Fitz's POV

I slid into the driver's seat, slamming my car door shut with a force that could of shattered my window. Andrew, settled into the passenger side, raising an eyebrow at my tension. I could feel the heat radiating off me, a molten anger bubbling beneath the surface.

"What the hell is wrong with you!?" he asked looking completely shocked.

I gripped the steering wheel, knuckles white. "What's wrong with me? Youwannaknow what's wrong with me!? It's Jake! He's been talking shit about me to Olivia! And not just talking shit about me, but insulting her in the process. I'm going to fucking kill him!" I pull out from in front of the studio squalling my tires as I enter, busy downtown New York City traffic.

"Is that what Liv was upset about?"

"Fuck yeah! I swear to god Andrew, I'm going to fuck him up!"

"Okay, calm down. What did he say?"

I felt my voice escalating, the fury bubbling up from within. "This son of a bitch had the audacity to tell her I was using her, to call her stupid for being with me, to label her as my sex toy! That disgusting piece of shit! He is trying to convince her that I'm just adding her to my conquests! I swear Andrew...!"

Andrew's voice pierced through my rage, "Fitz! You need to calm down. You're driving like a madman, and we'll both end up dead if you don't."

But my anger consumed me, blocking out his pleas. "Who does he think he is talking about her like that? She belongs to me!"

"Fitz, listen to me! Pull over this instant!"

"I'm going to handle this shit right now."

"Pull over, Fitz! Now, goddammit!"

My vision narrowed, fixated on reaching Jake, the object of my wrath. "I'll make sure this is the last time he ever says anything to her."

Andrew's voice became more urgent, "Fitz! If you don't stop, I swear I'll knock your ass out!"

His words finally broke through my haze. "What?" I turned to him, my rage momentarily paused.

"Pull over, you idiot!" he commanded. I obeyed, my hands shaking as I brought the car to a halt. He flung his door open and stormed towards me, yanking my door open. "Out! Now!"

His anger was quite evident, and I knew I had crossed a line. I stepped out, and he grabbed my arm, steering me to the other side of the car. He shoved me into the passenger seat, the force of it rounded the car, took a moment to straighten his tie like he was preparing for a board meeting, and then spoke, his voice surprisingly steady. "Fitz, you're out of control. You... need to calm down."

"Calm down? Are you kidding me? You didn't see the hurt in her eyes! I'm going to settle this right now!" My heart raced, fueled by fury and adrenaline.

"No way you're going anywhere like this. Not on my watch! I refuse to let you turn yourself into a headline disaster in front of some of New York's sharpest attorneys. I can already envision the tabloids: 'Governor's Son Attacks Lawyer Over His Mistress.' Come on, Fitz," he said, running his hand through his hair.

"But I have to—"

"No. I won't allow it."He punctuated his refusal with a sharp nod, as if that settled the matter.

"So, you're just okay with what he said? You're fine with him hurting her?" I shot back, my frustration bubbling over.

"Fitz, you know damn well I'm not. Don't be ridiculous. What I'm concerned about is your stress level. This thing with Alexis was only a few days ago! You haven't even had enough time to process what happened, and you've barely slept. You not thinking clearly. Do I agree with you addressing Jake, absolutely, but not like this. You're going to walk in his office, assault him, and he's going to put your ass in jail. Please tell me you know that."

"Here's the deal, Andrew: you're either going to start this car and drive us to his office, or I'm dropping you off at the hotel and go myself, make a decision. A or B?" I declare. He stared back at me, and we lock eyes in a showdown.

"You are impossible." He let out a deep huff and twisted his jaw as if he was contemplating his next move. "Fuck!You're about to go full Rambo on a Friday afternoon, and when we get arrested, we won't see a judge until Monday! We're going to spend all weekend in a fucking cell. You do understand that right?" He sighed dramatically, pulling out from the curb and starting down the road. "Thanks for ruining my fucking weekend."

"Just drive," I say leaning back in my seat.

As I watched Andrew make a U-turn on the chaotic four-way street, he asks, "So, what's the plan? Are we going to burst into his office and shoot up the place like a couple of gunslingers at the O.K. fucking Corral?" Andrew shot back, his voice as firm as his grip on the steering wheel, irritation radiating from him.

