Chapter 6 - A Cold Heart Thawing
Bringing Lily into my world was a shock to both of us. My penthouse was a museum of cold marble, sharp glass, and expensive art. It was no place for a child.
The first night, she refused to sleep in the massive guest bedroom. I found her curled up on the rug in my study, clutching her faded red sweater.
I sat down on the floor next to her. "It's too big, isn't it?" I asked softly.
She nodded, tears welling in her eyes. "I miss my mom."
"I know, kiddo. I miss her too." I hesitated, then pulled her into a hug. She clung to me, crying into my expensive suit.
Over the next two weeks, everything changed. My silent penthouse was suddenly filled with cartoons, spilled juice, and laughter. I bought her a hundred pairs of shoes, but she insisted on wearing the black snow boots I had bought her that first day.
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For the first time in my forty-five years, I rushed home from work. I didn't care about profit margins; I cared about whether Lily liked the dinner my chef prepared. She was healing me, piece by piece.
But a storm was brewing. My father had summoned an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors.
