Chapter 68: Chapter Sixty-seven

The sound of the door opening drew Mirabella’s attention, her head snapped up as she heard Hunter's footsteps. She wasn’t expecting anyone, so when she saw the tall man standing beside Hunter, her eyes narrowed instantly.

“Tobias?” she heard herself say.

Tobias smiled politely at her. “Hi, Mirabella,” he greeted warmly. Unlike him actually. Before he was always carrying a serious look, it's a surprise that he is smiling at her. He looked down at the little girl beside her and grinned. “And this must be our little Miss Groves.”

Before Mirabella could say anything, Tobias stepped forward and reached out his arms. “Come here, sweetheart,” he said gently, motioning for Rena.

Mirabella expected Rena to shy away like she always did around strangers. Her daughter was usually quiet and clingy, hiding behind her whenever someone new tried to approach. But to her shock, Rena’s tiny hands reached out, and she let Tobias carry her up without protest.

Mirabella blinked in surprise, momentarily speechless.

‘When will my daughter stop breaking my heart?’ she thought bitterly. First, it was Hunter, now this man she had no connection with.

She straightened her back and folded her arms. “Hi to you too,” she said stiffly. “So, to what do I owe this unannounced visit?” Her words were directed at Tobias, but her eyes were on Hunter — sharp, suspicious, demanding an explanation.

Hunter looked completely unbothered. Tobias smiled awkwardly, shifting Rena slightly in his arms. “Oh, I came to deliver these to my boss,” he said, nodding toward the travel bags and boxes stacked by the door.

Mirabella’s gaze followed his hand — three large suitcases, two duffel bags, and a few smaller boxes. Her eyes widened. “Wait… you came here with traveling boxes?”

“Yes, I did,” Tobias said with a sheepish grin.

“Oh, hell no,” she said, throwing her hands up in disbelief. “I don’t have space to accommodate yet another uninvited guest!”

Hunter chuckled deeply from where he stood, leaning against the wall with his arms folded. “Ah, don’t worry, baby. He won’t need you to shelter him while he’s here.”

Mirabella turned sharply to him. “What? So he’s also staying?” she asked, incredulous. “What are you guys looking for here, huh? This is a small, quiet town — not exactly suitable for your kind of people. Should I be expecting more of your men showing up anytime soon?”

Hunter’s lips curled into a slow, teasing smile. “I think you should,” he said lightly. “Because the longer you keep me here, the more my men will start wondering why I haven’t returned. And you know them well, they are meddling bastards. They might just show up.”

“I agree,” Tobias added from the side, earning himself a glare from Mirabella.

“You are still not staying here,” she told him firmly.

Tobias raised his hands in mock surrender and nodded with a playful smile. “Understood, ma’am,” he said, though the humor in his eyes said otherwise.

“I told you,” Hunter said, picking up one of the smaller bags Tobias had brought. “You don’t need to worry about that.” He walked past Mirabella toward the couch, his voice softening as he looked at the little girl in Tobias’s arms. “Let’s see what Dada bought for you, princess.”

He carefully took Rena from Tobias and sat down on the couch with her on his lap. Mirabella could feel the warmth in his tone, the soft edge that only came when he was around their daughter.

“He already rented the empty apartment beside yours,” Hunter added casually as he removed the box from the bag.

Mirabella froze mid-step. “He did what?” she asked, turning her head slowly toward him.

“Uh, yeah,” Tobias said, scratching his neck nervously. “I’m going to be staying in the next apartment. Just beside yours.”

Mirabella’s mouth fell open. “You… you… this is insane!” she exclaimed. “You know what? You might as well move in with him too, don’t you think?”

Hunter didn’t even look up. “Not happening, babe,” he said smoothly. “Not happening.” He brushed a hand through Rena’s hair and smiled. “Here, baby. Look what Dada got for you.”

Rena’s eyes widened in excitement as Hunter pulled out a shiny purple Barbie doll from the box. Her small hands clapped together instantly.

“Wooooooooow!” she squealed in delight. “Dada bought me a purple Barbie! Purple is my favorite color!”

Mirabella stood frozen for a second, watching her daughter jump up and down in excitement. Her throat tightened, emotions swirling inside her. “Wow… did you really have to do this?” she asked softly, looking at Hunter. “She’s always wanted one but…”

“I had to, Bella,” Hunter said, cutting her off gently. “She wanted it, so she has it.” He smiled as Rena hugged her new toy close to her chest. His voice softened even more. “My princess gets what she wants.”

“I love it, Dada! Thank youuuuuu!” Rena said happily. She leaned forward and planted a small kiss on his cheek. “Muah! I love you, Dada!”

Hunter’s smile reached his eyes. He wrapped his strong arms around her tiny frame and held her close. “And I love you too, princess.”

The warmth in the room was almost overwhelming.

Mirabella stood there watching them — father and daughter, together — and her chest tightened. She had never seen this side of Hunter before. He looked so at ease, so… human. She could see the raw affection in his eyes as he looked at their little girl. It was beautiful.

“Mama, see my Barbie doll!” Rena called out, running to her mother with the doll held up proudly. “She’s beautiful, isn’t she, Mama?”

Mirabella squatted to meet her daughter’s eyes. “It’s very beautiful, baby,” she said softly. “And it’s purple.”

“Yeyyyy! It’s my favorite!” Rena shouted, twirling around the room.

“It is,” Mirabella said, smiling despite herself. Then she lifted her gaze to Hunter, who was watching her with that familiar, intense look. Her lips parted slightly. “Thank you,” she said in a low voice.

Hunter shook his head slowly, his smirk returning. “There will be no thanking me for doing things for my princess.” He leaned forward slightly, his eyes glinting with mischief. “But if you insist on thanking me, you could always do it later tonight.”

Mirabella’s cheeks flushed instantly. “Don’t push your luck,” she said quickly, standing up to avoid his gaze. “This is all the thanks you’ll be getting from me.”

Tobias cleared his throat loudly from the corner. “I’m still here, in case I’m being forgotten,” he said dryly.

“Yeah, you can leave already,” Hunter replied without missing a beat. “Stop being a third wheel.”

Mirabella shot him an irritated look. “Hunter!” she scolded, before turning to Tobias. “Come back after you’ve freshened up. I’ll prepare a meal.”

Tobias nodded, grateful for the invitation. “Thanks, Mirabella,” he said sincerely. Then he turned to Hunter. “Boss, I’m not far if you need me.” He crouched a little to Rena’s level. “Hey, princess, see you later, okay?”

“Bye, Uncle T!” Rena said with a cheerful wave.

“Oh, I like uncle T." Tobias chuckled and headed for the door, leaving the three of them in the quiet house.

The door clicked shut, and Mirabella said, “You know, I still don’t get how you people go to new places and somehow make it look like you own everything.” She turned and noticed his eyes on her, “what?"

He tilted his head, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Don’t you want to come thank me properly? You know, with some sweet words and maybe a smile?”

“In your dreams,” she said flatly, though her lips twitched with amusement.

Hunter grinned. He leaned back, stretching his legs. “You’ll come around, Bella. You always do.”

She rolled her eyes and turned toward the room. “We’ll see about that.”

Behind her, she heard Rena’s laughter echoing through the room as Hunter lifted her high up in the air, both of them lost in their own little world.