Chapter 27
Chapter 27
Grayson stood rooted in place, clearly
ly reluctant to get into the car. When Marissa noticed this, a trace of urgency flashed in her eyes. “You’re noi listening to me anymore. Sonny! That makes me so sad,” she said, her tone tinged with exaggerated hurt
Hearing her tone, be quickly responded, “No, it’s not like that. I’ll go right now.” With that, he obediently dashed to Marissa’s car and stood by the door. However, he didn’t get in
Marissa frowned slightly at Grayson’s hesitation but chose not to press him further. Instead, she turned her attention to P
to Paisley,
Paisley, holding Serena’s hand, stopped in her tracks. She seemed puzzled by Marissa’s insistence, asking, “Is there anything else you need!”
With a smile, Marissa stepped closer to Paisley, though her son had lost all its cartier gentleness as she said, Tell me, Paisley–what are your plans now that you’re back in Harrowfell?
in an indifferent tone, “I have a friend whose neighborhood is overrun with
Paisley brushed a strand of hair blown loose by the wind and answered in an i flies and pests because of poor sanitation. It’s been driving her crazy?
Marissa’s gaze hardened, her patience wearing thin. “Paisley, stop skirting around the question. What does your friend’s neighborhood cleanliness have to do with me!”
Paisley shrugged nonchalantly, and the answered indifferently. “Exactly. What does it have to do with your
That was when Marissa realized Paisley was mocking her not just mocking her, but comparing her to revolting things like flies and pests. Marissa’s face darkened as she snapped. “How dare you”
Paisley’s smile was dazzling, her eyes sparkling brightly. She hadn’t even put in any effort to dress up, yet she managed to stir an intense sense of insecurity in Marissa
Marissa steadied herself and adjusted her expression, regaining her composure. “I just wanted to say that since you and Dom are divorced, you should keep your distance like strangers
Paisley nodded as if in agreement. “Sure, you should tell that to Dominick as well. She thought irritably. Hopefully that dog of a man can actually act like a stranger and stop randomly showing up at my place. It’s so damn annoying‘
Marissa bristled at Paisley’s words and attitude, her semper faring. She snapped, “You don’t seriously think Dom is still hung up on you, do you?
“Dom and 1 are family. I know exactly what he’s thinking. He’s just trying to be polite for Sonny’s sake because you’re his biological mother. But you should understand that you’re divorced now. Don’t misunderstand his kindness or start thinking it means something more.”
Paisley was so taken aback by Marissa’s logic that she almost laughed outright. And in the end, she did, unable to contain herself.
At her reaction, Marissa’s frustration bolled over, and she demanded, “What’s so funny!”
Paisley stifled her laughter, looking at Marissa sarcastically, Paisley then said, “Marissa, instead of wasting your breath lecturing me, why don’t you focus on getting Dominick to marry you?!
“It’s been four years–four whole years since our divorce. How have you still not become Mrs. Vanderbilt!”
Marissa’s face turned utterly grim, and she could no longer maintain her earlier calm composure. Paisley, you- she began, her voice trembling with restrained anger.
Before Marissa could finish speaking, two cars pulled up in front of Paisley’s apartment building, one after the other, interrupting her. Marissa. immediately recognized the first vehicle–it was Dominick’s
Soon after, Dominick stepped out of the car, holding a bouquet of beautifully wrapped pink roses in his hand.
“Dad,” Grayson called out, walking toward him. “Did you and Marissa come to pick me up together!”
It was only then that Dominick noticed Marissa was there too. He asked, “What are you doing here, Marissa?”
Marisa quickly composed herself and walked up to him. “I knew you were coming back today, so I came to pick up Sonny early. I ran into Ms. Sutton and chatted with her for a bit
Dominick didn’t overthink it. He figured she must have known he was coming back today, maybe called Grayson and found out Paisley’s address.
Paisley glanced over at them nonchalandy. She
se and Serena had been standing in the freezing wind for quite a while now, and with Teddy about to arrive to drop something off, she had no interest in dragging this out any further.
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Chapter 27
So. Paisley said, “Alright, the kid is with you guys now. My job here is done. 10 be heading back now.”
Dominick wanted to stop her. Paisley-”
But Grayson cut him off, curiously asking. “Oh, you bought flowers, Dad? Are they for Marissa!”
Marissa had noticed the pink roses in Dominick’s hand the moment he stepped out of the car and couldn’t help but feel suspicious,
He had never given her flowers before, and he couldn’t have known she’d be here to pick up Grayson today. So. Marissa was sure the flowers were meant for Paisley
Grayson’s comment gave Marissa the perfect excuse. She quickly took the bouquet and put on an expression of surprise and delight. “Oh wow, pink roses. My favorite. Thank you, Dom” As the spoke, she cast a sidelong glance at Paisley, gauging her reaction.
Though Paisley no longer held any feelings or expectations for Dominick, seeing him give flowers to Marissa still sent a chill through her.
During the years Paisley had been married to Dominick, he had never once given her flowers. Not even a single wildflower plucked from the side……… | of the road. The irony wasn’t lost on her–now Dominick had learned to create romantic gestures–pink roses, no less, which symbolized first love.
Paisley Egured Marissa truly mast have been Dominick’s first love, just as his mother and sister had told Grayson. If Paisley hadn’t come into the picture, Dominick would have married Marisa.
The thought made Paisley let out a self–deprecating laugh. She thought, So, from the very beginning, it was just me fooling myself.
Dominick hadn’t expected to see Marissa here, let alone that the bouquet would be mistaken as a gift for her. Just as Dominick was about to explain, A man walked past him, carrying bags of fruit and supplements. With a bright smile, the man headed straight toward Paisley.
“Paisy, I brought some stuff over for you guys Teddy called out as he walked over, raising his arms to show the hundles he was carrying
The young man was the picture of charm, with his carefully styled spiky hair, a bright white T–shirt, and light denim jeans. His cheerful smile was infectious, and as he raised his arms, his well–defined biceps stretched the fabric of his sleeves. Everything about him radiated youth and energy-
Serena, who had looked a bit down monents ago, instantly perked up at the sight of Teddy. She pulled free from Paisley’s hand and dashed toward him with child like glee. “Daddy.”
Paisley sighed inwardly, ‘Geez It’s Teddy…not Daddy She couldn’t help feeling exasperated at Serena’s constant mispronunciations.
Meanwhile, Dominick froze on the spot when he heard the word. It was as if all the blood in his body had tumed to ice.
Until now, he had only speculated about whose daughter Serena might be. At one point, he had even suspected Paisley of tying to him—that Serena might actually be his child.
Dominick had planned to get Serena’s DNA sample for a paternity rest after his rerum. But at this moment, he heard the little girl call that overly polished, annoyingly cheerful man “Daddy” with his own can.
He thought bitterly, So Serena really my daughter. Paisley really did have a child with another man.. With this thought, his hands at his sides slowly clenched in fists, and a sharp, suffocating pain spread through his chest, radiating through his entire body.
AD
