Adopted by the Billionaire✔️

[15]

Antonio's POV
I suppressed my irritation the moment I saw Jenna standing outside my door.
I unlocked it anyway.
"Go on inside, princess," I murmured, motioning Ellie in first. She slipped past me without a glance at Jenna, heading straight toward the turtles.
I turned back to the woman blocking my doorway.
"Jenna," I said flatly, "what are you doing here?"
She hesitated, her confidence cracking just enough to be noticeable. "Antonio... I really need a place to stay. I—I can't go to my parents."
Her voice faltered at the last word.
I didn't ask why. I'd learned long ago that desperation rarely needed an explanation.
I exhaled once, measured. "Fine."
Her eyes widened in relief.
"But," I continued, my tone sharpening, "if you upset my daughter in any way—if you make her cry—you'll be out of this penthouse immediately. No second chances."
"I understand," Jenna said quickly. "I really do. I want to get to know Ellie."
That caught me off guard.
Jenna had never shown interest in children before. Still, her sincerity felt real enough.
"Come in," I said at last. "I have a conference call at four. Keep her company."
She nodded, almost grateful. "Thank you. I won't let you down."
We joined Ellie near the tank just as she turned toward us, practically glowing.
"Daddy! Look, look!" she exclaimed. "There's eggs!"
I knelt beside her, peering where she pointed. Sure enough—two small white ovals nestled in the sand.
"Really?" I asked, genuinely impressed.
She counted on her fingers. "That means we'll have four turtles."
The simplicity of her joy struck me harder than it should have. This child had survived too much pain to still be this innocent.
Jenna crouched nearby. "What are their names?"
Ellie didn't hesitate. "That's Shelly," she said, pointing. "That's Sam. The babies don't have names yet."
I raised an eyebrow. "How do you know Shelly's a girl?"
She explained patiently—tails, shapes, what her mother once told her.
I couldn't help the pride that swelled in my chest.
"You're very smart," Jenna said softly.
Ellie smiled. "Just like Daddy."
I pulled over a footstool and sat. "Ellie, I want to tell you something."
She turned, attentive.
"This is Jenna. She'll be staying with us for a little while until she figures things out."
Ellie's face twisted into immediate suspicion.
I chuckled. "She promised to be nice. And you'll be in charge of keeping her in line."
Ellie considered that... then grinned. "Okay!"
"Atta girl."
I glanced at my watch—3:00 p.m.
"She'll play with you," I said, fixing Jenna with a warning look. Don't test me.
She nodded quickly.
I retreated to my office, sorted through documents, then made a call.
"Interior Co., this is Janet."
"Hello. I'd like your team next week to redesign a bedroom."
"For who?"
"My adopted daughter."
"Oh—how lovely!"
"She's shy," I added. "Minimal noise. No budget limits. Make it comfortable. Luxurious."
Janet sounded delighted.
I ended the call just as my conference line buzzed.
As I accepted it, one thought lingered:
This was no longer just a penthouse.
It was a home.

revision: 3.10.26