I gritted my teeth, the image of Jake's smug face flashed through my mind. "I just want to set things straight. I want to make sure he understands where I'm coming from."

"I don't even know what the hell that means. You know I'm over a cliff with you. I just hope you understand this could mean bad press for the hotel, for dad..."

"Since when do you give a shit about the kind of press dad gets?"

"Since he saved your ass in Paris?"

I glanced out the window, the city passing by in a blur,"I could care less right now."

"Yeah, I see that, but it's not just about what you want, Fitz. It's about Olivia too. If she hears about you going after Jake like this, it could send her running. You need to prove to her that you're the better man—not just through your words, but through your actions. Don't hand Jake the satisfaction of watching you lose your composure."

"You can save your after-school special speech for someone else. Jake will decide how far this goes."

We turned into the office parking lot, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts spiraling toward chaos. Andrew was right; Olivia's not going to be happy about this,yet a volcanic rage surged within me.

As I lunged for the door, eager to unleash my fury, Andrew's hand landed tightly on my shoulder keeping me in place, "The moment you put your hands on him, we've got about two and half minutes before the cops show up, so move fast." He gave me a firm slap on the back, practically propelling me forward.

I nodded, tension coiling inside me as I opened the door. We stride up to the secretary's desk, and I plastered on my most disarming smile. "Good afternoon. I'm here to see Jake Ballard. Is he available?"

"Um, do you have an appointment, sir?"

"I do not, but I'm Fitzgerald Grant and this is Andrew Grant—we're the sons of Governor Grant. I was hoping he might spare a few moments for us."

"Welcome, gentlemen. Please have a seat, and I'll check for you."

"Thank you," I reply, my fake smile barely concealing the storm brewing beneath my calm facade.

In less than thirty seconds, she returns, "Mr. Ballard will see you both now. Follow me."

I trail behind her to Jake's office, and as I step inside, our eyes meet. I see a smug look on his face, and it ignited the fire. Fueled by rage, I hurtle towards him, rounding his desk in a blur, and without a second thought, I unleash a punch that connects with his jaw, sending him crashing to the floor. The impact sent a shockwave through my grunted in pain, his eyes widening in surprise. I saw the recognition in his gaze, knowing he understood the gravity of his actions.

His secretary let out a scream, Andrew, quick on his feet, ushers the secretary out of the room, ensuring her safety. "It's okay, we'll take it from here. Thank you." he assures her, gently closing the door in her face.

"You pathetic son of a bitch! Did it make you feel good to hurt her?! Are you satisfied with yourself!" I threw another punch landing on his cheek. "Who the fuck are you to speak on me and my intentions?! You know nothing about me, yet you run your mouth! My rage fueled every word as I delivered another blow to his face. A primal satisfaction surged within me as he crumpled under my wrath.

Jake, his eyes burning with defiance, struggled to regain his composure. "You think punching me is going to prove you're not a piece of shit?"

With a snarl, I drew back my fist and struck him once more. "Stay away from her! Your presence is not needed or wanted!"

He spat blood; his defiance unwavering. "Does she know about your true, savage nature? Does she know what you're doing right now?"

"No, but you do." I unleashed another furious punch.

Andrew's voice cuts through the air, "Ninety seconds Fitz."

Ihissed, "If I have to visit you again, I will ensure your life becomes a living nightmare. And if you're considering running to the cops, remember, I have the power to expose your father's dirty secrets. The press will feast on every detail of his dealings with the underworld and some of the cities wealthiest. Even if I have spread lies, I will."

Jake finally caught his breath enough to say, "I'm sure you will. You're a Grant. It's in your blood to tell lies,"he says grabbing the side of his face trying to pull his body up on one elbow.

"Don't call her, don't see her, don't bother her again. This is only a small taste of what I am willing to do to you." I grab him by his jacket and pull his face closer to mine. "Don't cross me again."

"You're only going to hurt her, and deep down, you know it." He glares at me, his eyes burning with a venomous hatred.

