Chapter 7
The slap
p reverberated sharply, cutting through the ambient hum of the corridor and drawing the attention of several passersby. Heads turned as people used mid–ride, curiosity flickering in their expressions.
Dominick’s head snapped to the side from the force of Paisley’s strike, and a vivid, angry imprint of her fingers bloomed across his cheek.
For a moment, he froze, as if stunned that she’d dared to hit him. Slowly, he turned back to her, his gloomy eyes narrowing with disbelief and something more dangerous simmering beneath the surface
From the far end of the hallway, the click of high heels against the polished floor announced Marissas arrival. She stepped out of the private room, her gaze immediately landing on the scene in front of her.
Her eyes widened, and a sharp gasp escaped her lips. “Oh my goodness,” she cried, rushing toward Dominick, the rapid staccato of her heels echoing her urgency.
“Ms. Sution, why would you hit him!” Marissa’s voice pitched higher, laced with outrage as her wide eyes darted to Dominick’s reddened check. “Doin, are you okay? Does it hunt” Her hand flustered nervously near his face as though she wanted to comfort him but didn’t dare touch him.
Paisley couldn’t bring herself to entertain this melodrama. She didn’t bother looking at Dominick; she didn’t need to. His palpable anger radiated from him like heat from a furnace, making the air around them thick and oppressive.
Before anyone else could speak, a voice broke the weirdly heavy tension with almost comical abruptness. “What’s going on herer Lury’s familiar lone rang out as she walked toward them, her curious eyes darting between the trio.
Relieved to see her here, Paisley exhaled softly and seized the moment to redirect her focus. “Where have you been! You’ve been in the ladies room forever,” she asked, her tone tinged with mild annoyance.
“Oh, I got caught up scrolling on my phone in the restroom. Lacy said nonchalantly, waving her phone for emphasis. T–stumbled on this crime case video—something about dismemberment–and I got hookeri..” Her voice trailed off as her gaze lingered on Dominick and Marisa, her brow furrowing slightly.
Marissa’s expression stiffened noticeably, her discomfort plain to see. “Ms. Sutton, I didn’t realize you weren’t dining alone with that guy,” she said, her tone carefully neutral but her worch laced with subtle implications.
Paisley refused to dignaty Marissa’s comment with a reaction. She merely nodded briskly and said, “Work dinner.
Out of the corner of her eyes, she caught Dominick’s expression shifting his jaw tightening as though he had something to say. But she didn’t give him the satisfaction of her attention.
Lucy sidled closer, rugging lightly at Paisley’s sleeve. “Who are these people?” she whispered, her curiosity unabated, her brows knitting in confusion. Gary had explicitly told Lucy that only she and Paisley were invited to today’s dinner.
“You don’t need to worry about them, Paisley replied curly, shaking her head.
“Oh, okay” Lucy, ever obedient, nodded and turned to head back toward their private room. “Guess I’ll leave you to it, then. Take your time”
“There’s nothing to discuss. I’m coming with you,” Paisley said coldly, cutting a pointed glare toward Dominick, “Mind your own business, Dominick. And keep your hands out of things that don’t concern you”
Outside the restaurant, Dominick and Marison stood in silence, the atmosphere between them as heavy as the humid night air.
Marissa shifted uneasily, watching his face for any sign of what he might be thinking, But Dominick’s expression was unreadable, his features carved into an impassive mask
Finally, she broke the quiet, her voice hesitant. “Dom, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to jump to conclusions about Ms. Sutton. If my words caused any misunderstanding between you two—
“There’s no need to apologize, Dominick interrupted, bis tone distant, almost bored. His large hand rose to his collar, deftly undoing two buttons on his shirt as though the very air around him was stifling. “She and I have nothing to do with each other.”
But the small act–loosening his shirt–betrayed him. Even as he tried to mask is, an unshakable restlessness lingered with him. Something about Paisley’s defiance, her words, and her slap had unsettled him in a way he couldn’t quite name
Marisa’s delicate features softened momentarily as she handed the neatly packed dessert box to Dominick. “I packed this for Sonny. I remember he has a sweet tooth, she said with a gentle smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes.
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Chapter 7
A sleek car pulled up, coming to a smooth stop in front of Dominick
Dominick accepted the box with a brief nod, his tone polite but distant. “Thank you on his behalf. Byr, Marissa” Without waiting for a reply, he turned and stepped into the car.
Marissa stood rooted to the spot, watching the car disappear down the street until it was a speck in the distance. Slowly, the warmth in her expression faded, replaced by a cold, calculating gleam in her eyes.
Her gaze flickered back toward the restaurant, narrowing as it landed on Paisley’s private room. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk tugged at the comer of her lips as she pulled out her phone and illaled a familiar number,
The call barely rang twice before Kayla, Dominick’s younger sister, picked up. Kayla’s teasing voice came through, light and playful. “Marissa, so, how did your little date with my brother go without me around to think–wheel?”
“Kayla..” Marissa’s voice dropped, laced with a feigned sadness that she wicked with precision.
