Chapter 8
The sight of Paisley holding a young girl in her arms sent a sharp thicker of tension through Marissa’s usually composed gaze.
Marissa’s mind raced as she struggled to process what she was seeing. ‘Why does she have a child with her? Whose child is this! o Judging by her age, she must be around three years old
“Do you know that little girl?” Marissa’s voice tightened, the edge of disbelief creeping in.
Stella nodded solemnly. Uh–huh. That naughty kid clung to Sonny yesterday, saying she was Sonny’s liute sister”
‘Little sister! Could it be. Marissa forced herself to maintain composure as her thoughts spiraled “And did Grayson believe her!”
“Of course not” Stella replied confidently, her chin lifting in defiance. “Aunt Marissa, didn’t you say that every kid who tried to get close to Sonny in school had an ulterior motive? That was exactly what I sold Sonny yesterday, and now he can’t stand her
Stella paused, her voice tinged with smug satisfaction, “Plus, I hit her yesterday. She deserved it for shamelessly trying to hold Sonny’s hand. Aunt Marissa, wasn’t I right to do that?”
Marissa exhaled slowly, her mind whirling. So Grayson doesn’t know this child. That’s one relief.
don. “Did Grayson happen to see this
“You did the right thing” Marissa afirmed, her voice steady as she masked her unease. Encouraged, she pressed on lady’s face!”
Stella shook her head. “No, he only saw her back yesterday. I didn’t even see her face until just now,”
“Why do you ask,
4, Aurst Marissa?” She tilted her head in confusion. Could it be that Aunt Marissa is worried this pretty lady might win Sonny over
Sensing her aunt’s tension, Stella quickly added, “Don’t worry: Sonny loves you, You’re his favorite. He keeps saying he can’t wait for you to marry Dominick so you can be his mom.”
Her attempt to reassure Marissa only deepened her aunt’s unease,
Marissa couldn’t help but wonder, ‘So far, in seems Grayson hasn’t met Paisley. But with both children attending the same school it’s only a matter of time. And that little girl. Is she Paisley and Dominick’s child! Or someone else’s? Paisley, you scheming wreich. Eve underestimated you.
Before Marissa could dwell further, Stella’s cheerful voice snapped her our of her daze.
“Aunt Marissa, bye. I’m going in now,” Stella’s bright tone interrupted Marissa’s thoughts
The school bell was about to ring, and Stella had just unbuckled her seatbelt, ready to hop out of the car, when Marissa stopped her.
“Stella” Marissa said steadily, “you did a great job yesterday”
at the praise
At that, Stella’s face lit up with pride. Her little chin lifted, and her twin pigtails bobbed happily as she beamed at
praise
“That girl is getting close to him for a reason, and it’s not a good one, Marissa added, her tone turning serious. “You need to keep protecting Sonny. Don’t let her anywhere near him.”
Stella nodded eagerly, her expression solemn. “Don’t worry, Aunt Marissa. I’ll make sure of it. And anyway, she’s just a new kid in kindergarten–a little dummy. Nothing to worry about.”
Marissa allowed herself a faint smile at Stella’s confidence. True, she’s just a child. Even if she has some ulterior motive, what could she do?
Marissa’s tone turned unusually serious as she looked at Stella. “Do you really want Grayson to find another best friend? Someone who might replace you?”
The weight of her words hit Stella like a bucket of cold water. She immediately protested, her voice high–pitched with alarm, “No way. Sopny only has me as his best friend.”
Marisa shook her head slowly, as if mulling over a deeper truth. “That little kid is really cute–cuter than you.”
Though young Stella y wasn’t naive. She understood the implication beneath Marisa’s statement.
Stella thought, That little brat is cuter than me. If she sticks around long enough, Sonny might start liking her, maybe even treating her like family.
“And yesterday, when she tried to hold Sonny’s hand, he already started to reach out. They almost held hands.
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Chapter 8
Stella inle lace tensed with determination, her brows furrowed in fierce defiance. “No, I don’t want Sonny to have another best friend”
She tugged urgently at Marissa’s sleeve, her voice pleading. “Aunt Marissa, what should I do? Can you talk to Dominick and have him get rid of that
Her eyes sparkled with hope, as if expecting Marissa to sweep the problem away like she always had with troublesome kids at school and kick Serena out
But this time, Marissa merely smiled, her expression unreadable. She didn’t directly answer Stella’s request, “You’re going to be late, Stella. You’d better get going
Some baules didn’t require too much prodding. This time was diferent. This “problem child” wasn’t just anyone–she was Paisley’s daughter. And
Marissa didn’t want to alert Dominick unnecessarily.
for now.
“Mommy, Mommy. Let me go. I’m going to be late. Serena squirmed in Paisley’s arms, her small frame wriggling like a fish trying to ship out of a
Paisley’s heart ached with guilt. She was still bearing herself up over missing pick–up yesterday, leaving her little girl waiting at school. But now, sering Serena’s eagerness to escape her embrace, a pang of sadness replaced the guilt.
