He sat on the expensive couch with his legs slightly apart, listening to his second in command speak about business matters. His face was cold and unreadable. Every guard in the room feared him because they all knew disappointing him came with consequences. No one dared to interrupt.

His second in command continued speaking, explaining numbers and shipments, but Angelo Visconti’s eyes stayed sharp and distant.

Then the door opened.

Tiny little feet padded across the marble floor.

The butler quickly moved forward, ready to scoop the small figure into his arms, but Angelo lifted his hand without looking away. The butler froze immediately.

“Da-daddy. Da-ddy.”

A tiny soft voice echoed in the large room.

All the guards stiffened.

The little girl walked toward him with wobbly steps, her small hands reaching up. “Up. Up. Up.” She smiled happily at him as if the room was not filled with dangerous men.

The second in command stopped talking.

Angelo’s cold expression shifted the moment he looked down at her. His eyes softened. He leaned forward and lifted her into his arms with ease, placing her on his thigh.

At that moment you rushed into the room, slightly breathless.

“Rhea, baby, I told you not to disturb Daddy during his meeting,” you said as you walked toward them.

The guards looked at you with respect. You were the only person in the world who could walk into his meetings without permission.

Angelo chuckled quietly and raised his hand again. This time it was not to stop someone. It was to dismiss everyone.

“Leave us.”

His men immediately exited the room, closing the door behind them. Silence filled the space.

“I’m sorry, love. She insisted on looking for you,” you said softly, brushing your daughter’s hair back.

Angelo looked at you for a long moment. The dangerous aura around him disappeared completely when he was with you.

“She can interrupt me anytime,” he said calmly.

He took your hand and gently pulled you toward him until you were sitting on his lap, Rhea nestled beside him. His arm wrapped securely around your waist while his other hand rested protectively on your daughter’s back.

He looked down at Rhea. She was smiling happily, her tiny fingers playing with his shirt.

“She is growing up so fast,” he said quietly. “I still remember the first day she was born. I held her in my arms. She was so tiny and cute. Now she already knows how to run and disturb my meetings.”

You smiled at his words.

“But she will always be my little baby,” he continued.

He kissed Rhea’s forehead gently, lingering for a moment, then lifted his head and pressed a soft kiss against your cheek.

“The two of you,” he said firmly, his voice low but warm, “are the only things in this world that matter to me.”