Lahat ng Kabanata ng Claiming Emery : Kabanata 91 - Kabanata 99

Grace Elizabeth Wolfe weighs seven pounds, two ounces, and already owns her father's heart completely.I watch Killian stare at our daughter with the same intensity he once brought to hostile takeovers and international negotiations. But instead of analyzing weaknesses or calculating advantages, he's memorizing the curve of her tiny nose and the way her fingers curl around his thumb.“She's breathing okay, right?” he asks for the fifth time in ten minutes.“She's perfect,” Dr. Martinez assures him again, checking Grace's vitals with practiced efficiency. “Heart rate excellent, reflexes strong, color beautiful. Everything is exactly as it should be.”“When can we take her home?”“Tomorrow afternoon, assuming no complications. Standard twenty-four hour observation for first-time mothers.”Killian nods, already mentally preparing for whatever protocols are required to transport our daughter safely from hospital to penthouse.“I should call people,” I say, though I'm reluctant to let anyo

The boardroom has been converted to accommodate a bassinet, and nobody dares comment.I stand in the doorway watching twelve board members pretend that having a sleeping baby in the middle of their quarterly review meeting is completely normal. The portable bassinet sits between Killian's chair and the presentation screen, complete with its own noise machine and temperature monitor.“Revenue projections for Q3 show steady growth,” Tom reports, gesturing carefully around Grace's sleeping form. “ ”Asia-Pacific markets have exceeded expectations.“ ”Grace makes a soft sound, and every head in the room turns toward her before quickly snapping back to attention.“Excellent,” Killian says, making notes while simultaneously checking the baby monitor app on his phone. “What about the Henderson merger timeline?”“On track for December completion, assuming no regulatory delays.”“Good. Contingency plans if there are delays?”“Fully developed and ready to implement.”I settle into the chair they

The trust fund documents are thicker than most novels, and Grace can't even walk yet.I stare at the stack of legal papers spread across our dining room table while Killian reviews each page with the same intensity he brings to major acquisitions. Grace sits in her high chair nearby, methodically destroying a piece of toast while her parents plan her financial future.“Education trust is fully funded through doctoral level at any accredited institution worldwide,” our attorney says, pointing to specific clauses. “Medical trust covers any health needs, including experimental treatments not covered by standard insurance.”“What about security provisions?” Killian asks.“Comprehensive personal protection funding, residential security allowances, transportation safety requirements. Everything you specified.”“Housing trust?”“Properties in New York, London, and any additional locations she chooses as an adult. Plus maintenance, taxes, and staff as needed.”Grace drops her toast and claps

Grace takes her first wobbly step toward Killian, and time stops completely.The boardroom goes silent. Twelve executives freeze mid-conversation as our eleven-month-old daughter lets go of her play mat and lurches forward on unsteady legs, arms stretched toward her father with pure determination.“Did she just—” Tom starts.“Shh,” Killian whispers, not taking his eyes off Grace as she takes another wobbling step.One step. Two. Three steps before she topples forward into Killian's waiting arms.“She walked!” he announces to the room, his voice cracking with emotion. “Did everyone see that? Grace just walked!”“We saw,” Loretta says, grinning. “That was beautiful.”“First steps during quarterly review,” another board member observes. “Should we put that in the meeting minutes?”“We're putting that in the family history,” Killian says, kissing Grace's head while she babbles proudly in his arms. “She chose to walk to Daddy during an important business meeting.”“She chose to walk becaus