Chapter 3
Aubrey's POV
Boston winters were colder than Chicago's. I dragged my suitcase into a small apartment—the new home for me and my unborn baby.
Signing that agreement was the most painful decision of my life, but I had no choice. Eleanor Blake's million dollars seemed substantial, but after compensating the families of two dead workers and legal fees, little remained.
Over the following months, I worked desperately while pregnant, taking freelance architectural projects online, working until midnight every day.
Nine months later, on a late night, my son was born.
"Noah," I whispered, stroking his soft hair. "Your name is Noah Sterling."
Looking at this tiny life, tears streamed down my face. He had Connor Blake's features, but I hoped he'd never be as cold as his father.
"Noah, Mommy promises you'll have the best life," I whispered in his ear. "We don't need anyone else. Just the two of us is enough."
Seven Years Later
Sterling Design had become one of Boston's most renowned architectural firms. Our work spanned America's East Coast, winning countless international awards. I'd only come to Chicago because a client urgently needed me to personally confirm commercial property details.
I never thought I'd encounter him here again.
In the 47th-floor conference room of Chicago's skyscraper, sunlight streamed through floor-to-ceiling windows onto the oval table.
I stood before the massive projection screen, wearing a perfectly tailored Chanel suit, presenting revised designs to clients.
"These adjustments meet functional requirements while maintaining the building's aesthetic value," I said confidently.
"Perfect! This is exactly what we wanted!" The client nodded approvingly.
Just then, the conference room door suddenly opened.
Time seemed frozen.
Connor Blake walked in holding documents, obviously looking for the client. Seeing me, he froze completely.
Seven years, and he'd barely changed—still handsome. But I was no longer that girl who'd been infatuated with him.
"Aubrey?" Connor's voice carried shock. "Aubrey Sterling?"
The client looked between us. "You know each other?"
"Former... acquaintances," I replied coolly, then turned to the client. "Mr. Wilson, our meeting's concluded. If there are no other questions, I'll take my leave."
"Of course. Ms. Sterling, thank you for your professional service."
I gathered my materials to leave, but Connor still stood by the door, eyes fixed on me.
"Excuse me." I walked toward the exit, trying to pass him.
Just as I was about to leave, he suddenly blocked my path.
"Aubrey, wait."
I looked up at him coldly. "Please move, Mr. Blake."
"We need to talk." Connor's voice carried urgency.
"There's nothing to discuss." I tried going around him, but Connor stepped forward, bracing his hand against the doorframe behind me, trapping me between him and the door.
That familiar scent instantly enveloped me. His chest was only inches away; I could feel his body heat.
"Move," I said coldly but unsteadily.
"Aubrey..." Connor looked down at me, those deep eyes full of complex emotions. "Seven years—I've been searching for you."
"That's your business." I fought to stay calm, trying to push him away, but Connor didn't budge.
"You don't understand—after that night..."
"I understand perfectly." I interrupted. "You chose her and abandoned me. Simple as that."
Connor's other hand gently touched my cheek. I reflexively tried to dodge, but there was nowhere to go with the wall behind me.
"No, you don't understand." Connor's voice turned husky. "I thought I loved Evelyn, but I was wrong. I realize now—I've always truly loved YOU."
What?
"Nothing ever happened between us, Aubrey. Nothing in seven years." Connor's thumb traced my chin. "Losing you made me realize what real love is."
I felt his fingertips' warmth, my heart racing wildly. But logic told me not to be deceived by his words.
"Good," I laughed coldly. "Then you should tell HER, not me."
"Aubrey..." Connor tried moving closer. I could feel his breath on my face.
I suddenly pushed him forcefully, successfully breaking free. "Mr. Blake, I don't care who you love or don't love. That has NOTHING to do with me."
Connor staggered back, face full of pain. "Aubrey, please let me explain..."
"Explain what?" I straightened my disheveled clothes. "Explain choosing her in front of everyone? Explain humiliating me before Chicago's elite? Or explain treating me as a substitute for three years?"
"I NEVER treated you as a substitute!" Connor said urgently. "I..."
"Enough." I looked at him coldly. "Mr. Blake, you've misunderstood something. I'm not that girl who would sacrifice everything for you seven years ago. Now I have my own career, my own life, my own pride."
I walked toward the elevator with Connor following.
"Aubrey, please, give me a chance to explain..."
The elevator opened. I stepped in, stopping Connor from following with my hand.
"Mr. Blake," I looked at him, "I should thank you for your choice seven years ago. If you hadn't abandoned me, I never would've achieved what I have today. In a way, you did me a huge favor."
Connor's face went ashen.
"So let the past stay in the past." The elevator doors began closing. "We're strangers now, and strangers we'll always be."
That afternoon, I forced myself to focus on work emails in my hotel room, trying to let busyness drive away inner turmoil.
Then my phone suddenly rang shrilly.
Boston area code.
My heart inexplicably tightened with an ominous feeling.
"Hello?" My voice trembled slightly.
"Ms. Sterling, this is Dr. Martinez from Mass General. Your son's condition has taken an urgent turn—we need you back immediately."
What?
My heart stopped instantly, phone nearly slipping from my hands. This was the news I'd most feared hearing.
"What happened?!" I practically screamed. "Is Noah okay?"
"We need to discuss emergency treatment options in person—some important decisions must be made by family."
I felt the world spinning, legs weakening until I could barely stand. What I'd worried about most these past two years was finally happening.
"I'm booking a flight to Boston RIGHT NOW!"
After hanging up, I frantically searched for flights on my phone, tears blurring my vision so I couldn't see the screen clearly.
The next Boston flight isn't for three hours!
"No, no, NO! That's too long!" I cried out in despair.
I packed like a madwoman, throwing clothes randomly into my bag. Only one thought consumed me—I had to get to my son IMMEDIATELY!
He must be so scared—he needs his mommy!
Rushing from the elevator through the lobby, my heels clicked frantically on marble floors. Just as I prepared to burst through the hotel entrance, Connor suddenly appeared there.
He looked like he'd been waiting for me.
He frowned. "Aubrey, what's wrong?"
"I need to get to Boston IMMEDIATELY! Right now!" I said almost hysterically, tears already falling.
"What happened?" Connor immediately became serious, stepping forward to steady my swaying body.
"My... family's in the hospital!" My voice choked. "The doctor said it's urgent! I have to get back NOW!"
Connor didn't hesitate. "My private jet's at the airport. Twenty minutes to Boston."
Looking at Connor's sincere, determined eyes, nothing else mattered in that moment—not resentment, not anger.
I nodded vigorously. "Thank you... thank you..."
