00:00Don't worry, I'm not feeding you, I'm feeding the Flame Guard.
00:03Open up, big guy. Gotta eat if you wanna guard your people.
00:08A baby dragon who won't eat stays skinny.
00:11How can he protect his clan?
00:13Oh, the lion wants his carrots. Good call.
00:15Now the lion is stronger than the dragon.
00:18The boy watched, half-hidden, lips parting, smacking his mouth a little.
00:22I pretended not to see. His nose started turning pink, like he was about to cry.
00:26Wait, is that a baby dragon over there?
00:30Flame Guard? Can you share with him? He has to eat too if he's gonna grow up strong.
00:33The boy nodded furiously.
00:35He took the spoon with his lips before I could reach him.
00:38He ate several mouthfuls, then he glared at me.
00:41Why won't you give me meat? You scared I'll get stronger than the dragon lord, bad lady.
00:46I glanced at the couch.
00:48Caius Draven's mouth curved.
00:50A small, real smile.
00:52I moved into the penthouse that night.
00:56There were three floors. I got the second floor with Milo.
00:59Caius had the whole third floor to himself.
01:02The butler walked me to my room and gave me one last warning.
01:05You do not go up to the third floor. Ever.
01:07His voice dropped.
01:08The last cat girl who tried sneaking into the boss's bed got her tail snapped and was tossed off the
01:13roof.
01:13I nodded so hard I almost gave myself whiplash.
01:16Won't happen. You have my word.
01:17Strong fathers raise strong sons.
01:20Milo was only four and slept in his own bed without a fuss.
01:23That made my job easier.
01:25I just changed into the silk pajamas from the closet.
01:28The knock made me jump.
01:30Come down. Let's talk.
01:33Caius was on the couch in the great room.
01:35Long legs crossed. Whiskey in his hand.
01:38I sat across from him on the other couch.
01:40Hands in my lap. Knees together.
01:41Like a job interview.
01:43You're good with kids.
01:45You have one of your own.
01:48No.
01:49I helped raise my ex's nephew for two years.
01:52My ex belonged to the Wrens, a newly risen fox family in the upper city.
01:56Back then, his mother decided I, a low-born human, was unfit to be seen in public up there.
02:01They ordered me to quit the job I had found myself and called it generosity.
02:05Then, after I did, they said I was lazy with nothing to do.
02:08So they fired the nanny and dumped his sister's spoiled brat on me.
02:12More free servant than mate.
02:14Caius nodded.
02:14He touched his earring, and a holographic screen appeared.
02:18File says you're divorced.
02:21Yes.
02:23Reason?
02:24A human girl like me wasn't worthy of a noble upper city fox family, I guess.
02:28Only a coward would say that.
02:30You saw the ad.
02:31I'm hiring a mother for Milo.
02:33Not a date for myself.
02:35Some rogue shifters terrified him when he was little.
02:38He's been insecure ever since.
02:40Hates leaving the home.
02:41Has never had a single friend.
02:44I work long hours.
02:46I need someone with patience.
02:48Someone who'll stay.
02:50His gaze settled on me.
02:53There'll be a prenup.
02:55Everything stays separate.
02:58Especially in bed.
02:59Marriage in the rich upper city was a contract before it was anything else.
03:03Mine with Lucien had been for love, but because of the gap between our families, I'd signed one with him
03:08too.
03:08When the love ran out, I walked away with nothing.
03:11Not even my ring.
03:12Let alone a powerful beast house like the Draven's.
03:15They'd only be more careful.
03:16I understand.
03:19Honestly, if you just need someone in the house, we don't have to make it legal.
03:24I'm fine without the paperwork.
03:26Marriage is for Milo.
03:27He needs the most stable mother I can give him.
03:29And marriage?
03:30And marriage is the strongest contract there is.
03:32It made sense.
03:33I understand.
03:35Don't worry.
03:36You'll get $100,000 a month for expenses.
03:38And a legal identity in Upper City.
03:40This was the part I cared about.
03:42I'd been burned before.
03:43Mr. Draven.
03:45If we ever divorce, do I keep the money you've given me?
03:49Of course.
03:50If it's yours, then I'm all okay with it.
03:52As for sex...
03:53I knew some beastmen had an insatiable sex drive.
03:56I kept my head down, not daring to look at him.
03:59I don't need anything from you, though.
04:03That's fine.
04:04Neither do I.
04:05So, three days after I signed divorce papers, I got married again.
04:10No ceremony.
04:11No guests.
04:11Same as my first wedding.
04:12The butler added an extra dish to dinner.
04:15I thought that was the celebration.
04:16But then Caius slid a signet ring across the table.
04:19A Draven house ring.
04:20A key to the power of the entire Upper City.
04:23That's not necessary.
04:24Lucian never even gave me his family ring.
04:27For Milo's sake.
04:28Then I understood.
04:29The kid needed the illusion of a family.
04:31I went quiet and finally took it.
04:34I'll keep it safe.
04:35That night, I'd just gotten into bed when the door creaked open.
04:38Milo stood in the doorway.
04:39Bare feet.
04:40Hair sticking up.
04:41Fidgeting with his dinosaur pajamas.
04:42What's up, kiddo?
04:44Aria?
04:45Can you read me a bedtime story?
04:49What?
04:50I'll get my dad to pay you extra.
04:52If you don't want to, forget it.
04:57Come here.
04:58I held the covers open.
04:59He scrambled in like he'd been waiting for it all day.
05:04Halfway through the story, he was out cold against my shoulder.
05:07Next morning at breakfast, Caius's eyes widened when the butler told him Milo had slept in my bed.
05:12Aria, that was above and beyond.
05:15I'll add another $50,000 a month.
05:18Mr. Draven, that's way too much.
05:21It was.
