NovelEnglishChapter 0553
At work, | found myself distracted. Douglas had spoken toseveral times, but | hadn't heard a word. Even
though | was confident in my confrontation with Claudia, | had to admit that her words had affected me.
Who was Nicholas really doing all this for? Claudia claimed it was for her-that he stood up for her in her tof
need. Everything she said seemed to add up.
Was it really just a coincidence? | wasn't sure anymore.
| didn't know whether | doubted Nicholas or just lacked confidence in myself. | wasn't sure if Nicholas would pick
Douglas could tell | wasn't focused on work. I'd never had much enthusiasm for corporate management. So, he
tactfully excused himself.
Left alone, I idly flipped through case files, losing myself in them until nightfall.
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When I got home, | heard the sound of a car pulling into the driveway. Wendy must have brought Tabitha back.
I'd missed her terribly after just one day apart and rushed outside to meet them.
But when | stepped outside, it wasn't Wendy holding the child-it was Nicholas.
The smile | had on my face disappeared instantly when | saw him. Yet, there he was, holding Tabitha, using her
as leverage.
"What are you doing here?" | looked at him, my expression cold and distant.
Nicholas felt a pang in his chest when he saw my cold stare. It was so different from the image ofin his
memories. The contrast was too much for him to bear, but he had no choice but to accept it.
He wanted to see me, so he had to endure it and put on a smile. "Ariana, about what happened earlier today..."
‘Tabitha, Mommy's here. Do you miss Mommy?"
I ignored him completely, taking Tabitha from his arms and playfully nuzzling her. Tabitha called out and
snuggled her arms around my neck, but her other hand still tightly gripped Nicholas' sleeve.
"Ah! Ah! M-Mommy, D-Dad..."
One moment, she was giggling. In the blink of an eye, her head rested against my chest, her gaze vacant and
distant. She stared off at nothing, lost in her own world.
My heart ached. | couldn't help but wonder if she'd ever be like other children one day. She was still so young,
and all I could do was shower her with love and care.
"Tabitha's tired. You should go now," | urged Nicholas to leave.
"Ariana, look, Tabitha is still holding onto my sleeve. It means she wants her daddy. Letin. I'll help her get
ready for bed and put her to sleep, and then I'll leave, | promise."
‘Tabitha has me. That's enough."
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"You can't just ignore what she wants!" He reached out to touch Tabitha's face, bringing her back to the
moment." Tabitha, isn't Daddy your favorite? Don't you love Daddy the most?"
My heart skipped a beat. It was the first tI'd seen Nicholas interact with Tabitha-and the first the'd called
himself her "Daddy".
For so long, | had imagined what it would be like. And now, seeing him in this role, it felt exactly how I'd pictured
it. He was so gentle, not just for Tabitha, but for the child he used to be.
Tabitha was very attached to him. For both of them, it felt like a healing process that spanned tand space.
When she didn't respond, he grew anxious. "Tabitha, did you forget what Daddy taught you earlier? Say, 'l love
Daddy the most! | can't live without Daddy!" Isn't that right?"
"Yes..." she replied, burying her face in my chest with a pout.
| wasn't sure if she was frustrated or just showing her little temper, but that single word cout clear and firm.
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