Page 82 of Billionaire's Second Chance

“I love her,” I said quietly, leaning in closer to him.

He nodded. My eyes scanned his bland expression for a reaction.

And then he suddenly broke into a smile. “I know.”

He hugged me. I squeezed his shoulders.

“Well, are you going to introduce us already?” My father headed toward them on his own accord.

I swallowed and took a deep breath.

"Ava," I gently held her hand. "Please meet my father, the infamous Francis Alexander."

My father raised his brow at me, then took Ava's hand, gifting her with one of his firmest handshakes. This meant respect. Acceptance.

"Pleased to meet you, Ms. Sage," he nodded politely and flashed his trademark grin. "Yes, I will call you Ava."

"You read my mind," Ava joked.

Their hands unfurled. I exhaled.

Introducing Ava to everyone in the family was an easy task. Mom and Quinn chatted with her until I felt like the third wheel. My father observed her quietly, but his eyes revealed his genuine astonishment.

Throughout the evening, my father remained more reserved, finally accepting his role as a father, not a boss.

With everyone settled around the dinner table, I noticed the glimmer in their eyes. They were happy to meet Ava, the woman who had become my muse and captured my heart in the process.

I glanced at my watch. The second part of my surprise was supposed to appear at the door any moment now.

Ding, dong.

With a racing heart, I excused myself while everyone's eyes followed me.

When I returned to the table, with the new guests strolling beside me, all the forks dropped on their respective plates, and a deafening silence filled the air.

Ava was the first to jump to her feet, her mouth wide open, eyes wide, and confused. "Mom? Dad?"

Her mother, wearing a casual navy blue dress, opened her arms, and Ava flung herself into them.

“How did you—” Ava turned to me. "How did you pull this off?"

Ava's father remained frozen. He wore a white button-up shirt over blue jeans and brown boots. He appeared to be a tough, strong man, but his eyes held pain and regret as he looked at his daughter, clinging to her mother's embrace.

"Dad," Ava took a step toward him. "I can't believe you came. It's been how long? Seven years since I last saw you?"

"I wouldn't miss it for the world, pumpkin," her father's eyes pooled as his hands left his pockets and awaited Ava's embrace.

She walked to him and received his hug. They remained still for a few moments until the silence startled them.

Ava swung back toward everyone at the table. "Where are my manners? Please meet my mother—Evelyn, and my father—Frank."

Everyone blinked twice simultaneously, then we all burst into laughter. Ava and her parents stared at us, confused and uncomfortable.

"Of course, your father's name is Frank!" Quinn laughed. "Francis and Frank— a match made in Heaven."

Ava and her parents finally caught on to the joke, bursting into laughter.

I sat at the head of the table. Ava settled to my right, her mother beside her, while her father sat to my left, with Greg right next to him. My mother sat beside Evelyn, and my father sat across me at the other end of the table with Quinn to his right.

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