Chapter 28
Kenny snorted. “Even if you are desperate to marry Nathan, using a cheesy move like a DNA test is so not cool, Cassidy.”
Samantha wrinkled her nose. “Oh, we must be pretty unlucky to have you as our daughter!”
David sneered, “I don’t care even if Cassidy is innocent. I’ll only acknowledge Meredith as my granddaughter–in–law.”
Dahlia scoffed, “You reckon this DNA test report means a dang thing? I can’t believe you’re going all out just to marry Nathan.”
Cassidy sacrificed her pride, hoping Nathan would embrace her love. But Nathan crushed that hope five years ago. To this day, Cassidy can’t shake that rainy day memory where Nathan shielded Meredith. It’s etched in her mind forever.
Kenny fumed. “What are you doing here?”
David looked at Cassidy, his eyes widened, but he kept silent.
Cassidy retorted coldly. “This is not the Jensen residence. Mr. Jensen, you have no right to question my presence here.”
Kenny was thrown off by Cassidy’s snark reply.
“This is the Howell residence!” boomed David, standing up with his cane. “You don’t have any business making trouble here!”
Cassidy replied coldly, “Don’t worry, Mr. David Howell. I’m as unwilling to come here. If possible, I never want to walk through those doors in my life.”
Samantha sniffed coldly, “Such a hypocrite. Then why are you here, you disgraceful brat?”
Cassidy ignored her. She heard footsteps coming from the staircase and saw Nathan holding Paisley in his arms.
“Paisley!” called out Cassidy. Her expression changed when she saw there were obvious signs of tears on Paisley’s sweet little face. Paisley’s eyes were red–rimmed, her eyes slightly swollen, her hair messy, and her face flushed. Cassidy’s gaze fell on Nathan. She strode forward and slapped Nathan in the face. She used so much force that his face turned sideways.
Everyone was stunned! No one could believe that Cassidy would hit Nathan. ‘How could she bear to do it? How dare she! The Cassidy who regarded Nathan as her god five years ago no longer exists, they thought.
“I’ve warned you. You can mess with me all you want, but you better not touch Paisley. Shooting Nathan a fierce glare, Cassidy snatched Paisley away and held her closely, looking defensive.
Nathan, still reeling from the slap, shot back at Cassidy with a sharp gaze.
“Don’t stare at me like that!” Cassidy snapped. “Didn’t you say Paisley wasn’t here? Didn’t you always pride yourself on your integrity? Do you think such a cheap lie can conceal the truth?”
Nathan quickly realized Cassidy misunderstood that he had taken Paisley. “It wasn’t me,” he argued.
“Facts speak louder than words. What’s your intention in bringing Paisley here?” Cassidy exploded.
Nathan stayed silent, his icy stare fixed on her. He knew that she had found him guilty, and no amount of explanation would help clear his name.
Everyone looked toward Paisley.
Paisley hugged Cassidy in fear, trembling, her little face buried in Cassidy’s arms. She could sense Cassidy’s anger and blamed herself for it, tears welled up in her eyes.
David didn’t expect that a child was being hidden in the Howell residence. He couldn’t help but come closer, pointed at -Paisley, and asked, “Who is she?”
Cassidy held Paisley tightly and glared at him. “It has nothing to do with you.”
David’s face twisted with anger at Cassidy’s coldness.
Meredith interceded, holding David and appealing to Cassidy “There must be some misunderstanding Paisley is Mr. Saunders‘ and your daughter. Why’d Nathan bring her back without reason?”
“Daughter?” David turned to look at Meredith. “You mean she is…”
Chapter 28
Samantha interjected, bursting with scorn, “Just a love child. No need to sugarcoat it.”
Cassidy taunted, “Seems like the Jensen family isn’t content with just their place being wrecked. Should I level the Howell residence too, Mrs. Jensen?”
David didn’t expect Cassidy to be so arrogant. He barked, “How dare you!”
“Let’s see how daring I am, shall we?” retorted Cassidy. She suddenly looked around and asked, “If anyone dares to use the word ‘illegitimate daughter again today, I will destroy this place, even if it is the Howell residence!” Although Cassidy knew that she was like an ant in the Howell family’s eyes, as a mother, she wouldn’t allow anyone to bully Paisley, even if she got hurt in the process. Her short sentence carried a heavy and frightening momentum,
In such a tense atmosphere, Jayden suddenly walked toward Nathan and looked at Cassidy. His pupils instantly constricted as he thought. ‘It’s Paisley’s mommy, the woman Daddy drew! Jayden blurted out without thinking. “Mommy… His words hung in the air, surprising even himself at calling Cassidy “Mommy.”
Cassidy froze when she heard Jayden’s voice. She turned around and looked at Jayden, feeling as if her body had been drained of energy. Jayden…
“Mama’s here,” Meredith cooed, quick to react. Assuming Jayden called for her, she stepped forward, holding him gently, comforting him. “Feeling scared? Don’t worry, Jayden. Mamma’s here… She embraced Jayden, sneaking glances at Cassidy. In her heart, Meredith gloated, “No matter what, I’m Jayden’s true mom now‘
Cassidy felt as though a dagger had pierced her heart as she wondered, ‘Did he call out to Meredith just now? I must’ve jumped the gun… This child isn’t my flesh and blood, despite carrying him for ten months! From her vantage point, Cassidy watched Meredith cradle Jayden next to Nathan, forming a facade of a loving family. In that moment, she felt her once invincible heart splinter in a thousand ways.
“I’m sorry, Mommy. Paisley pleaded weakly. She promised to be obedient after this.
“Good girl, I’ll take you home, comforted Cassidy, holding Paisley tightly in her arms and quickly leaving.
Meredith gazed at Cassidy’s retreating figure smugly when Nathan hastened after Cassidy. Meredith shouted, “Nathan!”
Cassidy escorted Paisley back to the car amid the rain.
Josiah stood by the door, assisting Paisley into her child seat and closing the door. Noticing Cassidy’s distressed appearance, he prepared to question her when he saw Nathan striding over. Understanding the situation following Cassidy’s entry into the Howell residence, Josiah reached out and embraced her
