: So Handsome It's Tragic

3.

Aiden Thorne had already pulled the surveillance footage, so the woman naturally had nothing more to say.

In the end, we signed a mediation agreement, and the matter was considered closed.

The woman, knowing she was in the wrong, made herself scarce, scurrying off faster than anyone.

My son, on the other hand, was clever and cute, acting like a little adult.

He was surrounded by a group of young police officers, clearly a crowd favorite.

As his 'old mother', I couldn't just rudely drag him away.

Besides, he was in the middle of a grand, impassioned speech about his kindergarten exploits, his voice rising and falling with dramatic flair.

He was enjoying his moment in the spotlight, which, of course, was torture for me, his mom.

My heart was in my throat, terrified that Aiden Thorne would notice something was off.

After a long while, my son talked himself thirsty and finally took a break.

Aiden Thorne thoughtfully filled a disposable paper cup with warm water and handed it to him.

Then, he asked casually, "So, kid, why didn't your dad come?"

My heart rate shot up to 180, and I felt the same panic I did back in middle school when I was about to get caught cheating.

Fortunately, Leo Shaw was smart and remembered what I'd taught him before.

'A single mother and her son are easy targets for bullies, so from now on, whenever anyone asks, you tell them you have a dad.'

Leo Shaw didn't even blink his big eyes as he spun a tale out of thin air.

"My dad didn't come. He's swamped with work."

A young officer nearby pinched Leo Shaw's cheek. "You know, this kid is really good-looking. If his dad knew, his heart would probably break."

Leo Shaw, not one for modesty, accepted all the compliments without reservation.

"Oh, stop. I get it from my dad."

*Hah.*

'That's my boy.'

Aiden Thorne's indifferent gaze swept over me. Then, the corner of his lip curled up as he spoke with a hint of mockery.

"Is that so? Julia Shaw, that old man you found must be quite the looker, huh?"

I was left speechless.

But my son couldn't stand hearing his own father's digs.

"Mister, don't talk nonsense! My dad is young and handsome, six-foot-two, big and strong, and inhumanly good-looking!"

As he spoke, he gave me a little push. "Otherwise, he wouldn't be good enough for my mom!"

I was truly impressed by Leo Shaw's ability to conjure a father out of thin air.

As Leo Shaw continued his fabrication, it seemed he was starting to believe it himself.

He was getting more and more excited as he spoke.

But for some reason, Aiden Thorne's face grew colder and colder.

So cold it made my scalp tingle.

I didn't dare let Leo Shaw interact with Aiden Thorne any longer.

Otherwise, sharp as he was, if he noticed something was off, there was no telling what kind of trouble he'd stir up.

I put on an awkward smile and led Leo Shaw out of the Westbridge Police Department.

As we reached the car, for some reason, I instinctively glanced back.

Aiden Thorne was standing at the glass window, watching us with that same indifferent expression.

I instinctively moved to block his view of my son.

: My Dream Daddy

4.

On the way back, my son was leaning against the window, looking uncharacteristically melancholy.

I thought he was upset because of the whole ordeal at the Westbridge Police Department—after all, he's only a five-year-old kid.

I was just about to say something to comfort him.

But then, my son said something that left me completely stunned:

"Mom, I think Officer Thorne from today perfectly fits my fantasy of a future daddy."

I was so shocked I nearly slammed on the brakes.

'Is this what they call "blood is thicker than water"?'

'To think Leo Shaw had such a high opinion of Aiden Thorne.'

I composed myself. "Why would you suddenly say that?"

My son looked dead serious. "Tall, powerful, and devastatingly handsome!"

'That much was true.'

'With a face like his, Aiden Thorne could take the entertainment industry by storm.'

'As for tall and powerful...'

The "tall" part was plain to see. Aiden Thorne really was 6'2".

'Powerful—'

'He was definitely powerful, too.'

'Otherwise, Leo Shaw wouldn't exist.'

My mind started running wild, and the tips of my ears began to turn red.

My son, however, didn't notice.

He sighed. "But I guess there's no chance of that uncle becoming my dad."

'It's not that there's no chance.'

'He *is* your real dad. That's a cold, hard fact.'

But I was curious why he'd reached that conclusion.

I pouted. "Are you underestimating my charm?"

'If I hadn't snagged Aiden Thorne back in the day, this little pipsqueak wouldn't even be here.'

My son shook his head. "I think that uncle was pretty cold to us."

'He had a point.'

'But I felt—'

'After being apart for so long, him not throwing us out of the Westbridge Police Department was already a gentlemanly act.'

'After all, my breakup with Aiden Thorne was really ugly.'