Page 150 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

She jumped excitedly on the seat. “Oh, oh, oh, and Aunt Billie said she has a matching bracelet for me as soon as she comes to visit.”

“My brother’s going to drive me insane,” I muttered. “And so is your Aunt Billie.”

“Yeah, my siblings are going to drive me insane,” Ares chimed in, his voice low.

We shared a look and then grinned. “But we love them anyhow,” we said at the same time.

The saying started when Brielle was born because she cried—a lot. She was a fussy baby with acid reflux, allergies to milk, and everything else under the sun. But that wasn’t the worst part. It was learning that Brielle had a heart condition. It had started with the hard pregnancy and then almost losing Odette and our baby girl. The first year was full of angst.

My heart twisted at the memories, but I decidedly pushed them away. We were stronger because of her, and we’d come through it.

“We’re here!” Brielle gasped loudly, ready to get out of the car while it was still running.

I parked and came around to open the door for my little princess. “Let’s go get Mommy.”

Ares and Achille ran inside, leaving us behind.

My daughter looked up at me with such reverence and smiled widely. “When I’m a big girl, I’m going to be just like Maman.”

I smiled softly, my heart warming. There were days I still couldn’t believe I was so lucky to have my family. My wife. My children.

“I know you will, princess. And I’ll be here every step of the way.”

Her face lit up. “Mommy said you saved the hospital for her. For all of us.”

“I love your mommy, and I’d do anything for her. All of you.”

Brielle’s eyes glimmered, looking at me like I was the bravest hero in the world. “When I grow up, I’m going to marry someone just like you.”

I winced. I’d rather beat any boy or man who dared approach my little girl.

“Mr. Ashford.” Staff and patients greeted us, smiling at Brielle and me. They came to know our little princess really well during those first twelve months of her life.

“Maman!” Without a warning, Brielle let go of my hand and sprinted down the hallway. “Mommy!” she shouted, loud enough for the entire world to hear her.

Ares and Achille were already with her, bombarding her with the day’s events. My wife’s eyes found our daughter’s, then mine, her face lighting up.

She opened her arms, and Brielle threw herself into them. With our baby girl in her arms, Odette straightened up, pressing a kiss to her chubby cheeks.

“I missed you,” she murmured softly, her eyes on me.

“I missed you too, baby.”

Brielle, of course, thought I was talking to her. “I was with you for the whole hour, Daddy.”

My wife smiled up at me, her gaze soft. “Love you,” she mouthed.

God, I’d never tire of hearing that. I’d never tire of watching her and our children. They were my whole world and nothing—fucking nothing—compared to this feeling.

I walked up to my family and leaned in to press a soft kiss to my wife’s forehead.

“I love you too, baby,” I whispered into her ear. “Date night. Tonight. You and me.”

Her cheeks flushed. “I can’t wait, husband.”

My wife had turned the Swan Hospital into one of the most prestigious clinics in Europe. She was excellent at her job, and the care our patients got in this facility was unparalleled. But much like her father, she hated the business aspect of it. That was where I stepped in. I ensured nobody would ever take this hospital from her or our children for the next twenty generations.

I still ran my empire but had pulled away from some of it. We had enough wealth to last us several lifetimes, but we didn’t have several lifetimes to enjoy our children. That was most important to me. To us. And I hadn’t regretted the decision for a single moment.

I brushed the back of my hand over my wife’s cheek, all my love overwhelming me like it did every single time. It felt like my heart would burst with emotions. I would love her in every lifetime. In every dimension. In every universe, until the very last star in the sky burned out.

Because I hadn’t been living before laying eyes on her. She was what my life was about—love, family, and her. My wife. My home. My everything.

THE END