Father and Son Who Never Met Chapter 1

After the "real" daughter of the family snatched my fiancé, I decided I was done playing by the rules. I did the one thing I could: I got him into my bed, and then I ran.

He may have been a rebellious disaster, but he was unfairly handsome. So I made a choice. I kept the premium-grade souvenir of our night together.

Jax Walker was furious, swearing that when he found me, he’d make my life a living hell. I spent five years in hiding, my heart pounding every time I heard his name.

Until one day, I went to pick up my son from school. A huge crowd was gathered at the gate, buzzing about a fight.

My eyes lit up. I eagerly pushed my way through the crowd, ready for some good, old-fashioned drama.

And there they were, in the open space by the school entrance, two figures locked in a clumsy brawl.

The taller one wore a black trench coat, his back as straight and unyielding as a pine tree. His movements were sharp, efficient.

The shorter one was in a primary school uniform, his little legs pumping like pistons. His fists were small, but every punch was aimed at a vital spot.

I rubbed my eyes, staring at the two of them—one a carbon copy of the other, just shrunk down.

My world tilted on its axis. What was wrong with these two? How could a father and son who had never met before just start throwing punches?

…

Jax turned his head, deftly dodging my son's fist. The corner of his eye twitched upward in a look of lazy, arrogant amusement.

That face. It was the kind of face that haunted my nightmares.

I took a deep breath. And another. And one more for good measure.

And to think, Noah told me he was a model student.

From the look of his practiced fighting stance, he seemed more like a seasoned brawler. That left hook had some serious power, the angle was vicious, and he even knew how to feint before landing a punch.

A circle of parents had formed around them. Some were filming with their phones, others were cheering them on.

"Whose kid is that? He's got some moves!"

"Go for the big guy! You got this, kiddo!"

I covered my face, wishing the ground would swallow me whole.

Noah planted his hands on his hips, his little chin jutted out.

"Mister, you're blocking my way."

Jax glanced down at him and scoffed. "You own the sidewalk, pipsqueak?"

"It's not mine, but you're blocking the school gate. My friends can't get out."

A laugh escaped Jax's lips, a mix of annoyance and disbelief.

"Who the hell is your mother? Raising a little tyrant like you."

I winced. The kid had inherited my temper and Jax's in equal, disastrous measure.

Everyone who knew us knew that when Jax and I met, sparks flew. And someone usually ended up bleeding.

The day I found out I was the Sterling family's switched-at-birth mistake, Jax was the first one to show up and gloat.

"Well, well, Willow. Turns out you're a fake. No wonder you have no class."

I lunged at him, sinking my teeth into his neck.

He couldn't push me off, no matter how hard he tried.

I felt the coppery tang of blood seep between my teeth. He let out a muffled groan of pain, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"What are you, some kind of animal?!"

Only then did I release him, licking the blood from the corner of my mouth.

I just never imagined he'd have the same effect on our son.

Jax reached out, his fingers closing around the back of Noah's neck.

"Alright, let's go find your parents. I have to see what kind of people are responsible for a little monster like you."

My throat tightened. It was time to run.

But just then, a sharp voice cut through the air.

His teacher, Ms. Davis, came storming over in her high heels, her face a mask of fury.

"Excuse me, which class are you with? Are you bullying one of our students?"

For a rare moment, Jax actually looked embarrassed. Before he could speak, a woman in a chic cream-colored coat emerged from the crowd.

She gracefully looped her arm through Jax's and offered Ms. Davis a practiced smile.

"Hello, teacher. I am so sorry about this. Please forgive our intrusion."

"We're investors in the school, and we were just passing by to see the campus. My fiancé isn't always the best with children. If he's offended your student, I apologize on his behalf."

She gave a slight bow, her posture a picture of elegance.

Ms. Davis's anger immediately deflated.

"Oh, an investor. Well, even so, you can't be getting into fights with students..."

Isabelle, the real Sterling daughter, turned to Jax, her tone laced with a gentle scolding.

"Jax, darling, really. Why are you arguing with a child?"

I watched their linked arms, a cynical sound escaping my lips. After Isabelle was welcomed back into the family, she had made it her mission to take everything from me.

"Jax is mine too, sister," she had said. "Surely you're not going to try and steal him from me as well?"

I had trembled with rage. If she was going to accuse me of being a usurper, I might as well play the part to the hilt.

That night, I got him roaring drunk, dragged him to bed, and was gone before sunrise.

I tugged the brim of my hat lower.

As long as no one recognized me, everything would be fine.

But just then, the teacher's voice rang out again, stopping me in my tracks.

"Oh, Noah's mom! There you are. I was just about to call you."

I froze.