Chapter 32: Chapter 32
At Dylan’s accusation, Elise let out a cold laugh. Slowly, she rose from the sofa and looked him straight in the eye.
"Dylan," she said, her voice dripping with contempt, "after all the years I’ve known you, this is the first time I’ve realized you’re even stupider than a pig."
With that, she turned away. She couldn’t even be bothered to spare him another glance.
Without hesitation, she headed for the front door.
At the foyer, she changed into her shoes.
Then she paused.
Turning back one last time, she looked at Dylan, who stood there holding Robin, his face dark with anger.
"If you think Quinn is capable of keeping Grandma calm," she said coolly, "then by all means, let her stay."
A mocking smile tugged at her lips.
"That way, I won’t have to keep forcing myself to come back here and pretend to be your loving wife."
And just like that, she walked out of the villa.
Outside, she tilted her head toward the sky. Earlier that morning, the weather had been bright and cloudless. Now dark storm clouds had gathered overhead.
Summer in the city often brought sudden thunderstorms.
She had arrived in Dylan’s car today. Without her own vehicle, she would have to call someone to pick her up.
...
Leaving the villa grounds, Elise walked slowly along the private road toward the neighborhood entrance.
As she scrolled through her contacts, preparing to call Zoey, another number flashed across the screen first.
Alexander Hayes.
She answered immediately.
"Attorney Hayes."
Silence. No response came from the other end.
Elise frowned.
"Mr. Hayes?"
Still nothing. But faint rustling noises filtered through the speaker. Something plastic clattered to the floor.
Then a tiny, childish voice suddenly chirped, "Daddy! Mama~"
Elise flinched.
A moment later, Alexander’s warm, composed voice came through the phone.
"My apologies, Miss Harper. My daughter was playing with my phone and accidentally called you."
Elise had already guessed as much.
The moment she thought of Lily’s adorable little face, some of the frustration and heaviness in her chest seemed to ease.
"It’s alright." A genuine smile touched her lips. "To be honest, I’ve been missing Lily a little too."
"Well, with charm like hers, this father is very proud."
There was amusement in Alexander’s voice. After a brief pause, he added, "Miss Harper, are you free right now?"
Elise stopped walking. After thinking for a moment, she replied, "I don’t really have any plans, no."
"Lily seems to have been asking about you."
His voice remained gentle.
"If it’s convenient, would you like to join us for a meal?"
Elise lowered her eyes instinctively and rested a hand against her abdomen. For some reason, she always felt drawn toward Lily.
Perhaps it was the pregnancy hormones. Or perhaps it was simply because the little girl was impossibly lovable.
Soft. Sweet. Beautiful. With bright eyes and a cheerful personality that made people want to spoil her. She was difficult to resist.
"Sure." Elise smiled softly. "Send me the address and I’ll take a taxi over."
"A taxi?" Alexander sounded surprised. "Where are you right now?"
...
Half an hour later, a black Bentley pulled into the largest shopping center in the downtown area of the city.
Alexander parked the vehicle and stepped out. Inside the back seat, Elise was helping Lily unbuckle her seatbelt.
The door opened. Standing outside, the man smiled gently.
"Miss Harper, come out, please. I’ll carry her."
Under normal circumstances, a little girl Lily’s size wouldn’t be difficult for Elise to carry. But considering the baby she was carrying, she wasn’t willing to take unnecessary risks.
She nodded and smiled. "Alright."
After Elise stepped out, Alexander carefully lifted Lily from her child seat. Closing the door behind them, he turned and smiled, too.
"The elevators are this way."
"Okay."
The three of them headed into the mall together. Their destination was a children’s-themed restaurant on the third floor.
Since the lunch rush had already passed, the restaurant was relatively quiet. The bright, colorful space felt warm and cheerful, filled with playful decorations and the lingering scent of freshly prepared food.
For the first time all day, Elise felt some of the tension leave her shoulders.
After choosing a table, the three of them settled in.
Alexander sat across from Elise, while Lily insisted on staying close to her. At Elise’s request, a high chair was brought over and placed beside her seat.
While they waited for their food, a server brought Lily a small toy set. The little girl’s eyes lit up instantly.
Elise smiled and gently stroked her hair.
"Lily, what do we say?"
