Page 172 of My Big, Fat, Accidental Billionaire Husband

I buzz Eleanor. “Cancel my meetings for the rest of the day. And I’ll need the morning clear tomorrow as well.”

There’s too much to do before I see Tatiana, and none of it involves sitting in boardrooms pretending to care about profit margins.

First, I call Garcia into my office to formalize his new role overseeing the Costa Rica project.

“I meant what I said in the meeting,” I tell him as he takes a seat. “Full autonomy. Your vision, your execution. You report to me only for major directional shifts.”

Garcia studies me skeptically. “Why the sudden change, sir? You’ve never been one to delegate control of your projects.”

“Because I’ve realized my way isn’t always better,” I admit. “My need for control has cost me... more than you can imagine.”

He nods slowly. “I appreciate the opportunity. And the trust.”

“Don’t make me regret it,” I say, but there’s no real threat in my voice.

After he leaves, I do something I’ve been putting off. I call Nico.

“Well, if it isn’t my big brother,” he answers. “Calling to check if I’m nursing my wounds after our little scuffle?”

“I’m calling to follow up on what we discussed,” I say firmly. “The therapy options.”

“Jesus, Dom, you really were serious about that shit?”

“Dead serious. I have names of three top trauma specialists in the city. All discreet, all exceptional.”

Nico is silent for a moment. “And what if I tell you to fuck off?”

“Then you tell me to fuck off. But the offer stands. And will continue to stand.”

“And this isn’t tied to money or some other bullshit condition?”

“No conditions,” I tell him. “This is just me, trying to be a better brother. Take it or don’t.”

“I’ll... think about it.”

It’s not a yes, but it’s not the immediate rejection I expected either. I’ll take it.

“Text me if you want the names,” I say. “No pressure.”

“Yeah, whatever. How’s your side?”

Despite everything, the question takes me by surprise. “Healing. Hurts less each day.”

“Good. Wouldn’t want you dying before I get the chance to beat your ass again.”

I laugh, hearing the ghost of the brother I knew before everything went to shit. “You got lucky.”

“Bullshit. I was going easy on you.”

After we hang up, I sit with the strange feeling in my chest. It’s not resolution. Not yet. But it’s a start.

I spend the rest of the day and most of the morning finalizing everything for my meeting with Tatiana. The partnership proposal arrives from Arthur, and it’s exactly what I wanted. Fair, generous, but not excessive.

When 11:30 AM arrives, I’m already in the car with Ric behind the wheel. Jake is seated beside me today, while the rest of my security team is in the follow car behind us.

“I need the team to be practically invisible today,” I tell him. “She values her independence. I won’t compromise that again.”

“Understood, sir. We’ll maintain maximum distance while ensuring adequate coverage.”

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