A Secretive Deal with My Billionaire Boss (by Gregory Ellington) novel Chapter 371

**Wram 371**

Madison

As I stepped through the door, I clutched my purse tightly, mentally preparing myself for the delightful onslaught that was about to ensue.

“Mommy!” Ethan’s exuberant voice rang out the moment I crossed the threshold, and before I could even take a breath, he flung himself off the couch, crashing into my legs with all the force his tiny frame could muster. “Aunt Hazel’s here! We’re playing crash derby!”

A smile crept across my face as I ruffled his tousled hair, casting a playful glare at Hazel over Ethan’s head. “And I distinctly remember someone promising not to get him all riled up before I got home.”

Hazel, standing nearby and brushing off her jeans, raised an eyebrow in mock innocence. “In my defense, it was Ethan who proposed the idea of a crash derby. I was perfectly happy with a nice, quiet session of coloring.”

“Liar,” I shot back, unable to suppress a grin.

“Okay, fine,” she conceded, her smile widening. “But look at how thrilled he is!”

And she was right. Ethan was practically buzzing with excitement, his little hands tugging at mine, eager to show me the intricate setup of trucks he had created.

“Mommy, you have to be the police! Aunt Hazel was the police, but she keeps letting the bad guys escape!” His eyes sparkled with mischief and determination.

“That’s because the bad guys deserve their freedom,” Hazel declared with an exaggerated flair, hands on her hips.

“No, they don’t! Bad guys go to jail!” Ethan protested vehemently, his small voice filled with righteous indignation.

I set my purse down, letting their playful banter wash over me like a comforting wave. This was good. This was normal. This was the life I had built for myself now.

Not the glitzy penthouse apartments, the designer dresses, or the man whose mere gaze could unravel my carefully constructed facade.

“Madison?” Hazel’s voice broke through my reverie as she waved a hand in front of my face. “You okay? You seem a bit lost in thought.”

“Just a bit tired. Long day at work,” I replied, forcing a smile as I brushed off her concern.

“Uh huh.” She scrutinized me with those keen eyes of hers, the ones that had always seen straight through my bravado. “Want to spill your guts after bedtime?”

“There’s really nothing to spill,” I insisted, though I could feel the weight of unspoken thoughts pressing on my chest.

“Ah, so that’s a yes,” she teased, turning to Ethan. “Hey buddy, why don’t you show me your new Lego set while your mom changes out of her work clothes?”

“Okay!” Ethan exclaimed, racing off toward his room, chattering excitedly about the latest creation he had brought to life with colorful bricks.

I made my way to my bedroom, grateful for the brief moment of solitude. My reflection in the mirror was a stark reminder of my inner turmoil: exhausted, bewildered, and still inexplicably affected by a man who had made it abundantly clear he didn’t care.

I changed into a pair of comfortable leggings and an oversized sweater, splashed some cool water on my face, and hastily pulled my hair into a messy bun. There, that felt better—more like the real me.

When I stepped back into the living room, I found Hazel crouched beside Ethan, her expression one of genuine awe as he animatedly described his Lego spaceship, detailing its intricate features with breathless excitement.

“And this part shoots lasers! Pew pew!” he exclaimed, eyes wide with enthusiasm.

“Very impressive,” Hazel replied, nodding seriously. “I particularly like the escape pod.”

“That’s for emergencies! Captain Alex always has an escape plan!” Ethan declared proudly, his imagination in full bloom.

I froze in the doorway, my heart skipping a beat. “Captain Alex?”

“Yeah! He’s the captain of my spaceship!” Ethan zoomed the Lego creation through the air, his little hands mimicking the flight of an imaginary craft. “He’s super brave and smart and saves people!”

Hazel’s gaze met mine, and I could see the question clear in her eyes. I shook my head slightly, a silent plea for her to drop it—for now.

“Sounds like an excellent captain,” I said, keeping my tone light, though my mind was racing. “How about we have dinner? I bet Aunt Hazel is starving.”

“I could eat,” Hazel replied, rising to her feet. “What’s on the menu?”

“Whatever I can throw together quickly.” I headed toward the kitchen, the sound of Ethan’s animated storytelling trailing behind me as he continued to elaborate on Captain Alex’s various adventures.

Captain Alex. Of all the names in the universe, my four-year-old had chosen that one for his imaginary hero.

The universe truly had a wicked sense of humor.

Hazel followed me into the kitchen while Ethan remained engrossed in his play. “Captain Alex?” she asked quietly, her voice laced with curiosity. “That’s new.”

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