Adopted by the Billionaire✔️

[28]

Antonio's POV
April 20, 2021
I drove home with Ellie asleep in the backseat, her head tilted against the window, breath slow and even. The house was quiet when I pulled into the driveway. I turned the engine off and carried her inside, laying her gently on the couch.
As I switched on the television, a familiar face filled the screen.
Jenna.
I smiled—out of habit, out of pride—until I read the headline beneath her image.
JENNA O'SEAN DATING YANG YANG
My chest dropped.
I stared at the screen longer than necessary, waiting for the words to change. They didn't.
I should confirm it, I thought—then scoffed at myself.
God damn it, Antonio. You were a playboy once. Why should this hurt?
Two years. Two years of something steady. Something I thought we both wanted.
My mind drifted—briefly—to Camille.
Snap out of it.
I looked down at Ellie, still asleep. She shifted slightly, brows knitting, and I forced my thoughts back where they belonged.
My phone buzzed.
Jenna.
I raised it to my ear—and froze.
Moans. Breathless sounds. Intimate. Unmistakable.
A butt dial.
But proof all the same.
I ended the call and let the phone fall to the floor.
You don't get to be angry, I told myself. You gave up that right a long time ago.
"Daddy?"
Ellie's voice snapped me back.
"Yes, baby?" I said immediately, steadying my tone.
"Uh... nothing," she replied, sliding off the couch.
She moved to the table and began coloring, too quiet. Too careful.
Something was on her mind.
I changed the channel to Nickelodeon Jr. It was only 4:20 p.m.
"Daddy?" she asked again.
I sat up, loosening my tie. "Yes, princess?"
"Um... never mind."
She went back to coloring.
I exhaled.
"Sheila," I called, "dinner at six-thirty, please."
"Very well," she replied from the kitchen.
I went upstairs, discarded my shirt, and stepped into the shower. The water helped—briefly—until Alexa chimed.
"Incoming call."
"Accept."
"Sir," Dennis said, "we've found a replacement for Mr. Wellington."
I paused. Impressive. He must've planned ahead.
"That's good," I said, and ended the call.
When I stepped out of the bathroom, towel around my waist, I heard soft footsteps.
Ellie was sitting on my bed, thumbs twisting together.
"Princess," I asked gently, "is something wrong?"
She shook her head. "No, Daddy."
She had been doing this all afternoon.
My patience thinned—not with anger, but concern.
"Ellie," I said more firmly, "why are you in my room?"
She blurted it out in a rush:
"SchoolwedoingcareerdayIwonderingifyoucome."
I lifted her chin so she had to look at me.
"Slower," I said calmly.
"We're doing career day," she repeated. "I was wondering if you'd come."
That was it?
All that worry—for this?
I laughed softly and brushed her hair aside. "Baby, if that's what you wanted to ask, you could've just said so."
Her face lit up. "Then you're coming tomorrow!"
Friday.
That explained the hesitation.
"When is career day?" I asked.
"I was picked to go first," she said quietly.
I rubbed my forehead once, then smiled.
I've handled billion‑dollar negotiations, hostile takeovers, and international crises.
This? This was easy.
"I'll be there," I said.
She launched herself at me, peppering my face with kisses. I retaliated by blowing raspberries on her stomach until her giggles filled the room.
"Daddy, I love youuu!"
I smiled, breathless. "I love you more."
Eventually, I stopped when she complained her stomach hurt from laughing too much.
"I need to get dressed," I said, patting her head.
She stayed seated in the middle of my bed as I grabbed a T‑shirt and moved to the closet.
The bed was a mess. Pillows everywhere.
I shook my head, amused.
For all the power I wield in the world—
This little girl runs my life.
And I wouldn't change that for anything.

revision: 3.10.26