Immediately. Kayla’s tone shifted, concern creeping in. “Marissa? What’s wrong? Did Dominick do something to you? That doesn’t sound like him He’s always so good to you isn’t he?
“No, it’s not Dom. It’s… Marissa hesitated for dramatic effect, lening the tension build. Then she continued, her words measured and deliberate, “I‘
- Paisley. She’s back. We ran into her at the restaurant tonight, and she and Dom…”
“What! That scheming little bitch is hack” Trying to seduce Dominick again?” Kayla’s voice rose, bristling with anger. “Marissa, hold on. I’m calling Dominick right now. She’s not going to get away with this?
By the time Paisley arrived home, the house was quiet, steeped in the serenity of the late evening
Serena was
was already fast asleep, curled up in her little bed with her favorite plush toy tucked snugly under her arm. Her tiny lips were slightly parted, her breathing soft and even, the picture of pure innocence.
Paisley leaned against the door frame, her heart swelling with affection at the sight. For a moment, she fought the overwhelming urge to kiss her daughter on the checks. But she restrained herself, not wanting to disturb Serena’s peaceful slumber.
In the dining room, the warm, inviting aroma of freshly prepared food wafted from the kitchen. Maria was there, bustling about as she laid out a Tight late–night snack.
“I figured you wouldn’t want anything heavy after a night out, so I made something easy on the stomach,” Maria said, beckoning Paisley over with a knowing smile.
Grateful, Paisley sat down as Maria placed a streming bowl of outmeal in front of her. Although she hadn’t drunk much during dinner, her stomach still felt unsealed, and the soothing warmth of the oatmeal was a welcome relief
“How was Rena’s day at preschool?” Paisley asked, her tone casual, though her mind lingered on her earlier promise to be the first parent to pick Serena up after school–a promise she hadn’t been able to keep thanks to Gary’s unexpected dinner invitation.
Maria hesitated, her brow creasing slightly as she recalled the scene at pick–up time with a heavy heart. “When I got there, she didn’t look too happy. Her eyes were a little red, like she’d been crying I asked her what was wrong but she didn’t say anything.”
“Crying?” Paisley’s chest tightened, a pang of guilt and worry hitting her simultaneously. “Did you ask the teacher about it?”
Maria nodded, her voice gentle but tinged with sympathy. “I did. The teacher said Rena was probably just homesick. Once she gets more comfortable with the other kids, it should get better”
Paisley let out a soft sigh, running her fingers alssently along the edge of the table. “Anything else I should know?” she asked, though a nagging guil pricked at her. I’ve been far from the perfect mom berly, she thought
Maria tilted her head, replaying the teacher’s work in her mind. “Ok, right. Today, Rena met a boy, a litle older than her. But he didn’t want to play
with her.
Her tone sharpened as she wiped the already spotless table with unnecessary force. “Didn’t want to play with Renu! If anything. Rena wouldn’t want to play with him. Rena is our little princess. What’s that boy got that’s so special, huh?”
Paisley chuckled softly, knowing Maria’s indignation was pure bias. Still, she didn’t stop her from venting. After all, there was no one else around to judge.
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Chapter 7
It was right o’clock in the morning, and the golden sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting playful dappled shadows on the pavement. A gentle breeze carried the faint scent of blooming flowers, filling the air with the promise of a beautiful day.
Marissa had just pulled her car into the kindergarten’s parking lot when her niece Stella’s curious voice piped up from the backseat
“What’s wrong, sweetheart Marissa asked, glancing at her through the rearview mirror.
Typically, the routine was seamless–the Vanderbilt family’s chauffeur would first pick up Grayson from their estate, and then swing by Prescoti Villa to collect Stella. The two children would arrive together, a tiny duo of morning camaraderie
But today, Grayson had overslept and the chauffeur couldn’t pick up Stella.
Stella pointed toward the entrance, her small finger hovering in the air. “It’s that lady again.”
“Hmm? What about her?” asked Marissa, following Stella’s gaze. There was something oddly familiar about the figure near the gates, her posture relaxed but her aura commanding
Stella crossed her arms, a pour forming on her lips. “Yesterday, Sonny saw that lady with her little girl and got all upset thinking about his morn.”
Marissa raised an eyebrow. Kids could be so unpredictable, she thought, just like Stella, who now seemed to dislike someone she hadn’t even met face–to–face.
At that moment, a gust of wind swept through, ruffling the woman’s hair. She turned slightly, tucking the windswept strands hack into place with a graceful motion
And in that fleeting instant, Marissa caught sight of her face. “Paisley!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with disbelief.
Stella tilted her head and pointed at Paisley, puzzled by her aunt’s reaction. “Aunt Marissa, what did you say? Do you know that lady!”
That lady is pretty. Prettier than Aunt Marissa,‘ she thought to herself with the brutal honesty of a child. Her mind spun with curiosity as she glanced at Paisley.
I was then that Stella noticed the lile girl in Paisley’s arms. The child clung to Paisley and Paisley seemed reluctant to let go of her. Recognition dashed in Stella’s wide eyes
“It’s her” Stella blurted out, her tone a mix of surprise and something resembling disapproval
AD
