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I WRUNG MY HANDStogether, and looked around at the warehouse. Servers walked around, dressed in their black attire, and finished setting up the tables. It was the same industrial warehouse we’d used for Caleb’s fashion show, and it was one of the few spaces in the city that worked with the concept I had in mind for the launch party. Old vinyl records hung from the ceiling, with low lights in between. White sectional sofas stood in the corners, with a combination of tall and regular tables covered in white linen. The stage was to the far left, in the center of the back wall and decked out in state-of-the-art music equipment. I just hoped tonight was a success, and that Caleb wouldn’t regret putting me in charge of such a monumental project. It was a big night for Callahan Industries, and for Caleb, but it was an even bigger night for me.

I finalized the program for the evening, making sure that everyone on my team knew exactly what was expected, and left to get ready. The elevator doors opened into the penthouse, and I was caught by surprise when I heard Caleb arguing with someone in the living room. It was a woman’s voice, her American accent laced with a Hispanic twang. When I rounded the corner, Caleb was scowling at the woman, his posture rigid and defensive. The woman stared him down, challenging him, and I was momentarily thrown by how beautiful she was. It took me a minute, but I recognized her. Natalia Rodriguez. Her dark hair was pulled up into a high ponytail on top of her head, and her make-up was flawless. She was wearing a black fitted dress that cut off mid-thigh, and mile high heels that brought her to eye level with Caleb. Something akin to dread and despair unfurled in my belly, making the remaining nerves seem inconsequential.

I held my breath.

“You can’t just show up after all this time and expect me to welcome you back into our lives with open arms!” yelled Caleb. His face was red, and his features were pulled tight in anger.

“You have no right to turn me away either!” Natalia’s voice was more of a screech, so loud and ear-piercing.

This time Caleb bellowed and his voice boomed through the penthouse. “The hell I don’t! You left, Natalia. You decided you weren’t ready for motherhood!”

My heart stopped beating.

And the other shoe dropped.

Caleb and Natalia were so busy screaming at each other they hardly noticed that Braelynn’s cries were coming from the nursery. I went to her, not caring that the sound of my heels on the floors made my presence known. With Braelynn in my arms, I also felt comforted, like I could avoid what was happening in the living room a little bit longer.

“You are not getting anywhere near my child,” said Caleb, his voice coming from the hallway.

“She’s mine too,” replied Natalia. “You can’t keep her from her mother.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, and held Braelynn closer to my chest, placing a kiss on her forehead. A silent promise that no matter what happened, she would always have a special place in my heart. I waited a beat, hearing silence on the other side of the door.

“Okay, kiddo,” I opened the door. “Everything’s going to be okay.”

Caleb looked away from Natalia when I returned to the living room, and she scowled at me. I wanted to sympathize – it couldn’t be easy seeing another woman holding your child – but all I felt was a need to protect Braelynn. And contempt. For the woman who was too selfish to keep this sweet baby girl.

Caleb took a step closer, and I instinctively mirrored it in the opposite direction. I caught the shock in his eyes, and the disbelief that I would want to protect Braelynn from him of all people. I had no right, but from where I was standing, I was the only one looking out for Braelynn right then. I didn’t need a better reason than that.

“She’s fine,” I told him, careful not to raise my voice and startle the little Miss even more. I rubbed her back, soothing her until her crying had stopped.

“Kadence, this is -” started Caleb.

“I know who she is.”

Natalia made an unladylike sound. “Of course you do.” Her red lips curled in displeasure. Bitch. “You’re the whore Caleb is parading around with.”

“Natalia,” barked Caleb. “I am five minutes away from having you escorted out by security.”

“Why not have her escorted out? I’m the mother of your child, and she’s just -”

“I warned you, Natalia. Do not test me.”

Natalia looked ready to claw my eyes out, but then Braelynn let out a sound, and I saw her resolve shatter. It was slight, but her face went lax, and her eyes softened with curiosity. I held Braelynn a little tighter.

“It’s time to feed her,” I stated. “Henry will be here in an hour.”

Caleb’s nod was sharp, agitation rolling off him in waves. “I’ll feed her, and you can get ready.”

“I’ll do it.” My eyes darted between Caleb and Natalia. “I’ll leave you to continue your conversation. Alfie will be here at 8:30 to take us to the party.”

Before Caleb could say anything more, I grabbed a bottle for Braelynn, and decided to feed her in the nursery, away from all the tension, and resentment simmering between Caleb and Natalia. Instead of thinking about what happened now that Natalia was back, I placed all my attention on feeding Braelynn, making sure that she was calm, and unaffected. By the time that was done, and I’d gotten myself ready, Henry had arrived to take care of Braelynn for the night. I was back to feeling nervous, and that only intensified when I entered the living room and saw that Caleb and Natalia were talking outside on the terrace. The urge to go outside and tell him it was time to go was strong, but not stronger than my need to get away.

One thing at a time, I told myself. The event was my immediate priority, and for the time being I needed to put Caleb and his deplorable ex-girlfriend out of my mind. Alfie was waiting for me in the Atrium, and when he asked me where Caleb was, I shrugged.

“He’ll meet me there.” I didn’t know if that was true, but I wasn’t waiting around to find out. Alfie frowned – I wasn’t sure he was capable of anything more than impassive indifference – and when he saw Caleb he looked displeased. He looked back at me, the pity on his face so blunt, and discernible that it made me feel sick.

“Let me take you,” he said, ushering me to the elevator. His deep baritone voice was the gentlest than I’d ever heard it. “Mr. Callahan can find his own damn ride.”