Chapter 12 - THE BILLIONAIRE WHO LEARNED TO ASK
Elias changed slowly.
Not overnight.
Not because Avery demanded it.
Because the investigation forced him to confront the world he'd inherited.
Some of his businesses were legitimate.
Others had been used for unlawful activities.
He cooperated with authorities.
Restructured operations.
Removed corrupt executives.
And accepted that accountability would cost him.
One evening, Avery found him sitting in his office.
The room was dark.
He held his father's letter.
She approached.
“Bad day?”
He smiled faintly.
“Long day.”
She sat beside him.
“Want to talk?”
He hesitated.
Then nodded.
For the next hour, Elias told her about the choices he'd made.
The compromises.
The things he regretted.
The people he'd trusted.
Avery listened.
She didn't excuse everything.
But she didn't turn away either.
Finally, Elias looked at her.
“Why are you still here?”
Avery smiled.
“Because I want to be.”
He swallowed.
“You know what I've done.”
“I know some of it.”
He nodded.
She continued.
“And I know you're trying to change.”
Elias looked down.
Avery took his hand.
“But I need honesty.”
He looked up.
“Always.”
“And I need you to respect my independence.”
“Yes.”
She smiled.
“And Milo gets the final vote.”
Elias laughed.
“Of course he does.”
That evening, Elias came to Avery's apartment for dinner.
Milo watched him suspiciously from the sofa.
Elias placed a small bag on the table.
Avery frowned.
“What's that?”
“Cat treats.”
She stared.
“You bought Milo treats?”
“Yes.”
Milo immediately approached.
Avery laughed.
“Traitor.”
Elias crouched.
The cat sniffed his hand.
Then accepted the treat.
Elias looked up triumphantly.
“He likes me.”
Avery smiled.
“Don't get arrogant.”
But when Milo climbed into Elias's lap twenty minutes later, Avery knew something had changed.
May you like
The cat had finally accepted him.
And so, slowly, had she.
