Saving himsaving her

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?"