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    Chapter 0553


    At work, I found myself distracted. Dous had spoken to me several times, but I hadn''t heard a word. Even though I was confident in my confrontation with udia, I had to admit that her words had affected me.


    Who was Nichs really doing all this for? udia imed it was for her-that he stood up for her in her time of need. Everything she said seemed to add up.


    Was it really just a coincidence? I wasn''t sure anymore.


    I didn''t know whether I doubted Nichs or justcked confidence in myself. I wasn''t sure if Nichs would pick me over udia. To me, it didn''t seem possible.


    Dous could tell I 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.


    When I got home, I 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 I stepped outside, it wasn''t Wendy holding the child-it was Nichs.


    The smile I had on my face disappeared instantly when I saw him. Yet, there he was, holding Tabitha, using her as leverage.


    "What are you doing here?" I looked at him, my expression cold and distant.


    Nichs felt a pang in his chest when he saw my cold stare. It was so different from the image of me in his memories. The contrast was too much for him to bear, but he had no choice but to ept 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 himpletely, taking Tabitha from his arms and yfully nuzzling her. Tabitha called out and snuggled her arms around my neck, but her other hand still tightly gripped Nichs'' 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. I 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," I urged Nichs to leave.


    "Ariana, look, Tabitha is still holding onto my sleeve. It means she wants her daddy. Let me in. I''ll help her get ready for bed and put her to sleep, and then I''ll leave, I promise."


    ''Tabitha has me. That''s enough."


    "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 time I''d seen Nichs interact with Tabitha-and the first time he''d called himself her "Daddy".


    For so long, I 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 time and space. When she didn''t respond, he grew anxious. "Tabitha, did you forget what Daddy taught you earlier? Say, ''I loveC0pyright ? 2024 N?v)(elDrama.Org.


    Daddy the most! I can''t live without Daddy!'' Isn''t that right?"


    "Yes..." she replied, burying her face in my chest with a pout.


    I wasn''t sure if she was frustrated or just showing her little temper, but that single word came out clear and firm.


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