Daniel took off his coat and wrapped it around her tiny body, then lifted her into his arms.

Max whimpered, refusing to be left behind, trying to scramble after them.

“He’s coming too,” Daniel said firmly to the driver. “Both of them.”

At home, his penthouse felt like a different place. He wrapped Lily in warm blankets, made her hot chocolate, and let her lie down by the fireplace, Max pressed up against her side.

That night, he didn’t open his laptop. He didn’t answer a single call.

He just sat there, watching her breathe.