Chapter 9
They quickly went out the door.
I floated along beside Leah.
Hudson took them to the mall. Rylee kept insisting on having pizza, so they went to the restaurant.
Rylee clung to Hudson. He had no choice but to let her sit on his lap. Ayla sat beside Hudson. Leah sat alone across from him.
While waiting for the food, Rylee kept talking to Hudson, telling him funny stories from kindergarten. She begged him to attend her school event next week.
Hudson affectionately patted her head. He nodded and agreed.
Ayla teased as she watched them.
“Rylee, you’re just taking advantage of how much he spoils you.
“Hudson, you’re spoiling her too much.”
Leah watched the three of them getting along. She blinked enviously. Her mouth opened slightly, but she swallowed her words.
I knew Leah also had an event next week. The teacher had sent a message requesting parents to attend.
Leah must want Hudson to go with her, too.
Watching Leah sit there all alone, I felt helpless. I could only sit beside her silently.
“Is this Rylee’s dad? He’s so handsome, and he looks perfect with you.”
Suddenly, a curly–haired woman from the next table came over. She smiled and greeted Ayla.
Hudson suddenly looked uncomfortable. He set Rylee down and seemed to want to explain. Ayla interrupted him.
Ayla’s face blushed with embarrassment.
“Hello, Ms. Campbell.”
Rylee cheerfully greeted the woman.
Ayla quickly introduced them, “This is Jane Campbell, Rylee’s teacher.”
Hudson was feeling helpless. He nodded politely at Jane.
Jane noticed Leah sitting alone. She looked at Ayla curiously and asked, “Is this little girl also your child? I don’t remember you mentioning her before. She must be in kindergarten, right?”
Ayla smiled awkwardly.
“She’s a friend’s child, not mine.”
Leah blinked her big eyes at Hudson. She seemed to be waiting for his explanation and introduction.
Hudson glanced at Leah. In the end, he looked away without saying anything.
Jane made some talk before leaving.
After she left, Hudson looked embarrassed and turned to Ayla.
“Why didn’t you explain just now?”
Ayla froze for a moment, then lowered her head in a hurt manner.
“You didn’t explain either. I thought it was just a title. Rylee always calls you Dad, so I didn’t think much of it.
“If it upset you, I’ll apologize, okay?”
Ayla’s eyes filled with tears as she spoke. She looked so pitiful..
Hudson always fell for this. He immediately softened and handed Ayla a tissue.
“Forget it. It’s fine. I was just worried about your reputation. After all, I am a married man.”
I let out a cold snort..
“Now you remember you’re married? Where was this thought before? You clearly enjoyed it. Leah was hoping so much that you would acknowledge her. And you let her down again and again.”
Rylee suddenly hugged Hudson’s waist and looked up at him with a big smile.
“Don’t you want to be my dad?
Her words made Hudson freeze. He immediately pushed Rylee away.
Rylee froze in fear, then started crying loudlyContentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDrâ/ma.O(r)g!
“Dad, you pushed me. Don’t you want to be my dad anymore? Don’t you want me anymore?”
Ayla didn’t expect Hudson to react this way, but she quickly recovered. She hugged Rylee and comforted her.
“Rylee, he isn’t rejecting you. He is also Leah’s dad.”
Hudson looked at Ayla with guilt.
“Sorry, I don’t know what came over me. Maybe I was just worried Leah would get the wrong idea. She’s getting older and starting to remember things.”
“It’s okay. No need to apologize to me. Rylee just got carried away. She lost her dad when she was little, so her longing for fatherly love is stronger than other kids‘. That’s why she asked you that.”
Ayla sighed with a smile, making Hudson feel even more guilty. He immediately picked up Rylee again and promised to buy her a dress later.
Ayla glanced at Leah sitting across from her. A trace of malice flickered in her eyes.
During the meal, Hudson was distracted. He kept glancing at his silent phone.
Finally, Hudson couldn’t resist picking up his phone. He opened the WhatsApp and sent me a message.
“After dinner, I’ll take the kids for a walk, then to the office. We won’t be home for dinner.”
There was no reply came back.
Hudson was in a fit of anger. He put his phone on silent and shoved it into his pocket.