The wind had picked up by the time Dominic stepped out of the café, carrying the weight of Camille's ultimatum on his shoulders.
Then prove it.
The words echoed in his mind like a challenge—a test of whether he was truly willing to fight for the son he never knew.
And the truth was, he would do anything.
Nathan was waiting for Dominic outside, leaning casually against the sleek black SUV parked near the curb. At the sight of Dominic's grim expression, he straightened, slipping his phone into his pocket.
"Well," Nathan said dryly, "judging by the storm brewing on your face, I'm guessing the reunion didn't go well."
Dominic exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "She doesn't trust me."
"Can't say I blame her," Nathan muttered. "You did disappear for a decade."
"I didn't know," Dominic bit out.
Nathan frowned. "Didn't know what?"
Dominic hesitated. This was the first time he had said it out loud, the first time he was admitting the truth to someone other than Camille.
He looked up, his voice rough when he finally spoke.
"I have a son."
Nathan blinked. "What?"
Dominic's hands curled into fists. "A son. Ten years old."
Nathan took a step back, his usual composed demeanor fracturing as the words sank in. "Hold on. You—" He gestured toward Dominic. "—have a kid? And you just found out today?"
Dominic gave a stiff nod.
"Holy—" Nathan ran a hand over his face, exhaling sharply. "And Camille never told you?"
"No."
Nathan let out a low whistle. "Damn." His gaze flickered toward the café. "So what now?"
Dominic's jaw tightened. "Now? Now, I do whatever it takes to be in my son's life."
Nathan studied him for a long moment before shaking his head with a small, disbelieving laugh.
"I never thought I'd see the day," he murmured.
Dominic arched a brow. "See what?"
Nathan smirked. "Dominic Hayes, ruthless billionaire, completely knocked on his ass."
Dominic didn't smile.
Because for the first time in his life, he wasn't fighting for a deal.
He was fighting for something that actually mattered.