Semua Bab The 18 Billion Wife He Abandoned : Bab 51 - Bab 60

"Franklin Alexander Mitchell-Volkov," Emma announced, placing the sleeping newborn in his great-grandfather's arms. "Meet your namesake."Franklin, propped against pillows in his home hospital bed, blinked rapidly to dispel unexpected tears. "Handsome devil," he declared gruffly. "Strong Mitchell chin.""Volkov eyes," Alek countered with a smile, standing protectively beside Emma, who was still moving carefully two weeks after her C-section."Perfect combination," Emma compromised, easing into the chair beside Franklin's bed. "Just like his sister."As if hearing her name, three-month-old Charlotte stirred in the portable bassinet nearby. The nursery staff—expanded to accommodate two infants—had placed it where Franklin could see both great-grandchildren during his good periods.His recovery from the cardiac event had been slower than previous episodes, his good days now balanced with concerning setbacks. But he'd rallied determinedly as Emma's pregnancy reached its critical final wee

"This is supposed to be the easy part," Emma muttered at 3 AM, bouncing a crying Frankie while Alek changed Charlotte's diaper across the nursery. "Easy according to whom?" Alek asked, his voice rough with exhaustion. "Because whoever told you that lied." Three weeks back from Seattle, they'd finally moved both babies home full-time, ending the hospital nursery rotations that had sustained them through the early adjustment period. The reality of caring for two infants—one month apart in age—was proving more challenging than either had anticipated. "Charlotte's been fed and changed," Alek reported, lifting the now-content four-and-a-half-month-old. "Why is she awake?" "Because Frankie woke her up," Emma replied, still swaying with their son. "And he's awake because... I have no idea. Fed, changed, burped. Maybe he just wanted company." They'd established a system of sorts—taking turns with night feedings, rotating who handled which baby, trying to maintain some semblance of rest fo

Emma sat between her sleeping babies in the early morning light, Franklin's letter trembling in her hands. The envelope had been tucked into her grandfather's desk drawer for months, labeled in his precise handwriting: "For Emmy - When You Face Your Hardest Choice."That choice had arrived unexpectedly yesterday when Alek received a phone call that would change everything."NHL Commissioner?" she had repeated in disbelief. "You're being offered Commissioner of the entire league?"Alek had looked as stunned as she felt. "The current commissioner is retiring earlier than planned. Health reasons. The board wants fresh leadership, someone with playing experience and modern business acumen.""It's your dream job," Emma had said quietly, understanding immediately what this meant."In New York," Alek confirmed. "Full relocation required."Now, at dawn, Emma finally opened her grandfather's letter with shaking fingers:My dearest Emmy,By the time you read this, you'll be facing the choice I

"Tell me about the stars again, Grandpa Franklin," five-month-old Charlotte babbled in her own baby language, reaching for the twinkling lights Emma had strung around Franklin's hospital bed at home.Franklin's weathered hand, now so thin the veins stood out like roadmaps, gently caught Charlotte's tiny fingers. "Those aren't just lights, little princess," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Those are all the dreams your great-great-grandmother and I shared. Each one burns for you now."Emma sat in the chair beside his bed, seven-week-old Frankie sleeping against her chest, tears silently streaming down her cheeks. Three weeks had passed since their decision to move to New York, but Franklin's condition had deteriorated so rapidly that travel was now impossible. Instead, they'd converted the mansion's sunroom into a makeshift hospice, filling it with everything that brought him joy—family photos, fresh flowers, and most importantly, his great-grandchildren."The blue star there,"

BONUS CHAPTER 3: LEGACY ON ICESt. Paul's Cathedral had never held a more unusual funeral service. At Emma's insistence, Charlotte and baby Frankie were present in the front pew, their soft baby sounds occasionally punctuating the solemnity with reminders of continuing life. Franklin would have approved—he'd always believed children belonged wherever family gathered.The church was packed beyond capacity. Hockey legends sat beside business executives, longtime household staff mixed with socialites, and fans who'd never met Franklin but understood his importance to Boston sports filled every available space. Outside, local news crews broadcast the service to thousands more who wanted to pay their respects to the man who'd built a hockey dynasty and raised a granddaughter who'd carried it forward.Emma sat between Alek and Natasha, holding Charlotte while trying to process the magnitude of her grandfather's impact. She'd known Franklin was respected, even feared in business circles. But