*Chapter 12: The Test*
Monday came too fast.
The Sterling Corp building looked different in daylight. Bigger. Colder.
Jane stood across the street with her portfolio and a paper bag with two peanut butter sandwiches. For her. For later.
_You’re Jane Miller. You’re a designer. You’re not scared._
“Morning, Mommy!”
It was Aiden on the phone. Grandma had him on speaker.
“Grandma says I have to drink water. I don’t like water.”
“Drink it anyway, boss,” Jane said, smiling. “Be good for her today. I’ll pick you and Aria up at 5.”
She hung up and walked inside.
Security badge. Elevator. 52nd floor.
Mira was waiting.
“Ms. Miller. Welcome to Sterling Corp,” Mira said. Professional smile. “Your desk is with the design team. And Mr. Sterling requested you join the 12pm team lunch.”
Jane nodded. “Of course.”
She didn’t see Ryan all morning.
That was good. And bad.
*11:45 AM - School Call*
Jane’s phone vibrated. Unknown number.
“Ms. Miller? This is Camden Primary. Aiden has a fever. 101. We need you to pick him up.”
Jane’s stomach dropped. “I’m at work. My grandmother—”
“She’s not answering,” the nurse said. “Can you come now?”
Jane looked at the clock. 12pm lunch. With Ryan.
She grabbed her bag. “I’m on my way.”
*12:05 PM - Sterling Conference Room*
Twelve people sat around a long table. White tablecloths. Water glasses. No food yet.
Ryan was at the head. Suit jacket off. Sleeves rolled.
“Where’s Ms. Miller?” he asked Mira.
“She had a family emergency, sir. She’ll be—”
The doors opened.
Jane.
Hair messy. Coat on. And holding Aiden’s hand.
Aiden was pale. Sweating. Clinging to her leg.
“I’m so sorry,” Jane said quickly. “The school called. I can leave if—”
Ryan stood up.
The whole room went quiet.
“Is he okay?” Ryan asked. His CEO voice was gone. It was just... human.
“He has a fever,” Jane said. “I’m really sorry, I can go, I just—”
“Sit,” Ryan said. He pulled out the chair next to him. “Both of you.”
Jane froze. “Sir, I don’t think—”
“Sit, Jane.”
So she did.
Aiden climbed into her lap. Small. Hot.
Jane wanted to disappear.
The lunch started. Awkward.
People talked about fabric and deadlines and tried not to stare at the kid in the designer’s lap.
Ryan didn’t talk much. He just watched.
Watched the way Jane brushed hair from Aiden’s forehead.
Watched the way Aiden buried his face in her neck.
Watched the shape of Aiden’s jaw. His eyes. His hands.
Too familiar.
Halfway through, Aiden coughed.
Ryan pushed a glass of water toward Jane.
“Here.”
“Thank you,” Jane whispered.
Their fingers brushed.
Jane jerked back like she’d been burned.
Ryan noticed.
*1:30 PM - After*
The meeting ended. Everyone filed out.
“Ms. Miller. A word,” Ryan said.
Jane’s heart stopped. She stood, still holding Aiden.
“Yes, sir?”
Ryan crouched down to Aiden’s level.
“Hey buddy. How you feeling?”
Aiden peeked out from behind Jane. “Sick.”
“What’s your name?”
“Aiden,” he whispered.
Ryan smiled. Small. Real. “Cool name. Strong name.”
He stood up. Looked at Jane.
“Take him home. Paid leave for today. And tomorrow if you need it.”
Jane blinked. “Really? I can—”
“Go,” Ryan said softly. “Before he gets worse.”
Jane nodded and ran.
In the elevator, Aiden mumbled, “Mommy, that man has my eyes.”
Jane’s blood froze.
“What, baby?”
“Nothing,” Aiden yawned. “Just... he looks like me.”
*Meanwhile - 52nd Floor*
The second Jane left, Ryan called Mira.
“Get me that DNA test. Expedite it.”
“Sir, we don’t have his DNA.”
“Then get it,” Ryan said. “The water glass. The spoon he used. Anything.”
Mira hesitated. “Sir... is this about custody?”
“This is about the truth,” Ryan said.
He looked at the empty chair where Jane and Aiden had sat.
And he remembered vanilla. And a door. And a girl running.
*That Night - The Bedsit*
Aiden was asleep. Fever down.
Grandma made tea. Neither of them drank it.
“He asked his name,” Jane whispered. “He looked at him, Grandma. Like he knew.”
Grandma set the mug down hard. “We have to leave London.”
“We can’t,” Jane said. “The contract. The money. We need it.”
“Then you quit,” Grandma said. “Today.”
Jane shook her head. “If I quit now, he’ll know I’m hiding something. I have to play this smart.”
Her phone buzzed.
*Mira*: _Mr. Sterling would like to schedule a 1:1 design review tomorrow. 9 AM. Just you._
Jane stared at the message.
_Just you._
No team. No buffer.
She looked at her sleeping son.
At his face. At Ryan’s face.
“Okay,” Jane whispered. “Tomorrow at 9.”
Outside, it started to rain again.