---- Chapter 5: Did We... Sleep Together? Clara stared up at the tall man before her-around six-foot-one-with sharp, chiseled features and eyes so deep they seemed to pierce right through her. His tight, pressed lips barely hid the anger he was struggling to hold back. She was genuinely scared. Fear crashed over her like a tidal wave. She gripped her hands tightly, whispering, "I... I don't think we've met..." "Speak clearly! Do you know me or not?" Aaron's eyes locked onto her young, uneasy face. Seeing her nervousness, he softened his tone just a notch. With a long stride, Aaron stepped inside and gently set Leo down on the floor. He scanned the room. Not big-about 650 square feet, one bedroom and a living room. Clean and neat. The lighting was pretty good. Sparse furniture made the living room feel surprisingly roomy. Soft mats covered the floor, with two bean bag chairs tossed around. One wall was half bookshelf, half storage shelves overflowing with toys. The woman clearly cared a lot-every little detail was arranged ---- from a kid's perspective. This little guy was definitely getting good care. The only seats were at the round table near the open kitchen. Aaron pulled out a chair, sat down, and motioned for Clara to join him. Leo's feet hit the floor, and he immediately ran over to his mom, sensing her tension. He wrapped his arms around her and said soothingly, "Mom, don't be scared. He's here to pay us back." Clara froze. "What?" Leo frowned. "Child support! I heard everything you said to Ms. Sierra the other day. Mom, don't hide stuff from me anymore! I'm a man now-I can help. See? Today I found the guy who owes us money. He said he's gonna pay." Clara nearly passed out. So this man was the trouble she'd stirred up. "Did we... sleep together?" Aaron blurted out, catching Clara off guard. "No, no!" Clara waved her hands frantically, shaking her head like crazy. "Then how does he come into this?" Aaron pointed at Leo, feeling his anger simmer just beneath the surface. ---- How to explain this clearly? Clara tried to soften it: "Well... I kinda borrowed something from you..." Aaron raised an eyebrow. "Borrowed? How come I never heard about that?" "Well..." Clara hesitated, struggling to find the words, when Leo's stomach loudly growled. "Mom, I'm starving! Did Aunt Paige make this? I wanna eat." Leo climbed into his special seat. Clara glanced at the clock. One in the afternoon already. Aunt Paige had prepared lunch, so Clara, distracted, told her to head home first. She barely had time to think, quickly settling Leo down to eat. Glancing at the stern man across the table, Clara hesitated but offered, "Would... you like some too?" Aaron looked over the food-balanced, mild flavors, perfect for a kid. He gave a slight nod and started eating without fuss. After finishing, Clara put Leo down for a nap. Finally, they could talk quietly. Clara sat upright, every muscle tense, clutching a glass ---- of water like it was a lifeline. She felt like a suspect under interrogation. Aaron took a calming breath and said, "Alright. Start talking." Talk? Where to even begin? Clara's mind was a jumble. A cold shiver ran down her back. Her eyes stung. Should she talk about her reckless youth? The pain of pregnancy? Or her brave days as a "thief"? She stole a glance at his cold, handsome face-so familiar, yet distant-making her dizzy, like time had twisted. No matter what, Leo was hers. When she still didn't say a word, Aaron tried again, "Tl ask, you answer. Do we know each other?" Clara shook her head. He really didn't know her. "We didn't sleep together," Aaron said flatly, certain of this. He was a neat freak, never got involved randomly. Two years ago, he'd had a brief fling that ended quietly. Even if it had happened, the kid wouldn't be four. Four years old? Five years ago, where was he? ---- Oh right. In Silverton. Locked down on a crazy complicated merger case for a whole year. No way he had a secret fling then. "So, Leo's a test-tube baby?" Aaron said aloud what he'd just thought.