---- Chapter 4: Have We Met Before? Aaron tugged at his tie in frustration. Fifteen years in this game-he'd handled every kind of case imaginable-but nothing this messy. He clenched his jaw tight, lips pressed thin, and stared coldly, almost like he didn't care, at the tiny kid in front of him. And this little guy? He wasn't even scared. He met Aaron's stare head-on, looking fierce like a mini warrior. Seriously, who could tell him how to talk to a kid like this? Forget it. He'd just wait for the DNA test to clear things up. Matt knocked gently and stepped in. "Mr. Devereaux, the 10:30 meeting in the main conference room is waiting for you to run it." "Have Derek take over. Cancel all my appointments this morning," Aaron said without looking away. Derek Mitchell was Aaron's college buddy and partner at Devereaux Legal Group. ---- Matt nodded and went off to sort things out. Suddenly, the office felt even quieter. "Hey... want some water? Or maybe some milk?" Aaron asked, sounding softer than ever before-like a dad trying to be nice. "I've got water. My mom says not to take food from strangers," Leo said as he pulled out a water bottle and took a sip. "Mister, when are you gonna pay me back?" Aaron blinked. "Wait, your mom says I owe you money?" "Nope. Ms. Sierra said that." Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Who's Ms. Sierra?" Leo shrugged like it was obvious. "She's Elsie's mom. Elsie's my best friend. She's my girlfriend. When I grow up, I'm gonna marry her." Aaron racked his brain. Nope, didn't know a single one of those names. He pressed on. "What do you need money for?" "To buy a house!" "Wait, you guys don't have a place to live?" Leo looked serious. "We rent at Skybound. Mom says when we have enough money, we'll buy our own place." ---- Aaron's mind clicked. Okay, so the kid lived in Skybound Residence. And just thinking about it made his blood boil again. What kind of woman chooses to have a baby when she has nothing? No money, no house? He swallowed his anger and asked, "How old are you? Who else is in your family?" "Four. Just me and my mom," Leo answered like it was the simplest thing in the world. Aaron's barely controlled fury flared up again. Single mom, on her own? Maybe divorced? "Mister, are you really gonna pay me back?" Leo sounded doubtful. "Twill! It's a lot, but I'll come with you to give it to your mom," Aaron gritted his teeth. Who was this woman anyway? Flying solo with a kid? Aaron paused, then asked, "What about your dad?" Leo's face turned serious. "I don't have a dad. Mom says not everyone has one." Aaron couldn't focus on work anymore. He kept circling back, trying to dig out any useful info. But no luck. ---- After a while, a knock interrupted them. Matt hurried in with a folder. "Mr. Devereaux, the DNA results are in!" The firm dealt with these tests enough to have fast-track partnerships. Matt's eyes gleamed with gossip and excitement. Here it was-the big moment! Was this high-powered lawyer really a deadbeat dad? Aaron grabbed the folder and snapped, "Get out!" Fine, fine. He knew the truth would come out eventually. Matt shuffled out awkwardly. Aaron felt strangely tense. He didn't even know what answer he wanted. After all, having kids had never been in his life plan. His thoughts swirled, but his hands moved quickly as he flipped to the last page. And there it was-the test said he was indeed the biological father. Beep beep beep... Leo's watch buzzed. He answered. Clara's frantic voice came through. "Leo, why aren't you home? Aunt Paige can't find you! Where are you?" "Mom..." Leo started, but Aaron grabbed his hand and pulled him up. "Your son's with me. I want to see you right now." ---- "W-who are you? Leo, are you okay?" Clara's voice shook. Was her kid kidnapped? "I'm fine, Mom. I'm coming home now," Leo said fast, trying to calm her down. "I'm Leo's biological father. I'm taking him back. I want to meet you immediately," Aaron said, his voice icy and emotionless. Click. Silence. Phone must've dropped. Aaron grabbed his phone and told the kid, "Let's go. Time to take you home." Matt saw them heading out and pulled out his car keys, planning to follow. But Aaron said, "Give me the keys. You're not coming." Shock all around. When was the last time the boss drove himself? Was this a crime thriller hit? Aaron really didn't want anyone else involved. He hadn't even figured out the full mess yet. He glanced at the little guy trailing behind, getting impatient. Why so slow? He scooped him up and headed for the elevator. "Whoa, so high up!" Leo's life barely included men besides his mom's coworkers. No one ever picked him up this high. His eyes shone with excitement. ---- Aaron caught that look and couldn't help but smile just a bit. Meanwhile, Clara was nowhere near happy. She shakily picked up her phone from the floor, wondering if she'd dreamed the whole thing. No way, right? Leo's biological father? He knew? The clinic had just closed. No time to dwell. She just had to get home. Forty minutes later, at Skybound Residence. Aaron finally met the legendary kid's mom. She stood about 5'5", dressed in a beige maxi dress, with a decent, calm air about her. Judging by her face, she looked about twenty-five. She stood nervously by the door, twisting her hands like she had no clue what to do. Aaron couldn't help himself. He asked, "Have we met before?"