The Arkwright Empire never slept. Glass towers carrying its name glowed across different time zones, contracts moved billions between continents, and markets shifted at the quiet command of one man—Alexander Arkwright.
At thirty-six, Alexander had built a reputation that made seasoned executives uneasy. Calm. Precise. Always punctual. When Alex Arkwright scheduled a meeting at nine, people arrived before eight-fifty.
Control was his greatest weapon.
And today… he had lost it.
His office overlooked half the city through floor-to-ceiling glass. Papers and contracts lay neatly organized across the polished desk as his manager explained the details of another international deal.
“…if we finalize the Singapore agreement today, sir, the board believes the announcement—”
Alex’s pen slipped from his fingers.
His eyes dropped to his watch.
10:09 AM.
For a second, his mind refused to process it.
Then it did.
“Dammit.”
He grabbed his phone.
Six missed calls.
From his wife.
A quiet breath left him. “I’m doomed.”
His chair pushed back as he stood abruptly, startling the manager.
“Sir? Is something wrong?”
“How could I forget?” Alex muttered under his breath, already grabbing his coat.
His son’s kindergarten concert.
Theo had been talking about it all week—wide eyes full of excitement as he practiced the little routine at home with his mother.
“Daddy, you come too, okay?”
And Alex had promised.
“Reschedule the meetings,” Alex ordered while moving toward the door, sliding his arm into his coat. “Move today’s negotiations to tomorrow.”
“But sir—”
“That’s an order.”
He was already gone.
The elevator ride felt painfully slow. Alex jabbed the ground floor button, irritation tightening his jaw. His mind kept replaying the image he dreaded most—Theo standing on stage, scanning the crowd with hopeful eyes that slowly filled with tears.
His small hands were clutching that ridiculous plush lion he carried everywhere.
*Daddy didn’t come.(
Alex rubbed his forehead.
Seven minutes later, his car stopped sharply outside the kindergarten.
Alex stepped out immediately, striding toward the entrance in his dark suit and polished shoes. Parents crowded the hallway, voices buzzing with excitement. Several people turned to stare at the tall, sharply dressed man suddenly appearing in a building full of children’s drawings and glitter decorations.
He ignored them.
His eyes searched the rows of seats until they found her.
His wife stood in the second row, elegant as always. When Alex approached, she turned her head slightly. Their eyes met. Her side-eye was lethal. Alex wisely kept quiet.
The music started before he could attempt an apology.
The curtain opened and the stage filled with chaos.
Tiny turtles waddled uncertainly. A caterpillar spun in the wrong direction. One child stood completely frozen under the lights while parents cheered enthusiastically from the audience.
Alex leaned back slightly, observing the scene with disbelief.
Then he saw his son.
Theo Arkwright stood near the center of the stage.
Wearing a fluffy white costume.
With long pink ears.
A bunny.
Alex dragged a hand down his face. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” he muttered quietly.
His heir to a billion-dollar empire was hopping awkwardly to a children’s song.
Theo’s round cheeks were pink with concentration as he followed the routine, small hands mimicking the hopping motions he had practiced all week. Alex glanced at his wife, about to say something, but the look she gave him sealed his mouth shut instantly.
She lifted her hand instead, waving warmly toward the stage before blowing a kiss.
Theo saw her.
His entire face lit up like sunrise.
Then his eyes wandered across the audience—
And landed on Alex.
His smile grew even bigger.
“Daddy!”
Theo waved both hands wildly. “Daddy, hiiii!”
Several nearby parents turned their heads toward Alex.
His eye twitched.
“No, no,” he whispered under his breath, raising his hand in a small wave. “Keep dancing.”
Of course Theo couldn’t hear him over the music.