Chapter 402

Madison

“Thank you.” I kept my voice neutral and professional. The same tone I’d used when updating him on quarterly reports.

Alexander’s fingers curled around his coffee cup. “Madison, I was an idiot not to visit you back then. Not to reach out. Not to...” He stopped, his eyes fixed on Ethan. “Think about what I said. About meeting him properly.”

“I said I’d think about it.”

“And?”

“I’m still thinking.”

He nodded once, sharp and decisive. Then he straightened, adjusting his jacket in that familiar gesture I’d seen a thousand times before meetings. “I’ll be in Connecticut for a while. The development project.”

“How convenient.”

“It’s legitimate work.” His tone carried an edge. “But yes, also convenient.”

Before I could respond, he turned toward the door. Three steps. Four. Then Ethan happened.

My son barreled into Alexander’s legs with the force of a tiny meteor.

“Oops!” Ethan bounced back, looking up and up at