My heart pounded loudly as I sat quietly across Zach.

We were both in a private room of the restaurant. His face was etched with seriousness, but I'm confident mine was filled with nervousness and worry.

"Is Caleb my son?" he asked. It looked like there would be no pleasantries and beating around the bush. He was a straightforward person, after all.

"You already know the answer to that question," I mumbled.

"I didn't know you never aborted our child," Zach uttered while looking me straight. "Do you still have feelings for me?" His calm and tentative tone made my hand tremble slightly.

I knew we would discuss Caleb's paternity, but it never dawned on me that we would also talk about our relationship. But hearing those words from his mouth took me back to when he was mine—the time when he was still gentle, sweet, and affectionate.

"What's the point of that question?" My voice quivered, but I heard the bitterness drip from my lips. "I already have a good life. And I'm sure yours are better."

I could still remember the girl's face I saw him with. She was pretty, prettier than me, even. And I knew from that girl's eyes that she loved Zach.

"Just answer my question, Ivy. Do you still have feelings for me or not?"

My mind completely shut down at his authoritative voice. Did I still have feelings for him? Maybe. I knew that I still cared about him because I wouldn't be here if I didn't. I wouldn't be hoping to explain my side.

Zach's Adam's apple moved. "If… if you still have feelings for me and haven't given up on us yet. Maybe… maybe we could start over." His eyes were filled with eagerness and sincerity as he spoke.

It almost broke my heart to see him like this.

"Let's forget the past. I don't care if you took the money or not because you kept our baby. I just want to give you and our son a home and a better life."

I gave a bitter smile as I listened to him ramble. Why were there so many regrets in the world if the past was so easy to let go of? Even if I could put the past behind us, how could we ever return to what we were? Too much has changed.

" Zach, even if you are okay with it, what about your mom and your family?" And the girl who loves you deeply. "It will be fine. Caleb and I are fine. We don't need monetary support from you."

Zach reached out to grab my hand and rubbed his bony finger against the back of my hand. "My mom won't mind as long as we don't get married..."

"Not getting married? Do you even hear yourself?" I asked, "Do you want me as your mistress or something you keep in a cage and occasionally play with?"

"Don't make it sound like that. I mean, as long as we are together, the rest—"

"Zach Dempsy! You are goddamn disgusting!" I pulled my hand back, and my heart broke into a million pieces. "Do you think I went through all of that six years ago just to end up like some fucking secret?"

"What do you think of me? What do you think of yourself? Do you even think about Caleb, or all you thought of was how to satisfy yourself?"

It was exactly as his mother had said back then: the only way I could be with Zach was to be his mistress, just like she was. We'd never be able to have a future together. Because Zach was an illegitimate child, so his family ignored him. The person he was going to marry had to be someone that could turn his life around. That person wasn't me.

"I know it's unfair to you, but this is the best plan I've got for you and our child. Caleb is already five years old; do you want him to grow up without a father and live in a single-parent household like you?" Zach was sad looking at me, and I could tell he was really in a dilemma and heartbroken, "I wanted to make it up to you and our son."

"Fine. If you really had Caleb's best interests at heart, then marry me and give him a whole family. We don't care about money or social standing as long as there's food and a place to live. Are you capable of doing so?"

"I can't. Not for the time being, at least. Ivy, could you please give me some space? My mother's life has been difficult recently, and she is not doing well. Her only wish is that I have a solid ground in that family."

"So it's not easy for your mom, but it's easy for me, right?" I laughed. The glint in his eyes was so hurtful that it made my heartache.

With my still shaking body, I said, "Yes, I did take the 500,000 dollars from your mom. But, Zach, do you know how your mother forced me to have an abortion and abandoned you? Do you believe I went abroad because I had given up on our relationship?"

"You know what, Zach, I'm not smart, but I'm also not dumb. We're both deceiving ourselves. And, yes, I do owe you a lot, but it is your fault."

Now that everything had gotten to this point, I didn't see the point of me holding back anymore. What Zach said today was concrete proof of my thoughts. He left me of his own will and would never give me a future even if I didn't take that money. So, I would rather that he hated me, retaliated against me, or even tortured me. It would prove that he had a clear conscience and did not give up on us. However, at that moment, it seemed that money and status were all he wanted!

Zach had changed. A lot.

He was no longer the man I knew. Or perhaps I never really got to know him.

Zach remained silent as if he agreed with my words. "Huh, of course..."

"Well, since you don't have any other choice, you don't have to choose. We will be exactly like what you said before, you live your life, and I live mine. We are done!" I mumbled, my eyes starting to well up with tears. I stood up and started to grab my bag and coat.

"Ivy, can you let it go that easily? Do you want to give up on us?" Zach yelled. I scowled.

As I approached the door, I turned my back on him and said, "Zach, I love you, but I'm not going to be the other woman who begs you to stay. So, this is it."

Without looking back, I gently closed the door, and tears streamed down my cheeks.

