Chapter 77
Chapter 77
“Byron, see for yourself. I didn’t force Zack. He wants to stay with me tonight. You have no right to interfere.” Sylvia shot Byron a cold, dismissive glance then firmly grasped Zack’s hand and marched straight to her car.
Byron’s face darkened with fury. He wanted nothing more than to rush over and stop Sylvia, but to his dismay, Zack just went along with her without a second thought.
What really got under Byron’s skin was Sylvia, holding Ruby in her arms and leading Zack by the hand, looking every bit like she had it all.
“Mr. Blair, thank goodness Ms. Sullivan spotted the gas leak at our zoo just in time. The consequences could’ve been catastrophic, a voice sounded.
The zoo’s office director sidled up with an obsequious smile, having sensed the unusual connection between Sylvia and Byron. He was even convinced that Sylvia was Byron’s wife.
Praising Sylvia was his way to butter up Byron. Following Byron’s gaze, the office director fawned, spotting Ruby in Sylvia’s arms. “Mr. Blair, she’s absolutely adorable, looking much like you.”
Byron stiffened, then snapped his head toward the man.
“What
did you say?
That little girl looks like me?”
The office director’s heart skipped a beat at Byron’s intense reaction. ‘Did I just say something wrong?‘ he wondered anxiously,
Of the two children with Sylvia, the little boy was undoubtedly Byron’s son, Zack. He was the spitting image of his father. By that logic, the little girl next to him must be Byron’s daughter.
The office director wondered nervously, ‘Did I say something wrong by saying the little girl looks like Mr. Blair? Did I just piss off the Tyrant?”
“Mr. Blair, I just thought there was a resemblance. Maybe I was just wrong. But that little girl’s eyes and brows really reminded me of you,” The office director explained gingerly, stealing furtive glances at Byron, terrified he’d put his foot in his mouth while trying to butter him up.
Byron narrowed his eyes. A sudden thought flashed through his mind.
Byron had once suspected that Ruby might be his daughter, but Sylvia insisted she was Zander’s, and Zander confirmed it. So Byron let the matter drop and didn’t dig any deeper.
But the office director’s words just now reignited Byron’s suspicions, ‘Could Sylvia have been lying to me all along?‘ Byron wondered, suspicion gnawing at him once again.
Byron realized there was only one surefire way to confirm whether Ruby was his daughter, a paternity test.
Just picturing Ruby’s adorable face sent Byron’s heart racing. Deep down, he was certain she was his daughter.
‘If that’s really the case, then Sylvia has gone way too far. Not only is she keeping us from a reunion, but now she’s trying to snatch Zack away from me, too,‘ he wondered.
‘Damn it, I should take Ruby for a paternity test right then and there,‘ Byron thought furiously. But Sylvia had already driven off. And this test had to be kept from her. He couldn’t risk her trying to mess things up.
Byron wondered, ‘Damn it, Sylvia’s become way too cunning. I can’t let my guard down around her.‘
As dusk fell, Sylvia arrived home with Zack and Ruby. She sent the kids upstairs to finish their homework while she started preparing dinner in the
kitchen.
She whipped up a whole table full of delicious dishes. Watching the two little ones chattering away at the table, she felt a deep sense of fulfil never before. Her determination to secure fun custody of Zack grew even stronger.
After dinner, Sylvia cleared the table and asked Zack and Ruby to sit on the living room sofa. Sitting across from them, she knew it was time to make some things clear.
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Chapter 77
Sylvia asked gently, “Zack, if i wanted you to come live with me, would you like that?”
In custody battles, the child’s preference carries decisive weight.
Zack blinked his big eyes and asked, “Mom, if I stay with you, does that mean I won’t get to see Dad anymore?”
Sylvia smiled gently. “Of course not, sweetheart. I just want full custody of you. Your dad can visit you anytime, and you can see him whenever you miss
him.”
Zack’s forehead scrunched up in thought. This was such a tough question for a six–year–old. After all, he’d spent his whole life living with Byron. If I leave Daddy, he’ll definitely be furious,‘ Zack thought.
Ruby grabbed Zack’s hand, beaming with excitement. “Zack, come live with us. That way, I can see you every
yday”
Though young, Ruby already understood more than she let on. Zack and Ruby were half–siblings, same mom, different dads. Ruby had always longed for a big brother, and now she finally had the chance.
With Ruby’s timely assist, Zack’s furrowed brow smoothed out. After a moment’s thought, he nodded emphatically. “Okay. I want to live with Mom and Ruby from now on.”
‘I’m not leaving Daddy behind, Zack thought. ‘It’s just that being with Mom would be a lot more fun. Daddy always makes me study. He’s too strict.
Sylvia smiled with deep satisfaction, certain she could raise Zack just as well as Byron ever could, and give him everything he needed.
Zack’s willingness alone wasn’t enough to secure full custody. Ideally, she also needed solid evidence, some documentation, of Byron’s excessive
strictness toward him.
‘Who could testify to this? Ideally, a Blair family member, that would be more credible,‘ Sylvia thought bitterly, letting out a mirthless chuckle. ‘But what would the Blair family ever testify against Byron? That’s just a pipe dream.‘
Sylvia let out a bitter chuckle. ‘As if anyone from the Blair family would ever testify for me. Yeah, right, like that’s ever going to happen. What a pipe
dream.‘
Suddenly, Zack’s phone buzzed in his pocket. “Zack, where have you been? Why aren’t you home yet?”
Zack gasped when he heard the voice on the phone. “Angel, you’re back?”
Sylvia immediately recognized the voice on Zack’s phone. It was Angel, Byron’s younger sister.
Sylvia’s brow furrowed at the thought of Angel. She and Angel had never gotten along because Joanna had poisoned their relationship, given that
Joanna and Angel were classmates.
Angel had been living abroad for years and just returned to Silverton this afternoon.
Joanna was sitting right beside her on the sofa, and she was the one who had prompted her to make the call.
Upon learning that Zack was with Sylvia that night, Joanna got even more nervous than Byron himself.
Joanna worried to herself, ‘If Sylvia really manages to take Zack away, things between them will get even more tangled. If Sylvia loses Zack, I could very well lose Byron too.‘
Fortunately for Joanna, Angel returned just in time.
Zack had always been obedient to Angel. Just as Sylvia was hoping to keep him overnight, the moment Zack learned his aunt was back, he’d surely rush home.
“Angel, I’m at Mom’s place tonight. I don’t want to go back. We’ll talk when I get home tomorrow, okay?” Just as Joanna was secretly counting on it Zack’s clear, childlike voice came through Angel’s phone.
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Chapter 78
Chapter 78
