Chapter 31
Sometimes bad things would just pile up all at once.
After hanging up with Gregory, Paisley spent a little while playing with Serena in the room. After lunch, she was getting ready to put Serena down for a nap when the doorbell rang
She opened the door to find Dominick there with Grayson.
“How did you even find me?” Paisley asked before she could stop herself. Then, she realized how silly the question was. With Dominick’s connections, it was easy for him to find her address,
Plus, when Serena enrolled in the school, she’d had to fill out basic details, including their home address., As a board member at the school, Dominick could easily access that info.
Since it was the weekend and she hadn’t planned to go out, Paisley was dressed pretty casually. She wore a simple pink loungewear set with a neckline that went down to her collarbones.
Her long hair fell naturally around her neck, accentuating her pale skin. One lock of hair even playfully slipped inside her shirt.
She wore no makeup. Her cheeks were soft and pink, and her long lashes fluttered as her eyes flickered with confusion. The afternoon sunlight streamed through the window, casting a warm glow on her as if she were glowing. Dominick stood there, froze for a moment, and took in the whole view. For a second, it felt like time had stopped. “Can I help you with something?” Paisley’s voice, cool and distant, broke the silence.
Dominick snapped back to reality, his tone just as distant. “Are we gonna talk at the door like this?”
Paisley frowned for a second, but considering the neighbors, she reluctantly stepped back and said, “Fine, come in.”
minick strode in and stopped at the entryway. Grayson, without saying a word, kept his head down and quietly followed
- in.
Dominick scanned the room. It was a typical three–room apartment, but since it was on the top floor, there was an attic as
well.
The living room was bright, clean, and tidy. The couch was a soft beige, and the coffee table was a light brown. On it sat a glass vase with a few pink flowers, matching Paisley’s outfit.
A cozy throw blanket was draped over the couch. On it was a book, half read.
Almost instantly. Dominick couldn’t help but picture how Paisley lounged on the couch and quietly read with a blanket over her legs.
It was an image that haunted his memories. She used to wait for him at home every night. Sometimes, if he was late, she’d fall asleep on the couch.
His gaze turned darker, his throat tight, and he quickly shifted his attention elsewhere.
Next to the couch was a photo wall, mostly photos of Paisley and Serena. In each one, Paisley carried a gentle, content, and radiant smile.
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Chapter 31
“Take your shoes off please,” Paisley said, snapping Dominick out of his thoughts.
Dominick retracted his eyes and pressed his lips to change into the slippered as Paisley had demanded.
He looked down at the slippers she had set out for him, which were perfectly fitted to his feet. His jaw couldn’t help but clench.
Who are these for? he wondered. Her daughter’s father? Or that so–called honey? Or maybe that guy she called honey is her daughter’s father?”
Paisley didn’t care to notice the changing expressions on his face Without wasting time, she got straight to the point. “What are you doing here?”
Dominick met her gaze, his tone cold but insistent. “I’m heading out of town tonight for business. I’ll be back the day after tomorrow. You’ll take care of Sonny for me while I’m gone.”
Obviously irritated, Paisley frowned, “Why would I take care of him? You can send him to your parents or Marissa.”
She had left that world behind for good and had no interest in being tangled up with him or his son anymore.
“Paisley, don’t forget you’re Grayson’s birth mother,” Dominick said, his voice low but firm.
Just as Dominick was about to say something, Grayson, who had been silent and staring at the floor the whole time, suddenly spoke up with red eyes, “She’s not my mom. She left our family with nothing. I don’t want her to be my mom!” Paisley raised her eyebrows and smiled at Dominick as if to say. Did you hear that? Your son just said it himself.”
Dominick’s face tightened, and he turned to Grayson. “Grayson, don’t talk to your mother like that.”
“Alright, you’ve said your piece. Can you two leave now? Paisley was done with the whole scene and couldn’t wait to drive
them away.
Grayson, still teary–eyed, clung to Dominick’s pants and pulled at him. ‘Fine, I don’t like this place anyway. It’s even smaller than my playroom. Dad, let’s go. I want to see Marissa.”
Paisley didn’t show any sign of anger but just watched Grayson quietly.
It reminded her of a time when Grayson had just started kindergarten, and there was a parent–child event at the school.
She and Dominick had arrived separately–she from home, he from his office. By the time she got to the school, Dominick had already arrived, with Marissa by his side.
Marissa was holding Grayson, and they were walking towards the event with the teacher.
Paisley called out to Dominick and told the teacher that she was Grayson’s mother. The teacher, who was new, didn’t know Paisley and assumed Marissa was Grayson’s mother.
Marissa awkwardly explained, “Sorry, Paisley, I just came along with Dom, but Sonny won’t let me leave.”
She handed Grayson to Paisley and said, “I should leave now. Sonny, your mom is here. I’ll see you next time.”
However, Grayson burst into tears, clinging to Marissa and crying, “No! I don’t want her! I want Marissa!” His cries made everyone else at the event turn and stare.
Dominick simply glanced at his watch and said impatiently to Paisley, “It’s just a small event. Hurry up and get it over with. It
21:56 Mon, Jan 27
Chapter 31
still have a business trip. Why don’t you go back now so he can calm down?”
Looking apologetic, Marissa gave Paisley a nod. “Sorry, Marissa l take Sonny in now.”
And just like that. Paisley watched her husband and son, holding hands with another woman, walk into the parent–child event—an event that was supposed to be for family
That was the moment she had lost all hope in their marriage, the moment she’d realized things would never be the same.
But now, she didn’t care anymore. They couldn’t hurt her any longer.
“Mommy, do we have guests here? Serena’s soft voice broke the tension in the room. She padded out from the bedroom in the same matching loungewear as Paisley while rubbing her eyes
When she saw the visitors, she was startled and immediately ran to Paisley, wrapping her arms around her mother’s leg.
She thought, ‘Did Grayson’s dad come to yell at us because I hurt him yesterday?
Paisley, trying not to laugh at the misunderstanding, crouched down to explain, “Don’t worry, sweetheart. They’re paying a
visit to us.
Dominick’s brow furrowed as he watched Paisley explain to Serena. The word “guest” didn’t sit well with him.
Serena, now visibly relieved, looked up at Dominick, her voice a little shaky. “Hello, sir, welcome to my home.
Even though Serena wasn’t his daughter, Dominick couldn’t help but soften at the sight of her. He managed a slight smile, his voice a little warmer than before. Thanks, Serena.”
Still clutching Paisley’s leg. Serena looked at Grayson thoughtfully before speaking up, “Hi, Grayson.”
She figured, ‘If he doesn’t like me calling him Sonny, then I won
Grayson blinked, feeling a bit strange at the way she addressed him. He thought, ‘Wait, why didn’t she call me Sonny? Good. riddance, though, I don’t want to be so close with that woman’s daughter anyway.
