*Chapter 22: The Test*
Saturday smelled like pretzels and space.
The Hayden Planetarium was packed.
Field trips. Tourists. Families.
And one very nervous billionaire holding two small hands.
“Do we have to stay together?” Aiden asked, already pulling toward the Mars exhibit.
“Yes,” Ryan said. “Planetarium rule number one.”
Aria groaned. “You’re not the boss of space, Dad.”
Jane walked behind them, coffee in one hand, phone in the other.
No calls from Victoria. No headlines. Just peace.
For the first time in weeks.
*1:15 PM - The Mars Room*
Red lights. Fake rocks. A voice talking about gravity.
Aiden was glued to the glass. “Did you know Mars has the biggest volcano in the solar system?”
“I did not,” Ryan said, crouching next to him. “Teach me.”
Aria was busy making Button’s service vest — that she’d insisted he needed — into a cape.
Jane watched them from a bench.
Ryan, explaining orbits. Aiden, nodding like he was at a board meeting.
Aria, telling a 6-year-old that Button was an astronaut dog.
For 20 minutes, the world didn’t exist.
Then Jane felt it.
Eyes on her.
She looked up.
A man. Black coat. Sunglasses. Standing by the Venus display.
Not looking at the planets. Looking at her.
And in his hand: a photo.
Her photo.
From 5 years ago. At the Sterling party. Navy dress. Hair down.
Her blood went cold.
“Ryan,” she said quietly.
Ryan followed her gaze. His whole body went still.
He stood. “Stay here. With the kids.”
He walked over.
*1:18 PM - By Venus*
The man didn’t run.
He just smiled. “Mr. Sterling.”
“Who are you?” Ryan asked. Low. Dangerous.
“Just a fan,” the man said. “Of Ms. Miller. Saw her on TV last night. Recognized her from... a while back.”
He held up the photo. “Crazy, right? Same girl.”
Ryan took it from him. Tore it in half.
“Don’t take pictures of my family. Don’t follow us. Don’t speak to her again.”
The man raised his hands. “Hey. No problem. Just saying hi.”
He walked away. Fast.
Ryan turned. And saw Jane standing 3 feet behind him.
Aiden and Aria behind her.
“How long were you there?” Ryan asked.
“Long enough,” Jane said. Her voice was shaking.
Aria grabbed Jane’s leg. “Mommy, who was that?”
“No one, baby,” Jane said. But her hands were cold.
*2:00 PM - The Car*
No planetarium. No ice cream.
Straight home.
In the backseat, Ryan kept looking in the rearview.
Mira was already on the phone. “Pull the security footage. Run his face. I want a name in 20.”
Jane stared out the window.
5 years. She’d run 5 years and one man with a photo found her in 2 weeks.
“Jane,” Ryan said.
“Don’t,” Jane said. “Just... don’t.”
She went upstairs the second they got home.
Locked the bathroom door.
And cried. Silent. So the kids wouldn’t hear.
*4:00 PM - The Knock*
Soft.
“Jane?” Ryan’s voice.
No answer.
“I sent him to security,” Ryan said through the door. “He’s flagged. He can’t get within a mile of you. Of any of us.”
Still no answer.
“I’m sorry,” Ryan said. “I’m so sorry. I should have had security at the planetarium. I should have—”
The door opened.
Jane’s eyes were red. “I can’t do this,” she whispered. “I thought I could. But someone recognized me. In one day. What happens when it’s 100 people? What happens when Victoria pays someone to find us?”
Ryan stepped in. Closed the door.
“Then we deal with it,” he said. “Together.”
“I dealt with it alone for 5 years!”
“And look what it cost you,” Ryan said, and his voice broke. “You. You barely sleep. You jump at noises. Aiden flinches when the door slams.”
Jane flinched.
Ryan took a step closer. “You don’t have to be alone anymore. That’s the whole point of me being here.”
Jane laughed, bitter. “And what if you leave? What if this is too hard and you decide—”
“I’m not leaving,” Ryan cut her off. “I said that in court. I said that at the gala. I’m saying it now. I’m not going anywhere.”
He reached out. Brushed her hair back.
“I know you don’t trust me yet. But trust this: No one touches you. No one touches them. Not while I’m breathing.”
Jane stared at him.
Then she collapsed into him.
And Ryan held her. Tight. Like he could hold the fear out.
Downstairs, Button barked.
Aria yelled: “Are you guys fighting or kissing?”
They both laughed into each other’s shoulders.
*8:00 PM - After Bedtime*
The man’s name was Daniel Price.
Ex-paparazzi. Fired 3 years ago.
Mira had his license suspended by midnight.
Ryan showed Jane the report.
“See? Handled.”
Jane nodded. But she was still pale.
Ryan sat next to her on the bed.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Yeah.”
“Do you regret saying yes? To New York. To this.”
Jane was quiet for a long time.
Then she looked at the door. Where she could hear Aiden breathing.
“No,” she said. “I don’t regret it. I’m just scared.”
Ryan took her hand. “Then be scared with me.”
He didn’t kiss her.
He just stayed.
Until she fell asleep with his hand in hers.
*11:59 PM - Security Feed*
In a dark apartment across town, Daniel Price watched the news.
_STERLING FAMILY SPOTTED AT PLANETARIUM_
He zoomed in on Jane’s face.
Then his phone buzzed.
Unknown number.
Text: _You got the photo?_
He typed back: _Yes. But Sterling’s watching now._
Reply: _Good. Keep watching. We’ll pay more._
Daniel smiled.