Adopted by the Billionaire✔️

[20]

Antonio's POV
"Florence," I said, forcing my voice steady, "if Ellie is adopted, there has to be a way to strip Henry Locks of custody. He's abusive."
Her expression didn't change. "This is the first I'm hearing of abuse. Nothing was officially reported."
I exhaled sharply. "Then let me report it now. He was fired from BlueTech for alcohol abuse and gambling."
I slid the documents across the table.
She read in silence.
"Well?" I pressed, tapping my heel against the café floor.
"Yes," she admitted. "This can be used."
Relief barely settled before she continued.
"But Henry would have to agree."
My hand curled into a fist. "Agree? He's a violent, unstable man."
"Sir," she said calmly, "I can't operate outside the law. The only way to terminate his custody outright is if a biological parent files the petition."
"The biological parents gave her up!" I snapped. "How do they still get a say?"
She met my gaze. "I can remove Ellie from Henry's care and place her temporarily with you."
Finally.
"About time," I muttered, leaning back.
"Who are her biological parents?" I asked. "I already have DNA testing underway."
Florence shook her head. "That information is sealed."
I closed my eyes. Control yourself.
"If I petition the court to unseal the adoption records," I said evenly, "I'll win custody."
"Yes," she confirmed. "And I'll support that. Frankly, I don't like the idea of Ellie remaining tied to Henry Locks either."
That pause—
that sigh—
"You know something," I said.
Florence hesitated, then spoke. "I was the one who brought Ellie to the orphanage. Her birth mother requested it."
My spine went rigid. "Then you know who she is."
"Yes. But the mother signed pre‑adoption documents."
She lowered her voice. "She died during childbirth."
The room seemed to tilt.
"Then how," I demanded, gripping the chair, "am I supposed to reverse a decision made by a dead woman?"
Florence stood and slid another document across the table.
"I can't answer that," she said gently. "But the answer you're looking for is in here. I never opened it."
And then she left.

---

I don't remember standing.
Only walking.
Breathing.
Reaching my car.
It was 9:30.
I forwarded everything to Cortez and Mat, then pulled over and opened the document.

---

Dear Antonio Smith,I am probably one of the many women you don't remember.
I came to you because I was broken and needed something to fill the emptiness.You told me that if I became pregnant, you would want it terminated.
I couldn't do that.I left. I moved to New Zealand.
Julia Locks was my best friend. I trusted her with our child because I wanted them loved.The doctors told me I wouldn't survive childbirth.
I signed pre‑adoption papers so the baby would never be unwanted.If you ever find this letter, I don't expect anything from you.
I only hoped... maybe... you would love them.— Anonymous

---

My hands shook.
Ellie.
My daughter.
I leaned back in the driver's seat as the weight of it crushed my lungs.
Five years.
Five years she suffered because I once said abort it.
Tears blurred my vision.
"What the hell was I thinking," I whispered, slamming my palm into the steering wheel.
I turned the car toward the bar.

--

"Ellie is my biological daughter."
Mat stared at me. "What?"
I handed him the letter and downed a shot.
He read in silence.
"Jesus," he muttered. "You really did a number back then."
"I was terrified," I said hoarsely. "Terrified of becoming my father."
"And instead," he said carefully, "you almost lost being one."
"She's with Henry," I groaned.
Mat straightened. "As police chief, I can move things. Especially once the DNA comes back."
"You're serious?"
He nodded. "Tell Ellie the truth. All of it."
Fear gripped me. "What if she thinks I abandoned her?"
"She won't," Mat said firmly. "Kids know who stays."
I closed my eyes.
That pull I'd felt since the first moment—
It wasn't fate.
It was blood
A/N not gonna lie this was my favourite part!
Is the realization!

edit: 10.25.21

revision: 3.10.26