Chapter 12 12
Blair handed over the tray, ready to bolt the moment her job was done. The house felt too still — every tick of the antique clock echoing in her chest.
“Thank you, ma’am,” the older maid said with a kind smile. “If you don’t mind waiting a moment, Sir Lucas sometimes gives tips personally. He appreciates punctual deliveries.”
Blair froze.
Her fingers clenched around the strap of her bag.
A tip. From him.
Her instinct screamed, Go, Blair. Walk out that door. Now.
But then she thought of the new apartment rent due , of Maverick’s school fees, of the half-empty wallet in her purse.
“Just a minute?” the maid asked again.
Blair swallowed hard. “O-okay. I’ll wait.”
The maid nodded and disappeared down the hall.
Blair exhaled shakily and tried to focus on anything but the pounding of her heart.
Go away, Blair. You shouldn’t be here. Just—go.
But before she could move, a quiet emptiness made her glance to her side.
“Maverick?” she called softly.
No answer.
Her heart skipped. She turned quickly — the spot where he’d been standing was empty.
Panic shot through her chest.
“Maverick?” she whispered again, scanning the vast room.
Little Maverick had quietly slipped away, following the long hallway lined with paintings.
He turned a corner and found a slightly open door. Curiosity sparkled in his eyes. With a tiny push, the door creaked open, revealing a large study.
“Wowww,” he breathed, stepping inside.
Shelves stretched from floor to ceiling, packed with books and — his eyes widened — comics. So many of them, stacked neatly on a lower shelf.
He closed the door behind him with a small thud, excitement bubbling in his chest.
“So many comics…” he whispered in awe, running his tiny fingers along the colorful covers. “Batman, Spider-Man, Iron Man… Mommy never told me rich people read these too.”
He giggled softly, pulling one from the shelf and sitting cross-legged on the rug. Within seconds, the world outside the study disappeared — it was just him, the superheroes, and his wide-eyed wonder.
He didn’t even notice the sound bof footsteps approaching behind him… slowly.
Lucas stopped in the doorway, his brow furrowing.
There, sitting on the rug like was a little boy — dark curls, small hands gripping one of his vintage comics.
For a second, Lucas just stood there, speechless.
Something about the kid’s profile tugged at something deep in his chest —
He cleared his throat quietly. “Hey, kid.”
Maverick’s head jerked up. His wide hazel eyes met Lucas’s cold gray ones.
Lucas took a slow step forward, crouching down so they were at eye level.
“Where’d you come from?” he asked, his voice lower now, curious but calm.
Maverick flinched, instinctively scooting back a little. “I—I’m sorry,” he stammered, clutching the comic to his chest. “I didn’t mean to… I just wanted to look.”
Lucas’s gaze softened, just a fraction. “It’s alright. You like comics?”
The boy nodded hesitantly, eyes darting from Lucas’s face to the shelf behind him. “Uh-huh. I like superheroes. Mommy says they help people even when they’re scared.”
Something flickered behind Lucas’s eyes — a quick, unguarded flash of emotion.
He gave a small reluctant smile. “Smart mom.”
Maverick tilted his head. “You sound like someone Mommy doesn’t like.”
Lucas blinked. “What?”
Before he could ask more, a breathless voice echoed down the hallway—
“Maverick!”
Both of them turned toward the sound.
Maverick’s small hands gripped the back of Lucas’s shirt as footsteps echoed down the hall.
He looked up at the tall man, whispering urgently, “She’s gonna be mad at me… save me, please.”
Lucas raised an eyebrow, amused despite himself. “Save you, huh?”
Before he could say more, the door flew open.
“Ma—” Blair’s voice cut off mid-call, her breath catching in her throat.
The scene in front of her felt unreal. Maverick, half-hidden behind a man’s broad frame — and not just any man.
He stood there, shirtless, a towel slung around his neck, droplets of water still tracing down his chest from a recent shower.
Her heart lurched violently.
“Miss Rivers,” he said flatly, his tone colder than the floors. His eyes flicked briefly to Maverick before returning to her. “You’ve got quite the adventurous delivery boy.”
Blair’s mouth opened, but words tangled on her tongue. “I—I’m so sorry, sir. He must’ve wandered off while I was—”
Lucas cut her off with a faint, dismissive wave. “Next time, keep a better eye on him. This isn’t a playground.”
Maverick peeked from behind him, eyes wide. “I’m sorry, Mommy,” he mumbled, clutching Lucas’s pant leg.
Blair’s chest ached at the sight — her little boy hiding behind the very man who didn’t even know he was his father.
She forced a small, trembling smile. “It’s okay, sweetheart. Come here.”
“Lucas,” a sharp voice called from the doorway.
Everyone froze.
Blair’s head snapped up, her pulse quickening. Lucas straightened instantly, his expression hardening — that familiar mask sliding back over his face.
Olivia stood framed by the doorway, perfect as ever in a fitted cream dress.
Her gaze flicked from Lucas — shirtless — to Blair, standing pale and stiff with Maverick half-hidden behind her.
“I’ll leave now,” Blair said quickly, her voice trembling as she reached for Maverick’s hand.
Her fingers barely brushed his when she felt Olivia’s gaze
Blair swallowed hard and started toward the door, keeping her eyes on the floor. Maverick clung to her skirt, sensing her unease.
As she passed, Olivia shifted ever so slightly blocking the path for just a moment.
Blair froze. Their shoulders nearly brushed. She could smell Olivia’s expensive perfume .
Olivia didn’t look at her directly.
“Watch your step,” she murmured, eyes fixed ahead.
Blair’s chest tightened. She managed a strained nod and stepped around her, guiding Maverick toward the hall.
Her pulse was pounding, but she didn’t turn back.
Not even when Olivia’s reflection lingered in the glass of the doorway.
Olivia quickly shut the door behind her, the soft click echoing through the room. She leaned against it, her breath fast.
Olivia’s voice softened suddenly, almost trembling.
“I got something to tell you, Lucas.”