Page 97 of Baby Surprise for my Brother's Best Friend

My assistant knocks gently and pokes her head in, her voice careful. “Don’t forget your investor briefing was moved to eleven.”

“I know,” I snap before I can stop myself.

She flinches, and instantly guilt settles into my bones.

“Sorry.” I soften my tone. “Thanks. It’s just… a lot this morning.”

She nods and disappears, the door clicking shut behind her.

I stare at the screen in front of me, not really seeing anything.

The buzz in my chest isn’t caffeine anymore, it’s pressure. And it’s rising.

The cracks are showing. And they’re not so easy to patch.

By the time I make it to the glass conference room, my brain is already a mess of half-written emails and looming deadlines.

I slip in just as Denver finishes updating a slide on projected returns. Dad's there too, because of course he is, typing aggressively on his tablet like the world depends on it.

My father barely glances at me when I take my seat, but that doesn’t stop the commentary. “You’ve been harder to reach lately. This merger can’t afford distractions.”

My spine straightens. “I’m not distracted.”

His gaze lifts, calm and cutting. “Good. Because this is your moment. Don’t let emotion derail it.”

Emotion. As if that’s a dirty word.

I bite the inside of my cheek and force a nod.

When my father adds something smug about scheduling conflicts and how “personal matters” are creeping into professional hours, I snap.

“I don’t remember you getting grilled when you dated that intern three years ago.”

The room goes quiet.

Denver coughs into his coffee. My father's face flushes, lips pressing into a thin line.

My father finally looks at me, really looks.

The weight of his gaze lands like a challenge, and for a beat, the room holds its breath.

I straighten my shoulders, refusing to flinch, letting the silence stretch until it snaps like a live wire between us.

“Sophie—”

“I’m just saying. Let’s not pretend this concern is purely professional.”

He doesn’t respond, and the meeting continues like nothing happened.

But my heart won’t stop pounding.

Because I meant every word.

My phone buzzes the second I step out of the meeting. I glance down and my stomach tightens.

E:

Word is you’ve been killing it with Alessio and the merger. Bosses are impressed. When this wraps up, there’s a senior partner seat with your name on it. Just say the word.

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