Chapter 295 You Can't Call a Stranger Daddy
Francis's face tensed up when he saw Agnes. His gut feeling was right; she was Harper's daughter, and Allen's too. This realization made his chest tighten.
Agnes jumped from the car into Francis's arms, hugging his neck. "Daddy, did you come to see me?" she asked.
Francis was taken aback. He wasn't used to such close contact, except with Harper.
Agnes seemed to like him more and more. She suddenly kissed his cheek, thinking her chosen daddy was the best-looking. She couldn't wait to tell Anna Williams from kindergarten that her daddy was the best, unlike Anna's, who she thought looked like an old bucket.
"Daddy, are we going to the amusement park?" Agnes asked sweetly.
Francis looked at her, struggling to speak. The kiss, even with a bit of saliva, didn't bother him. Instead, it felt oddly natural.
He meant to push her away but ended up holding her protectively. For the first time, he didn't know what to do.
Agnes's big eyes stared at him with admiration. He saw his reflection in them and thought, how great it would be if she were his and Harper's child. It was a crazy thought, though.
Agnes clung to Francis, convinced he was her daddy. He looked just like the daddy in her dreams.
Harper's heart raced, fearing Francis might take Agnes away. She quickly called out, "Agnes! Don't call him daddy!"
Agnes looked like she was about to cry, her little mouth quivering.
Francis felt a pang in his heart, not wanting her to cry. He was about to say it was okay, but Harper gently told Agnes, "You have a daddy. You can't call strangers daddy, okay?"
The word "stranger" hit Francis hard. He was just a stranger to them.
If their child had lived, they might have been as beautiful and cute as Agnes. But there were no ifs.
Agnes looked confused, glancing between Francis and Harper, on the verge of tears. To her, Francis was her daddy—the one she chose at the airport!
Harper sighed and gently said, "Agnes, Francis isn't your daddy. Calling him that might bother him, okay?"
Agnes, still young, barely grasped that "trouble" meant something bad. So, Francis didn't like being called daddy? That hurt.
It felt like giving away her favorite doll only to see it thrown away.
Her little mouth drooped, eyes welling up. "I understand."
Harper patted her head, "Then let's say goodbye to Francis."
By now, Francis had gotten out of the car and stood before them. He'd heard Harper's words about it being a bother. He thought, even if it was a bother, it was a sweet one.
Agnes, reluctant but obedient, waved to Francis, "Goodbye," her voice small and almost crying.
Francis felt a pang in his heart. He wanted to comfort her. A dark emotion flickered in his eyes. Why did he care so much about someone else's child?
Harper noticed Francis's intense gaze on Agnes, making her uneasy. She didn't want them to have too much contact.
She took Agnes's hand, nodded at Francis, and turned to leave.
"Wait," Francis called out.
Harper stopped and looked back.
Francis swallowed hard, "Come to work on time tomorrow."
Harper frowned, "I will."
Right now, nothing was more important than the divorce.
Francis watched them walk away, feeling an inexplicable pain.
He leaned against the car, took a moment to relax, then got back in.
On the way home, Agnes was clearly upset, silently fiddling with her fingers.
Harper knew she was unhappy but felt helpless.
Francis wasn't her daddy, and she couldn't let Agnes call him that just to make her happy. Better to end it quickly.
In the future, she would avoid letting Agnes see him. Over time, Agnes should forget about Francis.
Late at night.
Harper worked at the Getty Group during the day and handled pre-orders for her studio at night.
Though the studio hadn't officially opened, she still had old clients from overseas.
By the time she finished, it was almost midnight.
She heard sobbing from the children's room.
Zoey was about to check, but Harper stopped her, telling her to rest while she went in.
Agnes was still asleep, seemingly dreaming, occasionally sobbing.
Harper lay beside her, gently patting her back and humming to soothe her.
Agnes clutched Harper's finger tightly, relying on her.
Harper felt her frustration with Francis melt away.
Agnes was her gift from heaven, giving her strength.
Soon, Agnes fell into a deep sleep.
Her thick eyelashes still had tears, and she mumbled, "Daddy," in her sleep.
The word carried a small grievance and longing.
Harper's face stiffened.
She stroked Agnes's hair and gently asked, "Agnes, do you really want a daddy?"
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