Chapter 271 Divorced a Long Time Ago

Chapter 271 Divorced a Long Time Ago

Daisy didn't dare make any other requests, but she said, "I need you to help protect Shawn."

This time, Vincent fell silent for even longer.

She couldn't help but ask, "Is it difficult? Or is Shawn already in danger?"

The thought made her anxious, and she even regretted being so caught up in her career lately that she'd neglected Shawn.

Vincent said, "I just realized—you've never asked me to protect you, but you're asking me to protect her."

Before Daisy could respond, he delivered his verdict. "You always put others first."

Daisy hadn't expected such a cutting remark. Her chest tightened. Coming from anyone else, those words might have been a veiled compliment.

But not from him.

Not from the man she'd once held in the highest regard—the same man who'd hurt her most deeply.

Vincent seemed to realize he'd said something wrong, though he could only tell from Daisy's expression. He didn't understand exactly which part had been the mistake.

He said, "Let me drive you home."

Daisy replied politely, "I drove here. I can get back on my own."

Vincent stayed in the café, watching her leave.

Tyler walked over and said quietly, "Mr. Black, while you and Ms. Hart were talking, someone took photos. The photographer said Miss Drake ordered it, and the photos have already been sent to her."

Vincent nodded, seemingly unconcerned.

Tyler found Vincent increasingly difficult to read.

As he tried to gauge Vincent's meaning, Vincent had already stood and headed for the door.

In the car, Vincent's phone kept ringing. He didn't answer a single call.

By the time he returned to the Black family estate, Vanessa was still calling him from inside.

The moment she heard Vincent was back, she ran downstairs without even putting on shoes, throwing herself into his arms barefoot.

She looked up, her disheveled hair framing a pitiful face, and choked out, "Vincent..."

Vincent smoothed her hair.

Tears rolled down Vanessa's cheeks. "Vincent, will you come home more often from now on?"

A smart woman wouldn't ask why a man who claimed to be too busy to come home had time to meet his ex-wife at a café.

Of course Vanessa was resentful—otherwise she wouldn't have called Vincent over and over.

When Daisy texted Vincent, he'd been in a meeting.

Vanessa hadn't known the significance of that meeting at first. Vincent had been in meetings constantly, which was why he hadn't been coming home.

But he'd glanced at his phone mid-meeting and immediately canceled everything. Then she'd received the paparazzi photos.

The more she hated Daisy, the more genuine her tears looked when she gazed at Vincent, brimming with grievance and love.

Vincent was silent for a moment before wiping away her tears.

Vanessa smiled slightly. "I'll go make you dinner."

Just as she turned away from his embrace, Vincent said, "Vanessa, I'm not going to marry you."

Vanessa froze in place.

Vincent didn't explain further—just as he'd never explained things to Daisy before.

He simply left the Black estate and sent Vanessa all the evidence he'd gathered against her over the years.

Vanessa had known Vincent was investigating her, so she'd been very careful lately, making sure not to actually try to kill Daisy.

Besides, since she was about to marry Vincent, she'd been working to clean up her tracks.

But she hadn't expected Vincent to dig this deep. So many things she thought she'd done without leaving a trace—yet he had clear, solid evidence of it all.

When Daisy got home, Luna had already been picked up.

Luna didn't run over asking to be held. Instead, she turned her back and stomped her feet angrily. "Mommy, neither you nor Daddy came to get me! You're both liars! Your noses should grow long!"

Daisy touched her head and apologized sincerely. "Mommy's sorry. I was discussing something important with Daddy today, so I was late."

"Were you two sneaking around on a date behind my back?" Luna suddenly spun around, her eyes lighting up. "Mommy, did you and Daddy make up?"

Daisy froze. "What?"

Luna asked again, "You made up, didn't you?"

Daisy exchanged a glance with Grandma. "When did Mommy and Daddy ever fight? Who told you that?"

They weren't sure where Luna had gotten this information or why she thought Daisy and Vincent needed to make up.

Luna said, "Because Daddy likes Vanessa better, so Mommy and Daddy were always fighting. Nick told me all about it."

So it was Nick.

Grandma whispered to Daisy, "That child's been smart since he was little."

They both knew Nick had been essential to Luna's growth and transformation.

Ever since that bullying incident, Nick had protected Luna and become her best friend.

Like a little adult, he'd patiently worked to reshape Luna's habits at kindergarten.

Daisy realized this might be an opportunity. "What else did Nick tell you?"

Luna put her hands on her hips, looking rather unhappy.

After Daisy coaxed her for a while, she finally said, "Nick said Daddy and Vanessa did a lot of things to hurt Mommy, so you might never make up and you'd get divorced."

Luna's eyes reddened as she spoke. "Mommy, what's divorce?"

"Divorce..." Daisy paused. "Divorce means Daddy lives with Vanessa, and Mommy lives with Luna. But when we miss each other, we can still see each other and visit."

Luna looked up at her, those red-rimmed eyes still confused and innocent. "So did Mommy and Daddy get divorced?"

"Ah... yes." Daisy knelt down and hugged Luna tightly, wanting to give her child more security.

Afraid Luna would be sad, she added, "But even though Mommy and Daddy are divorced, we both still love Luna very much."

Luna suddenly burst into tears. "Mommy and Daddy got divorced today!"

"No, no." Grandma joined in trying to comfort her. "Luna, Mommy and Daddy got divorced a long time ago."

"Grandma's lying! Mommy and Daddy were still dropping me off and picking me up from school yesterday!" Luna was both heartbroken and angry. She threw a tantrum, trying hard to break free from Daisy's arms. When she couldn't, she kicked.

Daisy held her, letting her vent all her frustration.

She should have comforted the child, but when she tried to speak, she couldn't help thinking of all the grievances she'd suffered in that marriage, of Vincent's attitude today. With her face buried against her child's neck, tears somehow began to fall.

Mother and daughter's tears dripped onto each other. Daisy's voice caught slightly as she said, "Luna, Luna..."

Hearing her mother's call, Luna's movements gradually stilled, though she still cried heartbrokenly, her little face flushed red.

Daisy lifted her head and touched Luna's face. "Luna, don't be afraid. Mommy will always be here."

Luna cried, "Mommy, I want Daddy—"