Adopted by the Billionaire✔️

[22]

Antonio's POV
I shut the engine off in the underground garage and sat there for a moment longer than necessary, the document resting heavily in my hand.
Then I went upstairs.
The moment I opened the penthouse door and slipped out of my jacket, a small figure came padding toward me.
"Daddy!"
I didn't hesitate. I scooped Ellie up, holding her close as she happily narrated her entire morning—waking up late, feeding the turtles, making brownies, watching Max and Ruby. She was animated, bright, completely unaware that her world had already shifted.
I set her down gently and caught Jenna's eye, giving her a look that needed no explanation.
Office. Now.
"Baby girl," I said softly, crouching to Ellie's level, "Daddy needs to talk with Jenna about grown‑up things, okay?"
She nodded and wandered back to the living room.
I closed the office door behind us.
"Jenna," I said, exhaling sharply, "read this."
I handed her the document.
She skimmed it once. Then again—slower this time.
"Antonio," she said quietly, "this is... huge."
"I know." I dragged a hand through my hair and dropped into my chair. "I always felt something—some pull toward her. But reading this..." I swallowed. "I can't believe I ever said something like abortion."
Jenna set the paper down carefully. "From the mother's perspective, her decision makes sense. From yours—" she paused, choosing her words, "—you're lucky you found Ellie now. Not when she was grown and unreachable."
"I should be grateful," I admitted. "But I feel sick. I had a daughter for five years and didn't even know she existed."
She studied me. "Antonio, you were handed a massive company at a young age. That kind of pressure changes people. Maybe... maybe the mother gave you both what you needed at the time."
I frowned. "I didn't just survive—I turned it into a billion‑dollar empire."
"Yes," Jenna said calmly. "But if Ellie had arrived at your doorstep back then—what would you have done?"
I stared at the floor.
"I probably would've hired a nanny," I said at last.
"Exactly," she replied. "The mother wanted Ellie to be loved—not managed. And if you're honest with yourself, your life back then wouldn't have allowed that."
The words stung because they were true.
Still, my jaw tightened. "If I'd known earlier, she wouldn't have been abused."
"There are a thousand 'what ifs,'" Jenna said gently. "You can't rewrite the past—only decide what kind of father you'll be now."
I stood and walked to the window, the city stretched out below us.
"How do I tell her?" I asked quietly. "Without her hating me?"
Jenna joined me. "I don't think she will. Ellie knows who stayed. She asked for you constantly today."
I turned to her. "She did?"
"All the time," Jenna smiled. "When is Daddy coming back? Is Daddy here now? I want Daddy."
Despite myself, I chuckled.
Then my expression darkened. "What still makes me angry... is that the letter calls her a burden."
Jenna sighed. "I think that line came from fear—not truth. No mother gives up a child lightly."
I shook my head. "Ellie isn't a burden. She's my blood."
Jenna didn't argue.
"We can tell her tonight," she suggested.
I loosened my tie, exhaustion settling into my bones. "Tomorrow," I said. "I don't trust myself to do this right tonight."
She nodded.
Tomorrow, then.
Because Ellie deserved the truth—
and she deserved it from a man steady enough to give it.

revision: 3.10.26