Daddy Doesn't Know Me

Man Who Forgot Nothing... Except Her

The topmost floor of the Blackwood Tower was silent.

Floor-to-ceiling windows faced the bustling city below, where thousands of people hurried in their daily business. Inside the executive office, the only sound was the steady ticking of an expensive-looking clock on the wall.

Damien Blackwood sat in the chair behind the black desk, his expression as cold and unfeeling as the stone walls of his prison.

At thirty-two, he was already one of the youngest CEOs in the country. Business magazines labeled him a genius, and his competitors called him a shark. His subordinates called him Mr. Blackwood.

No one ever dared to question his orders.

"Mr. Blackwood," said Richard Grant, his assistant, stepping into the office. He tapped a few keys on his tablet before sliding it across the table.

"The board meeting is in ten minutes," said Richard.

Damien didn't take his eyes off the financial report in front of him. "Tell them to start in fifteen minutes."

"Yes, sir," said Richard, hesitating before adding, "There is one more thing."

Damien finally looked up. "What is it?"

"The Artisan Business Partnership Summit has finalized the list of invited companies," said Richard, sliding another report across the table. "The shortlisted firms have impeccable records. However, one of them seems to have garnered significant public attention."

Damien skimmed the page, his eyes stopping at the name Hart Bakery & Café.

For some reason, the name felt familiar, like a half-remembered dream.

A flash of something...or someone...faded away as quickly as it came.

"What do they make?" asked Damien.

"They started as a local bakery six years ago," said Richard. "Now they have outlets across the city. The owner has declined several acquisition proposals from private investors."

Damien nodded approvingly. "Interesting. Tell them I will be there to meet their owner."

Richard gave him a knowing smile. "The board is confident you will like what they have to offer."

Damien closed the file with a sigh. "We shall see."

As Richard left the office, Damien stared out the window, his fingers tightening around the edge of the desk.

Something about that name felt oddly familiar. It was as if the sight of it had unlocked something long buried in his mind.

His phone rang, and he answered it without looking at the caller ID.

"Grandmother," he said.

"Damien," said Charlotte Blackwood, his grandmother. "When are you going to stop living like this?"

"We've had this conversation before," said Damien, rubbing his temple.

"And we'll have it again," said his grandmother. "The Blackwood family needs an heir."

"I know," said Damien.

"Then marry," said Grandma.

"I'm busy."

"You've been busy for five years."

There was a pause, and then Grandma chuckled softly. "You still haven't forgotten that girl, have you?"

Damien looked out the window, his heart constricting. A picture of a young woman smiling under the spring blossoms of the campus appeared before his eyes.

Before he could focus on her face...

The vision melted away.

"I don't know what you're talking about," said Damien.

"Liar," said Grandma.

Damien allowed himself a small smile. "I have a meeting now," he said.

"Fine. But one day you'll regret letting love slip away."

He ended the call, his fingers brushing against the cool glass of the windowpane.

Love. He had once believed in it, in the magic that made two people become one. He had even loved that girl deeply, thinking he would never love anyone else after their hearts had entwined.

It was all over five years ago, when the woman he was supposed to spend the rest of his life with vanished into thin air, leaving behind only questions.

He had searched for her, following every lead that came his way, but nothing turned up.

In time, he had accepted that she was gone, that she had made her choice, and that he had to let her go.

It was easier this way.

He stood and smoothed down his suit jacket.

Business first. Always business.

Meanwhile, Hart Bakery was closing for the day.

Ariana locked the front door as Ethan and Emma helped clear the empty trays from the counter.

"Mommy," said Ethan, "are we really going to the big city next week?"

"Yes, we are," said Ariana, smiling at her son.

"Will there be tall buildings?" asked Ethan.

"The tallest," said Ariana.

"Can we ride the elevator?" asked Emma.

"You can ride as many elevators as you want," said Ariana.

The twins giggled as she picked them up in her arms.

As she looked at their bright faces, her smile faded.

The Artisan Business Partnership Summit was to be held in the Blackwood Tower, the last place she ever wanted to go.

She took a steadying breath.

"I'm only going for business," she told herself.

"Nothing more."

But her heart knew otherwise.

Neither she nor Damien knew that their lives were set to collide again after five long years.