Adopted by the Billionaire✔️

[26]

Ellie's POV
I narrowed my eyes at Raevynn.
She always shows up when nobody asks her to.
"Get lost, Raevynn," Aidan snapped.
I smiled.
Score one for us.
We went back inside for lunch, and I waited.
And waited.
It was noon.
Daddy said he'd pick me up.
My name didn't get called.
I frowned at the office door.
Did he forget?
Just when I was about to go to the cafeteria, the loudspeaker crackled.
"Eliana Smith, please come to the office."
I brightened instantly and skipped down the hallway.
But when I got there, it wasn't Daddy.
It was Uncle Mat.
I made a face.
"Sorry, kiddo," he said, rubbing the back of his neck. "Your dad might've lost track of time."
Might've.
We drove to Daddy's office building, and when the elevator doors opened, I heard his voice.
He sounded... scary.
"Miss Hand, you're fired. Miss Hawkes will take your position."
I froze.
That wasn't Daddy‑Daddy.
That was CEO Daddy.
I wanted to run to him, but Uncle Mat held up a finger.
"Wait for the cue word," he whispered.
So I waited.
When Daddy said someone, I bolted.
He turned, shocked, and I laughed.
"I thought you forgot me," I said.
He promised he didn't, and we pinky‑swore, so I stopped pouting. Then he told Uncle Mat to take me to the car.
I pouted again.
But he kissed my forehead, and that fixed it.
Mostly.
I sat in the car, staring at my knees.
Raevynn tripped me earlier. I had a new bruise.
Daddy couldn't see it.
I didn't want him to be mad.
When Daddy finally came out, he looked tired.
"Sorry, baby," he said.
"It's okay," I replied, even though my chest still felt weird.
We drove to meet Grandma.
The restaurant was fancy—too fancy—but Grandma hugged me anyway.
"Hi, sweet pea."
She used to scare me. Now she just scares other people.
While Daddy and Grandma talked, it got quiet.
Too quiet.
So I asked the question.
"Daddy... how was I made?"
Daddy choked on his water.
I watched him very carefully.
"Baby," he said after coughing, "you're too young to know."
I pouted.
Grandma nodded. "Your father's right."
Fine.
I climbed onto Daddy's lap and helped him pick my lunch.
Corn dogs.
Some things are complicated.
Some things aren't.