Page 145 of My Big, Fat, Secret Billionaire Baby

My hearthammers.

I should feel… exhilaration.

Anticipation.

But I don’t.

I feel… scared.

Not scared of the jump, not scared of the fall, not even scared of dying.

I’ve faced that before.

Survived it.

I’m scared of what I’m losing. Scared of the look in Sabrina’s eyes when I walked out. Scared of becoming my father, making promises I can’t keep, choosing escape over responsibility. Scared of the silence in the penthouse if she leaves me, the silence that won’t be filled by Mia’s laughter or Sabrina’s quiet presence.

But I shove it all down.

Compartmentalize.

Focus.

This is what I do.

This is who I am.

At least, that’s what I tell myself.

“Sending it!” Luca launches himself into the void. He becomes a sleek, dark shape against the landscape below.

Auger gives me a thumbs-up. “Your call, Maxwell.”

My call.

Right.

I take a step towards the edge.

Look down.

I can still turn back.

Don’t do it. Don’t do it.

Mia...

I exhale.

And jump.

The initial shock of acceleration hits, the familiar G-force pressing me back as the suit inflates and catches the air.

The cliff face drops away behind me.

And for a glorious, fucking fleeting moment, it’s there.

The silence.

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