Maybe love wasn't really for me. This path gave me pain, and yes, it also gave me my greatest joy, Caleb, but I couldn't handle it anymore. I didn't want to be associated with him anymore.

Zach has never contacted me ever since our last encounter. I figured it was for the best, anyway, because after all these years, I finally let it all out.

It didn't matter who owed who or who should apologize. The best thing for the both of us was never to see each other again and live our usual lives.

That's what I did.

My mother moved into my newly-bought house when the last week of September came. Her presence made it easier for me to balance taking care of Caleb and work.

However, ever since Zach learned about Caleb, he always seemed to find a way to get close to him.

At first, it was just leaving toys by the door. But then I found out that my mother would let him into our house to spend time with Caleb, and he would leave before I came home.

I didn't feel betrayed because, despite our strained relationship, Zach was still Caleb's father. He deserved some time with him, at least.

The set-up was fine for me, but then Zach started picking Caleb up from kindergarten and occasionally took him out for a quick trip to the mall. I was okay with it, but I always became uneasy when Caleb took too long to go home.

It annoyed and worried me so much, especially when Caleb started bringing Zach into our conversation at home, saying that he wanted to live with Zach.

That was the trigger that made me more protective of Caleb. I started staying at home more so Zach wouldn't dare show up again. I also didn't give him the chance to pick my son up from his kindergarten.

I thought I could protect my son by doing this, but unexpectedly, Zach showed his ace. I was working overtime that day when my mother called me at five in the evening.

I thought she was just checking to see if I'd be home for dinner, but a worried voice greeted me when I answered the phone.

"Come here immediately, Ivy. Caleb is missing. I can't find him anywhere! He's not at school!"

My heart skipped a beat as my mind immediately went to Zach. I clenched my fist as my brows furrowed.

"What happened? How did you lose him? Where were you?"

"After dinner, I took Caleb for a walk. So many people were dancing in the central area that I just stood there for a few minutes, and then he was...gone."

Silence reigned over our call as my thoughts started to scramble. I could hear Mom's loud sobs on the phone.

"It had only been a few minutes, and I..."

I released a heavy breath, trying to maintain a calm facade. "We'll find him, Mom. Don't worry. Just stay there. I'll be there in a minute."

I hung up the phone and drove there. Holding the steering wheel, my hands were shaking, and my palms were sweaty.

There were a lot of people in the square. My mother squatted in the crowd. The tear in her eyes fell instantly when she saw me.

"Ivy, I can't find Caleb, and I don't know what to do. I'm so sorry. It is all my fault."

"Don't cry, Mom; it's all right." My voice croaked as I pulled out my phone and checked the time. "When did you lose him? Did you call the cops already?"

"Yes, the police are on their way."

My mother sobbed and wiped her eyes. "I don't know what I'm going to do if something happens to him. I deserved to be damned, and I really deserved to be damned."

I gripped my mom's hand tightly, comforting her in a way I could. I didn't know what to say, and I was afraid that if I spoke, I would cry in an instant.

A loud ringing snapped me back to reality. I immediately answered the phone without looking at the caller, but my shoulders slumped when I heard a familiar, friendly voice.

"Hi, little Ivy, long time no see. Did you miss me?"

"I'm not in the mood right now, Tyler. What do you want?" I snipped, my eyes traveling back and forth around the park, looking for signs of my son.

"What's wrong? Who's bothering you? Tell me, and I will...."

I hung up the phone, feeling annoyed, even before he finished speaking. After two seconds, it rang again.

"Tyler Rivers, would you stop fucking around? I'm not in the mood to play your little game."

After a brief pause, his tone changed to severe. "What's going on?"

"My mom went for a walk with Caleb, and now we can't find him."

"Where was he? How long had he been missing?" Tyler inquired.

"We've been in Central Park Square for more than thirty minutes." From afar, I saw a police car parking on the sides. "The cops are here. I need to go, Tyler. I'll call you back once we find him."

Two cops emerged from the car; my mom and I immediately went to them. They asked us the questions of where and when, but Mom was the one who answered. My mind was already in a daze as it was starting to get dark.

My hands were constantly shaking as I wanted to cry. I watched the cops walk around the area, asking random people if they'd seen my son.

"There are too many people, and cars come and go. We've been looking everywhere. I suggest we just go back to the station and file a case," the cop said when they came back.

"What is the point of filing a case right now? At least we know where to look while we are still here. What happens if he goes somewhere else? Where do we look for him, then? We can't leave here!"

"So, what did you do earlier? Can't even two adults keep a child close? Unfortunately, we don't have enough staff to assist you in looking around in such a large area right now."

"Yes, given that it's been an hour, the only thing left to do is return to the station and file the case, and then we can send the squad to assist you," the second officer grumbled.

"Can you even find my child? I don't think so, based on how slow you move!" I cried. I felt Mom's tight squeeze on my hand, but all I could do was shake my head.

The cops seemed irritated, but I didn't care. Caleb was missing! How could this even happen?

"Is this how you treat the people you swore to protect?" A deep, booming voice made us all turn around.

