Chapter 33
Clutching my hand, Dione happily swung our hands as we walked through the lobby. Employees passing by kept glancing at us, but I didn't bother noticing them—I focused on getting us into the elevator.
"Pops, you have a huge building," she said, eyes wide as she looked around. "Mommy says she has a huge building too, but I've never been inside—well, not unless Auntie Millie brings me."
I leaned against the elevator's metal handrail, pulling her closer. "Do you live with Mommy, or with your Auntie and Uncle?" I asked, glancing down at her.
She looked up at me. "Well... before you and Mommy got married, I was living with her. But I've been at boarding school most of the time, so I rarely see her. Good thing it's school break now—Mommy said I should stay here in Monaco for a while."
I hummed in acknowledgment as the elevator dinged and we stepped out on my office floor. "So... did Mommy have a hard time taking care of you? Or did she have someone else helping before we got back together?"
Dione grinned, teasing me. "Pops, you're eavesdropping on Mommy's past!" she giggled, making me scoff.
"Ms. Aurora," Celeste approached, stopping in her tracks when she saw Dione. She blinked at my daughter. "Sorry, Ms. Aurora," she said, turning to me. "I didn't realize you'd have company today."
I smiled and tapped my ID on the scanner to unlock my office door. "Dione, go on inside first," I said, opening the door and pointing to the couch. Dione nodded eagerly and stepped in. I turned back to Celeste.
She offered a faint smile and a bow. "I was about to hand this to you, Ms. Aurora. The court has ruled Monsieur Bianchi guilty of embezzlement, but the funds remain unaccounted for. Ms. Catherine and the CFO—"
"I'll handle it myself.
Stop the investigation into the missing funds and let me send out a formal notice.
Also, schedule a meeting for this later," I interrupted, scanning the document she handed me.
"And please don't schedule anything for me this afternoon," I added, nodding toward Dione near the glass wall.
"I have a little guest to entertain. Thanks, Celeste.
" She nodded and left as I scanned my ID again, entering the office.
Dione was standing near the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing down nervously. She stepped back and nearly stumbled into me. She looked up, swallowing hard.
"What are you doing?" I asked.
Her cheeks flushed. "Pops... your building is amazing, but it's scary too! What if I accidentally broke the window and fell?" She braced herself against the glass, trembling slightly.
I laughed at her words, tousling her hair. "Then don't stand near the window, or you might fall," I teased, resting my hand on her shoulder as I guided her back to the couch. "So... what do you want to do now?"
Dione rested her index finger on her chin, looking around the office. "Pops, can I try sitting on your swivel chair?" she asked, pointing toward my desk.
"Sure, go ahead," I said, nodding.
She set down her sling bag and walked to my desk, plopping onto the swivel chair and twisting it around as she giggled. I started toward her, but she paused, staring at a picture frame on the desk.
I faintly smiled, leaning one hand on the desk beside her. "That's Mommy and me," I said, pointing to the photo.
"Mommy has pictures like this too, back in our old house in France," she said, reaching out to hold the frame.
"She does?" I whispered to myself.
Dione nodded, placing the frame back in its spot. "She has so many albums with pictures of you and her together. And even the tennis competitions Mommy keeps bragging about—she has pictures of those too," she said, grinning at me.
I swallowed hard, crouching to unlock the vault beneath my desk. I pulled out an album and placed it on the desk, locking the vault again. "Like this one?" I asked, flipping through the pages.
"Yes, like that one, Pops!" she said, chuckling as she looked at the pictures. "Wow... you really loved Mommy, didn't you?"
I faintly smiled. "Because I do love your Mommy, Dione," I murmured.
She paused, pouting slightly. "But why didn't you come to see me back then, Pops?"
Her question hit me like a punch.
Dione's eyes met mine, serious yet gentle.
"Mommy said she was waiting for you to come back, but even as the years went by, you never did.
She said... maybe you never wanted to see her again.
But she also told me that I should see you one day. .. because I'm your daughter too."
I wasn't able to say a word. I just listened to her.
"I came to think that maybe it's because of me that you didn't want Mommy anymore," she said softly. "That maybe you didn't want me to be your baby."
My heart pounded as I took in her pained expression.
Trembling, I reached out and cupped her face in my hands.
"Sweetie, that isn't true," I whispered.
"It's just that..." I laughed bitterly. "I made a mistake before you even existed.
I had to leave your Mommy because she couldn't stay with me anymore.
Because..." I paused, biting my lips. "It's complicated, Dione.
But I never stopped loving your Mommy—even when we broke up, even when I stayed out of her sight. "
"Mommy keeps telling me that I look like you," Dione said, looking down.
"Every time she sees me, she remembers your face.
She said I'm a reminder of you, and no matter what happens, she wouldn't let me get hurt or be taken away by someone else.
Mommy worked so hard for the two of us back then.
