All Chapters of My Swimmer Stepbrother's Forbidden Claim: Chapter 101 - Chapter 110

The TV meeting happened on a Tuesday in Los Angeles.Riley and Samuel flew out Monday night, leaving Selene with Nora, who was thrilled to have her granddaughter for a few days. It was the first time they'd been away from Selene overnight since she was born, and Riley had called three times before the plane even took off."She's fine," Nora said patiently on the third call. "We're making cookies and watching cartoons. Stop worrying.""I'm her mother. Worrying is literally my job.""And you're doing it beautifully. Now go enjoy your trip."The production company, Lighthouse Entertainment, had offices in a sleek building in West Hollywood. Riley and Samuel showed up fifteen minutes early, both dressed professionally. Samuel in slacks and a button-down that made him look older than twenty-five. Riley in a dress that cost more than she wanted to admit but made her feel confident.They were ushered into a conference room where four people waited. The executive producer, a woman named Diane

Winter came with its own set of challenges.Selene started pre-kindergarten in January, which meant daily drop-offs and pick-ups and adjusting to a schedule that wasn't their own. She loved it, came home every day chattering about friends and teachers and projects, but the transition exhausted everyone."I miss when she was a baby and just slept all day," Riley said one evening after a particularly chaotic bedtime routine."No, you don't. You complained constantly about the sleep deprivation.""I miss the simplicity of it. Feed, change, sleep, repeat.""Now it's feed, argue about vegetables, negotiate screen time, read seventeen books, sing three songs, get water four times, and finally sleep." Samuel flopped on the couch. "So much more fun."Riley laughed despite her exhaustion. "We're terrible at this.""We're average at this. Which is basically the same as terrible when you're a perfectionist."Pack Truth was expanding again. Riley had hired two more writers and a part-time editor.

The Olympics came faster than Riley expected.One moment it was June and they were discussing maybe having another baby someday. The next it was July and they were packing for Tokyo, trying to explain to Selene why she had to stay with Grandma Nora for two weeks."But I want to see Daddy swim!" Selene protested, tears streaming down her face."I know, baby. But it's very far away and you have to start kindergarten soon." Riley wiped her daughter's tears. "We'll FaceTime every day. And Daddy will bring you back a special present.""I want to go with you.""I know you do."It broke Riley's heart to leave Selene behind. But bringing a five-year-old to the Olympics, with Samuel's demanding schedule and the time difference and everything else, wasn't realistic.They landed in Tokyo on a Wednesday. The heat hit them the moment they stepped off the plane, thick and humid despite the early hour."I'm already sweating," Samuel said, pulling at his Team USA polo."Welcome to summer in Japan."T

Isaac was a different baby than Selene had been.Where Selene had been colicky and demanding, Isaac was calm. He slept in four-hour stretches from the start, rarely cried without reason, and seemed content to just observe the world around him with those serious golden eyes."This is too easy," Riley said when Isaac was six weeks old. "Something's wrong. Babies aren't supposed to be this chill.""Maybe we just got lucky this time," Samuel suggested."Or he's saving all his terrible behavior for later. The teenage years are going to be hell.""That's very optimistic of you.""I'm a realist."Selene was obsessed with her baby brother. She wanted to help with everything. Diaper changes, bottles, bath time. She'd sit next to his bassinet and read him books, even though he was too young to understand."He likes this story," Selene would insist. "Look, he's watching me.""He is watching you, baby girl. He loves his big sister."Riley's mother flew in for two weeks in July to help. It was the

Olympic Trials came in June, right after Isaac's first birthday.Riley had known the timing would be tight. What she hadn't anticipated was how hard it would be to choose between attending trials and being at Isaac's birthday party."Go to trials," Nora said when Riley expressed her conflict. "I'll handle Isaac's party. He won't even remember it.""But I'll remember missing it.""Riley, sweetheart, you can't be everywhere. Samuel needs you there.""Isaac needs me here.""Isaac needs you to be a present, happy mother. Not a guilty, resentful one who missed watching her husband qualify for the Olympics." Nora took Riley's hands. "I raised a son who competed at the highest levels. I know what it takes. The sacrifices. Go support Samuel. I promise Isaac's party will be beautiful."So Riley went to trials. Brought Selene with her, left Isaac with his grandmother, and tried not to feel like a terrible mother.Samuel's first event was the fifteen hundred meter. His signature race. The one he