Page 42 of Triplet Trouble For My Billionaire Boss

“Why’s that?” I ask gently, tilting my head.

Robbie hesitates, his fingers still running over Rexy’s back. “He keeps the bad dreams away.”

My heart tightens at his words. “Do you have bad dreams a lot?”

He shrugs, looking down at the comforter. “Sometimes.”

I pause, unsure how far to push. “Do you want to tell me about them? Maybe it’ll help.”

Robbie hesitates again, but then he nods, his voice small. “Okay.”

I adjust my position, turning to face him fully. “I’m listening.”

He clutches Rexy tighter and takes a shaky breath. “Sometimes... I dream that everyone leaves. Like I’m all by myself, and no one comes back.”

My chest aches at the vulnerability in his voice. “Oh, Robbie,” I say softly. “That sounds really scary.”

He nods, his eyes filling with tears he doesn’t let fall. “I don’t like being alone.”

“You’re never alone,” I say, my voice firm but gentle. “Not really. I’m here. And your dad... even if he’s not around all the time, he’s always thinking about you.”

Robbie doesn’t look convinced, but he nods slightly, pressing his cheek against Rexy’s head.

I stroke his hair, trying to find the right words. “You’re so brave, you know that? And Rexy’s here to help, too. You’re not alone, notever.”

Robbie relaxes a little at that, his grip on Rexy loosening slightly. “Thanks, Annie.”

“Anytime,” I say, smiling at him. “Now, what do you say we read this story?”

He nods, settling back against the pillows. I open the book and start reading, putting on the voices he loves so much. Robbie giggles when I make the dragon roar, and the sound is like a balm to my aching heart.

We’re halfway through the story when he speaks up quietly, interrupting me mid-sentence.

“Annie?”

I glance at him, surprised. “Yeah, buddy?”

“Why doesn’t Daddy love me?”

The question hits me like a punch to the gut. For a moment, I can’t breathe, let alone respond.

“What?” I finally manage, my voice barely steady. “Of course, he loves you, Robbie. Why would you think he doesn’t?”

Robbie looks down at Rexy, his fingers curling around the plush dinosaur’s tail. “He doesn’t do anything with me. He’s always working. And today... he just left me there.”

Anger flares in my chest, hot and sharp, but I push it down. This isn’t about me or my feelings toward Cole. This is about Robbie.

“Robbie,” I say softly, leaning closer. “Your dad loves you so much. Sometimes adults have to work a lot, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about you.”

Robbie shrugs, not meeting my gaze. “It feels like he doesn’t.”

I want to scream, to march into Cole’s office and demand he explain himself to his son. But I can’t do that. Not now. Not here.

“I know it’s hard,” I say, keeping my voice steady. “And I know it doesn’t always feel like it, but your dad does love you. He just... doesn’t always know how to show it.”

Robbie looks up at me, his hazel eyes searching mine. “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” I say firmly. “He’s not perfect, but he’s trying. And I’ll remind him how important it is to spend time with you, okay?”

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