"Mind your fucking business. She's a grown woman who can make her own choices. She doesn't need you hovering over her."

"She will need me, after you shatter her," he spits, revulsion twisting his facial features. "And I'll be right here to pick up the pieces."

"Fifty seconds, Fitz," Andrew gasps, his voice strained, his body pressed against the door as frantic shouts and desperate bodies pound against it, demanding entry.

"You've been warned." I released Jake's suit jacket and straightened my jacket and tie before making my way to Andrew. Just as I reached him, Andrew swung the door open, and three people stumble in, as if they're auditioning for a slapstick comedy. Andrew flashed his signature gentleman smile—the kind that could charm a snake—and sidestepped them like a pro.

We quickly made our way back to the reception area, and I catch Andrew's eye as he froze mid-step, mesmerized by a stunning woman with her mouth agape. "Hold on, Fitz," he murmurs, already stepping in front of me to approach her. "Hi, I'm Andrew Grant, and you are absolutely breathtaking." He flashes her a charming smile, but there's a sense of urgency in his next words. "I can't stay and chat, but here—" He digs into his suit coat and retrieves a sleek business card, offering it to her with a wink. "If you're free this weekend, give me a call."

Just as quickly, he pivots back towards me, an excited glint in his eyes, and we rush out the door, leaving behind the startled beauty and her stunned silence."Really? I just assaulted a man, and you thought it was the perfect moment to flirt?" I huff as we bolted toward the car.

"Come on! She was stunning!"

"What the hell am I going to do with you?" I shake my head in disbelief as we both jump in the car and Andrew tears out of the parking lot.

The tires squeal, and adrenaline still pulsed in my veins. With a wild grin, Andrew glances over at me. "That... was... exhilarating! It's been a long time since we've done some shit like that."

"We've never done shit like that. That was always you and the assholes you hung out with."

"Well, I guess better late than never. Do you feel better about yourself now?"

"Yes, actually I do."

As he ran his hand through his hair, he says, "Good, you can bask in your glory while we sit in jail."

"We're not going to jail."

"How can you be so sure?"

I leaned in. "He's terrified of the rumors we could start about Judge Ballard. His dad is up for reelection too. Now would not be a good time for bad press."

"Hmm."

We drive in silence for a few moments. "She's going to be pissed you know. She's all about keeping a low profile. I don't think this is something she..."

"Yeah, I know," I say as the weight of what I just did started to settle in.

"Well, now that we defended her honor, I want you to go home, see the boys, and get some rest, please."

"Yeah, I will. Look, I need you to do me one more favor."

"For fuck sake Fitz! Have I not done enough for you?"

"I know. This is simple. I need you to find out if the Harlem Renaissance Art Show is still running and where. I want a private viewing with Olivia after closing hours today, if possible."

"When did I become your secretary?"

"Can you please just do this for me?"

He let out a deep sigh. "You owe me big time, Fitz. Do you understand that? Big time! For all this shit!"

"I know. Thank you."

I drop Andrew off at the hotel, and made my way to pick Teddy and David up from school. I was looking forward to spending some quality time with them this car door swung open and there stood my handsome young sons, faces beaming with excitement.

"Dad, your back!" Teddy said to me eagerly. "Did you see the Eiffel Tower? Was it as cool as in the pictures? I bet you brought us back something awesome, right?"

David on the other hand does what he does best and jumps down Teddy throat. "Will you stop being childish? You are so annoying."

I look in the rearview mirror at David, "Stop talking to your brother that way. There's nothing wrong with him asking me questions about the trip." I answer Teddy's questions, as eagerly as he asked them, leaving out all the negative things that hadoccurred. "Yeah, buddy, I brought you guys back something can see your souvenirs when we get home."

We continued the ride as we meet up with Tristian, who was hanging out with his friends at a coffee shop. The sounds of all three of my boys in the car, talking about what they wanted for Christmas and making plans for the weekend, filled my heart with joy. This and Olivia is all I need. This is what I want for my life.

"Dad, what happened to your hand?" Tristian asked, concern etched on his face once he noticed it.

