GoodReadChapter 28
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In all this tsince | had Hayley, there had only been 2 people who had seen her struggle with her disability.
Over the years, it had gotten better for her and manageable but things still got challenging now and again
depending on various factors. Besides Adam and Nancy, no one else had even been aware that she was
challenged in any way.
She didn’t show it and she was capable of understanding but there had been rare occasions where. she didn’t
have the patience for it and today was one of those days.
Hayley whined and squealed at her helplessness but | knew exactly why she was fussy today. With all the
excitement of the day and her being buzzed with Dante being around, she didn’t want him to see her like this
neither did she want this to cin the way of her ending off their meeting for today on a good note.
“It’s alright, Hayley. Remember, mama is here and |
ere and | can carry you inside. It's okay. | whispered calmly to her while Dante just stood watching Hayley in
distress not knowing how to help her.
My motherly protective instinct kicked in and I didn’t want my baby to be looked at like a wounded puppy.
“No! | want to do it myself.” She insisted, hitting her balled fists against the leather seats.
| know you do but allow mama to help you this one time. | tried to reason with her darting my eyes to Dante who
seemed to be lost in his own thought.
| didn’t understand why he stood here. It only placed more pressure on Hayley to perform when she couldn't.
Even if she wanted to give in and letcarry her, she wouldn't because Dante was right there.
“No! no. No!” She cried, her b*dy jerking in frustration as she tried to kick her legs over again but all it could
manage was a small movement at her ankles.
“You want to it by yourself? Come.” Dante spoke causing both Hayley and I to look up at him. “I won't carry you
but I will hold your hand.” He said gently then waited for Hayley to think it over.
“You don’t understand. Her legs are not going to-“I tried to explain to him but he cutoff.
“Let Hayley decide then the rest can be figured out.” He tried to remain calm in front of Hayley but | saw the
heat in his eyes atundermining him.
We both looked back at Hayley, saw how overwhelmed she was, but her resolve had crumbled.
She didn’t say a word but just notided to Dante slowly. Dante squared his shoulders before asking
aside which | did curious to see how he intended on handling this.
Dante helped her out of the car by supporting her under her arms before he placed her feet to the ground but
not quiet. instead of the ground, he placed her feet on to his shoes then lowered her enough until her foot was
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtflush to the top of his shoes. He didn’t care that there was no dust and d#*rty in his fine Italian shoes as he moved
his right leg then left giving Hayley the illusion and feel like she was walking making her not entirely helpless.
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Chapter 28
It was a technique | had never thought of before and one which seemed to have worked better than I thought it
would.
Hayley’s expression was no longer dull and frustrated but it had changed to one that was bright and bubbly
again. She, herself, was fascinated by this and she kept her attention fixed on Dante’s moving steps beneath her
feet.
“See, you're doing it and no one is carrying you. He cheered her on and she smiled.
We reached the front door and | expected Dante to leave but he did not. Instead he proceeded to ask Hayley
where she wanted to go to in the house and lead her there speaking like he was commanding a ship. Hayley
obviously loved that and her laughter echoed through the house ast their ship ventured toward the living room
where Hayley wanted to watch her favourite show.
| headed to the kitchen to fetch myself a glass of water. All that chocolate tasting has madethirsty. After
finding a glass, | poured myself scold water and gulped it down. The distant sound of Hayley’s animation
played and she was quiet but the footsteps approachingwas not.
It was determined and stormed in my direction with deliberate calculation. He was on his way to have a say
about sthing as opposed to silently letting himself out of the house.
Dante appeared in the kitchen with a grave look on his face. His brows were furrowed, his face. morphed in to
concern, and he almost looked pained but his eyes were angry.
“How long has she been suffering from this for?” His words were icy cold as they hung in the air.
He stood at the end of the island withon the other side leaving ample space between us.
“Ever since she was born.” | answered briefly not wanting to share too much with him.
“And you didn’t mention any thing about it to me. He muttered angrily causing my anger to boil at his
entitlement.
| straightened my posture and took a few angry steps forward. Safe distance be damned. | crossed my arms over
my chest and stared right in to his own furious eyes.
“I do not need to mention any thing to you, Dante. | don’t think you remember clearly but we are divorced. We
have been for a while and | owe you no in on my life.” His eyes darkened at my words. and his I*ps pressed in to
a cunning line.
