The Day Our Son Called Him Mister

I've been secretly married to New York real estate tycoon Julian Thorne for six years, but he won't even let our son call him "Dad."

After he missed our son's birthday yet again for his assistant, whatever love and illusions I had left for him finally shattered.

I pulled out the divorce papers I had prepared long ago, determined to disappear completely from his world with our son.

After I vanished, the ever-calm and composed Julian finally broke, searching for me frantically.

But this time, neither our son nor I would ever go back.

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1

"Mr. Evans, I'm planning to move to Los Angeles next month. This is my letter of resignation."

The HR Director glanced up at me, his expression surprised.

"Why so sudden?"

I offered the excuse I had prepared long ago.

"My son's father is based there. I'm planning to take our son and join him."

The director nodded in understanding.

"I see. It must be tough on you, raising a child alone in New York. We all just assumed you were a single mom."

I smiled. I wasn't before, but I would be soon.

Just as I stepped out of his office, I nearly collided with Julian Thorne and his assistant, Jessica, who were walking toward me.

Julian was my boss. More than that, he was the father of my child.

Seven years ago, I was his junior at Columbia University. A single, regrettable night after a party led to our son, Leo.

This was the sixth year of our secret marriage.

It was also the sixth year he refused to let our son call him Dad.

Julian had slowed his pace, clearly matching it to the woman beside him.

Jessica clutched a project file in one hand, while the other moved to affectionately straighten the lapel of his trench coat. The easy intimacy of the gesture stung.

As we brushed past each other, my heart hammered against my ribs, and the word slipped out before I could stop it.

"Julian..."

The man stopped, his expression instantly turning to ice.

"Ms. Hayes."

The polite, distant address was a clear warning: here, at the office, we were nothing more than boss and employee.

I got the message and shoved the storm of emotions back down.

"Mr. Thorne."

Julian just grunted in acknowledgment and continued on his way, as if I were a complete stranger.

I managed a bitter smile, swallowing the news of my resignation I'd been on the verge of sharing.

It wasn't like he would care anyway.

The screen of my Apple Watch lit up. A message from my son on his kids' smartwatch.

[Mom, is Dad coming back for my birthday?]

I froze, my eyes instinctively darting back, only to see Julian leaning in, listening attentively as Jessica spoke.

When a colleague walked by, he instinctively pulled Jessica closer, into the crook of his arm, a tenderness in his eyes I had never been the recipient of.

Swallowing the bitter taste that rose in my throat, I sent Julian a message anyway.

[Today is Leo's birthday. Are you free tonight?]

From across the hall, I watched Julian lift his wrist, glance at the notification for less than three seconds, and then swipe it away, his expression utterly unfazed.

Staring at the unanswered message, I let out a hollow laugh.

*Ava Hayes, when will you ever learn?*

*You've always known his heart was a stone you could never warm. What were you still expecting?*

Shoving my phone back into my pocket, I took a deep breath and walked away without a backward glance.

*Julian, you'll be free soon.*