I could feel the tears welling up in my eyes when I saw Tyler walking towards us, his gaze stern and burning fiercely as if he would devour the cops whole.

Tyler had always been authoritative. His terrifying aura caused people to retreat, and just a deadly gaze from him would weaken a person's knees.

I assumed it was because of his power over the city. He was known as "The Master," the one behind corporations, businesses, and powerful people.

The two cops in front of us looked afraid, but they didn't make any sound.

Mom was the first one to break the silence. "Tyler, oh goodness, you're here! Please help us. It has been so long since Caleb has gone missing. Ivy and I are already worried to death."

Mom paced back and forth, her eyebrows knitted together as tears streamed down her cheeks. I wanted to comfort her, but I felt anxious and weak. I couldn't even think straight.

Thankfully, Tyler was there. He walked up towards my mom and caressed her back in a comforting manner.

"Don't worry, Mrs. Dikkens. I'll help you find him," he said before looking at me.

Tyler slowly snaked his large, warm hands around me and hugged me tightly. "I'm here," he whispered.

His words made all of the emotions I repressed erupt. Warm tears started to wet my face as I hugged him back tightly. His embrace comforted me as I clung to him, thankful for his presence.

Tyler smiled before glancing at the officers. "I'm Tyler Rivers. Can you please request to your chief to dispatch a squad here in Central Park Square? You should also contact the staff and request for the security footage of the area," he said as he wiped my tears.

The cops immediately scattered back to their car to give way to Tyler's request. I almost found it funny that he had to introduce himself when everyone in the city clearly knew who he was.

When the cops left, Tyler grabbed his phone using his other hand and dialed.

"Allen, it's me. Assemble some people and come over here in Central Park Square."

The person on the phone said something, and Tyler responded, "No, I need you to help me find somebody as fast as possible."

After the call, Tyler gazed at me using his calm and sincere eyes. He asked my mother and me to wait in the car; I was about to refuse, but he urged me to rest, saying I should leave it up to him.

I didn't want to leave my son's safety in his hands, but I knew I could trust him.

Cops and civilians surrounded the square in less than twenty minutes. Police cars with sirens and a dozen black Range Rovers arrived, their lights turned on as they scattered around the area.

Tyler stood in the crowd, surrounded by onlookers, and ordered everyone to search. The group of people quickly left a moment later.

I glanced at my mom, only to see her sleeping, her cheeks wet from all the crying. Slowly, I climbed out of the car and sat on the ground. I couldn't stop the tears from flowing, no matter how I told myself to be strong and that Caleb was fine.

A warm coat covered my shoulders, and the familiar scent surrounded my nose. I turned and saw Tyler sitting next to me. His thin shirt waved together with the strong wind.

"Come on, don't cry. Our son is smart, and he will be fine. Trust me," he uttered. His words were supposed to be comforting, but they only made me shed more tears.

"My Ivy Dikkens is a tough woman who never cried, even if I annoyed or stressed her out. Where's my Ivy now, huh? Come on. Bring her out. I know she's in there."

I snorted at his lame joke. I tried wiping the tears away, but they couldn't stop coming out.

"Stop crying, could you?"

I sniffed.

"I swear to god, if you don't stop crying now, I'm going to kiss you."

"Don't you dare!" I shouted and glared at him.

Tyler took a box of cigarettes from his pocket, a wicked smile on his face. He took one out and lit it while tilting his head. Then he leaned back against the rock, not saying anything.

His eyes were bloodshot, and under the streetlight, I could see a ring of black stubble on his chin. He appeared to have skipped shaving for two or three days.

"Have you been getting enough rest these days?" I asked, trying to distract myself.

"Not really. Something happened in the South Ridges; I had to be there to take care of it," Tyler responded with a rare calm tone. He sounded tired.

"Did you just get back when you called me?"

"Well, yeah, I just got off the highway and haven't gone home yet," Tyler answered.

My heart was pounding. Tyler turned around with a cigarette in his mouth and a sly smile on his face.

"What? Why are you looking at me like that? Are you checking me out?"

His eyes were among his most stunning facial features. He had an unfathomably beautiful smile. My heart seemed to skip a beat as I gasped for air.

With a guilty conscience, I turned away and said, "I was just curious where you were, but I don't care. It's none of my business."

A sigh of disappointment escaped his lips. "Gee, woman. You're so heartless. I hadn't slept for two days, and I came to you as soon as I got back. You could've at least kissed me, you know, not broken my heart."

After saying that, he straightened up. His side face was blurry because of the shadow. At that moment, I seemed to see the loneliness in his eyes.

I stared at him, watching every move of his chest as he breathed and blinked. I was about to say something when Tyler's phone loudly interrupted us.

"There's some breaking news." I heard the voice say. "I already sent it to you. Check it out."

Tyler immediately opened his messages and played a video recording. It was the security footage of the park, and a black Bentley appeared in it. Tyler enlarged the scale, revealing the face of Caleb in the passenger seat, and Zach was the driver.