Page 174 of My Big, Fat, Secret Billionaire Baby

“I’m so excited, Leo!” Luca cuts me off, clapping me hard on the shoulder, ignoring the wince it causes. “This is it! This is us! Back on top! We train together, push each other like the old days. Fucking invincible!” He flashes that wide, shark-like smile. But then he realizes I’m not returning his grin. “What’s wrong? Don’t tell me the PR chick actually got to you? She doesn’t approve of Chamonix, does she?”

“No,” I say, pulling away slightly.

“So who cares?” Luca laughs. “She’s just some stupid bitch. You fly, you win, we make more fucking money. End of story.”

My fist clenches. “What did you say?” My words are barely a whisper.

He visibly flinches at my tone. “What did I do now?”

“If you call hersome stupid bitchever fucking again...” I don’t even recognize my quiet voice now. It’s not me. It’s pure, sheer fucking anger.

His eyes drop to my fist for a fraction of a second. “What? You’ll punch me in the face now?Me?Your oldest friend. The partner you made billions with?”

I don’t answer him. Just stand there with my fist clenched, waiting for him to call her a stupid bitch again...

Give me a reason...

He shakes his head. “Don’t tell me this whole dad-playing-house thing is actually serious? You’re really trading your balls for a Diaper Genie? You’re choosingthat?Domestic fucking boredom overthis?” He gestures at the skyline. “Over the empire we built? Overme?”

I look at my translucent reflection again, and find myself calming down. My reflection... the ghost of who I was.

My fist relaxes. His words are meant to wound, to provoke. But only if I let them.

I refuse to let him have any influence over me anymore

So no, his words don’t ignite more defensive rage. Instead, they just highlight the growing chasm between us. Between the man I was, the man he still expects me to be, and the man... maybe... I am tryingto become.

“Things are different now, Luca,” I say quietly, looking toward the empty nursery down the hall. “Priorities… shift.”

“Shift?” He stares at me, his expression turning from contempt to genuine disbelief. “Leo, what the fuck are you talking about? Don’t give me that sentimental bullshit. We’re Maxwell & Briggs. We don’tdoshifted priorities. We do seed funding rounds and fuck-you money. Remember?”

“I remember,” I say. “But maybe… maybe there’s more.”

Luca just gapes at me, speechless for once. He runs a hand through his perfect hair, shaking his head slowly, looking utterly bewildered.

Like he doesn’t recognize the man standing in front of him.

The fight drains out of him, replaced by a look of… pity?

“You’ve lost it,” he finally mutters. “Completely fucking lost it. Whatever this is… it’s not you. It’s pathetic.” He turns abruptly and stalks toward the elevator alcove. “Fine. Whatever. Your loss. Rot here with your fucking diapers. I’ll train for Chamonix myself.”

He doesn’t even say goodbye.

I watch him go, then hit the intercom. “Thomas? Mr. Briggs is ready to leave. Please escort him down.”

“Yes, Mr. Maxwell.”

In a few moments, I hear the elevator doors open. I know that Thomas has arrived.

The elevator doors hiss shut again and silence descends on my penthouse.

I walk over to the nursery door, pushing it open gently. The room is dark, save for the soft glow of the nightlight.

Mia...

I stare at the empty crib, blinking back tears. Then I turn away.

I go back to my study and move towards the closet. I pull out the sleek, aerodynamic wingsuit, and the carbon fiber helmet. I lift the wingsuit, run my hand over the familiar fabric... I can almost feel the call of the void. The silence of the fall.

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