The girl blinked, then looked up at the server. "Tank woo~"
The adorable mispronunciation melted hearts on the spot.
"You’re very welcome, sweetheart!" the server replied warmly.
Alexander watched the interaction with a faint smile.
"Lily loves this place. Even a picky eater like her will finish her meals here."
Elise glanced around the restaurant.
Everything looked like it had been lifted straight out of a fairy tale—pastel castles, whimsical decorations, and soft lights glowing warmly overhead.
Without realizing it, her expression softened. Smiling, she rubbed Lily’s little head.
"There isn’t a child in the world who can resist a fairy-tale kingdom, right, Lily?"
The little girl’s large grape-dark eyes remained fixed on Elise. Reflected in those innocent eyes, Elise caught a glimpse of herself.
A version of herself she had almost forgotten existed. Relaxed. Warm. Happy.
Her eyes curved into crescents as she smiled.
"Mommy~" Lily stretched out her chubby little arms toward her.
"Mommy, huggy~"
Her babyish pronunciation was unbearably cute. Elise found herself completely unable to correct her.
Across the table, Alexander looked from his daughter to Elise, his expression helpless.
"I’ve tried correcting her countless times these past few days." He sighed. "But for some reason, she’s incredibly stubborn about calling you Mommy."
Elise couldn’t help but laugh.
"It’s alright. Her speech development has been a little delayed, hasn’t it? Right now, the important thing is that she’s willing to talk more."
She glanced affectionately at Lily.
"As for titles, when she gets older, we can explain everything properly. She’ll understand then."
Alexander cleared his throat.
"Miss Harper... does it really not bother you?"
He hesitated before continuing.
"I’m worried it might put you in an awkward position. When Lily calls you Mommy, outsiders might think my daughter and I are taking advantage of you."
Elise widened her eyes. Then she simply laughed.
Looking at him, she teased, "I thought lawyers specialized in taking advantage of people."
Alexander froze. A rare expression of confusion crossed his usually composed face.
"I’m joking."
Seeing his slight frown, Elise quickly waved her hand.
"Don’t take it seriously."
Her smile softened. "I genuinely like Lily."
Then an idea suddenly came to her.
"If you’re worried about her not being able to change the way she addresses me, then how about this?"
She then looked at Lily. "Why don’t I become her godmother?"
Alexander stared at her, frozen. Surprise flickered across his face, followed quickly by unmistakable delight.
"Miss Harper... are you serious?"
"I think Lily and I are meant to be."
Elise reached over and gently pinched the little girl’s tiny nose.
"Lily, would you like me to be your godmother?"
Naturally, Lily understood none of that.
But she saw Elise smiling at her. So she immediately grinned back and happily clapped her hands.
"Looks like Lily approves of my suggestion."
Elise laughed and turned toward Alexander.
"Your daughter has already voted yes. What about her father?"
Alexander smiled.
"If Miss Harper is willing to care for my daughter, then I couldn’t ask for anything more."
His gaze softened as he looked at Lily.
"She’s grown up without a mother. Having a godmother now might fill at least a small part of that emptiness."
Elise’s heart tightened. She looked down at Lily. The little girl had been staring at her the entire time. The moment their eyes met, Lily broke into another bright smile.
"Mommy, huggy~"
Elise laughed softly.
"Alright."
She reached over and lifted Lily into her arms.
"Godmother’s precious little Lily."
Holding the child close, she kissed the top of her head.
"I wasn’t prepared today, so I don’t have a gift for you."
Her tone was warm and affectionate.
"But next time, Godmother will make it up to you. I’ll prepare a proper red envelope, buy you beautiful dresses, toys, and anything else you like. Does that sound good?"
Lily nodded so enthusiastically that her little head bobbed like a pecking chick.
"Yesh! Yesh!"
The adorable response made Elise burst out laughing.
All the anger, frustration, and suffocating emotions she had carried away from Bennett Manor seemed to dissolve completely under Lily’s cheerful companionship.
Then, unexpectedly, Lily placed a tiny hand against Elise’s lower abdomen.
Elise froze. Across the table, Alexander paused as well.
The little girl tilted her head upward. Her eyes were clear and innocent.
"Mommy..." Her small voice was soft and earnest. "Baby sister~"
Elise went completely still. For a moment, time itself seemed to stop, too.