.. until she succeeded. She said that soon, I would meet you. "
I crouched down, shifting her chair to face me.
"Dione..." I said, gently touching her cheeks.
"Sweetie, I'm so sorry. If I had known Mommy was pregnant when I left her, I would never have done it.
I had no idea what she was going through all those years, but.
.. can you give me another chance? Let me make up for the time I missed.
Let's make good memories together—the three of us, okay? "
"You're not going anywhere anymore, Pops? You're not going to leave us alone?"
Her words made me pause.
I looked at her a moment too long before heaving a deep sigh.
"Until my very last breath, sweetheart, I'll stay with you and Mommy.
We'll travel, make memories together, so you can brag about them to your friends.
We'll do everything together and treasure it all. Do you like that?"
Dione smiled, wrapping her arms around my neck and pressing a kiss to the top of my head. "That's a promise then, Pops! I love you, Pops!" she announced.
I smiled, my voice breaking. "And I love you even more, sweetheart. You and Mommy are the greatest things that have ever happened to me."
?·???°???°???·?
Reaching for the pack of fresh milk Dione had asked me to buy, I blinked when another hand grabbed it at the same time. I frowned, only to groan when I saw who it belonged to.
Clicking my tongue, I tried to pry the carton from her grip, but she tightened her hold and tugged it back.
"I picked this up first," I said flatly.
"No, I did." Margot pulled harder.
I held it tighter, glaring at her. "Can't you see? I'm standing in this aisle. I picked it up. Back off."
"No. You let go." She hissed, tugging like her life depended on it.
Smirking, I released it. Margot stumbled back with the sudden lack of resistance. I shrugged. "Fine. Keep it." I grabbed another carton and turned to leave.
Her voice stopped me. "Did Sloane even ask you to buy that for her?"
I froze mid-step and turned with a frown.
Margot shook the milk in her hand like a prize. "I bet she didn't. Sloane asked me to get this for her. You see? You might be her wife, but I'm the one she needs." She smiled smugly.
A laugh burst out of me as I pointed at her. "You? Sloane needs you?" I swept my gaze over her outfit, from head to toe, before shaking my head. "No. I highly doubt that."
I turned to leave again, but she suddenly grabbed my wrist.
"Hey!" I hissed, shoving her off. I barely touched her, but she gasped and staggered as if I'd shoved her into a wall.
"Ow!" she whimpered, eyes glistening, playing the victim.
"Ro!"
I closed my eyes for a beat, already knowing why she'd changed her act.
Sure enough, Sloane came rushing over, slipping an arm around Margot to steady her.
"Are you alright?" Sloane's voice was laced with worry, her hands on Margot's arms as though my shove had shattered her fragile bones.
I rolled my eyes. Didn't she say she had an investor meeting? What the hell was she doing here—hand-in-hand with her business partner?
Sloane released Margot and turned to me, her expression hard. "Ro. Apologize. Now."
I raised a brow. "Excuse me?"
"Shouldn't you apologize when you're the one who hurt her?" she retorted, arms crossing in front of her chest.
I laughed, pure disbelief spilling out of me. Was she seriously taking Margot's side?
"Sloane, it's fine," Margot interjected sweetly, her hand curling around Sloane's wrist like she belonged there. "I guess Aurora just doesn't like seeing me with you."
"Oh my God!" I laughed, wiping tears from my eyes. I clicked my tongue at Margot. "You really have the nerves to play innocent? Wow. Just—wow." I shook my head slowly, clapping once, twice. "You should audition for an acting workshop. Do better."
"Aurora." Sloane's glare cut through me.
"You want me to apologize to your business partner? Fine." My voice dripped with venom as I stepped toward Margot, but Sloane moved instantly, planting herself between us like a shield.
I raised a brow, scoffing down at her before shifting my attention to Margot.
"Alright then. I'm sorry, Margot. I'm sorry you're so weak you can't even balance on your own two feet.
I'm sorry you keep pretending to be a victim when I didn't even touch you.
" Then I turned to Sloane. "Satisfied, Sol? "
Without waiting for an answer, I spun on my heel and headed toward the cashier.
"Ro." Sloane caught up quickly, her hand latching onto my arm and forcing me to face her. Her voice dropped to a hiss as her eyes darted around the shoppers. "What the hell is wrong with you?"
I narrowed my eyes. "What's wrong with me? Nothing. What's wrong with you, Sol? Why would you force me to apologize like you're her lapdog?"
Her jaw tightened. "What did you just say?"
"I said you're acting like Margot's lapdog. Can't you—"
The sharp crack of her hand against my cheek cut me off.
I froze. My fingers brushed the sting, my eyes locked on hers. "Really, Sol?"
Her face faltered. "I'm sor—"
"No. Keep it." My voice was ice as I shook my head and turned away.
"Ro!" she called, but I didn't look back. I went straight to the counter, paid for the milk, and walked out.
