Chapter 4

Chloe POV

Madison's jaw dropped.

River's pupils contracted sharply as he stepped out of the elevator in one stride, his presence overwhelming.

I backed up with my son until I hit the wall.

"Broken eyebrow?"

River looked down at Liam, his voice light as a feather yet heavy as a hammer, his rough fingertip reaching toward Liam's eyebrow.

Every alarm in my head went off!

I slapped his hand away hard.

"Don't touch my son!"

A red mark bloomed on River's hand.

He didn't get angry. Instead, he raised an eyebrow with an ambiguous smile.

"Such a strong reaction? Afraid I'll eat the kid?"

I forced myself to stay calm.

"This was... from when he was little! Right, Liam? He fell when he was two!"

I blinked frantically, signaling him.

Liam, who'd inherited his father's intelligence, nodded calmly.

"Yeah, Mom said I fell."

River withdrew his hand and tucked it in his pocket, his gaze glued to Liam's face, scoffing.

"Quite the technical fall-looks exactly like my natural one."

I laughed dryly.

"It's just fate, fate..."

Madison quickly intervened.

"Okay, enough about eyebrows! Let's go!"

I made an excuse about getting something and shoved Liam at Madison.

"You two go to the car first!"

River watched the little figure being led away.

That swagger in his walk was a carbon copy of his own.

He laughed softly.

"What's the kid's name?"

I was guarded.

"Liam."

River gave me a disdainful look.

"Like your ex-husband. No taste."

After that insult, he finally turned to follow Madison.

I leaned against the doorframe, exhaling deeply.

My legs were so weak I could barely stand.

Just now, I really thought he was going to drag Liam off for a DNA test.

But the crisis wasn't over.

The car ride ahead would be even more terrifying.

One big, one small, sitting side by side-the atmosphere eerily harmonious.

Liam suddenly pointed at River's forearm.

"Did your gunshot wound heal?"

My hand jerked and I nearly drove into a ditch.

River's eyes flashed with appreciation.

"How do you know?"

That's a special forces soldier's badge of honor-why are you asking about everything!

River didn't seem angry though.

He glanced down at his arm, asking casually.

"How do you know it's a gunshot wound?"

"I saw it on TV."

Liam looked serious.

"Only bullet wounds leave this kind of round scar."

River smiled.

"Good observation skills."

He pulled out a mint and offered it.

Liam shook his head.

"Mom says don't take things from strangers, especially ones who look like bad guys."

I choked on my own saliva.

River's face darkened, yet he remained patient.

"I'm related to your mom's roommate. You should call me..."

Liam innocently finished the sentence.

"Uncle?"

Madison burst out laughing.

"Told you you're old!"

A vein bulged at River's temple as he gritted his teeth and pinched Liam's cheek.

"Fine."

The gesture looked fierce, but the pressure was gentle as a tickle.

If you ignored the complicated history, they really did look like father and son.

At the studio.

Madison pushed River into the fitting room.

"Chloe, go! You're the measurement expert!"

The door closed, leaving just him and me in the cramped space.

Cool fragrance mixed with testosterone.

River spread his arms in front of the mirror, watching my trembling form with amusement.

"Miss Sullivan, let's begin. I don't like tight clothes-they're constricting."

I took a deep breath and approached with the measuring tape.

When measuring his shoulders, I had to press against his chest.

Through the thin shirt, I could feel the hard planes of his pectorals and his powerful heartbeat.

"Chloe."

He suddenly spoke my name.

Warm breath washed over the top of my head, carrying a tingling sensation.

"Don't you feel like this position..."

"Is a bit like five years ago?"