Page 12 of The Billionaire Dating Dad

“Have you changed your mind about Maddie?”

“No.” Maddie was his and nothing in the world would stop him from getting to know his daughter. “I meant, are you sure about uprooting her life?”

“Believe me, if I had a choice I wouldn’t. I would give anything to save my baby from pain.”

Dimitri searched her face. She hadn’t told him what the hell was going on or why she was suddenly willing to share their daughter.

“Telling Maddie is the hard part. Once we get through this, I’ll tell you what you need to know.”

He followed May into the living room, his body heavy with joy and fear. For fucks sake, he was a grown man who’d seen his mother’s listless face the day the ambulance took her from him, who’d moved and built an empire with his siblings. Surely he could tell one little girl she had gained a father.But how would he tell her that her life was going to change?

The easy smile that came to his face at seeing her twirling in the open space warred with the bittersweet knowledge that what they were about to say could make or break Maddie.

“Ice cream!”

“Three scoops,” Dimitri said.

“Yummy!” She took the bowl from her mother and sat on the sofa, crossing her feet under the dress. “They are way bigger than mom’s scoops.”

“Are you complaining young lady?” May reached for the bowl, but Maddie clutched it. “Aha. I said that so he wouldn’t feel bad about forgetting the sprinkles.”

May pressed her lips together but it barely hid the smile that curved her lips. These two were close. He saw it in the way they teased and spoke to each other.

“Maddie, do you remember what I said about today?” May set her bowl at her feet.

“That we were celebrating because it’s important to remember the good times.”

Dimitri placed his bowl on the floor, realizing the living room furniture was nothing more than a sofa and matching armchairs. Two large plants added life and calm to the space, while bright art filled every square foot along the white walls. Not just any art. They were all Maddie’s.

“But we always remember the good times, Mommy.”

“This time the remembering is for me, sweetheart.” May cleared her throat. “Do you remember what else?”

Maddie became more somber as seconds turned into minutes and he saw her retreat. Her small fist gripped her dress and her entire body grew rigid. She stared at Dimitri while she answered her mother. “You said I’d have to go away. But I’ve been so good.” She sniffed.

“Come here.”

Maddie launched herself into her mother’s lap, seeming small and less confident compared to the girl who’d answered the door.

“I couldn’t ask for a better daughter. No matter what happens, I want you to remember that.”

“But—”

“No buts. None of this is your fault. Sometimes things happen that we have no control over. It’s how we react to those changes that make us who we are.”

“But you can tell him to go away.” Maddie glared at Dimitri from under her lashes. “Fake Christmas is over and he can go home now.”

Dimitri winced. Maddison certainly didn’t mince words. Another Popova trait he laid at his older brother’s feet. Watching May stay strong while their daughter crumbled in her arms broke his heart. He had to trust that after five years May knew what she was doing, knew what was best for Maddison.

“If he leaves, you’ll leave with him and that means we won't get to spend tomorrow together.”

“No!” Maddison screamed. “I don’t want to go and I don’t want any more ice cream!”

Air whooshed from his lungs. Her rejection gutted him. For a moment his world dimmed. He blinked, but couldn’t focus his vision. His fear, the very thing that had kept him in the car suddenly felt real.

May took the half-eaten bowl, setting it into hers on the floor. He waited for May to say Maddie didn’t have to go with him or that she’d changed her mind. Neither came, igniting his anger.Why would she give Maddison up?He didn’t understand any of this. He wouldn’t fight her for full custody, nor did he threaten it… so why put their daughter through this?

Did she want her life back? He shook the thought aside. She’d gone to lengths to put Maddison at ease with an elaboratedinner, and from the art on the walls, Maddison wasn’t an inconvenience but part of every fiber of May’s life.

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