t everything to a chi

fice. Outside, Manhattan glittered forty stories below, but I couldn't

in," I

seen him nervous. "The will specifies that controlling shares of Ashford Industries, fifty-on

o the window. "I'm her only grands

Until then, the child's mother has voting rights." He paused. "Your grandmother wanted to en

ays been manipulative, but this was someth

s default to your cousin Marcus if you remain childless within the year

lture. The company my grandfather built, that my father expanded, that I'd grown into

be a way to

on was grim. "Unless you produce an heir in the next four months, Marcu

h options. Marriage? It would take time I didn't hav

t adoption

ifies biological offspring. You

rd had built half this empire he

g I'd worked for, gone. Every eighteen-hour day, ever

"there might be one possibility.

ll

ed versus when it's finalized." He pulled up something on his tablet. "The pap

S

married. Which means if

. It's been years since we." I couldn't

you last

t months ago. The day

g to run a comprehensive check. Bank records, medica

papers, Nadia had looked different. Tired. Pale. She'd been wearing a sweater e

r," Mitchell said, alrea

ack in thir

reamble. "Due in eight weeks. Prenatal appointme

tilted.

child, presumably, given the timeline. The

oming in eight weeks, and

papers during a conference call. Because I'd treated our marriage like a business obligation, I

aby is your heir. Which means we need custody established immediately. Pate

y?" I r

ry custody and voting rights until the child is eighteen, she controls Ashford Industries f

d tried to understand in the first year, asking questions about my work, but I'd shut her down.

do I

s in everyone's best interest. Better yet, convince her to reconcile. If you're

man whose loneliness I'd ignored, whose attempts at connection

't agree

you don't, you lose everything. The company, the patents,

silence for a long moment.

of the week," I said. "And get

g that probably cost less than my monthly parking space. The door buzzed open, broken security,

t 3B. I

ened a crack, security

y. She was visibly pregnant, her belly round under a loose dress, her face fuller t

was shocked. "What

k at her face. "When were you pla