Rena, are you not gonna miss Mommy at all!” Paisley asked, her voice tinged with both frustration and sorrow,
“I am” Serena nodded earnestly, her big eyes shining with sincerity. “But I have to go to kindergarten, Mommy All the other parents are already gone. You should go too, I need to face the world on my own, you know”
Her words, spoken with an air of wisdom far beyond her years, left Paisley torn between laughing and crying.
“Alright, alright,” Paisley sighed, smoothing her daughter’s hair. “But if anything happens at school, promise me you’ll tell the teachers right away. okay? Don’t let anyour bully you” Her thoughts wandered to what Maria had said about that little boy, A flicker of worry crossed her face
Serena nodded, her little head bobbing decisively. But inside, her thoughts were racing. Should I tell Mommy I met my brother? No… he doesn’t seem to like me yet. I’ll wait until he does before I tell her
Paisley held her close, planting kisses on Serena’s chubby cheeks for what felt like forever. Finally, with great reluctance, she handed her over to the
teacher.
The moment Serena’s feet touched the ground, she bobbed of like an excited puppy let off its leash, grabbing the teacher’s hand and tugging her toward the school building.
She had no time to waste. Early this morning, before leaving for school she had sneaked into Parky’s art studio and swiped the portrait of Grayson. Tucked safely in her backpack, it was her secret weapon.
She couldn’t wait to find Grayson later and show him the drawing. Tll prove to him I wasn’t lying yesterday. I have seen him before”
Meanwhile, Paisley watched her daughter’s retreating figure with a puzzled smile. She couldn’t help but wonder what on earth was so captivating about kindergarten that had Serena so eager to leave her side after just one day.
A boy, no older than seven, dashed past Paisley, his small legs carrying him toward the school building in cager strides. Behind him, his mom called out anxiously, her voice laced with care and caution
Paisley’s gaze lingered on the boy’s retreating gare, and an unexpected thought surfaced. ‘Grayson must be about his height now, night! I wonder… if he has started school yet
A bittersweet smile tugged at her lips as her imagination wandered further. But knowing Dominick, there’s no way he’d send Sonny to a place like
The office was hushed, save for the faint ticking of a clock on the wall. Dominick had just wrapped up an international call and now reclined on the sleek leather sofa, his eyes closed briefly as if trying to steal a moment’s rest.
The quiet was interrupted by his secretary, who entered with a soft knock, asking what he’d like to drink..
“Coffee” Dominick said without hesitation.
Julian, standing nearby, frowned slightly, “You should cut back on coffer. It’s bad for your stomach”
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Chapter 8
The comment earned no response as the secretary returned moments later with a steaming cup of coffee. Dominick accepted it, cradling the mug and sipping his coffee as he finally turned his attention to his phone
Unread messages filled his inbox, but before he could sift through them, the screen lit up with Kayla’s name. It was her twelfth call.
Dominick’s brow furrowed in annoyaner, but after a moment’s pause, he chose to answer.
On the other end, Kayla’s voice was anything but patient. “Dominick, I’ve been calling you since last night. Why haven’t you answered?”
He held the phone slightly away from his ear, her sharp sone grating on his nerves. “Stop yelling. If you have something to say, say it,” he said.
“Dominick,” Kayla spat, her voice dripping with venom, that wretch Paisley is back, isn’t she?”
Dominick’s
jaw
w tightened as he frowned, his voice dropping to a dangerous calm, “Kayla, how many times do I have to tell you? Don’t call her that. She’s your sister–in–law.”
“Sister–in–law? You’re divorced. Or did you forget?” Kayla’s laugh was scomful. “Has she come crawling back to you already?”
“She hasn’t. Stop imagining things, Dominick replied coldly, his lips curving into a bitter smirk. If anything. Paisley would rather stay as far away from me as possible. She’d probably erase me from her life if she could.”
“Good” Kayla sounded satisfied.
“Is there anything else?”
That’s cold. What, I can’t call my own brother just to chat??
“If that’s all. F’in hanging up”
“Wait, wait. I do have something. Did you find that pigment artist I asked for? You promised me last time you’d help.”
In her expansive studio, Kayla sat by the window, her impatience evident as she gazed at an unfinished canvas. “My idol, Nion Vaire, just completed an amazing mineral pigment painting I want to replicate it!
Dominick’s mind briefly drew a blank. The sheer volume of responsibilities on his plate every day had pushed such trivial requests to the back of his mind. “Get it. Il handle it soon,” he said dismissively
The mention of painting stirred an old memory. He recalled how much Paisley used to love drawing. Whenever she had free time at home, the would draw a couple of simple sketches.
In those early days of their marriage, she would sit with him in the study at night, her carbon pencil in hand. While he worked, she would sketch whatever caught her eyes–the view from the window, trinkers around the house, and most often, kim.
But as time passed, those sketches had stopped.
A dull ache settled in his chest. Turning to Julian, he ordered, “Look into what Paisley’s been up to since she returned to Harrowfell
Dominick’s thoughts wandered again to last night. She had mentioned a work dinner.
Julian nodded, his response crisp. “Understood. I’ll get on it immediately!
