Chapter 91 Dad
Verena
Atlas had to be the worst last-minute planner that I’d ever met. One would think that he would have changed over the years, but he was still the same. He had always been the type to plan an event and send an invite two days before it.
He had no concept of time and didn't understand the importance of it because how are you throwing, your fianceè, Lisa, a birthday party and just telling me less than 24 hours to it.
And somehow, he expected me to magically appear in Seattle before the party started.
I had no plans of going. But, he’d told Daxton who ended up convincing me to spend the weekend there. I wondered when they’d grown so close.
I had to get gifts for Lisa. For my sweet little niece and that annoying prick himself. The whole thing was so sudden and exhausting that Daxton finally took over, insisting on choosing the gifts himself.
Now, we were on Daxton’s private jet—for the worst unplanned trip to Seattle. Thanks to Atlas.
I cuddled into Daxton’s chest, his fingers threading through my hair, softly. I loved having his hands in my hair, massaging my scalp until I drifted into sleep.
I was about to fall asleep when his voice made my eyes flutter open. “Still adamant about moving? Where do you want to move to?”
“Uh,” I craned my neck up to look at him. “I don't think I will be moving soon,”
A strange light bloomed in his eyes and I almost chuckled at how swift it came and went.
So, I had thought things over. And as much as I didn’t want to agree with Daxton, I couldn't deny it. He tried to disguise his disagreement as concern for my safety but I knew he didn't want me to leave because of his own selfish reasons.
But, he was right. That statement Kian and his team released online was a ploy to make me let down my walls, then break in when I’d least expect it.
With the one person holding him back, gone from his life, he now had the freedom to do worse.
This was the same Kian who wasted my time and dragged out the divorce process. He deceived and told me he would never contact me again just to stalk and break into my house later.
Daxton’s mansion was my best shot at safety from Kian and his stupid tactics. So, I was taking no chances this time.
“You won't be moving?” He grinned hard.
I nodded with a smile on my face.
Daxton’s eyes brightened, the grin on his face widening—almost boyish—and I had never seen him look this excited. He wrapped his hand tight around my waist, burying his face into the crook of my neck. “You broke my heart, Verena…” He whispered. “So, you’re really not moving?” Daxton pulled back, his eyes holding mine.
“Not for now…” I teased, pursing my lips.
I watch the way the smile slipped off his face, his expression changing into a frown. “You are so mean, Verena. What would it take you to live with me?”
I smirked mischievously. “Maybe if you ask nicely,”
“Verena, I don't want you over only on weekends. I want to see you—” He paused, eyes slowly widening as if he had just realized what I’d just said. “What did you say?”
“If you ask nicely,”
His lips parted—his eyes taking me in for a second before he crushed his lips on mine and pulled back almost immediately. “Will you live with me? No more talks about moving out, renting your own house, or needing space from me,”
I chuckled, staring at him—amused. “A weird way to propose but yes,”
Daxton’s eyes lit up like a wild flame as he cupped both my cheeks and slammed his lips on mine. The kiss wasn't like the rough and possessive one we sometimes shared.
It was soft, melting, and full of all the tenderness in the world.
Daxton broke the kiss, his forehead resting against mine as he moved my hair out of my face and smiled at me. “I am so overwhelmed with happiness that I don't even know how to explain how I feel right now. But, thank you for agreeing to live with me. You’ve made my day so much better.”
Lisa’s birthday wasn't what I had expected. Pink bouncy castles. Bubbles floating around. A huge SpongeBob costume waddling around the backyard as the children chased after it.
“Are we in the wrong place?” Daxton asked, turning to me. He was carrying two bags stuffed with gifts that he had bought.
The shoes he selected for Lisa were all my sizes. She would love the scarves though and with Dahlia, he was really thoughtful. A small pink teddy bear. A coloring book and a wristwatch for Atlas.
I glanced at my phone to check the address again—not until I caught sight of Atlas, coming through the back door, carrying Dahlia. “We are at the right place,” I muttered, cheeks pinching up in a smile.
