Filed to story: Finding the Secret Daddy for My Baby Novel >>
But he believed the reason Anastasia conceived Jared was that the child’s adorableness could heal her pain. Jared was like a cure for Anastasia, liberating her from that horrific experience. This little one, on the other hand, needed love and care, and it would be his duty from now on.
Just then, the dishes were served. Hayley was looking forward to dinner when she made the orders, but now she felt as though she was chewing wax. Who’d have thought Elliot invited her to dinner only to learn about Anastasia’s past? At the end of the day, all he had in mind was Anastasia.
“Elliot, Anastasia’s a sweet girl. If it weren’t for that encounter, she would be living a happy life.” Hayley continued to put on her saint façade in front of Elliot.
Elliot, however, was still deep in his thoughts. After hearing Hayley’s words, he nodded in agreement, for the rest of Anastasia’s life had everything to do with him now. He would give her the happily ever after she deserved.
Then, Hayley thought of something, and she shyly asked, “Say, Elliot, has Anastasia ever asked you about us?”
However, Elliot’s gaze at her was clear and collected. “Hayley, what happened between us was a mistake. I’ve hurt you unconsciously that night, and I’ll make it up to you in my own way.”
“I don’t blame you, Elliot. Really. Maybe I’ve suffered for five years, but after knowing you, those sufferings became sweet experiences.” Hayley tried her best to confess her love for him.
Too bad Elliot didn’t feel the same for her. “It’s best that you don’t dwell on that night. It’ll do nothing but harm to you, after all.”
“No, I’m happy as long as it’s you.” Hayley shook her head like a rattle. She was beyond willing to experience such happiness again. “Elliot, I… Anytime you want, I’m willing to—”
Just then, Elliot’s phone rang, and she looked exasperatedly at the caller ID, only to find it was Anastasia.
Immediately, a fire raged beneath her eyes. Oh, how she wanted to kill this b*tch! She swore Anastasia had deliberately called to meddle at this time.
On the other hand, Elliot hurriedly grabbed his phone and stood up. “Let me take this call.”
“Okay.” Hayley beamed, suppressing her raging fire.
With that, he went to the empty private room next door and answered the call with a gentle voice. “Hello?”
“Mr. Presgrave, you’ve promised to play with me downstairs. Why haven’t you come?!” The little one’s voice traveled from the other end of the line.
“Can you wait for me, Jared? I’ll go over once I’m done with dinner.”
“Really? You’ll still come over, Mr. Presgrave?”
“I will. I never go back on my words,” Elliot promised. He adored the child immensely, even if they weren’t related by blood.
“Okay. I’ll be waiting for you!”
“Alright, I’ll get there soon,” Elliot promised again.
After hanging up, he checked the time and returned to the private room. When he saw that Hayley had barely eaten, he couldn’t help asking, “Hayley, are you done eating?”
“Are you leaving?” She couldn’t help panicking. Must he go as soon as Anastasia called?
“Yeah, I still have something I have to get to first. I’ll have Daniel send you home.”
“But Elliot… I… I hope you can finish this dinner with me.” Hayley wished he could stay, but when he looked over with his suit jacket in his hand under the light, she lost all courage and bit her lip aggrievedly. “Y-You go ahead then! I’ll be fine.”
“I’m sorry, Hayley. I’ll treat you to another meal,” Elliot apologized, standing on ceremony, before striding out.
Now that he was gone, Hayley could throw her façade away and bear her bitter, resentful face. Anastasia, of all people, it has to be Anastasia! That b*tch shrouded her like a nightmare she couldn’t drive away no matter how.
With that, she picked up her phone and called Daniel. “Daniel, come up here and keep me company.”
Daniel came up in two shakes, and when he saw Hayley chugging liquor, he snatched the glass from her. “Don’t drink like this, Miss Seymour. You’ll get sick.”
“Daniel.” Hayley got up and hugged him. She seriously needed a man and she didn’t want to give herself a hard time, even if she couldn’t have Elliot to herself.
His body stiffened at her contact. He tried to push her away, but she had a tight grip around his neck. “Don’t leave me too, Daniel. Hug me.”
Daniel obliged half-heartedly. Though Hayley knew she was leaning against Daniel, she couldn’t stop thinking about Elliot. With that, she closed her eyes and consoled herself by thinking she was hugging Elliot.
Meanwhile, at Anastasia’s home. Jared waited in his room for Elliot to arrive after making a sneaky call to him. Meanwhile, Anastasia was busy with house chores and it was already around 8.00PM by the time she was done with their laundry.
Just as she was about to return to her room to continue working, the doorbell rang.
Hmm? Who could it be at this hour?
With that, she walked to the door and found Elliot standing outside through the peephole.
She was surprised he would still come. Isn’t he supposed to be on a date with Hayley? What the hell is he doing here?!
The doorbell rang again, and she knew he wasn’t going to leave anytime soon. Hence, she opened the door with frustration and pulled a grim face. “It’s already late at night. What are you doing here?”
“I’m here to play with Jared.”
“Thanks, but no thanks. I’ll play with my son. Please leave,” Anastasia said indifferently.
However, the little one ran out from behind her at that moment. “You’re here, Mr. Presgrave. Let’s play downstairs.”
Anastasia stared at her son as she watched him dashing out the door to hold Elliot’s hand and say, “I didn’t expect you to come so soon, Mr. Presgrave!”
She was once again rendered speechless. Had her son called Elliot to come over?
“Mommy, please don’t be mad at Mr. Presgrave. I called and asked him to come to play with me.” Jared looked back at his mother.
Apart from speechlessness, she was now troubled as well. With that, she reprimanded, “Jared, who said you could bother him as you please? I’ve told you before that he’s a very busy man. He doesn’t have the time to play with you. Why can’t you listen?”
It was rare for Anastasia to get upset over her son, but right then, she was truly pissed. She thought her son was being inconsiderate by calling Elliot over when he was on a date with Hayley.
“I’m sorry, Mommy.” Jared drooped his head and apologized when he realized he had angered his mother.
It was Elliot’s first time seeing Anastasia reprimanding the little one, and with that, he carried Jared up and looked at the little fellow with distress before turning to Anastasia. “I have the time. I’m more than happy to play with Jared, so please don’t scold him anymore.”
Anastasia didn’t want to scold her son either, but she was in a bad mood that day, and she didn’t want to have any more to do with Elliot either. So, she wished Jared would stop being attached to Elliot and stay away from him even more so.
“Jared, come back inside and let Mr. Presgrave go home.” With that, she came out and reached out with her hands to carry Jared, who immediately leaned toward her.
On the other hand, Elliot was actually afraid of Anastasia at this moment. He was worried that he had hurt her with his words or disturb her, and she’d even hate him.
He just learned from Hayley how Anastasia got hurt, how she conceived and birthed the child of the man who defiled her, and how she was chased out of her own home. It was only normal for Anastasia to repulse men when she had been through all she had.
With that, he tried to explain, saying, “Anastasia, I mean no harm. I—”