Chapter 427 Explain Clearly
When Nicholas got back, he saw Caroline with her luggage, ready to leave.
His face darkened, and he wheeled over to her.
"Are you trying to take Josie away while I'm gone?" he snapped, gripping her hand so hard she dropped the suitcase.
Caroline winced in pain. Lisa, holding Josie's hand, followed behind, and Josie looked scared.
Feeling guilty, Caroline explained, "I've been staying at Paul's for days. I found a new place and I'm moving today. You left early, so I couldn't tell you."
'Is that true?'
Nicholas's anger flared but quickly faded, replaced by sadness.
She still wanted to leave him.
"Josie," he called, "come here."
Josie walked over, clutching her doll. Nicholas picked her up, placed her on his lap, and wheeled back inside, leaving Caroline and Lisa behind.
Paul approached, looking hurt. "Is my house not good enough? Why are you leaving?"
Caroline replied, "It's your house, after all. Not mine."
She felt awkward staying there indefinitely.
"Should I give you the house so you'll stay?" Paul teased.
Caroline's eyes widened. "I didn't say that!"
Paul laughed. "Stay here. It's safe. If you feel bad, pay me rent. One thousand dollars per month."
He pushed Caroline inside. Lisa sighed, realizing they couldn't leave.
"Nicholas, I'm renting this house to you and Caroline. Each of you pays a thousand dollars. Transfer it to my account. I have to go."
Paul stopped when he saw Lisa and Josie.
"Josie, let's go play."
Josie shook her head.
Paul whispered, "If you want Mommy and Daddy to make up, come with me."
Josie hugged him, and Paul turned to Lisa. "Lisa, come too. I can't handle Josie alone."
Soon, only Caroline and Nicholas were left.
Nicholas had been busy lately and hadn't seen much of Caroline.
'If I hadn't come back early today, she might've left with Josie.'
Thinking this, Nicholas got angry again.
"I don't care what deal you made with my dad, but if you take Josie without my consent, I'll sue and get custody."
Caroline's anger flared. "Nicholas, don't push me!"
She glared at him, eyes welling up with tears.
"Josie's been with you for six years. Have you ever truly cared? You let Daisy raise her, making her timid and weak. She doesn't even know how to stand up for herself."
"Did you ever stop Daisy from teaching her bad things?"
"Now that Daisy's pregnant, do you think she'll still be good to Josie?"
"Nicholas, don't think you can use Josie to keep me around as your mistress!"
"I'll fight you to the end. Even if I get hurt, I won't let you win."
Tears streamed down Caroline's face, disappearing into the carpet. Her eyes were defiant, her chin lifted in determination. She was in pain but hid it well, not wanting Nicholas to see her suffer or mock her.
Nicholas tried to speak but was cut off by Caroline. When she finally stopped, he stared at her, wanting to wipe her tears but not daring to.
"What if I told you Daisy's child isn't mine?" he said, his voice hoarse.
Caroline was stunned, then laughed mockingly. "Then I'll feel sorry for Daisy."
'She doesn't believe me.' This realization hit Nicholas hard. He gripped the armrest, his fingers trembling.
"I never had slept with her. Her child isn't mine. Caroline, I have nothing to do with her!"
But Caroline's gaze stayed cold and indifferent.
"Why wouldn't you believe me?" he asked, his eyes bloodshot.
"Why should I?" Caroline retorted. "If I believe you, I'll become your mistress. And you'll sweet-talk me while staying married to her?"
Nicholas's eyes turned red, veins bulging. Crazy thoughts flashed through his mind, but he suppressed them.
"You want custody of Josie? Fine, I'll give it to you!"
Caroline was shocked. Then she heard him say firmly, "But you must live in City B. You can't take Josie out of the country without my permission, and I must be able to see her anytime."
Caroline clenched her fists, closed her eyes, and after a few seconds, opened them again.
"I have a condition too."
"Go ahead."
"Josie has to change her last name and never return to the Watson family."
Caroline didn't want Josie to go back to the Watson family for any reason.
"I disagree with the first condition, but I agree with the second."
Nicholas wouldn't let Caroline erase his connection to Josie, so he disagreed with changing her last name. But he agreed that Josie wouldn't return to the Watson family. He didn't want to go back there either.
They reached a preliminary agreement. To reassure Caroline, Nicholas said in a businesslike tone, "You'll come with me to take Charles to Country M for treatment. Once everything is arranged, you'll come back with me, and then I'll have a lawyer draft an agreement."
"Okay."
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