I glanced down and saw my busted knuckles, forgetting to address that before I picked them up. Hurriedly trying to conceal it, I replied, "I, um... injured myself while fixing the sink at the penthouse."

"Fixing the sink?" David chimed in skeptically. "You can't fix anything."

"Well, I tried. Just drop it," I snapped back.

We pull up to the house, and each car door goes flying open with the boys running out to get their gifts from the trunk. As I made my way into the kitchen for a drink, Mellie was sitting there reading a magazine and waiting for us. I instantly thought about backing out and coming back later, but it was too late. She saw me.

"Fitz! Welcome back."

"Yeah, thanks," I said emotionless.

"Congratulations! I heard you persuaded the board to vote on the hotel. This is an incredible achievement. I have no doubt they will approve the hotel, and with another hotel under your belt, our wealth and status is only going to grow," Mellie said, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

I was surprised. How the hell did she know. "How do you know about the meeting?"

"Your father told me," She stated matter-of-factly, sending a chill down my spine.

"What else did he tell you?" I probed, my mind racing. hope he didn't tell her anything about what is no way he would do that. Or would he?

"Nothing. Just that the planning committee agreed to take a vote on it," she replied casually. "Oh, he did tell me about your assistant. Sorry to hear that Fitz. I'll send some flowers to her parents."

I look into her eyes and there was not a genuine sense of sadness at all. She could care less. "No. we're taking care of it at the office."

She nodded slightly, 'Okay then." Without skipping a beat, she moved right along in the conversation. "By the way, the Garrisons are coming for dinner tomorrow," she added.

I raised an eyebrow. "Why?" I questioned; the skepticism evident in my tone.

"They just...wanted to see you," she explained, her words tinged with a hint of desperation.

"If this is about running for office again, I'm not showing up," I declared firmly, my resolve unwavering.

Mellie pleaded with me, "Just meet with them, please."

"My answer is no. Not today, not tomorrow, not ever. The answer is no!"

"So, that's it?" Mellie sighed. "I thought this little vacation of yours would straighten your head out."

Little vacation? What the fuck is wrong with her."Do you even care a girl died?" I shot back, my frustration bubbling to the surface.

"Of course, I do, but she shouldn't have gone out on her own," Mellie gaze bore into her, a mixture of sadness and disbelief clouding his eyes.

"How did you become this way?" I questioned; my voice heavy with appeared to be confused. "Did I do this to you? Or were you always like this?

Her face twisted into slight annoyance, "I don't know what that is supposed to mean."

"Aren't you tired of this, being unhappy?"

She deflected, avoiding the heart of the matter. "What are you talking about? Married people aren't happy, Fitz. That's a pipe is only surviving and thriving."

"Is that really all you think about – money and power?"

She places her hands on her hips and tilts her head to the side, looking at me as if she can't fathom what I'm saying. "What has gotten into you?"

"Did you ever love me, Mellie? Even a little?" My voice quivered with each word I spoke.

"Where is all this coming from?" Mellie's bewilderment reflected in her eyes. I couldn't even respond. The realization that I've wasted years of my life with her is mind blowing to me now. "Look, obviously your assistant dying has you emotional, so we'll talk again tonight," she deflected, avoiding the impending storm.

"So, you haven't heard what I said," my frustration mounting and my patience wearing thin.

We'll talk tonight after you have calmed down." she declared, her tone final. "I'm having dinner with Eve tonight. We'll talk after that."

"I won't be here," I stated bluntly.

"Why?" she probed, a flicker of concern in her eyes.

The thought crossed my mind to just come out and ask for a divorce, but the look in her eyes, told me if I did, it would be an all-out fight. With the boys here and me spending the night with Olivia, I didn't want to waste any energy on fighting with Mellie. I'm already mentally and emotionally exhausted. Plus, I need to talk with a lawyer first before I open my mouth. "I need to be at the penthouse. I have a lot of work to catch up on and with what happened with Alexis, I need to find a replacement for her." I say void of any emotion.

