Page 56 of My Big, Fat, Secret Billionaire Baby

My first instinct is to lash out again.

Who the fuck does she think she’s threatening?

Then Dom’s voice echoes in my head.

Going in guns blazing is the worst possible fucking move.

I threatened her first. With lawyers, with custody battles.

She’s just playing the hand I dealt her, trying to protect her daughter. Protectourdaughter.

I take a few deep breaths.

I can do the whole less aggression thing.

I can seek outcommon ground.

For Mia.

I type back, my thumbs feeling clumsy. Everything feels clumsy, since the accident.

Fine. Preliminary rules. My place first. Supervised. We can discuss terms. And Sabrina... about the PR job. I was angry. Out of line. The offer stands. Maxwell & Briggs still needs someone good. Please send the proposal. I’ll wire a 10k retainer upfront.

I hit send before I can second-guess myself.

Offering her the job back? Offering upfront cash? What the fuck am I doing?

She needs it.

Her apartment, the home office setup… it wasn’t poverty, but it wasn’t luxurious either. She’s bootstrapping this business while raising Mia alone. Because of me.

And it’s not like I can’t afford to help her.

My phone buzzes almost instantly.

Yes. To both. Thank you, Leo. Let me know when you want to schedule the first visit.

My lips twist as I read the last word.

Visit.

Like I’m a fucking distant relative.

I sigh.

Less aggression. Less aggression.

I tell myself it’s a start. A crack of light in the wreckage.

I sink into my chair, staring out at the city again. It looks different now. Not just a playground or a battlefield or a circuit board.

But the city where my daughter lives.

My daughter.

I still feel angry. Confused. Terrified out of my goddamn mind.

But underneath it all, something else is stirring.

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