Grayson stepped into the room slowly, like every movement demanded strength he wasn't sure he had. His heart slammed against his ribs, loud and relentless, while his eyes stayed locked on the small sleeping body in the bed.

Oliver... his son.

He moved closer with careful, trembling hands and stopped at the edge of the mattress. Seeing him up close stole the air from his lungs. He was beautiful… and so unmistakably his. The same jawline. The same straight nose. But what hit Grayson hardest were the eyes. Even closed, he remembered them.

They were blue and deep. The same ones he saw every time he looked in the mirror.

A warm pressure climbed his chest and tightened around his throat. Behind him, Kate spoke in a soft voice—one that sounded like every word cost her something.

"I found out shortly after you left."

Grayson turned his head a fraction, but his eyes stayed on Oliver. Guilt sliced through him, sharp and merciless. The knot in his throat swelled. She had been alone al