CHAPTER SIX
1407 Words
XANDER'S POV
“Going home already, boss?“ Rain said in a mocking tone that grated on my nerves, but I didn't rise to the bait. I was too good in a mood to bother with his antics today.
“Yes, Rain.“ I wonder how he always had too much free time in his hand for a manager.
“Shall I accompany you? I've missed Estrella's Paella.“ An odd streak of possessiveness ran through me at the thought of sharing Estrella's food with anyone else, even if said person is my closest friend.
“No, maybe another night.“ I said curtly, but the clueless fool didn't pick up on my cold tone.
“Damn, date night?“
“No. I just don't want you having dinner with my wife and me.“
The words were out before I could stop myself, and I knew I was going to regret it with the wide grin that splitted his face.
“My wife, huh?"
“Rain, please.“ I was oddly pleased at the thought of having a wife to go home to.
He laughed. “That's how it is, huh?“
“I don't know what you're talking about.“ I said calmly, but I know he wasn't buying it.
“I'll see you tomorrow, Rain.“
“Yes, I'll return to my single miserable life now.“ I simply rolled my eyes as he escorted me to my car.
As I drove home, I pondered on how my life had drastically changed ever since I got married to Estrella. Having her and her daughter in my home was nice, not to talk about how her own daughter actually preferred my own company to hers.
On the rare days that I was home, Rose would sit on my lap and babble excitedly at the newspaper I was reading. One time she called me Daddy, and I didn't have the heart to tell her to stop. Instead, I encouraged her.
In the first few months of our contractual marriage, Estrella and I were simply civil to each other. It worked well for me until she said she wanted Rose to have a real family. It started with a simple breakfast together and then dinner without Rose.
We didn't talk about the shift in our marriage mainly because we didn't want to have what would probably be an awkward conversation about it, at least that was why I didn't mention it.
I mean, she sleeps in my bed most nights now, so I guess we would have to talk about it at some point. Hash out what that meant in regards to our contract and what it would mean moving forward.
I swung into our driveway to notice that there was a black Mustang already parked in my usual spot. My brows furrowed automatically. Was she receiving a guest? She would tell me if that was the case before I left home, right? I thought about all the possibilities as I pushed the door open to catch the tail end of the conversation she was having with a man.
“You need to leave, Dominic.“ Her voice was steady, but there was a tiny tremor underneath that betrayed her confidence.
“Not without my daughter.“
His daughter? This must be Rose's father. My eyes scrunched in disgust. I have no respect for a man who was okay without seeing his own daughter for almost four years.
Estrella's eyes widened when she saw me. She quickly rushed to my side.
“Welcome back, Xander.“ She clutched my arm, and I was sure she didn't even know how hard she was squeezing me. This man must have done a number on her if she's still this afraid of him.
The man eyed me critically. He was dressed in an Armani suit like me, and judging by his car outside, I assumed he was wealthy.
“You're this b*tch's new husband?“ Was the first thing he said to me, and I already know there's no way I'm letting him have his way.
“I am Xander Nicholas, and you'll respect my wife in our home.“
He paused. He's probably in the corporate world like I am but not on my level. Something tells me he recognizes my name. Not to brag, but I am a legend in the corporate world, while he's probably a rich heir that only made it by relying on Daddy's money. My family is wealthy too, but I actually started on my own before I joined my family's business, tripling its fortune under my leadership.
“I am…”
“I don't care who you are.“ I interrupted him harshly. “You have some guts stepping into my home and harassing my wife.“
“Look, man, I don't want any problems. I'm just here to get my daughter back.“
I laughed. “Are you talking about my daughter?“
His eyes flashed. “You're crossing some serious lines here. I don't know what she told you, but I am the owner of that pregnancy.“
“Pregnancy? What is this? Stone age?“
“Estrella, you better tell him the truth. I don't want to turn this into a lawsuit because, best believe, I'm going to use all the resources at my disposal to fight for my daughter's custody.“
“Say, what's your daughter's name?“ I ask as I stare down at this pathetic excuse of a man. I don't even know what happened between them, but I already hate him so much. It only makes sense that a woman would want to hide his own daughter from him.
He faltered for control. “That's none of your business, man. I want my daughter back.“
“How old is this daughter?“
“F*ck, man.“
“Answer me.“
He was already angry. “I'm going to be back with a lawsuit. I'm going to get my daughter back from you and this poor wretch of a b*tch I picked from when she was nothing.“
I keep my calm. I'm not going to stoop to his level.
“Good. Stay out of my home until you have a lawsuit.“
“I'll be back, b*tch.“ He said after an intense stare down.
Estrella broke down in tears after he left.
“I'm so sorry. I don't know how he found out. I promise I didn't reach out to him.“
“Estrella, hey. You don't want to wake Rose.“
“I'm sorry.“ She was inconsolable.
“I don't know how he found me.“
“Shhh.“ I looked at the dinner table and saw that she had set it up. She must have made a special dish.
“I'm sorry.“
“Rose was barely six months in my womb when I left him.“
“Did you divorce him?“
“Yes. I filed for it by myself. I'm not sure if he signed his part or not.“
“It doesn't matter.“ I assured her. “As long as he had no part in your upkeep after you divorced him, it's recognized by law.“
“If he goes to court, I don't know what I'm going to do.“ She sounds so broken that my heart constricts.
The look on her face as she thinks of a future where she is not with her baby stays with me all day at work the next day.
“You look distracted,“ Rain says when he comes into my office for lunch.
“I have a little problem.“ By the time I tell him what I need to get done, he's no longer smiling like his usual self.
“I know that b*stard, Dominic Berkeley.“
“I don't care about him. I only need him to lose the custody case.“
“I'll inform our attorneys. I'm sure we will find a way around it.“
“I suppose I can't think of filling for her adoption now.“
“No, it's a very risky move. It would only count if you had done it before now.“
“Why didn't I ever think of this before?“ I berated myself quietly.
“Don't worry, man, we're going to sort it out.“
I was going to do everything I could to make her happy.
- Writer