"Okay." She walked over to me and straightened my tie. I was repulsed by her touch. "Well, try not to work too hard." As she adjusted my jacket, she said, "You know what? I'll cancel the Garrisons too. They will understand once I tell them about your assistant. It's actually perfect. They won't be offended at all." She returned to adjusting my tie, and I snatch it out of her hands and walked away. This woman is so disgusting to me.

I spent the rest of the evening throwing around the football with the boys. I enjoyed their company. But beneath the surface of smiles and laughter, a storm brewed within me. I fear how they will see me when the inevitable chaos they blame me for tearing our family apart? Will they see me as the villain in their story? Can I bear to see the disappointment in their eyes when they realize their family will never be the same? How can I justify my own pursuit of happiness when it means shattering theirs?

But, as I continued to watch them, I remind myself that I deserved happiness too. Tristian is nearly grown and understands that neither of us is happy. David also seems to get it, but I know he won't be pleased about being a child of divorce. Teddy, on the other hand, will be devastated—angry, hurt. He will pose my biggest challenge. I wish there were a way to handle this that wouldn't hurt anyone, but Mellie isn't going to agree to an amicable divorce. She will make this as difficult as possible.

Tristian interrupted my thoughts as he dashed towards me, concern etched on his face. "Dad, are you okay?"

I attempted to reassure him, insisting that everything was fine and that I was merely tired, but I could see the doubt on his face. "Dad, you can always talk to me. I'm a man now, and I'm here for you."

His words resonated deeply within me, stirring a blend of pride and guilt. I tenderly stroked his head and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "I love you, Tristian, and I know I can count on you. Thank you for that."I knew I couldn't tell him all the truth, but I could tell him something to help explain my distance, "Alexis, my assistant, you met her a couple of times."

"Yeah, I remember her."

My voice faltered as I recount the tragic events in Paris, "She...um...well...she passed while we were in Paris."

Tristian's mouth gapped open. "What happened," he whispered.

I said without hesitation, "She was robbed and they took her life. "The more times I tell the lie, the more comfortable I'm getting with it.

Tristian, empathetic beyond his years, wrapped me in a hug, offering solace in his embrace. "I'm so sorry dad. It's going to be okay," he reassured. If he only knew.

Grateful for his understanding and his willingness to stop asking me about my state of mind, I decide to change the subject, "Why don't we eat and watch a movie together before you guys turn in for the night.

"It's Friday dad, we don't turn in at 7:30pm. We don't turn in at 7:30pm any night."

"Right." I say as we chuckle together. I felt my phone buzz in my pockets. I took it out to see a text from Andrew.

Andrew: The place is yours at 9:30pm. It's at the Met.

Fitz: Got it. Thanks. I owe you.

Andrew: You damn right you do.

"Hey Trist, can you give me a second I have to make a call."

"Sure thing." He ran back to the yard, resuming his game of football with his brothers. Once he was a good distance away, I call my favorite restaurant and reserved a table for tonight. Then I dialed Olivia's number.

"Fitz."

"Hey Livvie."

"Don't tell me your coming early, I'm not ready."

"I was calling to tell you there has been a change of plans."

I can almost hear the gears turning in her mind during the brief silence that follows. "Oh, um, yeah, that's fine. We can get together another time."

"What? No, I mean a change of plans for us. Don't cook. I'm taking you somewhere."

"Fitz, we talked about this. I don't..."

"Will you hush, nobody is going to see you. I promise."

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise."

"Well...what am I supposed to wear."

"Wear, um, something similar to what you wore last night. Nothing to fancy."

She let out a deep breath, "alright. I better not regret this Fitz."

"I'll see you at 8pm sharp."

"Okay."

I spent the rest of evening, enjoy pizza and watching a slap stick comedy with the boys, laughing our asses off together. After the movie, I check the clock and seen it was 7:01 pm. "Hey guys, I gotta head back to the office. I'll be staying at the penthouse tonight."

Teddy says, "Dad, can we come with you?"

"Not tonight bud, but how about I grab you guys tomorrow afternoon and we can head downtown and do some shopping."

David perks up, "Can I get those Jordans I have been eyeing?"

"Each of you can get one thing on me."

