I hung up and ran, completely missing the way Edward's face went pale.
"Julia, wait!" He grabbed me again. "Who's Lucas?"
His voice trembled with something he couldn't hide.
I was too panicked to deal with him.
"None of your business!" I snapped.
"Mommy—" A small, weak voice came from the entrance.
My blood ran cold. I spun around.
Nora stood in the doorway, holding Lucas in her arms.
My poor boy's face was flushed bright red with fever. Spotting me, he reached out a tiny hand. "Mommy, I don't feel good."
The entire ballroom fell silent.
Everyone stared at the child. Then their eyes swung to Edward.
Because that boy's face was Edward's. They had the same brows, same nose, same pouty lips.
I watched the color drain from Edward's face like someone had pulled a plug.
He stood frozen, staring at Lucas like he'd been struck by lightning.
"Who..." His voice cracked. "Who is he?"