THE BILLIONAIRE CEO COMFORTED A CRYING TODDLER ON A PLANE—THEN THE CHILD LOOKED UP WITH HIS EYES AND SAID, “ARE YOU MY DADDY?”

Two weeks later, the snow was deep over the quiet pine forests of Eugene, Oregon.

Garrett had officially taken a two-month leave of absence from Brennan Health Systems—the first vacation he had taken in twelve years. He handed the daily operations over to his trusted executive team, bought a quiet four-bedroom log cabin near the McKenzie River, and moved Paige and Oliver back to Oregon for the holiday season.

He wanted to see her world. He wanted to walk the streets where she had pushed Oliver’s stroller, visit the small coffee shop where she had worked late nights, and help her pack up her tiny studio apartment with his own hands.

On a freezing Sunday afternoon, Garrett stood in the small living room of Paige’s former studio apartment, holding a cardboard box filled with toddler clothes.

He looked around at the modest space—the peeling wallpaper in the corner, the tiny kitchen with its two-burner stove, the single window overlooking an alleyway.

It broke his heart, but it also filled him with a profound, humbling respect for the woman standing beside him.

Paige had survived here. She had raised their brilliant, happy, healthy boy in this tiny room, without a single penny of his billions, through sheer, unyielding love and strength.

Paige walked over, holding a small stack of baby photo albums.

"This was his first Christmas," Paige said softly, opening an album to show a photo of seven-month-old Oliver sitting in front of a miniature plastic Christmas tree, wearing a red hat that was three sizes too big.

Garrett stared at the photo, his eyes stinging. "He was beautiful."

"He looked just like you," Paige smiled, tracing the baby’s face in the photo. "Every time he smiled, I saw your face, Garrett. That’s why I couldn't stay angry at you forever. You were right there in his eyes."

Garrett pulled her into his arms, kissing the top of her head. "I missed so much."

"You have the rest of his life to catch up, big man," Paige murmured, wrapping her arms around his waist.

Suddenly, the front door of the apartment opened.

A tall woman with sharp blue eyes and a heavy winter coat walked in, carrying a tray of hot coffees. It was Clara, Paige’s older sister, who lived two hours away in Connecticut.

Clara stopped dead when she saw Garrett standing in the center of the tiny apartment, wearing a rugged flannel shirt and work boots, holding a box of baby clothes.

"Well, well," Clara said, setting the coffee tray down on the counter, crossing her arms over her chest. "The billionaire finally decided to show up."

Garrett didn't flinch. He set the box down and walked straight up to Clara, holding out his hand.

"Clara," Garrett said respectfully. "I’m Garrett. Thank you for taking care of Paige when I wasn't here."

Clara looked at his hand, then up at his face, her sharp eyes inspecting him for any sign of arrogance. Finding none, she let out a quiet sigh and shook his hand firmly.

"You broke her heart, Brennan," Clara warned, her tone hard. "If you break it again, I don't care how many lawyers you have, I’ll bury you under an Oregon pine tree."

Garrett didn't laugh. He looked Clara dead in the eye. "If I break her heart again, Clara, I’ll help you dig the hole."

Clara stared at him for three seconds, then a slow, approving smile broke across her face. "Okay. I like him. He’s stubborn."

Paige laughed, shaking her head. "He’s very stubborn, Clara."

"Daddy!" Oliver shouted, bursting through the door from the hallway, his boots covered in snow, holding a giant pinecone. "Look what I found! It’s a monster egg!"

Garrett dropped to one knee instantly, taking the pinecone with absolute seriousness. "A monster egg? Ollie, this is a dangerous discovery. We need to put it near the fire so it hatches into a friendly dragon."

Oliver gasped, his eyes wide. "A dragon?!"

Clara watched Garrett gently wipe the snow off Oliver’s small jacket, her eyes softening completely. She leaned over to Paige, whispering in her ear.

"He loves him, Paige," Clara whispered. "He really loves him."