Chapter 1 Stone walls ,cracking slowly

The silence in Alexander Wolfe's penthouse office wasn't peaceful,it was suffocating.

The floor-to-ceiling windows stretched behind his desk, overlooking a city bathed in early winter gloom. Fog clung to the skyline like regret. His suit jacket lay forgotten on the back of his chair, sleeves rolled to his elbows, and the digital clock on the wall blinked 11:42 PM.

Another day devoured by meetings. Another day without seeing Ella.

His seven-year-old daughter had stopped asking when he'd be home for dinner. Somewhere between her sixth birthday and the start of first grade, she'd learned the art of silent disappointment.

His phone buzzed. A reminder.

Ella's school meeting... MISSED.

He sighed. Another notch on the growing list of failures he refused to name. His assistant had reminded him. Twice. Still, he'd stayed chained to his desk.

A knock at the door sliced through the quiet.

"Come in," he said, voice cold from disuse.

His father entered without hesitation.

Richard Wolfe wasn't a man who knocked. Former CEO, iron-willed patriarch, and the only man Alexander still managed to respect-barely.

"You missed Ella's teacher conference. Again," Richard said, tossing a folder onto his desk.

Alexander didn't look up. "I'm running a billion-dollar company, not a PTA."

"No," Richard replied coolly, "you're running this company into the ground. And your daughter doesn't know who you are."

That made Alexander pause. Just for a second. Then the mask slipped back into place.

"She's a child. She'll understand when she's older."

"She already understands. That her father is a ghost." Richard leaned forward, voice sharp. "You've got two options, Alexander: Get help or get out."

He straightened. "Excuse me?"

"You heard me. I built this company from the ground up, and I won't let you destroy what's left of it-or her. You need a partner. Not just at work. In life. Someone who can anchor you. Someone who can care for that little girl before you lose her for good."

Alexander's jaw tightened. "What are you suggesting?"

"A marriage."

He laughed-a cold, bitter sound. "You want me to buy a wife?"

"I want you to save your daughter before she forgets how to love you." Richard stepped closer. "Here's the deal: you find a suitable woman and marry her. Someone who can provide a stable environment for Ella. You have six weeks."

"Or what?"

Richard's eyes sharpened. "Or I take your daughter, and I take this company. I have the legal and boardroom power to do both."

The words hit harder than he expected.

"You'd do that to me?"

"I'd do it for her."

The old man left, and the door clicked shut with finality.

For a long time, Alexander stared at the folder on his desk. Inside were options, names, resumes. A list of women "vetted" for compatibility.

He dropped the folder in annoyance,thinking of all the ways he could get out of this.

Deep down he knew that he needed help but he hated the fact that he had to get it this way,having a stranger suddenly move into his space made his almost pull out his hair

The idea of the whole situation sickened him to his guts;

But not nearly as much as the thought of Ella calling someone else "Daddy".

The silence in the office room are him up,this time it wasn't suffocating ,it was condemning.

Being left to his thoughts always had him feeling this way ,he sighed at the realization that this way the only way to rebuild his relationship with Ella

He reached for the folder again reluctantly. Inside were profiles, resumes, and a cover letter that said "Stability. Care. Presence." All the things Ella needed. All the things he couldn't give her.

Until now.