Chapter 20

Lake POV

The weight of Ramon’s lips on mine lingered like a brand as I stood frozen in the foyer, Elena’s approaching footsteps echoing against marble floors. The kiss had been brief—barely more than a gentle press of mouth against mouth—but it had sent shockwaves through my entire system.

“We have to act convincing for my mother,” Ramon had whispered against my ear, his breath warm on my skin. But there had been something in his eyes, something that suggested the kiss hadn’t been entirely for show.

Ollie had bounced down the stairs at that exact moment, his school bag clutched in his small hands, chattering excitedly about his first day at the new academy. Ramon had scooped him up effortlessly, pressing a kiss to his forehead that made Ollie giggle with pure delight.

“Have a wonderful day at school, little man,” Ramon said, his voice genuinely warm. “Make lots of friends, okay?”

“I promise I will, Papa!” Ollie had declared, then looked suddenly