"Yes!" Teddy exclaims. Without hesitation, they each grab their phones and start discussing what they wanted.

"Come here and give me a hug." My boys spring up to embrace me, but Teddy always took it a step too far, trying to leap into my arms with his considerable weight. "Teddy, you're way too big for this! You're almost as tall as I am," I laugh along with the others. I manage to lift him a little, though he only rises a few inches off the ground. "Now, you guys be good and don't get into any trouble. Your mom will be back later, and I'll pick you up around 1pm tomorrow. Okay? I love you all."

"Okay. Love you too," Tristian says first, and the others quickly follow.

I quickly jumped in the shower and then try to find the perfect outfit to wear. I settled on a crisp white shirt that clung to my shoulders, freshly pressed and gleaming. Over it, I donned a tailored suit that accentuated my frame. I selected a deep burgundy silk tie, its rich hue a strikingly contrast to my white shirt. Finally, I slid my feet into a pair of polished leather shoes, with a mirror-like finish. Taking a good look at myself in the mirror, I had to admit, I looked damn good.

I packed a bag to avoid a detour to the penthouse and then shot Liv a text to let her know I was on my way. Before running out the door, I remembered to grab a bottle of the best red wine I had.

As I pulled into the dimly lit back parking lot of her apartment, the evening sky erupted in vibrant hues of orange and deep purple, a breathtaking view. My heart raced at the thought of spending this beautiful night with her.

She buzzed me up, and as the elevator doors parted with a quiet whoosh, there she stood in the doorway—a stunning beauty dressed in a deep purple sweater dress that clung to her curves like a second skin, she was a mesmerizing.

She placed her hands firmly on her hips, her eyes narrowing. "I can't believe you changed our plans, Fitz. What if someone sees us?" Just as her frustration peaked, she spotted the bottle in my hand, her expression shifting. "Oh, good! You brought wine." Without waiting for a response, she snatched it from me, with a mischievous grin breaking through her she saw my hand. "Fitz! What the hell happened to your hand?!"

I can't tell her now, no way. "I…um…was trying to help Andrew fix something and slammed my hand." The second lie I've told her.

"Oh my goodness. Come in. Let me put some ice on it."

"No, no, no. We don't have time for that. I'm fine really honey. Don't worry."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes, love. I'm positive."

"Okay" she says reluctantly. She let out a deep breath before speaking. "So, are you going to tell me where we're going and who is going to be there?"

I smirked, "Relax, Liv. I promise, nobody's going to see us. This is our little adventure, just you and me. We'll have the wine when we get back."

She bites her lip, and I can't help but feel a rush of desire. "An adventure, huh? You make it sound so thrilling,"

"I stepped closer, looking deeply into her eyes, "You have nothing to worry about." I gave her a gentle kiss on the lips. "I do have to say, you look absolutely beautiful tonight."

"Thank you. Are you sure I'm dressed appropriately?" she says looking down at her dress.

I drink in her beauty from head to toe, my fingers delicately lifting her chin. "It's stunning, just like you," I whisper, my breath hitching in my throat. As I quickly clasp her hands around her waist and pull her in closer, she giggled, and I felt the tension in her body ease.

"Okay, okay! You're making me blush, Fitz."

I leaned in, placing a soft kiss on her neck, then whispered, "Just wanted to remind you how special you are to me. Now, let's get going."

As she grabbed her key, purse, and coat, a swell of guilt washed over me. I glanced at her radiant smile, and my mind flickered back to the confrontation with Jake earlier today. Should I tell her about the fight? The way I acted like a lunatic and assaulted him. Telling her now would only ruin the evening. I'll wait till later when we get back. Better yet, I'll just wait until morning.

As we stroll toward the car, her voice transforms into a sweet, almost childlike melody. "I'm starving! Where are we headed?"

I open the car door for her. "Don't worry, I've got that taken care of. You're going to love it."

"Really?"

I couldn't help but grin, "Just trust me."

As she slid into the car, her voice trembled slightly. "Alright, I trust you," she said, glancing around nervously.

We drove off, the city lights twinkling, "Good."