Chapter 403
Chloe blinked. “My father?”
“Chloe—“Hannah made to stop Chloe from answering Dominic’s question.
However, Chloe shook her head at that moment and said with something like disappointment, “I don’t have a father.”
“You don’t have one?” A thoughtful look flashed in Dominic’s eyes He glanced at Hannah and asked, “Is that true?”
Even as Hannah gulped instinctively, she feigned nonchalance and said, “He’s just an ex–boyfriend who doesn’t deserve to be brought up in conversation, let alone be Chloe’s dad.”
“Which ex–boyfriend are we talking about?” Dominic pressed.
“That’s none of your business.” Hannah’s tone was icy and sharp. Why should I tell you everything? It’s not like we’re close.”
Dominic snorted in disbelief at the offhanded remark. How dare she say they weren’t close?
He prodded his molars with his tongue as he threw Hannah a look so scathing she could have died from a thousand cuts. “You’re a bona fide ingrate, Hannah.”
Hannah turned away, refusing to look at him. “Let us out of the car or I’ll call the police and press kidnapping charges! We’re in Castenea now, not Syntherra. This isn’t a place for your tantrums and tyranny!”
If it were, she wouldn’t have fled to Castenea with Chloe to begin with. Dominic’s influence and forces weren’t so dominant in Castenea as they were in Syntherra.
As she spoke, she fished out her phone, her thumb hovering over the emergency call button as if to make good on her threat.
“Stop the car,” Dominic ordered his driver at last.
The car pulled up at the side of the road. Chloe stared at Dominic with wide eyes as if observing him, but before she could look any longer, Hannah grabbed her arm and made to open the car door to leave.
Her fingers had only curled around the handle when Dominic’s hand pinned hers down. He asked, “When is Chloe’s birthday?”
Hannah froze. The space between her brows creased as she pulled her hand back and snapped impatiently, “You’re out of questions, Mr. Lancaster.”
“I was asking you.” Dominic studied Hannah intently as he repeated gravely, “When is Chloe’s birthday?”
An odd look flickered in Hannah’s eyes, but she hid it just as quickly. “August 25th.”
Dominic frowned. August 25th, was it? Even if he were to dial back 11 months from the date, it wouldn’t change the fact that he and Hannah weren’t together then.
“I told you, Chloe isn’t your daughter. Why do you feed into such wishful thinking?” Hannah asked contemptuously.
“Are you so obsessed with the idea of being a father that you’ve become delusional? If you’re so keen on becoming a dad, why don’t you start a family with your fiancee?
“Unless, of course, you’re secretly having trouble with certain biological aspects of child–making. I suggest you consult a doctor for your male problems instead of preying on others‘ children like a human trafficker!”
Dominic’s face’grew more grim with each of Hannah’s taunts. His fingers curled so tightly that the veins on the back of his hands became visible.
She certainly knew how to draw blood with her sharp tongue! It had taken her no less than a few sentences to stoke his rage.
His temper was on the edge of flaring, but when he met Chloe’s sparkling eyes, he let out a breath and released the door handle. After that, he bit out icily at Hannah, “Get out.”
1/2
Chapter 403
+25 BONUS
Harsh words, but they were like music to Hannah. She moved swiftly, taking Chloe’s hand and leading the little girl out of the car, worried that Dominic would change his mind if she so much as dawdled.
“Mommy…” They were some distance away from the car when Chloe hesitantly tugged on the hem of Hannah’s shirt.
“What is it?” Hannah bent to pick up Chloe, nuzzling the little girls cheek as she asked softly, “Did that mean, ugly man scare you just now? He was being wicked, wasn’t he?“.
“No.” Chloe shook her head. She meant to tell Hannah that Dominic was pretty good–looking, not ugly, but considering the obvious feud between him and Hannah, she chose to hold her tongue.
She wrapped her arms around Hannah’s neck instead and buried her little face in the crook of Hannah’s shoulder, then asked, ” Mommy, my birthday’s on June 25th. Why did you tell him it was August 25th instead?”
Hannah went still. She then pressed her cheek against Chloe’s and explained softly, “Because I’m a little too selfish to let anyone take you away from me, Chloe. I want to keep you by my side.”
She had gone through hell and back to give birth to Chloe. While her job had kept her away from Chloe in the last few years, the love she had for the little girl was unwavering.
Besides, Chloe was the center of Hannah’s world, and Hannah would never let anyone take Chloe away from her, especially Dominic.
She knew it was unfair for Chloe. After all, she’d seen how Chloe eyed the other children with envy when their fathers picked them up from school.