05:21By a lot.
05:22I'd given far more than this in my last marriage.
05:25Yet when the divorce was finalized, I could not even afford a hotel.
05:28During the day, I babysat his nephew.
05:30At night, I cooked for my husband.
05:32After satisfying his excessive desires at night, I still had to wake up at five to clean the house and
05:37make breakfast.
05:38His mother judged,
05:39We could hire someone, but Aria just sits around all day.
05:42Wouldn't be fair.
05:43And on the day of the divorce, his sister told the lawyer I'd been
05:46Living off them for three years.
05:50Mr. Draven, it's really too much.
05:52I like Milo.
05:53He's a sweet kid.
05:55Reading him a book is nothing.
05:57As I said it, Milo came over and grabbed my fingers with his small, warm hand.
06:01Milo looked up at me with those big, round eyes.
06:04He was actually moved.
06:05You don't know.
06:07The women before you only cared about impressing me.
06:10They ignored him.
06:14Fifty thousand.
06:15That's the new number.
06:16Not negotiable.
06:17I gave up and thanked him.
06:18From that day on, Milo was my shadow.
06:20Caius was buried in his syndicate.
06:22The gene deals, the arms, the blood.
06:24The huge tower was usually just the two of us.
06:26I did my best to play with him and make him happy every day.
06:29Until the day I had a follow-up at the clinic.
06:30The butler had wronged me.
06:32Milo couldn't leave the tower.
06:34Outside set off panic attacks.
06:36Hey, babe.
06:38Wait for me at home.
06:40I'll be back in an hour.
06:41He grabbed my hand and wouldn't let go.
06:43Didn't say a word.
06:44Just looked at me with those dark, sad eyes.
06:46The butler sighed.
06:47He's scared you won't come back.
06:48His mother left him exactly like that.
06:51I'm coming back.
06:52I'll see the doctor and come right home.
06:54You play here, okay?
06:55I was still mid-sentence when he climbed into the backseat of the car.
06:59The butler tried not to hope.
07:01Master Milo, you're going to the clinic with Miss Bennett?
07:09Thank God.
07:10He's finally willing to leave the tower.
07:12Your depression's improving.
07:14Keep it slow.
07:16Stay relaxed.
07:17I took the script and the meds and left.
07:19Milo was waiting in the lobby with his little dragon toy.
07:23Aria, are you sick?
07:25A little, kiddo.
07:26I used to skip meals a lot, so I got sick.
07:28Promise me you'll never let yourself get like that.
07:31Does it hurt?
07:31If it hurts, I can give you candy.
07:33He pulled a piece of candy from his pocket and pressed it into my palm.
07:38Daddy told me candy makes you forget.
07:40My tears fell without warning.
07:42In the Wren house, I'd cry, and they'd call it dramatic.
07:45Lower city girl.
07:46Can't handle the lifestyle.
07:48A human is just too weak.
07:50I told Lucian I had depression.
07:52You were making it up to ruin my mood.
07:55Stop faking it for attention.
07:57The nephew I'd raised for two years called me ugly and grasping on divorce day.
08:01And here was this four-year-old beast heir handing me his last piece of candy.
08:05I scooped him up and held him tight.
08:07So small, so warm.
08:08He patted my back with one tiny hand.
08:11Aria, I'm going to eat every meal so I can grow up and protect you.
08:15I laughed through tears.
08:17You'd better grow fast, babe.
08:18When we walked out of the clinic, a blacked-out limo idled at the curb.
08:22Caius leaned against it, charcoal suit, hands in his pockets.
08:25Everyone stared.
08:26I walked over with Milo's hand in mine.
08:30Mr. Drafan, why are you here?
08:32He scooped his son into his arms.
08:34Seeing how calm the boy was, his eyes suddenly reddened.
08:37His voice turned rough with feeling.
08:39The butler called, said Milo went out with you.
08:42I had to see it.
08:42Milo reached for my hand from his father's arms.
08:45As long as I'm with Aera, you can stop worrying.
08:47Caius looked at me for a long moment, then nodded.
08:51I know.
08:52That night, he tried to raise my pay again.
08:54This time, a black card.
08:55I refused so hard that he laughed.
08:59Aria, there must be something you want.
09:01I thought about it.
09:02Could you help me find a used car?
09:035,000 or under?
09:05So I can take Milo out without depending on the driver.
09:09Pick anything from the garage?
09:11The cheapest car in your garage is a quarter million.
09:14I wouldn't dare drive it.
09:15He considered it.
09:16Fine.
09:16Next morning, an old, beat-up sedan was parked beside his hover limo.
09:20He also flew in a psychiatrist, a big name from the western districts.
09:24Same diagnosis as the clinic.
09:26But this time, my meds were upgraded to the brand I'd never been able to afford.
09:30On the way out, the doctor told Caius,
09:32Your wife needs company.
09:34Family.
09:35Don't push her too hard.
09:36Caius' face was serious.
09:37I'll remember that.
09:38The next day, I drove Milo out with me.
09:40He'd always been insecure.
09:42Had barely seen the outside world.
09:43Now, I wanted to show it to him.
09:45First, the amusement park.
09:47He grabbed my hand and dragged me to take pictures with the dragon mascot.
09:51Then I took him to the open market.
09:52He'd never been to a market in his life.
09:54He trailed behind me, holding a live lobster in a plastic bag,
09:58his perfect little face frozen in horror.
10:00Aria!
10:01I don't want to hold this!
10:03My hands are full, Milo.
10:04Just a few steps.
10:06Fine.
10:07One time only.
10:08And no more lobster!
10:10I was hiding a smile when I heard the voice from the parking lot.
10:15Aria!
10:17It was Lucian, my ex-husband.
10:20It was Lucian, my ex-husband.
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