By the time I reached my office, my chest still burned. Dropping into my chair, I frowned, a nagging thought gnawing at me. What was I forgetting?
The chime of my phone made me jolt. A message from Sloane lit up the screen:
I'm sorry. I didn't mean to slap you.
What are you doing at the mall anyway? Is Dione with you?
My blood ran cold.
Dione.
I shot to my feet, grabbing the paper bag and bolting for the door—only to nearly collide with Celeste, who appeared right in front of me.
Clutching my chest, I glared at Celeste. "What the hell, Celeste?" I hissed under my breath.
"I-I'm so sorry, Ms. Aurora." She bowed, her voice trembling. "But you need to head to the atelier. The child you were with earlier—she's already looking for you. The guards questioned her presence inside and... they said she was resisting."
My stomach dropped. "What?" The word came out like venom. Without waiting for her answer, I bolted for the elevator, jabbing the button for my atelier floor, tapping my foot hard against the ground as curses spilled under my breath.
The doors slid open, and I sprinted down the corridor—only to hear Dione's panicked cry before I even reached the atelier.
"Let me go! I'll tell my pops! You're hurting me!"
My blood boiled.
"Hey!" My voice cracked like a whip as I stormed forward.
The guards froze mid-struggle, Dione's small wrists still trapped in their hands.
The moment she saw me, she yanked herself free and darted straight into my arms. I caught her against me, wrapping one arm around her trembling shoulders while my other hand shot out, palm raised, halting the guard who dared step forward.
"Ms. Aurora," they stammered, bowing stiffly.
I bent low over Dione, feeling her bury her face into my abdomen, her little body shaking. Rage flared hot in my chest as I snapped my gaze back to them.
"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" My voice roared through the atelier. "Laying your hands on a child—my child—like she's some street thief?"
One of them swallowed hard, fumbling for words. "Sh-she was inside the atelier unsupervised, Ms. Aurora. We thought she was trying to... to steal something—"
"Steal?" I barked a laugh, sharp and dangerous. "Do you idiots have rocks for brains? Didn't you see me walk in with her this morning? You think some twelve-year-old kid wandered into my atelier and decided to loot fabric swatches?"
They exchanged nervous glances but stayed silent.
I pulled Dione tighter into my embrace, my voice dropping low and lethal. "For fuck's sake, I know you're doing your jobs, but if you ever put your hands on her like that again, I'll make sure you don't have jobs left to do. Do I make myself clear?"
Both guards stiffened, bowing in unison. "Yes, Ms. Aurora."
My hand rubbed Dione's back as she stood still, her arms tightening around my waist. "From now on, every time you see her face around the building, just let her be. She's either with me, or she's here to visit me. Do you understand? Now, please—leave us."
The guards scrambled out of our way as I guided Dione into the atelier.
I set the paper bag down on the workstation, then gently eased her back, resting both my hands on her small shoulders. "Is anything hurting, dear?"
She shook her head, eyes shimmering with tears. "They're scary, Pops. They said they were going to take me to the police station," she sniffled.
"Why didn't you tell them that I'm your parent?" I asked, brushing away the tears clinging to her lashes.
Her lips pushed into a pout. "Mommy said I shouldn't tell anyone yet. I didn't know what to say. What took you so long, Pops? I've been waiting for you."
A lump rose in my throat. "I'm sorry. I ran into someone when I went to buy your milk." I forced a faint smile. "But how did you even get here to my atelier? Didn't I leave you in my office earlier?"
Dione tilted her head up, blinking wide-eyed. Then she smiled. "Pops! You brought me here, remember? We were looking through your designs together, and you were teaching me how to use your sewing machine." She shrugged, as if it was obvious.
"...What?" My brows furrowed. Did I forget?
"Pops!" She giggled, wagging a finger at me. "You really need to take your vitamins—you're having memory loss!"
A laugh escaped me despite myself. I ruffled her hair gently. "Well, I'm sorry about that. Pops might just be too stressed." I sighed, then nodded toward the hallway. "Now, why don't you go ahead and have your snack? I'll make a quick call over there."
She nodded and headed to my workstation while I slipped out of the atelier. Pulling out my phone, I dialed a familiar number. The line rang as I glanced back through the glass wall—Dione was already peeking into the paper bag.
"Hi, Doc," I said when the call connected. "Aurora DeLacroix. I need to ask you something."
Dione noticed me watching and waved. I forced a smile, lifting my hand in return.
"Are memory lapses... part of the symptoms of my illness?" I asked quietly.
There was a pause on the other end. Then: "Yes. They can be. Perhaps we should schedule another session next month. Your condition seems to be progressing faster than expected."
I ended the call and let my hand fall to my side, heavy as stone. Through the glass, Dione was sipping her milk, her legs swinging as if the world could never hurt her.
I had only just met my daughter. God, can't you give me more time—with her... and with her mother?