He took a step forward toleaving just an inch between us but | didn’t care about it.
“There is no need to remindof the past. | am well aware of what happened between us and 1 regret it with
every passing day but that is irrelevant.” Dante ran a hand through his hair roughly like he was willing to pull it
out. His anger had taken away from his words.
“Hayley. What is condition that she had been born with?” His eyes softened in concern but his face
was as hard as stone.
“Spinal bafida. That is what she has but she is so much more than her difficulty.” | said protectively not wanting
anyone, let alone Dante, thinking differently of my
child.
“You should have toldbeforehand.” He said, his words turning tight.
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Chapter 28
“Again, | do not owe you any information neither did | expect you to be in either of our lives.” My words were
bitter and all the hurt that | felt years ago cback to the surface.
| hated that Dante had thrownout of his life so easily yet here he was trying to have ssort of role on it. It
only messed with my head because | couldn’t gage where to slot him in, where he fitted in.
“Perhaps but you would if we found out who her biological father is. His words were low, intentional, and sharp.
Dante was well aware of what his words would do and the blank, shocked look I couldn't control proved him
right.
“What does that have to do with any thing?” | asked ignoring how my
voice shook.
“Everything. It has every thing to do with it. You first leadto believe that Adam was her father but Hayley
was told otherwise. Why are you so determined to keep her father hidden from her and her from her father?” He
tilted his head to the side eyeingwith a challenging look.
“Because it is for the best.” My voice had dropped to a whisper.
“For who? For you?” He accused. “I don’t see how it’s good for her to grow up with out a fatherly figure and one
who didn’t even get a choice in whether they wanted to play that role or not because you hid her away.” His tone
had turned accusatory again but he had no right to hurl these things at
1. me.
Dante was not aware of the things I faced, of the challenges that lead to the decision that | had made and he
would never understand.
“You are a selfish mother. One who thinks only of herself and her comfort. His words cut throughdeep and
my hand reached back with anger before launching a slap on his face but Dante was
too fast.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmHis hand caught my wrist tightly right before | could lay a finger on him. He yankedforward until our b*dy’s
crashed with each other.
“Don’t you dare question the decisions | made as a mother. You have no right nor the knowledge of what lead me
to it.” | warned him but his gaze had dropped to my I*ps.
“The decisions you took were to shelter you from being uncomfortable.” He said in a husky tone, his breath
fanning against my I*ps.
My I*¥ps trembled feeling the air tickle it. “Watch yourself.”
“Really? Or what?” He whispered his I*ps moving closer to mine whilst his eyes challengedto
move
My mind was in a whirlwind of confusion. He was too close, his I*ps were less than an inch from mine, | could
smell his heady, intoxicating cologne mess with my sense.
“I will place a restraining order against you.” | warned but his I*ps spread in to a wide smile.
“Go ahead. Do it but before that | want to do a paternity test.” His words snappedout of the trance he
seemed to have momentarily trappedin.
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Chapter 28
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| moved away from him but he didn’t let go of my wrist. My eyes blinked several times hearing the words |
dreaded to hear buzz through my head. | wanted to pinch myself and wake up from this horrible dream.
“N- No. Do not waste your twith that because | can assure you she is not your child.” | stuck my chin out
defiantly but his hold tightened around my wrist.
“You may be telling the truth but | hand allowing to fall to my side.
tit in medical documentation stating it He let go of my
“I do not consent
to it as her mother and you can’t force it as a stranger. It is unnecessary stress that she does not need. She is
perfectly fine with out a father.” | stood by my opinion but Dante obviously disagreed.
Dante took a few steps back before shaking his head in disbelief. He threwa scathing look before leaving the
kitchen without another word Moments later | heard his car drive away and | crumbled to the floor overcome
with so many emotions.
It was easy for him so say that | was selfish when he was not aware of the circumstances that lead to be. If |
allow him to do this paternity test and he finds out the truth, he would becunbearable but he was not my
biggest worry. Pheobe is. The woman would never tolerate Dante being distracted by Hayley and | didn’t trust
her. She would do whatever she needed to to get her way even if that meant harming an innocent child. She
attempted it before and what would stop her
now!
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