“Hi sister and hi you—”
Someone yelled from the inside. I figured out it was Lisa because in the next second, she was out of the house, beaming with a smile as she pulled me into a tight hug. “I am glad to finally meet you,” she pressed a kiss to my cheeks.
“Me too. Happy Birthday, Lisa,” she pulled back with a grin and averted her gaze to Daxton. “And you are Mr. Daxton…” she shifted her eyes back to me.
“Yes. Just call me Daxton. Happy Birthday, we got you guys this—” He raised the bags.
Lisa gasped, clenching her heart. “Oh my God, thank you,” She took the bags from him and I really hoped the shoes would be a perfect fit.
She took a peek and squeaked, looking up at Atlas who stared at her with affection in his eyes. “I think I would love this,”
“Oh, you would. I hand-picked them carefully,” Daxton said confidently.
“Thank you Daxton and thank you, Verena,” She said, removing the scarves. “Oh my God, it's so beautiful.”
One thing I looked forward to aside from meeting Lisa for the first time was bonding with my niece but she wouldn't even let me carry her. Any attempt resulted in a loud cry that grew in intensity as she tried to wriggle free from my arm and would only stop crying whenever she was back in Atlas’s arms.
It broke me and what shattered me the most was when she reached for Daxton. The same man who looked like he could disappear when she clenched her small fist on his shirt.
I almost laughed, on seeing the awkwardness in Daxton’s eyes as he cradled Dahlia to his chest and patted her on the back.
Atlas stared in amusement while I wondered how Dahlia could like Daxton who clearly doesn't like children.
I clicked my tongue in annoyance.
Daxton smirked. “Jealous that she doesn't like you?”
“Of course she does. I mean, she was named after me,”
Daxton burst into a mocking laugh. “So, why isn't she coming to you?”
I sneered. “Come here, Dahlia. Let your aunt carry you—”
Daxton looked like he would be glad if she did but Dahlia had only stared at me, smiled a toothless grin, and buried her face in his chest.
I sighed in defeat. “At least she smiled at me,”
“I might as well take her back to Dallas and raise her at this point, right Dahlia?
Atlas chimed in, shaking Dahlia’s bottle. “Did someone talk about taking my baby away from me,”
“Well, she looks like she might want to come with me,” Daxton smirked as she tugged at his collar curiously
Atlas reached for Dahlia, a playful glint in his eyes. “Not happening buddy. She stays with her Dad,” He took her from him, held the bottle to Dahlia’s mouth and she latched on immediately.
I crooned. “Aww. She’s so cute. Can I take her back with me,”
“Hell fucking no!” Atlas eyed me, turned his back to us, and walked away.
I scowled at him for a long minute, then fixed my eyes back to Daxton only for my breath to hitch when I caught him staring.
He tilted his head, sparks dancing in his eyes. “Have I ever told you are the prettiest woman I have ever met?”
I could feel my cheeks heating up, butterflies going wild in my stomach. “I think I have heard that a lot,”
“Because it is true,” he sucked in a breath and swiveled his gaze around—a hint of irritation in his eyes. “So, what is with the theme?”
“Ah. Lisa teaches a ballet class for children and invited nearly everyone in her class and in the neighborhood. She even decided to celebrate her birthday with this girl that I…”
Before I could finish my words, someone stood next to Daxton, reaching for his hand.
“Dad,”
Silence. Daxton cocked a brow, glancing back at me with confusion in his eyes. “Dad? I’m not your dad,”
I crouched, hand resting on my knees as I smiled at the girl who should be nine or ten. “Are you looking for your parents? Where…”
She cut me off. “But that woman right there said you are my dad,”
“I think you are mistaken and…” His words trailed, the expression on his face imperceptible when a woman walked up to us, her dark hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders.
“Ashley?”
“Daxton. It’s been a while.”
I straightened, glancing at Daxton who stood frozen, and Ashley who tilted her head and smiled.
This didn't look good.